BeansTalk’s (Associate Editor’s)
Platform on Hair Irons
By Andrea Goodwin (agoodwin@beanstalkbiz.com)
BeansTalk subscribes to a few of the gossip mags that cover the award show red carpet scene and dish about all the “winners and losers.” (Some BeansTalk staffers actually write some of those articles… Can you believe that?) One matter that all the fashion pundits agreed upon is that straight hair is SEXY. Actually, straight asymmetrical hair is sexy. Throw your straight hair over one shoulder a la Nicole or Gwyneth.
Anyway, two of BeansTalk’s hardest working staffers have long straight hair and we keep it looking shiny and frizz-free with daily use of our straightening tools. (Reminder to the BeansTalk ME: Please refrain from doing this while you are driving…)
Recently, we were able to try the very tool that the above mentioned celebs used on Oscar night to get that ultra straight and sexy hair. (FHI generously gifted many celebrities and BeansTalk that week. See above shot of Vanessa Williams at the Stuart Weitzman suite where stylists from Esthetica Salon were using the FHI Heat tools to create red carpet looks.)
We tried the FHI Heat Platform 1 inch ceramic tourmaline styling iron. We are very happy to report that despite the crazy weather conditions here in LA and the fact that we can only dream about being as deft as their Artistic Director, Les Haverty, in using it – we have been having some great hair days with its use. Most notably, we were happy to see that our straightened hair was not robbed of moisture and did not look overly flat. Straight hair can and should look bouncy and full.
BeansTalk quicktip: Even though it is tempting to use an iron at the hottest temperature setting, it is healthier for your hair to use it at the coolest temperature that will do the type of job you need. So, even though these iron will go as high as 450 degrees, play around with temperatures in the 200s and 300s for general use. Also, remember irons are more than just straighteners, try some of the curling techniques suggested in their literature and website.
The FHI Heat Platform series comes in black and features a PTFC heater that allows the iron to remain very hot even when applied to wet hair, and five plate widths: 4/10-inch ($165.00) for men’s or short hair; 7/10-inch ($165.00); 1-inch ($180.00); 1 1/4-inch ($195.00); and 1 3/4-inch for longer hair ($210.00). Only the 1-inch is available in pink ($195.00).
Benefits: The large quantity of crushed tourmaline gemstones in the Platform series irons makes the irons more effective in producing greater amounts of far-infrared heat, a gentle type of heat that penetrates the hair shaft. With the aid of tourmaline, these irons produce more negative ions, helping break water molecules and allowing hair to be conditioned from the inside out.
The value of the Platform series irons is reflected in their abilities to recover lost heat and style hair at higher temperatures, which results in do’s that last longer, and saves time spent ironing the hair. Other benefits include: ultra-rapid heating; curling hair, enabled by the beveled edges of the ceramic plates; protecting color and retarding color fading; sealing the cuticle to lock in moisture and repel humidity, which helps eliminate frizz; and maximum shine and conditioning.
BeansTalk actually saw a few of these techniques demonstrated by Les Haverty at the Stuart Weitzman suite. Les was simultaneously drying and curling a client’s hair at a remarkable 450 degrees. It turned out amazing and Les reported that with proper hair spray products (he uses ISH) the look could last a few days.
The new technologically advanced FHI Heat irons retail at hair salons and beauty stores nationwide, and are also available to consumers via a toll-free number 877-FHI-HEAT (877-344-4328) and E-shop at www.FHIHeat.com. Other products offered by FHI include carbon combs, heat conditioning hair products, curling irons, and ceramic ionic blow dryers. For more information, please call FHI Heat at 877-FHI-HEAT
