The app also offers social media participation (it encourages users to upload their hair creations to photo-sharing platforms) which might be a nice touch for younger users, but I didn’t feel was aimed at me. Glamoriser Smart Bluetooth Hair Straightener: final verdict Ceramic-coated plates: they usually have a metal base topped with a ceramic layer, combining the best qualities of both materials. The outer layer can chip and wear away over time, but a good-quality model should last you at least three years if stored properly. Your straightening technique is also key to achieving a gorgeous, glossy finish. Instead of ironing to flatten each strand, hairstylist Adam Reed has this advice: “It’s about pressing the hair as a finisher. Only use straighteners on hair above the ears, and lift it upwards as you would do when blow drying, so you’re still getting that oomph into the roots. And work lightly. If you had a silk blouse, you would go carefully and you wouldn’t have the heat at the max. It’s the same with hair.” Think of it as a finishing treatment, rather than a starting point.

With over five years’ experience in beauty and health journalism, Florence has written for ELLE, Women’s Fitness, Sister Magazine, National Geographic Traveller and many more, with a strong sustainability angle thread through much of her work. Temperature settings: consider hair straighteners with variable temperature settings so you get the optimum experience for your hair type and desired look. Such a feature is also great if you plan on sharing your straighteners with others. The Strait isn’t cheap but this is one of the best-priced hair straighteners in this round-up. It comes in blue or olive green (to match MDLondon’s Blow hair dryer), with gold detailing, and its colour options alone set it apart from the majority of rivals.

Best hair straighteners for curly hair: L’Oréal Professionnel Steampod Steam Straightening Tool 3.0

Fine hair: Look for ceramic plates that distribute heat evenly and more gently. Use lower temperature settings to minimise heat damage. In the Good Housekeeping Institute lab, our experts used a Bossa Nova Shuffle machine to assess how long their style lasted and how much frizz was created in a humid environment. To further protect the hair, you may want to consider a heat protectant. Most effective when applied in sections, some of the best formulas include ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray, Kérastase Discipline Keratin Thermique Creme, and Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer.

Ionic technology: when there’s too much positive charge on each hair strand, they begin to repel each other, making hair static and flyaway. This technology helps to neutralise the charge, smoothing strands down instead. Additional accessories: If you're planning on taking your hair straighteners away, consider accessories like heat-proof mats, silicone plate guards and travel pouches, that'll make styling on the go much easier. Why we love it: If you're looking for ground-breaking technology – Dyson is your go-to. Not only has the brand revolutionised the haircare market by applying its trailblazing vacuum know-how to curling wands and hair dryers (Dyson Airwrap, anyone?), but they've also made a sideways jump into heat styling.

Iconic technology: hair straighteners with ionic technology reduce frizz, snags and fly-aways because they neutralise the positive charge that'd usually cause hair strands to repel each other.