1. Start with your hair texture. Is your hair texture fine, medium, or course? If you have fine to medium hair, look for a flat iron  that goes up to 400 degrees. Course hair would better benefit off of a flat iron that goes up to 450 degrees.
2. Temperature Control. Make sure the flat iron has a temperature dial. The degrees will go from 150-450 or 1-25. This is VERY important because you don’t want to fry your hair.
3. Size does matter. Make sure a choose a flat iron that goes along with your hair length. If your hair is short, look for a mini flat iron or one with a 3/8″- 1.5″  plate. If you have longer hair, look for an iron with a 1″-3″ plate.
4. Weight. Make sure you choice a flat iron you are comfortable holding. Irons for short hair are often light, which makes them quicker and easier to manuver. Cheap irons can be bulky and heavy, so try to find a good light iron for longer hair as well. It may cost more but it is well worth the price.
5. Look for “Ceramic”. Make sure the flat iron you choose is ceramic. Be careful though, some irons with the “ceramic” label do “lie”. Some cheaper irons just have a ceramic coating on it claiming to be fully ceramic. Make sure the flat iron has a full ceramic plate. That means RESEARCH! Google the brand before you buy.

Here are some great brands to look for:

Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron (1-1/4″) $79.99 Folica.com

BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium 1 1/4″ Straightening Iron $129.99 Folica.com

Paul Brown Flat Iron Ceramic Ion 1″ $109.99 BeautyBasicSupply.com

T3 Mini Flat Iron $119.00 Sephora.com

FHI Classic 405RVI Ceramic Ion Styling Flat Iron 1-3/4″ $88.00 Frizzy2Silky.com