Best Wet to Dry Hair Straightener
The world of haircare is continuously evolving, and the best wet to dry hair straightener is becoming a very competitive sector. Designed to cater to those with a busy lifestyle, these tools offer the dual function of drying and straightening hair in one swift motion. So, what is a wet to dry hair straightener – there are two main technologies that are mass produced at this time.
1. Wet to Dry Air Straighteners Technology
The first technology is to use air only. Obviously hair dryers have existed for generations now which do style the hair, like a hair blow out. But only recently there is a push to use some advanced aerodynamics to style the hair. Revlon used this philosophy in their one-step styler. Then, Dyson came on the scene with their Airwrap System. And finally, we have Dyson air straight. The only true ‘hair straightener’ to use air only to get straight hair style. This is by far the safest way to straighten hair because hot plates never touch the hair. It’s not perfect though, there are drawback to this system.
2. Wet to Straight Flat Iron Technology
The second approach is to use a hot Flat Iron with vent to dry and style the hair in one shot. This technology has being out for a while. The biggest draw back to this technology is the associated risk of hair damage. We will get into it down below.
Best Market Options – Wet to Dry Hair Straightener
Best Performance
:Dyson Airstrait Straightener
Best Wet to Dry Flat Iron
:GHD Duet Style Hair Styler
Best Drugstore
:Revlon Air Straight
Most Iconic
:Remington Wet2Style Flat Iron
Best Hair Tools
:Top Hair Tools For Any Job
Price: various
Value
Performance
Control
Technology
Infographic – Best Wet to Dry Hair Straightener
The Evolution of the Best Wet to Dry Hair ‘Air Straightener’
Origins:
The technological leap towards the best wet to dry hair straightener can be traced back to the viral rise of the Revlon One-Step Styler. Not long after, Dyson introduced their Airwrap, though it didn’t fully cater to the straight hair enthusiasts. GHD Duet ventured into the scene with a combined approach—a hair dryer and flat iron hybrid. However, it remained a two-step process. Enter Dyson Airstrait: a game-changer that delivered the promise of drying and straightening in one seamless step. Revlon wasn’t far behind, offering an affordable variant to meet the demand.
Mechanism:
These innovative tools utilize forced air to dry hair, whilst simultaneously straightening it. The integrated heat not only expedites the drying process but also styles the hair to perfection – i.e. straight styled hair. It is also worth a mention, there is a tool called Revair, which uses a vacuum cleaner technology retrofitted to dry and style the hair in one step as well.
Pros and Cons:
On the upside, these straighteners stand out for their hair-friendly approach, living up to the reputation of being genuine one-step stylers. However, they do come with certain limitations. Achieving that pin-straight hair finish as with traditional flat irons remains elusive. Plus, for some, the styling process can be a tad lengthy.
Spotlight on the Best Wet to Dry Hair Straightener:
When we talk about frontrunners, four names emerge: GHD Duet, Revlon Airstraight, Dyson Airstrait and RevAir. While numerous Amazon imitations are flooding the market, it’s Dyson and GHD that reign supreme in delivering flawlessly straightened hair. In my opinion, Revlon Airstraight and its Amazon counterparts fare marginally better than a standard hair dryer.
Then we have Revair, its might be the safest of the four Wet to Dry Hair Straightener, however it lacks in the hair straightening finish. Just like with Revlon, it’s more of a unique hair dryer that serves those who are looking for a safer hair dryer alternative.
Best Market Options – Wet to Dry Hair Straightener
Best Performance
:Dyson Airstrait Straightener
Similar Product
:GHD Duet Style Hair Styler
Best Drugstore
:Revlon Air Straight
RevAir Hair Dryer
:Remington Wet2Style Flat Iron
Wet to Straight Flat Iron Technology
How Wet to Dry Flat Iron Works
Efficiency is the hallmark of the best wet to dry hair straightener. As you glide the Flat Iron through damp strands, it releases steam. This isn’t just any steam—it’s the natural moisture from your hair transforming under the heat. Beyond just straightening, this mechanism ensures your locks dry simultaneously, promising one-step results.
Best Market Options – Wet to Dry Flat Iron
Iconic Drugstore
:Remington Wet2Style Flat Iron
Best Wet to Dry Flat Iron
:GHD Duet Style Hair Styler
Best Hair Tools
:Top Hair Tools For Any Job
Price: various
Value
Performance
Control
Technology
The Material Matters
When diving into the quest for the best wet to dry hair straightener, the plate material is paramount:
- Ceramic Plates: Known for their consistent temperature, ceramic plates ensure that every strand receives equal attention. The even heat minimizes the risk of ‘hot-spots’ or areas of over-styling. Further, negative ions further the breakdown of water molecules to hasten the drying and styling process. Something to take note of, ceramic infused with turmaline produces even more negative ions.
- Titanium Plates: Titanium is revered for its fast heat-up capability. If you’re always in a rush, a titanium plate might just be your hair’s new best friend. Plus, it’s incredibly durable. However, this technology should to be used in conjunction with safety circuitry, otherwise the risk of hair damage can be too high. See the article on safest Flat Iron.
The Venting System
It’s not just about the plates. The venting system plays a pivotal role in the functionality of the best wet to dry hair straightener. It’s meticulously designed to let out steam as fast as possible. Steam can be too damaging on the hair if not vented out quickly. The right balance in the venting system ensures optimal drying without compromising hair health.
Safety Concerns
No tool is without its challenges. The combination of heat and moisture can be a big concern for many hair types. Direct high heat on damp hair can lead to potential damage, with water in the hair turning to steam and causing uncontrolled breakage.
Beyond the obvious risk of heat damage, there are bigger issues to consider. When hair is wet, it is in the very vulnerable state. Doing anything that is not very gentle will increase the rist of hair damage. Lets go through a few risks.
-Tension.
Putting hair under tension when it’s wet is not recommended, bases on many studies. It would be very challenging to glide the iron through wet hair without putting tension on the hair. Even if large tooth comb is utilized right in front of the wet to dry Flat Iron, there will still be tension. Let me paint a better picture, per studies, even drying your wet hair with a towel will damage it. This is on top of the heat damage that can happen. But it does not end there.
-Friction.
Let’s continue the same tune. Friction is another issues. This can have bad ramifications for hair cuticles. When hair is wet, the hair cuttles will open a bit. When hair cuttles are open, there is more friction between the hair strands. Trying to manage hair while it is wet will force the cuttles to rub against each other, and it will increase the risk of damaging hair cuttles. BTW. hair cuticles is the first and primary defense for the hair strands. All of this is happening on top of risks from heat, and risks from tension.
-Hence Trifecta of risks…
So, this is the reason why I do not recommend these tools, the wet to dry flat irons. One, they do not produce great results. Two, the risks that are introduced are too high. The heat, plus tension, plus friction introduce very high risk of hair damage.
Also, beware of technologies that do not solve these main issues and claim that they are safe, e.g. new steam tech. Steam technology does not solve these issues for wet hair. Hair will feel heat, tension and friction. I’m sure some brands will continue to stretch the truth a bit, just as some do (this is more noticeable with Amazon hair brands).
Protecting Your Hair
Regardless of the quality of your straightener, hair protection is suggested per scientific studies that have being done so far. Prior to styling with the wet to dry flat iron, apply a heat protectant. This layer acts as a shield, ensuring that the direct heat doesn’t wreak havoc on your precious hair follicles.
Results Vary
Hair tools, like any beauty product, have varied effects based on individual needs and hair types. While many users laud the time-saving capabilities and dub it the best wet to dry straightener(s), others might find traditional methods more effective. Your unique hair type, lifestyle, and styling preferences play a significant role in your experience.