Who is this choice for?

Loose-bend beginners

If you want to make relaxed bends with the same tool you use for straightening, check its outer shape as well as its plates. ghd and BaByliss describe rounded designs on specific straighteners intended for waves.

Consumers who want heat control

If your styling preferences vary or several people share the tool, selectable settings let you choose a temperature rather than use one fixed setting. BaByliss and Dyson list this feature on the models discussed below.

Dressing-table users planning for cool-down

If children, pets or surfaces that could be damaged by heat are nearby, leave room for the tool to rest safely while it cools. Electrical Safety First advises keeping straighteners out of children’s reach and letting them cool before storage.

What matters when choosing?

Start with the shape needed for bends, then consider heat control and how you will rest and store the tool at your dressing table. Treat the percentages below as approximate shares of consumers grouped by the need they would put first, not as a measure of how important a feature should be to you.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Shape for loose bends Look for a rounded outer housing and an explicit straight-and-wave or curl function on the exact model. If loose bends are my main reason for buying, I want a straightener I can turn around a section of hair rather than judging it by its flat plates alone. Around 44% of consumers put bend-friendly shape first.
Heat-setting flexibility Check the stated temperature settings or range, and whether the model is also designed for waves. When my styling preferences vary or I share the tool, I want to choose the heat setting instead of relying on one preset. Selectable heat comes first for roughly 33% of consumers.
Resting and storage Check for automatic shut-off and any included heat-resistant resting aid; for a mains model used in the UK, check the plug and fuse. At my dressing table, I need somewhere safe to set the hot tool and enough time for it to cool before storage. About 23% of consumers prioritise this desk-side routine.

These features solve different problems. Adjustable heat does not determine the shape of a bend, while automatic shut-off does not replace unplugging the straightener and allowing it to cool. For a corded mains model used in the UK, Electrical Safety First advises checking for a standard UK three-pin plug and fuse; that plug check does not apply to a cordless rechargeable model.

What should you avoid assuming?

  • Assuming flat plates alone make a straightener bend-friendly

    The plates tell you little about the outer shape you will turn through your hair. A model intended only for straightening may not have the rounded housing you are looking for.

    Check photographs and the exact model description for a rounded body and a stated wave or curl function, rather than relying on the brand name.

  • Treating adjustable heat as a protection guarantee

    More settings give you a choice of temperature; they do not guarantee less damage, longer hold or suitability for every hair condition.

    Check the model’s stated settings and follow its instructions when choosing a temperature for your hair and intended style.

  • Putting the tool away while it is still hot

    Hot plates and housings can burn skin or damage nearby surfaces. A pouch is not a reason to skip cool-down.

    Electrical Safety First advises unplugging the straightener and letting it cool on a heat-resistant surface before putting it in a pouch, drawer or bag.

  • Overlooking electrical suitability on a mains model

    A corded straightener used in the UK needs an appropriate mains plug and fuse; styling features do not answer that electrical-safety question.

    Electrical Safety First advises buying from a reputable retailer and checking for a standard UK three-pin plug and fuse on a mains-operated straightener.

Brands to consider

These examples show how specific product lines approach waves, heat control and placement. Check the exact model and variant before applying a feature to another straightener from the same brand.

ghd

The ghd Platinum+ is a fixed-temperature option with a rounded barrel that ghd describes as suitable for loose waves as well as straight styles.

  • ghd lists 26 mm plates, a 185°C styling temperature, universal voltage and automatic sleep mode after 30 minutes of non-use for this model.
  • Its fixed temperature does not let you choose a lower or higher setting yourself.

BaByliss

The BaByliss Black Onyx Styler ST484U combines manual temperature selection with a rounded metal housing described by BaByliss for soft curls and waves.

  • BaByliss lists five temperature settings from 130°C to 235°C, automatic shut-off and a heat wrap for the ST484U.
  • Those features describe the ST484U, not every BaByliss straightener; confirm what is included with the variant you select.

Dyson

Dyson describes the Corrale as a cordless-capable straightener for straightening, waving and curling, which may interest you if socket placement affects your dressing-table setup.

  • The Dyson Corrale manual specifies flexing plates and selectable settings of 165°C, 185°C and 210°C.
  • Cordless use requires charging. Check the included accessories for the exact Corrale variant you are considering.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Common questions

Can I use a straightener for loose bends instead of a curling tong?

Yes, a straightener can be used to make waves. For loose bends, look for an exact model with a rounded outer housing: ghd and BaByliss describe this design on straighteners intended for waves. Turn and glide the tool through a section rather than holding hot plates in one place.

Can I use a conventional straightener on damp hair?

Use it on dry hair with dry hands. Electrical Safety First advises against using a straightener on wet hair or with wet hands, and the Dyson Corrale manual says hair should be dry and tangle-free before styling.

What should I do with the straightener after styling?

Unplug it and let it cool on a heat-resistant surface before storing it. Electrical Safety First advises keeping straighteners out of children’s reach and not wrapping the cable around the tool for storage.

What electrical checks matter for a corded straightener in the UK?

For a mains-operated straightener used in the UK, Electrical Safety First advises checking for a standard UK three-pin plug and fuse and buying from a reputable retailer. This plug-and-fuse check is specific to mains models, not cordless rechargeable ones.