7 amazing hair straightener uses that you may never have considered before

Not a trick question: what are hair straighteners for? I’ll assume top of your hair straightener uses list is, well, straightening your hair. But did you know the best hair straighteners are designed to be multipurpose tools? They should be as adept at creating beachy waves or sealing frizz as they are coaxing hair into smooth glossy sheets.   

If there’s one group of people who know their way around hair straightener uses, it’s professional  hairdressers. From the red carpet to photo shoots, A-List hair stylists know that only the very best hair dryer models and other hot tools should earn a precious spot in their styling kit. And once they've found them, you can bet the pros will learn 101 ways to work that pair of hair straighteners, covering every hair type, texture and styling need.

Here are 7 brilliant tips from the cream of the UK’s hair styling community (plus one from yours truly) to make the best of your straighteners and probably save a bit of cash into the bargain!

7 amazing uses for hair straighteners

1. A faux bouncy blow-dry

“Prep the hair using a root spray such as Jo Hansford Voluminous and distribute evenly through hair when damp. Rough-dry the hair, lifting it at the roots. Take even sections and, using straightening irons, glide them through the ends of the hair, twisting at 90 degrees to create a flick.Do this in alternating directions. Gently backcomb the roots to create extra volume.” Frankie at Jo Hansford Salon

2. A tousled wave

“Create a smooth wave by wrapping the hair around the iron from the middle section and pulling down slowly, holding the iron horizontally to created a tousled look.” Stephen Glendinning, session stylist and T3 ambassador

See our full  T3 Lucea ID review

3. To seal in a pollution-proof treatment

“Pollutants often suck the moisture out of your hair and scalp. GHD Advanced Split End Therapy is a heat-activated treatment that works instantly to fortify split ends and leave hair sleek, smooth and shiny for up to 10 washes.

"Simply comb through shampooed hair, blow-dry and then pass your styler over hair to seal in the product.” A-List stylist Zoë Irwin

See our full GHD Platinum+ Hair Straightener review

4. To disguise root regrowth

“To really hide roots the best thing to do is increase movement and add volume. Reach for a straightening iron, or anything that you can use to make loose waves. 

"Wave hair away from your face, even at the top, then shake and shake. Blast in a texture spray and create a wavy natural parting.” Jonathan Soons, Headmasters creative ambassador

5. Easy beach texture

“Section your hair into four parts, like a hot cross bun. Plait each section and secure the ends with an elastic.

"Then gently run the GHD Platinum+ styler over each braid. Leave to cool down, then unleash the texture.” GHD ambassador Patrick Wilson

6. The sleekest, smoothest bun

“Take one-inch sections and use the Dyson Corralle straightener to smooth the hair from roots to tip. Using an elastic band, secure the hair into a low ponytail.

"Twist the hair into a bun and secure with French hair pins and a light spritz of hairspray for hold.” A-list stylist Jen Atkin

See our Dyson Corrale straightener review

7. For your clothes

This one’s for you if, like me, you think ironing clothes is almost always unnecessary labour and only resort to doing it in the most critical circumstances (read: wedding guest outfits and linen).

For everything else I find a crisp collar hides a multitude of sins, and my hot irons are more than adept at straightening the wrinkles out of a small surface area.

Would straightener brands recommend this? Probably not. But it’s fast, effective and saves me the hassle of dragging the ironing board out of the hall cupboard – so what’s not to love? W&H Beauty Editor Fiona McKim