Thermal Styling

Is a method of styling the hair utilizing thermal irons and special manipulations.

In order to guide and educate your client you, as the stylist, must learn all about the tools and products available.

As years have passed, thermal irons have been improved and are more popular now than before. They can either be electric or stove-heated irons. A hair iron is a tool used to change the structure of the hair with the help of heat. There are three general kinds: curling irons, used to make the hair curly, straighteners or flat irons, used to straighten the hair, and crimpers or wavers, used to create small crimps in the hair.

Tools for Thermal Styling

Curling iron:

An implement made of quality steel used to create waves or curls on dry hair using a variety of methods. There are many different types of modern curling irons, which can vary by diameter, material, and shape of barrel and the type of handle.

The diameter can be anywhere from ½ inch to 3 inches. Smaller barrels typically create spiral curls or ringlets, and larger barrels are used to give shape and volume to a hairstyle.

Curling irons are typically made of Teflon, ceramic, tourmaline, metal, or titanium. The barrel’s shape can either be a cylinder, cone, or reverse cone, and the iron can have brush attachments or double and triple barrels.

Spring-loaded handles are the most popular and use a spring to work the barrel’s clamp. When using a Marcel handle, named after Marcel Grateau, one applies his or her own pressure to the clamp. Clipless wands have no clamp, and the user simply wraps hair around a rod. Most clipless curling irons come with a glove to avoid burns.

Electric curling irons have cylindrical barrels ranging from ½ inch to 3 inches in diameter. Nonelectrical thermal irons are used by stylists who have a majority of clients with extremely curly hair. This is due to the larger range of barrel sizes or rod sizes and higher heat capacities. These types of irons are heated in a specially designed gas or electric stove.

1) Rod handle
2) Shell handle
3) Rod or barrel
4) Shell (the clamp that presses the hair against the barrel or rod)

CHI Curling Irons

CHI Advanced American Technology
CHI 44 Ceramic

Farouk Systems is the only tool manufacturer with this unique compound of ceramic moist heat with consistent temperature which produces far infrared and negative ions.

• Unique ceramic compound developed with NASA technology
• Consistent temperature
• Produces Far Infrared and Negative Ions

Digital Technology

Why go Digital?

• Allows the ability to select a temperature
• Adjustable setting for specific hair types makes styling more precise
• Lower the temperature for fine and heavily highlighted hair
• Raise the temperature for coarse and textured hair
• New digital microchip technology provides better heat regulation
• New digital technology ensures longer lasting iron

General features of CHI Digital Hairstyling Irons:

• CHI 44 Ceramic Technology
• Ergonomic Design
• Quick Heating
• Swivel Cord
• Creates silky shiny hair instantly

CHI Digital irons allow you to select a temperature and adjust for specific hair types. Thin or fine hair is more easily damaged than thick or coarse hair and therefore a lower temperature setting should be used. The graph below shows optimal temperature settings to be used for each hair type.

CHI ARC
Automatic Rotating Curler

Who doesn’t want fabulous curls at the push of a button?

CHI ARC features a CHI Ceramic 1” automatic rotating barrel that promotes a more comfortable styling position while creating beautiful long lasting curls.

• 1” inch ceramic automatic rotating barrel
• MCH Heater for quick 30 sec. heat up
• Digital temperature display with LCD screen
• Convenient reset button to bring clamp back to center position
• Digital temperature adjustment prevents unnecessary heat damage to the hair
• Rotating barrel eliminates wrist discomfort and significantly decreases styling time
• Automatic rotating barrel gives the hair perfect tension and turn when curling, making styling faster and easier than ever
• Heats up to 410F

CHI ORBIT Digital Curlers

CHI Digital Orbit Ceramic Curling Wands provide multiple, quick and convenient styling options. Three uniquely shaped barrels create different curls and textures for the ultimate finished look.

• CHI 44 ceramic technology which allows barrel distributes heat evenly
• Create sensual waves and luscious curls
• Ergonomic design
• Digital technology
• 11 ft. swivel cord
• Optional auto shut off
• Flash quick heating
• Heats up to 210°C/410°F
• The 1st ever digital styling rod
• 3 convenient sizes: ½”, 1” & 1 ½ “
• Newly designed with digital screen and temperature control buttons
• Added cool touch tip to protect fingertips

DURA CHI Digital Curling Irons

Dura CHI is the new definition of durability and top performance for professional stylists. DURA CHI curling irons have been designed to create luscious curls and waves with titanium infused ceramic plate technology, digital temperature control for quick set up, and a new slim, non-slip handle.

• Titanium infused ceramic barrels for added durability and shine
• Slim handle design with soft touch non-slip grip
• Digital temperature display with LCD screen
• Max temperature of 410°F/210°C
• Extended clip to secure long hair
• Dual voltage

DURA CHI Marcel Irons

This is a lightweight, easy to use professional curling iron. It features a titanium and ceramic infused barrel with fast heat up time and adjustable heat settings. The non-slip grip is convenient for all professional styling demands. Available in ¾”, 1” 1 ¼”barrel sizes.

• Titanium and Ceramic Infused Barrel: For added durability and shine
• Professional Salon Model: Creates waves, curls and sets with ease
• 30 second heat up: Maximum temperature of 410°F /210°C
• Adjustable Temperature Settings: -280°F - 360°F Fine -360°F - 395°F Medium -395°F - 410°F Coarse

Thermal Hair Straightening
(Hair Pressing)

Straightening iron or Flat iron:

A flat iron is a tool that is utilized to create smooth styles on all types of hair. It works by breaking down the hair’s positive hydrogen bonds found in the hair’s cortex, which cause hair to open, bend and become curly. Once the bonds are broken, hair is prevented from holding its original, natural form, though the hydrogen bonds can re-form if exposed to moisture.

They can use ionic and Nano technology. They use mainly ceramic material for its plates. Low end straighteners use single layer of ceramic coating on its plates whereas high end straighteners use multiple layers of ceramic or even use 100% ceramic material for its plates. Flat irons have two hot plates ranging in size from ½ inch to 3 inches wide.

The flat irons that have straight edges can create smooth, straight styles and the ones with beveled edges can be manipulated to bend or flip the ends. They may even be used to create waves or curls. The edge nearest the stylist is called the inner edge and the farthest from the stylist is called the outer edge.

Today, the technology continues to improve by adding infinite heat settings for better control, constant heat, ergonomic grips, and lightweight design for comfort handling.

Analog Hairstyling Iron

Our professional salon model analog hairstyling irons have a versatile “all in one” ergonomic design and use advanced ceramic technology to create silky, shiny, and frizz free hair instantly.

Original CHI Ceramic 1” Hairstyling Iron

• Professional salon model
• 1 inch ceramic plates
• Maintains even heat temperature of 392°F
• Locks in moisture
• Adds shine to hair
• Power of heat and the luxury of Silk
  • Recommend to be used with CHI or BioSilk hair care
  • Ceramic heat will help the penetration of silk into the hair to add shine and strengthen hair
• 1” ceramic plates
• Versatile styling tool: flip, curl & style
• Creates silky hair instantly
• Flash quick heating
• 11 ft.-360 swivel cord
• Dual voltage
• Digital Hairstyling Iron

CHI G2

The dynamic CHI G2 offers a sleek design, upgraded technology and outstanding performance. The G2 features titanium infused ceramic plates for added durability and an even smoother glide. Digital temperature reading displayed on a color coded LCD screen allows for proper temperature setting for fine, medium and coarse hair up to 425°F.

• NEW Titanium Infused Ceramic Plates
• NEW rapid heater for 30sec heat up
• NEW slimmer, ergonomic design
• Professional salon model
• Multicolored digital LCD screen
• Heats up to 425°F/ 218°C
• Mode button with present temperatures and color coded screen
  • 370°-fine
  • 395°-medium
  • 425°F -coarse
• Dual Voltage - travel the world and rest assured that your tool is safe
• Custom Upgraded Packaging

Waver or Crimper Iron:

Crimping irons or wavers work by crimping hair in a saw-tooth style. The look is similar to the crimps left after taking out small braids. Crimping irons come in different sizes with different sized ridges on the paddles. Larger ridges produce larger crimps in the hair and smaller ridges produce smaller crimps. Crimped hair was very popular in the 1980s and 1990s.

Today, this style has been seen on runways and red carpet events.

CHI Digital Deep Waver

Create beautiful flowing soft Hollywood style waves with the ceramic deep “W” plated CHI Digital Deep Waver.

• Creates deep waves with “W” shaped plates
• CHI Ceramic plates creates smooth, frizz free waves
• Heats up to 410°F/210°C
• Digital temperature control
• Professional salon model with 11 ft. swivel cord

Testing Thermal Irons

To ensure you have the appropriate temperature on your iron, test it on a piece of paper or cloth. Clap the heated iron over this material and hold for five seconds. If it scorches or turns brown, the iron is too hot. An iron that is too hot will scorch the hair and discolor white or blonde hair. Always make sure you let it cool down a bit before using.

CAUTION:

Fine, lightened, or weakly damaged hair withstands less heat than normal hair. When using thermal irons on chemically straightened hair, be cautious and test the heat of the iron to avoid causing breakage.

Care of Thermal Irons

When you clean a thermal iron, follow the manufacturer’s directions for care and cleaning. You can remove dirt, oils, and product residue by wiping down the barrel or plates of the iron with a damp towel or rag. Always make sure the tool is turned off and has completely cooled down from a previous styling service.

Comb used with Thermal Irons

The comb should be made of a nonflammable substance. It should have fine teeth to firmly hold the hair and it is recommended to be about 7 inches in length.

CHI offers a variety of carbon combs with high heat resistance. They are lightweight, durable, and have rounded teeth so that they are gentle on the hair and scalp.

Styling Long Hair

An updo is a hair style that involves arranging the hair up and off the shoulders and secured with implements such as elastics, bobby pins, and hairpins. It can be as simple as a ponytail, but is more commonly associated with more elaborate styles intended for special occasions such as weddings, proms, and evening events. Some of the classic updo techniques are the knot, twist, and pleat. You can create a unique update to a classic look by mastering these basic techniques and combining them by incorporating your creativity and imagination. To ensure a well-balanced updo, make sure you always inspect the shape you are building from every angle to check it is well proportioned.

• A knot, also known as a chignon, is a classic style that has been popular for centuries. It is created out of a simple ponytail and can be dressed up with flowers or ornaments, or just kept simple. You may want to first set the client’s hair for ten minutes in rollers, when you are working on very straight and silky hair. This allows the style to stay and last. If you work on wavy or curly hair, it is best to blow-dry the hair straight. If it is extremely curly, you may press or flat iron the hair first, or if you prefer, leave it natural for a textured-looking chignon.
  -See procedure on Page
• A twist is an elegant, sleek look that can go anywhere. You may also set the hair with rollers to prep it for this style and make it last.
  -See procedure on Page
• A pleat is a traditional updo, requested usually for weddings and black tie events. It is also known as a classic French twist. The pleat, which means “folded” in French, is much more controlled than the basic twist and can allow you to be more creative with the direction and placement.