Girls with pin-straight strands are in search of volume, bounce and curl and curly girls wish for straight hair, or at least defined curls.  We all want what we don’t have…at least when it comes to hair.  Check out our top 5 picks for making your hair a dream come true.

#1 The Sedu Flat Iron

Curly girls looking for a sleek transformation, check out the Sedu Flat Iron.  It has ionic ceramic tourmaline plates to straighten hair without damaging it.  The temperature is adjustable at 240 to 410 degrees, which means you can vary the settings depending on the state of your hair. Curlier, coarser hair should use the iron on high settings so it can deflate frizz on contact.  More fragile hair can be styled around 300 degrees without fear of burning the hair.  The adjustable settings are what really make this iron a winner for me over the Chi (which runs at a constant 370 degrees).

Check out the user photos on Folica‘s site.  I love before and afters!

#2 The Solia 1″ Flat Iron

Have wavy or straight hair?  Try the Solia 1″ Flat Iron.  It can curl hair as well as straighten it, making it a great tool for touch-ups on days when you just need to get rid of some frizz, as well as, a hardworking curl/wave creator.  YouTube has awesome video tutorials on techniques you can use to create tight curls and looser beachy waves.

Larger plates (2″ and greater) are faster for long, thick hair but thinner plates allow better control, the ability to curl (best with 1/2″ to 1″ plates) and make it easier to straighten hair at the root.  If your hair is very short, get a 1″ or thinner iron.

#3 T3 Bespoke Labs Featherweight Dryer

A.M. time crunch?  The T3 Featherweightdryer is super-fast and lightweight making it a hit with anyone who blowdries and a lifesaver for those of us with harder to manage hair.  Your arms won’t get as tired and the entire process will be faster, making it more likely you’ll do a thorough job and get rid of that dreaded wave in the back, even if you are in a rush.

#4 Mason Pearson Brushes

Mason Pearson’s boar bristle brushes are definitely an investment at over $90 each.  However, many of us spend lots of cash at the salon on masks and treatments to repair damage.  Treat your hair better daily and cut down on your salon visits, it’s better for your hair and your wallet.

Large round brushes are best for straightening with a blowdryer, flat paddle brushes smooth straight hair and vented brushes create volume. Wearing your hair curly? Skip the brushes altogether.  Rake fingers or a wide tooth comb through hair and twirl small sections to maintain ringlets.

Always be careful with high heat from a blowdryer and a boar bristle brush,  the bristles will warp and singe if the heat is too high.

#5 Spornette Brushes

If you are looking for a good brush at a great price. Try one from Spornette.  They range in price from $5 to $30.  They are the perfect choice for distributing product in hair and even working conditioners into the hair in the shower.  At such a great price, you won’t mind if they get gel or mousse on them.