Own Your Heat

Why Your Hair Type Matters

Different hair types have different thicknesses, densities and textures, which all make a difference to the ideal temperature setting for styling. Don’t know your hair type? To figure it out, wash and dry your hair as usual, then let it air dry without any products. Once dry, compare your hair to a hair type chart to find the closest match. Or use our guide to find out your hair type.

Straight hair

For natural, undyed straight hair, aim for a temperature between 150°C and 180°C. Keeping the temperature low helps maintain its smoothness and shine.

Perfect styling temperatures for straight hair

  • If your straight hair is dark brown or black, a setting of 170°C to 180°C is usually best.
  • For blonde hair, stick to 150°C to 170°C, and go even lower for very light blonde hair.
  • If your hair is dyed, lower the temperature to 150°C.
  • Red or grey straight hair is more delicate, so use lower temperatures.
  • For bleached straight hair, dial the temperature down to ideally between 110°C and 130°C.

Best styling products for straight hair

  • The Airshot Hairdryer gives you a salon-worthy blow-dry with powerful, anti-static airflow that reduces frizz and adds shine.
  • The Touch Iron smoothes and shines your hair effortlessly with Variable Temperature Control and tap-screen activation.

 

Wavy hair

Wavy hair can handle higher temperatures than straight or curly hair, as it’s usually one of the strongest and most robust types. For natural, undyed, lightly waved and light-coloured hair, a temperature between 150°C and 170°C is recommended. 

Perfect styling temperatures for wavy hair

  • For dark brown or black hair, a temperature of up to 200°C is ideal. 
  • For blonde wavy hair, you can go up to 180°C
  • Use 150°C to style light blonde hair.
  • For brown hair, style at 180°C.
  • Crank it up to 200°C for naturally black hair.
  • If your wavy hair is dyed, dial down the heat to around 150°C to 170°C for all colours. 
  • For bleached wavy hair, reduce the temperature to between 110°C and 130°C.

Best styling products for wavy hair

  • The 2-in-1 Contouring Iron Pro is perfect for adding more definition to your natural waves or straightening your waves with curved Floating Ceramic Plates for easy and protective styling.
  • The Hot Brush helps smooth those waves as it can be set at a range of heat settings so you can style at the optimal temperature for you. Smooth down strays and frizz effortlessly.

Curly hair

Curly hair is more delicate than straight or wavy hair and needs extra TLC with heated styling tools, so a temperature between 110°C and 190°C is best, depending on its colour and chemical exposure. Curly hair varies in thickness and often needs extra heat to straighten tight curl patterns. 

Perfect styling temperatures for curly hair

  • For looser, untreated curls, use 180°C to 190°C for brown and black hair.
  • Style blonde hair at between 150°C and 170°C.
  • For coloured curls, 150°C is suitable for all hair colours and curl types. 
  • Use a heat setting of between 110°C and 130°C for bleached curls.

Best styling products for curly hair

  • The Airshot Pro Hairdryer gives you perfect bouncy blow-dries or diffused curls with its two Magnetic Attachments – Concentrated Nozzle and Diffuser.
  • The 2-in-1 Contouring Iron Pro helps smooth or straighten curls with Curved Plates infused with sericite and Variable Temperature Control.

 

Coily/kinky hair 

Coily hair, often referred to as ‘afro’ hair or 4c hair, is notoriously delicate and dry. Despite what many think, turning up the heat isn’t the secret to long-lasting straightening. In fact, it can cause dryness and damage. Our recommended temperature for your coils is between 150°C and 170°C.

Perfect styling temperatures for coily/kinky hair

  • For untreated black afro hair, use a temperature between 150°C and 170°C.
  • For untreated brown coils, aim for 170°C.
  • For blonde coily hair, go for 150°C to 160°C.
  • For bleached coily hair, set the temperature to between 110°C and 130°C.

Best styling products for coily/kinky hair

  • The Airshot Pro Hair Dryer helps you achieve a gorgeous blow-dry with the Concentrated Nozzle on a low heat setting (150°C to 170°C).
  • The Wide Iron straightens your hair quickly with wider 1.5-inch plates and Variable Temperature Control for easy adjustment.

Read more Own Your Heat guides:

  • Why your hair texture matters
  • Why your hair colour matters
  • Why your hair length matters
  • Why your hair concerns matter
  • Why your lifestyle matters

Learn more about Own Your Heat