Curly hair
Whether you're dealing with tight ringlets or stubborn curls, the right straightener can transform your haircare routine. Image Credit: Shutterstock

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Curly hair can be a blessing and a challenge — one minute, it’s bouncy and full of life, and the next, it’s frizzy and unruly.

Finding the perfect hair straightener to tame those curls while keeping your hair healthy and sleek can be a game-changer. The UAE market offers some incredible tools for curly hair, designed to give you smooth, straight locks without compromising on shine or softness. Whether you're dealing with tight ringlets or stubborn curls, the right straightener can transform your haircare routine.

From high-tech options with adjustable heat to steam-powered devices that lock in moisture, we've rounded up the best hair straighteners that promise to give you the straight, frizz-free hair of your dreams. Let’s dive into the top picks! To help us with this list, we spoke with Sana Adnani, a beautician and hair stylist in Dubai, as well as several UAE residents who deal with the conundrum of curly hair that's difficult to manage.

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1. Best Overall: Vanessa Pure Titanium Hair Straightener

Pros

  • Durable titanium plates
  • Fast heating
  • Moisture retention
  • Lightweight

Cons

  • Potential overheating

Ready to tame those curls and give them the love they deserve? The Vanessa 100 per cent Pure Titanium Hair Straightener is your new best friend for effortlessly sleek, frizz-free hair. Featuring titanium plates, it provides even heat distribution for faster styling and ensures your curls are transformed in no time. Titanium's durability and resistance to corrosion mean this straightener will perform at its best for the long haul, making it a worthwhile investment. Unlike traditional ceramic models, the titanium plates help preserve your hair's natural moisture, reducing the risk of damage, as Adnani explains. With quick heat-up times and adjustable temperature settings, it’s perfect for all hair types — from fine to coarse. Plus, its lightweight design makes styling a breeze, even during longer sessions. However, there are a couple of things to keep in mind: The high heat levels, while ideal for thick curls, may be too intense for fine or delicate hair if not used carefully. Some users have also pointed out that it can get quite hot, so it's important to adjust the temperature to your specific needs.

Warranty: Amazon offers one-year extended warranty from Salama Care for Dh8, and two-year extended warranty of Dh17.

2. Best for Fine Curly Hair: T3 SinglePass StyleMax 

Pros

  • SinglePass technology
  • Ceramic plates with ionic technology
  • Lightweight and sleek design

Cons

  • Not so effective on coarse curls

Looking for a flat iron that combines style, performance, and professional results? The T3 SinglePass StyleMax Professional Ceramic Flat Iron is here to elevate your hair game. Ask Aishani Suresh, an Abu Dhabi-based homemmaker, who is quite pleased with the device. She said: "My curls can really be unmanageable sometimes, so this straightener, as compared to others, has really helped my hair, especially before family functions." This tool is designed to provide fast, efficient styling, ensuring smooth, shiny hair with every pass. With its ceramic technology, it delivers even heat distribution, reducing the risk of heat damage while promoting a silky finish. The one-inch plates are ideal for tackling curly hair, whether you want to straighten or smooth out frizz. The adjustable temperature settings give you full control, allowing you to tailor the heat according to your hair’s texture — important for curly hair that can range from loose waves to tight coils. The SinglePass technology ensures that you don’t have to repeatedly go over sections, which is helpful for curly hair that can be tough to manage. While it’s designed for fast styling, the T3 SinglePass StyleMax is best suited for medium to fine curly hair. For thicker, coarser curls, you may need to use higher heat settings or pass over sections more than once, though the iron does a great job of maintaining moisture and minimising frizz. Overall, this flat iron offers a balance of gentle styling and efficient performance for curly-haired individuals.

Bonus: Buy with zero per cent installments and pay Dh43.83 for 12 months with select banks

3. Best for Thick Curls: Dyson Corrale Hair Straightener

Pros

  • Cordless convenience
  • Flexing plates
  • Heat control technology
  • Travel-friendly

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Bulky

The Dyson Corrale is Adnani's personal preference. What makes this straightener stand out are its unique flexing plates, which adjust to your hair as you style, allowing for more control and less damage. This is a major advantage for curly hair, which often requires careful handling to avoid frizz or breakage. The plates help evenly distribute heat, meaning you don’t need to go over each section repeatedly, which reduces the risk of heat damage — a common concern with traditional flat irons. The Dyson Corrale is also cordless, making it perfect for on-the-go styling or for those who hate being tethered to an outlet. And despite its high-tech features, it heats up in just 30 seconds, allowing you to style your curls faster and more efficiently. Plus, with its adjustable temperature settings, you can customise the heat to match your curl type, ensuring your natural texture stays intact while being smoothed or straightened. However, its high price point might make it a consideration for those on a budget, and the design, though elegant, is a bit on the heavier side. For people with very thick, coarse curls, it might require a couple of passes at higher heat settings, but the flexibility of the plates ensures minimal tugging and breakage compared to traditional flat irons.

Bonus: Buy with 0% installments and pay Dh95.75 for 12 months with select banks.

Warranty: Amazon offers one-year extended warranty from Salama Care for Dh69, and two-year extended warranty for Dh97.

4. Best Steam Straightener: Loreal Professionnel Steampod 3.0 

Pros 

  • Steam technology
  • Efficient styling
  • Reduced frizz

Cons

  • Requires water

Tired of the frizz? Well, Loreal Steampod can set your mood straight. What sets this tool apart is its innovative technology, which uses steam to gently straighten hair while infusing moisture back into the strands. So, why steam? Adnani explains: "Unlike traditional flat irons, which can dry out your hair, steam straighteners infuse moisture into the hair during styling. The steam helps keep your hair hydrated, reducing the risk of heat damage and dryness, especially for curly or coarse hair types. The steam is noted to have better chances in reducing frizz, leaving hair looking shinier and smoother than conventional flat irons." With a slim design and lightweight feel, the Steampod 3.0 glides smoothly through thick curls, ensuring each strand is evenly styled. It’s also equipped with adjustable temperature settings, reaching up to 210°C, which allows you to customise the heat level for your hair type — whether you're tackling coarse, frizzy curls or finer strands. Another benefit? The steam function helps maintain natural hair moisture, which can prevent the dryness and damage that's typical of high-heat styling tools. Plus, the plates are infused with ceramic and tourmaline, generating shine and reducing frizz, leaving your hair looking polished and healthy. However, it's important to note that the Steampod does require a bit of set-up — water needs to be added to the device's built-in reservoir. If you have coarse, curly, or frizzy hair, a steam straightener could be a better option for keeping hair hydrated and frizz-free. However, if you're looking for speed and convenience, and your hair is more manageable, a traditional flat iron might be better suited for your needs.

Warranty: Amazon offers one-year extended warranty from Salama Care for Dh52, and two-year extended warranty for Dh73.

5. Best Budget: Conair InfinitiPro Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron

Pros

  • Tourmaline ceramic technology
  • Adjustable heat setting
  • Floating plates
  • Affordable

Cons

  • Not ideal for stubborn curls

A budget-friendly hair straightener that delivers professional results? Say no more. This one-inch digital flat iron is a solid choice for those with thick, curly hair who want smooth, shiny results without breaking the bank. "It's the easiest option for me," adds Nanya Singh, a Dubai-based marketing professional, who says she is rather 'sick' of her thick curls. Luckily, the Conair has been of some help there. Owing to its tourmaline ceramic technology, it helps reduce frizz while adding that coveted, glossy finish. The ceramic plates ensure even heat distribution, preventing hot spots and minimising damage, which is a major win for anyone looking to protect their curls while styling. One of the highlights of the Conair InfinitiPro is its versatility. It heats up quickly, with adjustable temperature settings that go up to 235°C — great for taming those stubborn, coarse curls. Whether you're looking to straighten, curl, or add volume, this flat iron does it all, making it an excellent tool for experimenting with different hairstyles. Moreover, the digital display lets you easily adjust the heat to match your hair type, giving you more control over your styling routine. While the Conair InfinitiPro is affordable and effective, it may not be as lightweight as some other options, so it could take a little more effort to handle during longer styling sessions. Additionally, its design is more basic, so it lacks some of the frills of higher-end models, like steam functions or extra-long plates. But for the price and performance, this flat iron is a solid pick for anyone looking for sleek, smooth, and manageable curls without the high-end price tag. It’s a classic that proves you don’t need to splurge to get fabulous hair.

Warranty: Amazon offers one-year extended warranty from Salama Care for Dh18, and two-year extended warranty for Dh25.

Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.