Last Updated on December 27, 2022 by Gaga
So, you have chopped off all your hair, and now your regular flat iron is too big for styling your pixie cut. The plates of traditional flat irons are too wide to get close to the root of short hair without the risk of burns. Short hair needs a specific type of flat iron that is designed to effectively straighten short strands – a pencil flat iron.
Pencil flat irons are a must-have tool if you want to style those hard-to-reach places, such as around the face or very close to the scalp. Narrow plates are easier to maneuver than wider ones, allowing you to handle small sections of hair, without burning your scalp or face.
Not only does this device work perfectly for styling bangs and smoothing out your unruly edges, but it will serve you nicely even when your hair grows because it can double as a curling tool due to its small size. If you have straight hair, you will be pleasantly surprised by how easy is to create little curls or waves with this tool.
How to Choose Quality Straightener for Short Hair
If your hair is very short, there are a few things you should consider when investing in flat iron.
1. Plate Size
For short hair, you will need more precision, and for that, you need a hair straightener with a thin, narrow plate that allows you to straighten from your roots without burning your scalp. A thinner plate will allow for precise and efficient straightening.
2. Plate Material
Another thing to determine is the material of your plates. There are two main options: titanium and ceramic.
Ceramic plates are gentler because they don’t rise to very high temperatures and heat evenly, helping you to avoid hot spots which means less heat damage. But if you have thicker hair that requires higher heat then you may want to opt for titanium plates.
3. Weight
The weight of your flat iron also matters. If you get a big, bulky device there are more chances of hurting yourself. A lightweight tool is easier to hold, and thin plates will allow you to get closer to your scalp without burning yourself.
Pencil Flat Irons that May Be Worth Buying
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1. Bed Head Pixie 1/2″ Straightener
1/2″ plates are ideal for pixie short hair. Once you find the right method, you will be able to handle this mini-iron without the risk of burns.
The ceramic plates protect hair from damage while tourmaline technology smooths strands, removes frizz, and adds shine.
The variable heat settings allow you to choose the temperature that accommodates any hair type.
Due to its small size and dual voltage, the Bed Head Pixie ½” is a good companion for international travel.
The main downside of this pencil hair straightener is no automatic shut-off. Another weak point is that the heat indicator numbers are too small to read without interrupting the process.
Bottom Line: This is an average pencil flat iron with a price that matches the quality, but many users have expected more from this brand.
This little hair straightener has several qualities that make it a great choice for straightening short hair.
Its 3/10 plates can easily reach the roots and can also be used for styling men’s beards.
The floating plates adjust the angle and slide easily without pulling hair, and the ceramic tourmaline surface creates negative ions that seal the cuticle and help retain moisture inside the hair.
Adjustable temperature ranges from 122 to 450 degrees, and because the real-time temperature is displayed on the monitor, choosing the temperature specific to your needs is easy. Also, it reaches 450 F within 15 seconds, saving you precious time.
This is a great travel iron due to its lightweight and dual-voltage feature, and it even comes with a velvet storage pouch.
Safety is a bonus with the Terviix as it has an automatic shut-off, so you can be relaxed in case you forget to turn it off.
Overall, this is a decent pencil flat iron for anyone with a pixie haircut
Important: Regardless of what the description says, don’t use this iron on wet hair.
3. Small Flat Iron, Professional Styler for Short Hair by FRRASUN
With this 1/3-inch plate flat iron, you can easily straighten or curl very short hair. If you have a beard that you want to style, there will be no problem with this petit iron. Despite being lightweight, this iron seems well-built and durable.
Floating titanium plates and a temperature that reaches 450 F are perfect for straightening thick, coarse hair. Ceramic tourmaline technology releases negative ions, making hair smooth, frizz-free, and shiny.
The temperature control dial has 5 settings ranging from 300℉ to 450 F, offering appropriate choices for any type of hair. A handy beeping sound alerts users when the desired temperature has been reached. The device will automatically shut off after 60 minutes of non-use.
This mini flat iron for thick short hair and beards is worth its price.
4. H2Pro BDM310 3/10″ Black Diamond Mikro Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron
This premium quality mini flat iron has very thin plates infused with diamond dust. Ceramic heating elements and tourmaline-enriched plates emit negative ions, leaving the hair smooth and shiny. Even dry hair feels silky after you have straightened it with this pencil flat iron.
Although lightweight, this flat iron has a durable construction and an attractive, elegant finish.
You can choose the temperature settings between 250F – 450F degree range, depending on your hair type. A blinking signal indicates when the tool reaches the chosen temperature adjustment.
The dual voltage feature makes it ready for travel. However, the biggest drawback is the absence of a shut-off feature.
Overall, this is a high-quality pencil that suits all hair types and is very gentle on weak and damaged hair.
5. Le Angelique Hummingbird 1/4 Inch Thin Flat Iron
With 0.25″ ceramic tourmaline plates, this is one of the thinnest flat irons on the market. It works perfectly for really short hair, natural hair, kinky strands at the crown of the head, and baby hairs along the hairline. Also, does a great job of curling short hair.
The temperature is consistent within the range from 210F to 450F, and the floating ceramic tourmaline plates smoothly glide through all hair textures. This flat iron is gentle enough for delicate fine hair.
This pencil flat iron comes with a heatproof pad and thermal sleeve.
Overall, this is an excellent flat iron for short hairstyles.
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Prep for Easier Straightening
While the main step is flat ironing, there are other steps you can take to ensure perfectly straight hair such as:
1. Shampooing
First, you need to make sure that your hair and scalp are clean. A good idea would be to use straightening shampoos as they help tame your strands before you get to straightening them.
2. Blow Drying
Thoroughly detangle your hair and make sure there are no knots or tangles. Then, take a round brush and your blow-dryer to make your hair as straight as possible.
3. Heat Protection
The next step is to use a heat-protectant before you move on to flat ironing to prevent damage and ensure your hair will stay straight for a longer time.
The bottom line is that short hair needs styling just as long hair would. It takes time to learn, but it’s worth the effort to get that stylish sleek look!
Gaga is a blogger and founder of the Softer Hair website. She often says that insomnia is to blame for her first blogging attempts. Being the night owl, she hated the morning alarm. She left her office job and returned to what she loved most - writing.