Can you please advise me on what to look for when buying my friend a straightening iron as a gift?

Of course the professional irons are potentially “better”, but the truth is that the iron is going to damage your friend’s hair regardless of which brand she uses. As far as the plates go, it depends on the length of the hair. A narrow plate is best for short hair, and a wider plate is best for long hair. Look for ceramic plates, rather than metal, as they are somewhat less destructive.

I don’t know about irons, but i recently bought a hairdryer that had a ceramic coating or somesuch and it has almost completely eliminated heat-frizz. If they make such a thing in an iron I would recommend that.

her hair is to about the top of her shoulders.

Then I would get her an iron that comes with medium plates.

Actually, I just recently bought a straightening iron for my sister’s birthday. We got her, I kno it sounds bad, but a Paris Hilton brand one. It is a straightner/curler, with a spinning plate and high heat settings. It works really well and she loves it.
Nonetheless it also depends on the type of hair she has. Because curlier hair needs one with high heat.

I have long curly hair that’s past my butt and it takes me 2 hours to straighten my hair. For those that have curly hair, you’ll understand when I say it’s so worth it! The brand I have is called CHI, like @TheOnlyNeffie mentioned, it has ceramic plates which are better than metal, and it it stays straight until you wet your hair. It is a bit pricey, but it is the best. Hot Tools works also, it’s a bit less in price, but the ones I’ve found use metal plates.

My hair is about 5 inches past my shoulders and wild,unless I straighten it.I do so by using a large barreled curling iron.It gets pretty hot and I paid about $40 for it a few years ago.
I would just go by what you want to pay and how hot it gets.

By the way if you guys can recommend some brands or models that would be great. I looked at CHi on Amazon but they’re like $90 which is more than i want to spend. under $40 would be great. I even might buy her two different. am wondering if i’m better off going to a store like Walmart to look at them in person or do Amazon.

Any straightener that you don’t buy at a beauty shop is not going to work longer than an hour. It’ll make your hair frizzy and you’ll have some nice big hair 80’s on your hand. I learned the hard way buying the cheaper ones. If you’re looking for something under 40 bucks then go with Hot Tools, it’ll at least hold for the whole day. I would suggest maybe looking on amazon or ebay. You might find a better deal at either website.

Ceremic plates, and being able to adjust the temperature at least two settings if not more.

@jca I have a not very expensive one, I can look at the brand later, from a drug store, I think maybe I paid $35 or $40 for it, and it works fine for me, but I do not have curly hair. Mine is thin, and relatively straight to begin with, only a slight wave, so making my straight is relatively easy. My husband who has thicker, curlier, hair, it is not a good enough iron to tame his locks. If your friend has curly hair she needs one that is probably over $100.

GHD’s http://www.ghdhair.com/ghd-hair-17?CMP=EMC-276&PLA=WKD&CRE=11&TYPE=sponsoredsearch
these are VERY popular in the UK they are supposed to be really good, all the salons over here have them, they are the must have in any girls getting ready for the day kit!

I would suggest going with a Chi, they are the best straightening irons around and worth every penny.

If you live near a beauty supply store, I would purchase one from them. Not only will they have a good variety, but they employees can advise you based on what kind of hair your friend has, how often she would be using it, how powerful you think she’d want it, etc.

First, you need to start with your price range. That will make a world of difference in the recommendation. You can spend from $20 to $300