The Express Ion Smooth+ is designed for anyone wanting a dedicated ceramic flat iron for straightening or smoothing fine to coarse hair, including thick, curly, or wavy textures that need a slower pass at a higher heat setting. Its adjustable digital heat range also makes it usable on finer or color-treated hair at lower settings.

It's built as a professional-style tool, so it suits salon stylists and confident at-home users who already know how to work in sections with a heat styling tool and a heat-protectant product.

What sets the Express Ion Smooth+ apart from a basic flat iron is the pairing of a wide digital heat range with negative-ion output during styling: the higher end of its temperature range (up to 410°F) is enough to smooth coarse or curly hair in fewer passes, while the ion technology is intended to counteract the static and frizz that high heat can otherwise cause. The auto shut-off and dual-voltage circuitry are practical additions for anyone who travels with the tool or is prone to forgetting to switch styling tools off.

1. Plug in the iron and power it on.
2. Use the digital display to select a heat setting for your hair type — lower settings for fine or color-treated hair, higher settings up to 410°F (210°C) for thick, coarse, curly, or wavy hair — and allow about 60 seconds for it to reach temperature.
3. Apply a heat-protectant styling product to clean, dry hair before using the iron.
4. Divide hair into 1-2 inch sections, using narrower sections for thicker or curlier hair.
5. For straightening, clamp the plates near the roots and glide the iron slowly and steadily down to the ends in one motion.
6. For a soft bend or wave, rotate the iron slightly as you glide down the section instead of pulling it straight through.
7. Power off the iron when finished; it will also shut off automatically after one hour if left idle.

Pros

• Digital LCD display allows precise temperature selection rather than a fixed or vague heat setting
• 1.25" cushioned, beveled-edge ceramic plates make it possible to also create loose bends and waves, not just straight passes
• Dual voltage (110-240V) means it can be used internationally with the right plug adapter
• One-hour auto shut-off reduces the risk of the iron being left on

Cons

• The standard 1.25" plate width moves more slowly through very long or extra-thick hair than the wider XL 1.5" version Paul Mitchell also sells
• Reaching up to 410°F, it carries the usual heat-damage risk on fine, damaged, or heavily color-treated hair if used without a heat-protectant product
• It's a corded tool, so styling is tethered to an outlet within the cord's reach