As a result of the current fashion to wear your hair straight and have that "Jennifer Aniston" look, there's now a bewildering range of hair straighteners (or flat iron), ranging from the popular Sedu, the recent Solia and the GHD (which is the main brand in the UK).

So, what's the difference and how do you choose between them?

The Sedu brand is the one that has been wildly popular during 2006, and is used to create the looks seen on many well known celebrities, such as Jennifer Aniston, Hilary Duff and Paris Hilton. The Sedu is primarily aimed at being a hair straightener that minimises heat damage to your hair, whilst creating an incredibly well-groomed, smooth and shiny look to the hair. Whilst it is desirable, the Sedu is hard to purchase being only available from a few, trustworthy salons, spas and beauty stores.

The Solia is a relative newcomer to the hair styling scene, but offers more versatility at a lower price. With the Solia you can straighten or curl or create a number of other looks. There are also different sizes which are more suitable for different styles of hair, for example, long thick hair or short hair have different recommended models of flat iron.

GHD’s have long been popular in the UK as the only brand that will slide through your hair without causing damage. Popular, reliable and affordable, this brand will go on caring for your hair 365 days a year, unlike some less reliable, cheaper models.