Do you have beautiful short hair in need of styling? We hear you! You probably love your new short hair but have also discovered that short hair has its own type of issues when straightening or curling.
Then you need the best pencil flat iron you can get your hands on and which is ideal for shorter styles. If you’re on the hunt for some new hair tools to help you achieve your dream hairstyle minus the burning of your fingers, you are in the right place.
High-quality hair straighteners come with various features, including a heat protection pad, and auto-shutoff options to ensure stress-free styling. Thanks to pencil-shaped hot plates, a pencil hair straightener allows easy access to precise styling results.
The best pencil flat iron for pixie cuts has variable temperature control and heats up in seconds, it is great for short hairstyles or tidying up fringes. So, if you want something to straighten your short hair that is more gentle, a pencil hair straightener is the way to go.
But that’s not all, the pencil flat iron for short hair is generally suitable for all hair types. No matter whether they are kinky, curly, wavy, or especially unruly.
If you dream of silky smooth, shiny hair, the pencil hair straightener can help you achieve the look of your dreams. It doesn’t matter if you want a completely straight and smooth look or create curls, you can do both!
You have probably realized, that a pencil flat iron is a great investment for anyone who straightens their hair regularly. The search for a good-quality pencil hair straightener can be overwhelming.
If you find it too difficult to choose among the sea of options in the market, continue reading and check out our top recommendations on the best pencil flat iron, how to curl hair with flat iron and pencil, where to find them, reviews, tips from users, and more.
Pencil Flat Iron Reviewed In This Guide
Best Overall: Bed Head Pixie 1/2″ Straightener
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest On Amazon: Terviiix Pencil Flat Iron For Short Hair
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest Affordable: Kiss Red By Pencil Flat Iron Hair Straightener
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest For Short Hair Beard Pixie Cut: AmoVee Pencil Flat Iron
⇣ Jump to ReviewBest Nano Tourmaline Iron: K&K 3/10 Inch Plate Small Mini Ceramic Flat Iron
⇣ Jump to ReviewHow To Choose The Perfect Pencil Flat Iron For You?
The pencil hair straightener can be used by anybody, however, due to its small plates, it is designed to style hard-to-reach areas, as well as your short-haired clients, specifically the ones with pixie cuts.
That said, the pencil flat iron that you select should align with your hair’s texture and density; so you want to consider the length and thickness of your hair.
A pencil flat iron, has multiple benefits, including a reduced risk for heat damage, the right tool will also be easier to maneuver, style your hair more efficiently, and decrease the risk of overheating and damaging hair.
When selecting a professional steam hair straightener, you should aim to choose an iron that is best suited for your hair’s length and thickness. The larger the size, the faster the process. However, small plate sizes allow for more complex styling, that’s why the pencil flat iron is great with edges or the nape of the neck.
Choosing the best pencil flat iron for you will not only be down to your hair type but also understanding all the features and extras each model comes with. Whether you are going for a meeting or getting ready for a date night, you will need a pencil flat iron, that can help you style your mane no matter how short, for every occasion.
Types Of Pencil Flat Iron
Ceramic Pencil Flat Iron
A ceramic pencil flat iron heats up evenly and lacks “cool spots” that other irons often have, which means that you’ll achieve a more even straightening job. For this reason, ceramic irons are also known for keeping frizz at bay and smoothing out the hair, especially for fine, thin strands.
Ceramic plate flat irons work exceptionally well for people who have thick hair and are very popular for women in the natural hair community with thick type 4b and 4b hair, women with thin hair may like to use a ceramic iron as long as it is thinner in diameter.
In a few words, 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.
Ceramic Tourmaline Pencil Flat Iron
The latest technology in hair straightening and curling is tourmaline. The term tourmaline refers to a gemstone or crystal that is crushed into a fine powder. Fine powder is used to coat the ceramic plates. The best pencil flat iron for damaged hair with infused tourmaline is said to give glossier and smoother results.
The main advantage of tourmaline is the fact that it generates a lot of natural negative ions that are very effective at reviving damaged tresses. The ceramic tourmaline plates produce negative ions to eliminate frizz for smooth softer looking hair. With even heat distribution, there are no damaging hot spots.
Titanium Pencil Flat Iron
Titanium irons are known for heating up quickly and staying hot consistently during use. A pencil hair straightener with titanium plates is exceptional at maintaining consistent heat levels. They deliver a powerful ionic charge that helps impart smoothness and shine to your damaged tresses.
Titanium plates are best suited for keratin-treated hair. The bottom line is if you have thicker hair that requires higher heat then you may want to opt for titanium plates.
The titanium-treated plates enhance even heat distribution, eliminating cold spots while conditioning hair for shinier, sleeker results. Lasting durability under high heat temps.
Best Pencil Flat Iron List
1. Bed Head Pixie 1/2″ Straightener
What We Like
- Tourmaline Ceramic Technology
- Travel Design
- Worldwide Dual Voltage
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like
- Paint May Peel
Short hair, do care! Stop the search for the perfect pencil flat iron, the NEW Bed Head Pixie On Point 1/2″ Straightener eliminates the struggle to straighten every piece of your pixie.
With Tourmaline Ceramic Technology and pint-size plates, smoothing short hair at the root is made simple with no strand left behind.
What Our Testers Say
Perfect, perfect. I have very curly/frizzy hair and have been using the Brazilian Blowout to keep it straight. The only problem is that I wanted to cut my hair short and everyone – including my stylist – said No!
You’ll never keep it straight and look good in the cut I wanted (layered bob). Well, I tried it anyway – nothing ventured and all that. Well, this flat iron is PERFECT! Keeps my hair straight, and is easy to use – especially on the really short areas.
The handle is long and does not get hot as all the other “small” flat irons I have tried before. I was afraid the long handle would be unwieldy but it is not at all. Gets plenty hot, quickly and doesn’t burn my hair. Love it, love it!
Bed Head Styling Tools offer an extensive line of one-of-a-kind products as cool and unique as the hairstyles they help to create.
Offering top-notch technology, edgy designs, and bold colors, Bed Head Styling Tools is an outlet for creativity and personality. Wave it, curl it, flip it, spike it, blow it or straighten it, the sky is the limit.
Tips
For extra frizz control, rub a small amount of serum on your fingers and run them through your strands. Straighten small sections of hair at a time, starting right at the roots.
2. Terviiix Pencil Flat Iron for Short Hair
What We Like
- Adjustable Temperature
- Fast Heat Up
- Dual Voltage
- Auto Shut Off
What We Don’t Like
- Loud Beeping
- Doesn’t Lock Down For Safety After Use
Terviiix pencil flat iron with adjustable temperatures ranging from 122F to 450F so that you could choose the favorable temperature for all hairstyles.
The digital LCD display panel shows the real-time temperature you adjusted, avoiding too higher temp damage to your hair.
The ceramic tourmaline heating plate generates negative ions to smooth down opened hair cuticles, sealing in hair’s own natural oils and moisture which reduces the frizz and avoids damaging the hair while styling.
Terviiix mini short hair curling iron with 100-240V dual voltage could automatically adjust to the proper voltage wherever you are styling.
Terviiix pencil flat iron has a professional MCH heating model which makes 15 seconds reach up to 450F, saving your waiting time.
What Our Testers Say
Also works for curls. Grab a small selection of hair, start pulling the iron down then wrap hair around …. and continue to iron down THEN POOF – a curl is formed!
The 3/10 floating plate provides various angles to make style and better get to the roots and edge. This pencil flat iron is ideal for shorter hair, thick, curly, wavy hair, or men’s beard.
Terviiix small straightening iron will turn off automatically after 60 minutes of non-use, ensuring the safety of your use at home.
Tips
Also works for curls. Grab a small selection of hair, start pulling the iron down then wrap hair around …. and continue to iron down THEN POOF – a curl is formed!
3. Kiss Red by Pencil Flat Iron Hair Straightener
What We Like
- Thin Plates
- Ceramic Tourmaline
- Tangle Free Swivel Cord
What We Don’t Like
- No Temperature Contol Button
Achieving frizz-free shiny healthy-looking hair is at your fingertips, with the thinnest plates and 60-second heat-up time at 450 F, the pencil flat iron is the go-to tool for edge straightening and short hair styling.
This Kiss-brand flat iron is made of ceramic material for straight hair. The hair straightener has a 13.4-inch length, a 2.3-inch width, and 5.1 inches height dimension, making it the thinnest and best 3/10-inch flat iron available on the market.
The pencil flat iron is best for hair moisture preservation and frizz elimination because of the ceramic tourmaline plates that the iron has.
The pencil hair straightener has its heat evenly distributed to prevent hot spot damage. Another plus of the Kiss Red hair straightener is that the swivel cord is tangle-free, enhancing ease in hair styling.
What Our Testers Say
Being a short hair girl. I’ve been searching for a small curling iron. But it has been one heck of a journey. Finding the right curling iron for short hair. Well, grab this one. You will be happy with the results. What I love about this curling iron compared to others.
That when I use it to curl my hair I noticed the smoothness of my hair as well as the next day I still have that Salon look to my hair as if I’ve gotten it professionally done. As a black female without a perm.
I want my hair to have that fresh I just walked out of the salon type of look. Even though I do my hair at home and I have all the tools to do everything they do in the salon.
The flat iron is a time saver as it reaches more than 200 degrees Celsius in just one minute of being turned on.
From edge straightening to curling and styling you will achieve the perfect finish look. There is now an option for every hair type and style choice. You only need one pass to smooth out your edges, and tough to reach roots.
Tips
In order to style a perfect pixie, you will need a heat-protectant product to prevent your hair from being damaged by excess heat, and brushes to help with styling.
4. AmoVee Pencil Flat Iron
What We Like
- Titanium Ceramic
- LCD Temperature Display
- Dual Voltage
- Auto Shut Off
What We Don’t Like
- Need To Adjust Temperature Every Time
- Not A Good Grip
Heat up extremely fast! AmoVee pencil flat iron has a professional PTC heating model which makes 15 seconds reach up to 450°F, saving your waiting time.
Accurate, easy-to-use digital temperature controls, comfortable grip ability to make hair shiny and frizz-free.
AmoVee mini flat iron with adjustable temperatures ranging from 265°F to 450°F that you could choose the favorable temperature for all hairstyles.
With gold-plated titanium plate of mini flat iron is beautiful and durable, The 1/2 inches floating plate provides various angles to make style and better get to the roots and edge.
What Our Testers Say
I’ve always used Chi flat irons. But they got to where they weren’t lasting long and it was hard to find 1/2” irons ( I have really short hair ) so I tried this one. And I love it! ! It’s a perfect size.
It heats up really quickly, I love the digital screen, and the auto-off, cause I always forget to turn my mind off. It’s so smooth going through my hair, doesn’t fry/ burn my hair. And it’s so light. Can’t say anything bad about this flat iron! Just wish I’d found it sooner!
Protect your hair: AmoVee mini flat iron adopt Tourmaline Ceramic Technology to release negative ions to keep the hair moist, reduce frizz and keep it smooth.
This pencil hair straightener iron with dual voltage from 110V to 240V could automatically adjust to the proper voltage wherever you are styling.
Tips
Layering your hair is important because it creates even sections of hair, which will be easier for you to manage while using your pencil flat iron.
5. K&K 3/10 inch Plate Small Mini Ceramic Flat Iron
What We Like
- Tourmaline
- Dual Voltage
- LED Display
- Portable
What We Don’t Like
- Plates Don’t Quite Line Up
This pencil flat iron features Nano Titanium technology for all hair types and beards to set to your ideal straightening temperature. Adjust the temperature for thin or coarse hair.
Thanks to the LED display you get precise temperature control, and quickly find the right temperature for you, a comfortable grip, and the ability to make hair shiny and sleek.
What Our Testers Say
This is a great styling tool for anyone with a Pixie haircut and you want to give it a boost. I have very straight hair with very little to no natural body and my hair just lies flat on my head in my pixie cut. That’s ok for home but when I go out I wanted some left and curl.
This mini flat iron fills the bill; it gives the look I want in record time. Heats up rapidly and has a great range of heat settings. would recommend this iron for anyone with very short hair.
Black-plated titanium plate of the mini hair straightener is beautiful and durable with ceramic to keep the hair moist, reduce frizz and keep it smooth.
K&K pencil hair straightener is portable and great for travel, it will shut off automatically after 60 minutes of non-use.
The 8ft extra tangle-free 360°swivel cord allows for comfortable styling.100-240V dual voltage is your best companion for international travel.
Tips
Collect the hair you are sectioning off for later atop your head and clip it out of the way while you work on lower layers.
Pencil Flat Iron Buying Guide
What Is A Pencil Flat Iron?
As the name suggests, a pencil flat iron features thin, pencil-like plates. The pencil flat iron is the go-to tool for edge straightening and short hair styling. From edge straightening to curling and styling you will achieve the perfect finish look.
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.
How Does A Pencil Flat Iron Work?
Flat irons in general, work by breaking down the positive hydrogen bonds found in the hair’s cortex, which causes hair to open, bend and become curly.
For people who have short hair, using a regular flat iron may be a little bit difficult and dangerous. the hot plates may scorch your fingers accidentally when getting short hair curled and the wide plates are likely to burn thin hair and short hair.
The pencil flat iron with 3/10 inch plates is a perfect way to straighten short hair, and the pencil-shaped hot plates allow easy access to precise styling results.
Features To Look For In A Pencil Flat Iron
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 all the way from your roots without burning your scalp. A thinner plate will allow for precise and efficient straightening. Sizes to consider
1/2-inch plates: This size is ideal for bangs and pixie cuts
1-inch plates: This size is suitable for fine, short hair
1-1/4-inch plates: This is the size to look for if you have medium-thick or shoulder-length tresses
Plate Material
Different steam flat irons feature different materials on the heating plates. Nano Titanium ceramic is highly popular, as they act as a great heat distributor while ensuring a smooth glide because of the ceramic.
On the other hand, tourmaline helps to emit negative ions designed to add shine to the hair and reduce frizz. As a result, you can expect such plates to help you achieve professional styling results with a lot of ease.
Adjustable Heat Settings
A pencil flat iron for short hair that features adjustable heat settings is a must-have. Getting a model that provides adjustable heat settings is a great idea since a specific temperature might be the same as a similar temperature on another straightener.
Always consider an adjustable unit with a low-temperature setting of about 180 degrees Fahrenheit and a high-temperature rating of about 455 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dual Voltage Capacity
If you are a frequent overseas traveler. Then check if your iron has dual voltage capacity. 110V and 220V are the two options for dual voltage. This will let you use it at home and also abroad. A dual voltage, world voltage, or universal voltage straightener is one that is engineered to accept both 220 to 240-volt and 110-to-120-volt outlets.
Handling and Maneuverability
It doesn’t matter how well the straightener performs on your tresses if you cannot handle it comfortably. So, you need to choose a model with an anti-skid handle.
This design will provide a strong one-hand grip for superior straightening and styling flexibility. With a strong grip, you will not have to hold the tip of the tool and risk touching the hot plates.
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.
Temperature Lock
Also, you can consider a temperature lock. This unique feature locks on the selected heat level after about five seconds.
Automatic shutoff
Distraction is one of the reasons why you might forget to switch off the steam hair straightener after use. To avoid risking the safety of your premise, get a straightener that includes an automatic shutoff feature. This feature gives you peace of mind knowing that the flat iron will automatically power off if left unattended for some time.
Digital Controls
Keep an eye out for a design that has digital controls with an intuitive LCD. Digital controls allow for easy temperature adjustments. You just have to tap on the positive or negative sign. The LCD readout displays the exact heat level you have selected.
Common Questions About Pencil Flat Iron
Why do you need a pencil hair straightener?
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 do You prep before using a pencil flat iron?
- 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.
- BlowDrying. 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.
- 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.
How to use a pencil hair straightener?
Creating a cutting-edge, spiky pixie is quick and easy with your best pencil flat iron:
- Spray a little spritz for hold.
- Use your comb to lift small sections of hair, then glide the Titanium/Ceramic plates up the hair shaft from the root to the ends with a slightly curvy or angled motion.
- Use your best pencil flat iron to angle the spikes in different directions for a funky, frizz-free finished look.
- Use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to pull it all together and serve up a fantastic pixie.
What is the smallest pencil flat iron?
The Kipozi pencil flat iron is the thinnest pencil flat iron on the market with 3/10 inches titanium plates to help get to the roots and edges for better styling, and a small hair straightener for short hair and beard.
Enjoy Your New Pencil Flat Iron
Now that you have learned about our pencil hair straightener options, you can decide what’s best for your specific hair needs. We hope this guide was helpful in your hunt for the best pencil flat iron.
Remember your choice of pencil flat iron will vary depending on a variety of factors, including your hair length, texture, and thickness. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to reach out. We are always happy to hear from you.
Disclosure: The Hair Products recommended in this article are our top favorites because they have a great combination of quality, features, and affordability. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through the links as a way to support this site. If you buy a qualifying product, you’re not charged anything extra, but I’ll get a small commission to help pay for my expenses. I hope you find our advice helpful and discover the Best Hair Products for your needs on this list.
