Nicky Clarke NSS051 ceramic straightener April 2010

Ceramic straighteners can cost up to £120, so this £29.99 pair from big name Nicky Clarke should appeal to those looking for a styler that won't leave their wallet flat.

The Nicky Clarke NSS051 Frizz Control Pro Ceramic Straightener has the usual top temperature of 230°C, but a variable temperature control dial lets you choose lower temperatures if you’re concerned about overheating your hair.

Other notable features include lockable plates so you can store the plates in their closed position and a swivel cord to prevent the power cable becoming tangled.

Ionic technology - which is claimed to protect hair by coating it with ions that aid moisture absorption - completes the straightener's feature list.

This straightener has a top temperature of 230°C and a variable heat control

Ceramic straightener plates

With its black soft-touch casing and glossy black ceramic plates, the Nicky Clarke Frizz Control Pro Ceramic Straightener is a good-looking styler that doesn’t give away its budget price tag.

Its handle is shorter than other slimline straighteners we’ve seen, so those with thick or very long hair may find their fingers become tangled whilst using it.

The plates don’t come together cleanly, so you’ll need to apply firm pressure to get them to clamp and smooth hair effectively.

Styling with the Nicky Clarke ceramic straightener

Like all ceramic straighteners, this model works best when set to its maximum temperature of 230°C. Styling at lower temperatures is less effective and the results don’t last as long.

Although the straightener has a slimline body, the casing around the ceramic plates is quite chunky. This makes it difficult to create well-defined curls, waves and flicks.

Straightening and smoothing is more effective. The plates move through hair fairly smoothly and the high heat means hair is noticeably straightened. It’s less effective on very curly or thick hair though, and you’ll need to do more than one stroke to completely tame reluctant curls or frizz.

Which? verdict

This is a basic straightener at an attractive price. It looks good and extra features such as a swivel cord and lockable plates make it more appealing than some rival budget ceramic straighteners we've seen.

It does a reasonable job of straightening and smoothing fine hair, but the build of the Nicky Clarke Frizz Control Pro Ceramic Straightener means it’s not versatile enough to create good curls or flicks. If you want to create a range of styles, tame thick or unruly hair, or quickly curl the ends of your hair, we think you should look elsewhere.

It's available from Argos and other selected high street shops - you can find your nearest stockist by calling 0800 525 089.

Pros: Cheap, looks good, variable temperature control

Cons: Short handle, plates don’t come together cleanly, poor curling

Shopping for new hair straighteners? We've also reviewed:

• GHD IV Styler hair straighteners
• Rowenta Supremium hair straighteners
• V05 Professional Ceramic Straightener
• Remington Pearl ceramic hair straighteners
• Remington Wet2Straight Slim hair straighteners

Our health and beauty section also has reviews of hairdryers, epilators and electric toothbrushes.