How to Use the Wavytalk Steam Sesh, From Empty Tank to Last Section

The Wavytalk Steam Sesh flat iron has two parts a regular straightener doesn't: a small water tank and a clip-on comb. Neither is hard to use, but both come out of the box unfitted, and the comb in particular has a right and a wrong way round. Here is the full routine, in the order you'll actually do it.

Before you plug it in

Start with clean, dry hair. Wavytalk suggests detangling and sectioning first and putting on a heat protectant, especially for Type 3 and Type 4 hair. Have the two clips from the box ready, plus the heat-resistant glove if you plan to flip or curl the ends.

Fill the water tank

The tank holds 12 mL. Wavytalk's steps are:

1. Press the release button and pull the tank out.
2. Take out the rubber stopper and add water with the fill bottle that comes in the box.
3. Push the stopper back in firmly, slide the tank in and press until it clicks.

Use distilled or purified water. Tap water leaves mineral deposits that can block the steam vents over time. Fill to about 80% rather than to the brim. Wavytalk says most leaks come from overfilling, from not using the supplied bottle, or from a stopper that isn't pressed all the way in.

Fit the comb

The comb isn't attached when the iron arrives. It goes on the side with the buttons: pinch the comb, push its narrow end into the groove and slide it along until it sits fully in place.

Once it's on, keep the teeth facing down as you glide. Wavytalk warns that teeth facing up can pull and snag hair. If you want a sleeker final pass, slide the comb off and use the plates alone.

Pick a temperature

The Steam Sesh has five settings, shown on the LED screen. Wavytalk matches them to hair types like this:

Swipe sideways to see the whole table →

Color-treated hair belongs at the lower end, and thick or 4C hair at the higher end. If you're between two rows, start with the lower one and only go up if a pass doesn't hold.

Turn on the steam

Switch the iron on, let it reach your chosen setting, then press the steam button. Steam only comes out when the plates are fully closed. This is a safety feature, so nothing should puff out while the iron is open in your hand.

You can also leave the steam off and use the Steam Sesh as a plain titanium flat iron, which is handy for quick touch-ups on hair that's already smooth.

Work through your hair

Clip the top layers up and start at the nape. Take a section no wider than the 1.38-inch plates, close the iron near the root and glide down to the ends in one steady pass. The idea behind the steam is fewer passes, so check the section before going over it again.

Work up the head layer by layer, letting each layer down from the clips as you go. The iron is slightly heavier than a standard flat iron because of the water tank, and Wavytalk says that weight helps keep pressure even along the plates.

Curls and flipped ends

The same iron can bend the ends. For a flip, glide down as usual and turn your wrist under or out for the last few inches. For a loose curl, give the iron a half turn as you glide. Wear the glove for both, because your fingers end up closer to the plates.

When the steam seems weak

Wavytalk's own troubleshooting covers most of it:

• If you can't see steam, remember the Steam Sesh releases it in bursts, not as a constant cloud. Check the tank is filled and clicked in and the iron has reached temperature, then close the plates.
• If the steam fades over a few weeks, look at the vents for white mineral buildup, a sign tap water has been used.
• If water drips, pour some out so the tank sits around 80% full and press the stopper in harder.

After you finish

Switch it off, unplug it and let it cool before you put it away. The cord is 79 inches (2 m) long, and the iron runs on 100 to 240V, so it works abroad with a plug adapter.

Still deciding between plates and a brush? Our Steam Sesh vs Steamline Pro comparison sets the two steam tools side by side, and every plate tool is in Wavytalk straighteners.

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