Actually ceramic is ok, but you can do better.
FYI Chi Straighteners (the standard model) is ceramic COATED. It says so in the fine print, so while everyone loves a brand name like Chi, and you can find them for very cheap online, it is not your best option. That is lowest on the todem pole in terms of plate quality as it's really only a step up from straight metal. Some people swear by Chi, but to me the regular price is almost $200 and for that kind of plate quality you are throwing your money away.
So this how the straightener plate technology goes..oldest to newest
Any form of Metal (bad, no longer sold)
Ceramic coated
*Ceramic
*Ceramic and Tourmaline
*Tourmaline
*Titanium
*Nano Silver Titanium
*Nano Silver
NANO SILVER (anything) is your newest/most top rated technology.
Anything labelled with a * is good to get, but watch for straighteners from Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Superstores, ETC. A lot of them claim to be of good plate quality, and claim to be hot, but the fact is that they actually only need to contain a fraction of what the plate technology is to actually say that. They also do not, and i repeat DO NOT get the same heat distribution as professional straighteners no matter how hot they say they get. you are wasting your money.
Professional straighteners start around $89 and can go up to $300 or even $400 dollars. You do not need a $400 straightener to get a decent result; however, you get what you pay for in quality and as long as you hair isn't African American, thick and majorly curly- you will really only notice a difference when it comes to heat and personal style. Especially if you're jsut recently upgraded from non-professional quality.
In terms of sizing, get a 1" straightener. It's a standard size, and it's also cheaper than getting anything bigger. The bigger you go, the less you'll be able to really get to the root of the hair shaft.
There are zillion labels out there, and while brand names are good, there are tons of other straighteners out there that will do the same job- as long as they are PROFESSIONAL quality. Hit a good reputable SALON, and ask around. What are the hairdressers using? do they sell flat irons there? what is the warranty/return policy? Then hit a Beauty Supply and see if they sell the same one. There is lots of junk straighteners hanging around Sally Beauty Supply, so buyer beware.
quick note about CURLING IRONS.
Babyliss which, by the way, also sells great long lasting straighteners and amazing hair dryers, IS THE BEST CURLING IRON BRAND TO GET. No,not all curling irons are the same, and this comes down to professional quality and heat distribution. Babyliss irons get HOT. I'm talking like 400 degrees ish. They have a killer warranty, and they stand the test of time. They have also kept up with technology. They started as ceramic, then went on to tourmaline, and are now making nano-silver irons. So get her one of those, and don't even bother looking at any other kind. trust me. (Isinis is popular, but they haven't upgraded their technology and I will only buy/recommend their tripple barrel waver)
Price in retail: $50-$70 depending on where you shop. I never did upgrade my ceramic ones, and they're still amazing. Just sayin' (if you want to save a few bucks)
Back to straighteners.
Lots of straighteners CURL these days. So you can actually spend a bit more, get a great quality straightener, and forget the curling iron altogether.
So ask for a "twist, straighten, curl" straightener with ceramic (or better) technology, 1" plates (easier to curl too) and make sure the straightener gets anywhere from 410-450 degrees. The hotter the straightener, the better she will love her hair.
Now having said that, you cook a chicken at that temp, so GET A HEAT PROTECTION SPRAY. If you are planning to forget the curling iron as a seperate item, then get a spray that is both light weight with a medium hold so she can use it for both.
If you want to ask me about brand names.... you can PM me. Otherwise, this should get you started
