Abstract: An improved hair iron for straightening or styling hair is presented. The hair iron comprises two arms pivotally connected at one end and includes a biasing spring near the pivot and connected to arms to bias the arms in a normally open position. Included on one arm is a positive temperature coefficient (“PTC”) heater with a tourmaline coating on the heating surface. Inclusion of a single heating surface on only one arm reduces the risk of heat damage to the hair-to-be-styled and likewise reduces the iron's energy consumption. Included on the other, non-heated, arm is a compressible element for gripping the hair-to-be-styled. The compressible element minimizes the risk of damage to the hair from potential over-compression of the arms of the iron by the stylist. Consequently, the fullness or volume of the styled hair is increased.