I just bought my chi 2 weeks gao after having a cheap $30 straightener for a year adn i love the chi. My hair is extremely curly and it only takes one time thourgh eith the chi unlike anything else ive used where after 3 times through i coul dnever get it straight.
For the heat protector, I use a spray called matrix essentials sleek look.
I think it works pretty well but i can be picky b/c im allergic to most of these products so i use what i can find