US hair staightening irons?

[PoohBears#1fan]

Help!

I'm a daily straightening girl and am already worrying about how 'great' my hair will look in the Florida humidity so am thinking of buying a pair of straightening irons to take with me (obviously I can't use my UK ones because of the voltage difference) to use in the evenings (I'm not even going to try during the day, while going on water rides etc.)

Could you please tell me which makes are considered to be the good ones, over here GHD are one of the better makes, but I can't find a US version anywhere.

Thank you

 

[CBRorBust]

You could look at www.ulta.com It has a lot of different brands that are a little better than just what you can get at a Wal-Mart.

I bought mine from a salon here, so I have no idea which is the best out there right now. I'm sure some of the other girly Disers will pop in and have an answer.

 

[helenabear]

I looked up what your GHD is and I use something similar... Chi Ceramic Iron (said to be one of the best by my stylist). It costs about $100 US though, but it looks to be the same quality. If you want one that is okay, but not near as good they have some ceramic *plated* irons. I've used them but they don't get near as not nor do they have the same moisture level that the all ceramic irons do. I know there are other brands out there that are okay as well, but I settled on the Chi brand. You can find them at salons, Trade Secrets, I think Ulta and you can also find similar styles at Sally's Beauty supply as well. Won't be able to find that level at Walmart or the like.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Yep, I also recommend going to Sally's Beauty Supply or a Salon.

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by helenabear
Chi Ceramic Iron (said to be one of the best by my stylist).

The Chi iron is absolutely the best! It's expensive, but you might get a good price on ebay. The one I consider just right below the Chi iron is the HAI iron (Hair Art International) which is also very good, but not as good as the Chi. You can also get it on ebay. The thing that makes these irons so good is that they have ceramic plates, which get hotter than irons you buy in department stores and they're also less damaging.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I use the Chi also...it's WONDERFUL!

 

[PoohBears#1fan]

Thanks everyone, that's brilliant, Chi it is then

Phew, my frizzy hair has been saved! LOL

 

[pouncingpluto]

I'm going to be completely unhelpful and tell you to get thermal reconditioning/ Japanese hair-straightening. It's the best ridiculous splurge I've ever made!

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by pouncingpluto
I'm going to be completely unhelpful and tell you to get thermal reconditioning/ Japanese hair-straightening. It's the best ridiculous splurge I've ever made!

I've had this done twice. The first time I thought I had died and gone to heaven. My hair was completely straight, no fuss no muss. The second time (for the touch-up) my hair was back to it's frizzy ways and I ended up with a case of "the bends" which means that they applied the solution too close to my scalp and this caused my hair to bend at a 90 degree angle at the new growth. Hair risks breakage at the bend, so I had to go through weekly prescriptive repair treatments for 6 weeks, but it didn't prevent all breakage. So now I have these little bends from where my hair literally broke off around my face so my otherwise all one length hair now has bangs. The stylist offered to re-do the straightener at first, then started back-pedaling after a while (I had to wait until my hair was strong enough). I finally gave up and went somewhere else, got a choppy haircut that can be worn messy and am very happy, except I still stew over the $500 I spent on a disaster and the broken hair.

Moral of the story: Only go to those trained in person (many get trained via videotape) and very experienced in the process and in repairs.

 

[magicmouse2]

I go wavy at WDW. No time to waste ironing kinks out of my hair, when I will dive into the pool and mess it up again every day

 

[pouncingpluto]

How long did you go between your first time and your touch up? I've had mine since August, and it's still pretty good as long as I blowdry.

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by pouncingpluto
How long did you go between your first time and your touch up? I've had mine since August, and it's still pretty good as long as I blowdry.

I waited 11 months between the first one and the touch-up. I really think mine was one of those fluke things.

 

[vettechick99]

Here is a before and after...as you can see, I have very curly hair. So I bought a Hai Ceramic flat iron off of ebay and I'm really happy.

I highly recommend this Ebay Seller, aaa27aaa

Only took like 2 or 3 days to get it. Total was about $70 (usually over $100) including shipping.

<br>

 

[lulu71]

Originally posted by vettechick99
Here is a before and after...as you can see, I have very curly hair. So I bought a Hai Ceramic flat iron off of ebay and I'm really happy.

I highly recommend this Ebay Seller, aaa27aaa

Only took like 2 or 3 days to get it. Total was about $70 (usually over $100) including shipping.

Wow, your hair looks great! That's another benefit to the ceramic irons -- your hair really shines!

Oh and one other thing about the Chi and Hai irons. The skinnier ones are better in that you have more control if you want to turn your hair under or flip it up.

 

[CBRorBust]

Chi Ceramic Iron (said to be one of the best by my stylist). It costs about $100 US though, but it looks to be the same quality.

Hey! That's the one I bought from my stylist too! ISN'T IT WONDERFUL!?!

I love it! People told me I was crazy because I was spending so much money on it! Please people! I have gotten WAY over my money's worth in great hair days because of that thing!

LOVE IT!

 

[vettechick99]

Wow, your hair looks great! That's another benefit to the ceramic irons -- your hair really shines!

Thanks! I normally have zero shine, so to see some is great!

Yes, definitely look into the 1 inchers. That's what I have and its very easy to handle!

 

[helenabear]

I have to agree... the 1 inch is the best... I have hair that has natural soft curl that I brush out to a wave. Sometimes the wave is "not even" and the 1 inch is great for creating wave or even small ringlets. It does a great job of curling under and flipping out. I never use a regular curling iron now with this because it can do all those can and more. Plus it is the only one that will hold on my hair... it may not be crazy curly but it doesn't take well to styling.

vettechick99, your hair does look great!!! Mine does have shine, but straight it looks amazing... never seen it as straight as with the ceramics!!

CBRorBust, I agree... definitely worth the money! I even tried some cheaper brands (the plated ones) but didn't like them. Plus this is a curling iron/straightener in one for me, so that counts for something