Flat irons

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:06pm

Okay, I used to fancy myself an expert in this department, but I haven't actually had to purchase one in quite some time, so I'm not up on the latest. My straightener is on its way out, and I'm in the market for a new one. Anybody have recommendations? I have very curly hair; not tight curls, really, but big, bouncy spiral curls. I hardly ever straighten my hair right from that state, though -- I almost always blowdry it first to get most of the curl out, and then just flatiron it to get it completely straight.

Anyway, I know, superficial question, but suggestions are appreciated.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:08pm

God, how superficial.

And me being the straight boy that I am, I thought this was a thread discussing flat irons (as in for ironing clothing on an ironing board).

[blueroses]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:10pm

Stupid curls!

I love my T3. It wasn't cheap, but it's fantastic. I've heard great things about Chi, too.

[MotorTink]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:13pm

i am in the same market, Em. I have bought a few of the cheaper con air/revlon/etc. type ones before and they barely make a dent on my hair. Let me know what you find out!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:14pm

I know, I'm such a girl.

I've tried a few Chi straighteners, and I actually haven't loved the results. I think the thing is that they leave my hair looking too flat, to the point that it looks flat-ironed, you know? I don't want my hair to look like I did all of that to it, l I want it to appear natural.

Picky, picky... I've been doing it nearly every day since my first year of high school, though, so I'm set in my ways.

Updated On: 1/22/08 at 09:14 PM

[blueroses]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:20pm

Em, my hair is naturally very curly, too. The T3 straightens it beautifully. In fact, when I know I want to wear it really straight, I'll wash it the night before and let it dry naturally. And the next morning it works REALLY well--even without it having been blown dry first with a round brush (which is what I usually do when I dry it without worrying about it being that straight). The T3 has a wet to dry setting, but I have never done that. I'd rather it be dry first.

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:23pm

i use a flat iron from remington called "wet2straight"

you can use it on wet or dry hair

[StageManager2]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:27pm

Em, let's have a scalp transplant. I'll gladly trade my straight-ass hair for your curls.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:34pm

I love to get my hair poker straight (although it takes me about 3 hours to get it that way) and it just get wavy within an hour, but the generic of the Chi works well for me. It's the "GVP" at Sally Beauty Supply. It's cheaper than the Chi. I've had straighteners that are like 2- 3 inches but I find that this one (which is 1 inch) works better...even though it takes much longer. My hair is super thick and super curly.

I found that it's better to SLOWLY iron each section of hair ONCE rather than the same section more than once.

I don't straighten it that often - although I probably will now that I'll be teaching- but if you iron it a lot, you should definitely use a spray which keeps your hair from easily frying. I use: Silk Elements Heat Protection Spray.

[SNLMedia]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:41pm

Couldn't resist.

[Dancinqueen123]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:50pm

The flat iron that I use is from Remington and the flat iron says "T studio collection" on it (that probably doesn't help you out). It's a cheep one that I found at Target when my other straightener broke and I needed a replacement. It works well for me.

Something else I found that helps straighten, is a spray made by Herbal Essences. It comes in a pink bottle and it's called "Dangerously Straight" or something like that.

Updated On: 1/22/08 at 09:50 PM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:53pm

sweetq, she just said she's been doing this every day since high school; she doesn't need your lesson in how to straighten.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:56pm

I use this stuff from Aveda called Hang Straight. I've tried TONS of other things, and this is by far the best.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:56pm

"sweetq, she just said she's been doing this every day since high school; she doesn't need your lesson in how to straighten."

What such an innocent comment on an innocent thread calls for- my gosh! I was saying how I found what works best. Maybe she already tried it, maybe she doesn't want to try it, maybe she will try it...Again, there was no hurt done in mentioning how it works best for me.

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 9:58pm

mine was a cheep-o target one too :)

i used to use sauve sleek on my hair before i colored part of it pink. actually, i used it once after i did the pink, and it stripped the pink right off the section i ironed. thankfully i tested it on my bangs and it was easy to re-color.

[sweetdisaster]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 10:00pm

I use this stuff from Aveda called Hang Straight. I've tried TONS of other things, and this is by far the best.

Oooh, I've never heard of that. I'll have to try it.

For what it's worth, I have very curly, frizzy hair and a Chi is the only thing that'll keep my hair straight. I agree with what you said about it looking too straight, so I use that and then blow dry it again with a round brush. It's a pain, but it works.

[dramaparoxysm23]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 10:02pm

[MerMaggieGalinda]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 10:03pm

I have this Remington wet-to-straight straightening iron that works really well. I also have this smoother from Bed-Head that works really well after I straighten it. Funny, I straightened my hair last night for today (because it usually takes about an hour because I have thick, wavy hair to get it perfect) and I got a lot of compliments today about it! Normally because my hair is so much with waves and curls no one has ever seen it stick-straight before.

[NJgirl]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 10:20pm

I've heard great things about a brand called "GHD" sold thru Sephora. Apparently there's a cult following for these over in the UK. Not cheap but apparently amazing.

[MotorTink]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 10:24pm

I use a bed head heat therapy spray thingy before hand so I don't fry it, maybe the garnier fructis straightening serum if I feel like getting up to get it, but I always use Biosilk afterwards. A little bit makes my hair some much more manageable and smooth!

[Dancinqueen123]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 10:48pm

This thread has convinced me to straighten my hair tomorrow

Updated On: 1/22/08 at 10:48 PM

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 11:23pm

Well, this is not a straightener, but it's fantastic. Ignore me if you aren't interested...lol.

This is the greatest hair product I have ever owned. You can brush it out while you blow it dry. It's the only tool I use and it blows the curls out really well. Best part, it's like $20.

Revlon Ionizer

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 11:27pm

I love those. I've been thinking about buying one.

[JerseyGirl2]

Posted: 1/22/08 at 11:45pm

My hair is wavy and it's cut in really long layers, so I have to blow it out. I have never found anything that is easier.