Hair Straightener

[jasira]

I want to buy a hair straightener that can straighten and curl. I went to Added Beauty in North York and Trade Secret in Fairview and they have so many different brands that I don't know which one to buy.

I did research on web and from what I can tell Sedu or CHI is the one I should focus. I haven't seen Sedu but I did see CHI for ~169.

Any advice on this? If you have one, where did you buy it and which brand?

Thanks.

[T-DOT]

From the girls around me, most of them swear by Chi. Cant tell u where they bought it from...but I think they go on upwards to the 200 dolla range.

[GaspeLisa]

get it from e-bay
you don't have to get a name brand, as long as it is ceramic, and gets at leasy 220 degrese. If it doesn't reach that hot, its not hot enough.
The one I got is from "the pink company"

[joep]

bought one for my gf on ebay - $40 ($10 was charged by customs) - despite their poor customer service (took a month to arrive), it was a pretty hot deal compared to the $100+ ones in retail.

Corriolis (sp?) is the brand, I bought it last year and so far my gf is still happy with it

[HockeyGirl]

Corriolis , thats the one they have their demo in many of the gta malls right?
where they stop you and ask you if u want your hair curled or straight?
i try that..its goood. was tempted to buy it.

might try ebay now!

[joep]

Corriolis , thats the one they have their demo in many of the gta malls right?
where they stop you and ask you if u want your hair curled or straight?
i try that..its goood. was tempted to buy it.

might try ebay now!

Yeah I saw their demo booth @ Vaughn Mills once, that was around a year ago though

[HockeyGirl]

well,they're still around!

[Cas77]

get it from e-bay
you don't have to get a name brand, as long as it is ceramic, and gets at leasy 220 degrese. If it doesn't reach that hot, its not hot enough.
The one I got is from "the pink company"

+1

Chi is the trendy brand these days...but you're paying for relabeled products. My wife is a hairdresser so she goes thorugh 1 every year or so and her flat iron is plugged 10hrs/day. She doesn't use Chi (considers it a rip off), only looks for a good build with the features listed above. She'll be the first to tell you that hairdressers will hype up and recommend chi for double commission $$$$....

[azn_dan]

wife bought the Fourak Chi, you can get it for around 100 on ebay for sure. I think there is someone in Edmonton who sells them on ebay. My wife tells me its the best hair straightner she has ever had/used.

[billdozer]

bald is beautiful

[AnnaBanana]

You can for sure buy the Chi on ebay - but watch out as there is one seller who sells fake versions (check the feedback of the seller...). They go for around $100

[pengu]

I have one from Iso International that I bought from ebay. Works great, curls and straightens. Definitely comparable to my friend's CHI. It came to just over $45 including shipping off ebay.

[Steeve Urkel]

I have one that I got at Envirotredz and it says Ceramix on it..I forget who makes it though.

I also have a Babyliss iron from Envirotrends also.

What i like about Envirotrends over other stores is a few times a year they have a buy 2 get 1 free sale on everything in the store amd even hair appliances are included. last time I got my hair iron, a good hair dryer and some expensive hair set :)

I don't know when their sales are so you'd have to call.
But I was at the st laurent store in ottawa today and all L'anza products were buy 2 get 1 free this week till Saturday!
-not sure about other cities though obviously...:lol:

[ElvaSoShexai]

CHI is supposed to be gd and all but i heard the quality/reliability of the unit itself isn't that good and a lot of reviews said altho it works great, doesn't last long.

i hv a solia... Ceramic/Tourmaline Ion plates and 140-450degrees F

[jessika]

I just bought a Chi and I love it. I have tried every low brand under $90 and they suck (in my opinion) It goes for $170, but they are on sale here in Mtl at a few places for $125. There is a definite difference with the Chi and the other ones (includinng Inisis) that I have had. The Chi gets much hotter so you don't have to go over each piece of hair multiple times. It depends on what it important to you, to get your hair done faster and have it last longer =$$, or take forever to do it, have it not last = cheap. My time is worth $, so I'd rather get it done faster, and get to work and get paid. My friend also has the Chi (she's a tightwad, and she swears by it, so I think that says it all) Good Luck

[T-DOT]

It has come to my attention that Hai is also a brand to look out for. :cheesygri

[me0kat]

I use a Conair ceramic straightener that's quite large and it does my whole head in little time. It costs around 30 to 40$ only and it's very effective.Z
I have medium-thick hair, fine and wavy. So I think the width of the iron plates play a role in straightening time as well.

Although if you have extremely thick and curly hair, maybe you're better off with some more expensive brands that can heat faster and reach higher temperatures.

Just remember, the more heat, the more damage. Even the new ion plates or ceramic whatever can burn your hair.

[jasira]

Thanks for all your advice

To summarize
1. name brand is important
2. nay, it's not that important as long as it's ceramic and gets hot enough
3. if it's not hot enough, it will take too long and wouldn't do a good job
4. check e-bay for specials instead of stores

Just couple of more question, I know ceramic is suppose to be good, but what about tourmaline? What is the difference between ceramic and tourmaline? Also, what kind of hair products do you use to protect your hair from heat damage?

[jessika]

I use Chi products (rinse out treatment) and a spray as you are straightening, as it is really important to protect your hair, as yes, these things do damage your hair if you don't protect it. I have also tried redken, rusk etc products to protect my hair. In MY opinion any high end product is good to protect the hair. Just go to a good place and ask for advice, then go home (don't buy yet, and do an internet search for opinion, ex. epinions and see what other people are saying) With the more expensive stuff, you use less than the cheappy stuff, works better, so in the end before it does become cost effective. Just my 2 cents:D depends on what is important for you, saving $ or the end result for your hair. When it comes to my hair (also my daughters, I don't compromise with $, have done it in the past and I just ended up with tons of cheap products that I never even finished, now I buy one I like and stick to it)

[the519]

Solia sucks, gave that away
chi break too fast,
sedu is somewhat expensive
FHI is the way to go
unless you wanna spend alot for a GHD

[oscar_dog]

I bought my wife an X-Heat iron from KQC on Ebay for about $130(USD). My wife saw it being demonstrated on CityLine (CityTV) and said that a hairdresser in Yorkville was using it. It has worked great for almost two years now after throwing out a CHI one, whose ceramic plates started stripping. Cheap shipping too.

[bellehuynh]

I use CHI hair straightner. It heats up real fast and does a great job of straightning your hair. I have used it for over a year and it does the job. Got it brand new for $150. I don't know why there are such mix reviews. But I LOVE IT and wouldn't recommend any other brand.

[jessika]

ditto for loving the Chi. I also don't understand the mixed reviews. I am still loving my Chi (see my prior post) and my tightwad friend is still loving hers. I think in the long run it ends up cheaper to buy 1 good one, rather several crappy ones!!

[AnnaBanana]

Any advice on good serum's to use? I loved my "Ecru NY" but i can't find it anywhere anymore...