Thread: Talk to me about flat irons

I have long, wavy, layered hair. 99% of the time I'm content to leave and let live but sometimes I like to have straight, sleek hair. I've never purchased a hair iron before so..what's the best hair iron out there? What have you used and how much did you pay for it?

IMO, without a doubt, the best out there is the CHI flatiron. I think I paid about $100 for it, but it has been worth every penny. I've had it for about 4 years now and it still works as good as when it was new. I bought mine through my hairdresser, but you might be able to get a better deal through Ebay. I bough a nice CHI hairdryer on Ebay last year and love that as well.

Big huge second to the CHI flatiron...works amazingly well!! Worth it to spend the extra money - saves your hair from major fry-age. I might be mistaken, but I think I saw one or two models at Target a few weeks ago. I bought mine through my salon a couple of years ago...

Chi is the best, and you can get good prices on eBay. I haven't been able to afford one, so I use my Revlon. It works fine, but not as well as when my hairdresser uses his Chi.

I've been thinking about getting an Instyler, though.

Originally Posted by gypsydanse

Chi is the best, and you can get good prices on eBay. I haven't been able to afford one, so I use my Revlon. It works fine, but not as well as when my hairdresser uses his Chi.

I've been thinking about getting an Instyler, though.

Have been seeing bad reviews for the instyler. I was intrigued by those as well, but with the reviews I will not get one.

what are the reviews on the Instyler saying? I'm intrigued by that as well. I bought a Jilbere of Paris ceramic flat iron from Sally awhile ago, I liked it alot but I used it on something I wasn't supposed to and ruined it. But it was fairly affordable, around $30 if I remember correctly. I have to get another one.


Other than saying the CHI is the best, tell me why it's the best. I can't justify spending $100 on something unless I know why it's so good.

I recently got the Instyler and I love it. It is really easy to use and straightens my hair really well. I also have a chi flat iron, love that too.

Originally Posted by MahiraRaqs

what are the reviews on the Instyler saying? I'm intrigued by that as well. I bought a ceramic flat iron from Sally awhile ago, I liked it alot but I used it on something I wasn't supposed to and ruined it. But it was fairly affordable, around $30 if I remember correctly. I have to get another one.


Other than saying the CHI is the best, tell me why it's the best. I can't justify spending $100 on something unless I know why it's so good.

1.) It doesn't damage my hair as much as traditional flatirons. My hair is pretty long and even though I heat style it, it still isn't wrecked.

2.) It heats up super fast. In a couple of minutes it's ready to go.

3.) It has lasted for several years now.

I haven't used one in a long time, and haven't bothered to get an expensive one (mine was Jilbere too). But regardless of the iron you get, I recommend using Frizz Ease thermal protection serum before you use it. Comb it into your hair while it's damp, and then dry and iron your hair. It helps prevent damage to your hair from the heat styling. I use it before blow drying my hair.

I bought mine for $200...well I have a large flat iron for big pieces and I have one that has a curve on the side so that I can flat iron small waves. Love them both..I think they are ceramic? plated...I dunno..more expensive and worth it

and I use that Skinny Serum to protect hair before blow drying or flat ironing

Originally Posted by shahla

1.) It doesn't damage my hair as much as traditional flatirons. My hair is pretty long and even though I heat style it, it still isn't wrecked.

2.) It heats up super fast. In a couple of minutes it's ready to go.

3.) It has lasted for several years now.

Thanks Shala. Have you used other flat irons before to compare it to? What do you consider a traditional flat iron? Mine was ceramic and worked great. Heated up super fast too. I had mine for a couple years before I ruined it (completely my fault), but it was less than half the price. I don't iron my hair that often and since I color my hair it's kind of damaged already. I don't know what makes the CHI so much better. Just asking, because if it were better for whatever reason that's great, I just want to know what makes it better otherwise I would buy the less expensive one again.

Why the Chi?

1) heats up fast, cools down fast
2) less damage to my hair, and I have to heat style almost daily
3) it gets incredibly smooth and SHINY - I mean seriously SILKY - results
4) has lasted at least a couple of years for me, so it's already paid for itself and then some

I have used other models in the past, usually bought from Target or other drug store/salon/etc...last one I liked was Hot Tools, but it does not even compare to the Chi now that I have one. Other models would get my hair straight, but not as smooth and/or shiny as the Chi.

I use Kerastase Chroma Thermique and Oleo Relax before blow-drying, styling etc...for hold, shine and protection with flat-ironing or curling, I also use Shu Uemura Iron Design.

It's all a bit pricy (when comparing to drug store-available brands), but considering how much damage it has saved my hair over the years, totally worth it. I use to fry the ever-living you-know-what out of my hair and that ended up costing me years of growing out damage and more frequent hair cuts. I now cut my hair three times a year and get color treatments maybe 6 times (the color treatments also help repair styling damage).

Originally Posted by MahiraRaqs

Thanks Shala. Have you used other flat irons before to compare it to? What do you consider a traditional flat iron? Mine was ceramic and worked great. Heated up super fast too. I had mine for a couple years before I ruined it (completely my fault), but it was less than half the price. I don't iron my hair that often and since I color my hair it's kind of damaged already. I don't know what makes the CHI so much better. Just asking, because if it were better for whatever reason that's great, I just want to know what makes it better otherwise I would buy the less expensive one again.

Yes, I've used other flatirons before, but this is the first ceramic one I've used. The ones I've used before have been whatever I had found at Target/Walmart, etc. It's been so long I can't remember the brands, but they were probably conair or revlon or something like that. I color my hair too. I've noticed with the CHI that it finishes my hair super soft and the style lasts for days.

great flat irons (or straighteners as we say in the UK) are FHI heat. They heat in less than 30 sec have 2 temp settings and unlike some brands and extremely cool to the touch and don't burn your hands (they are also suitable for european and afro hair).

I've had mine for 3 years and I love them (so does my hairdresser)

In cosmo school we were given a standard flat iron and hair dryer. I had to eventually bring in my CHI tools (flat iron and hair dryer) because they got the job done quicker and with less damage to the hair cuticle.

Used together, blowing drying with a CHI, followed by a CHI flat iron will give you pencil straight hair that lasts for days and with minimal damage to the hair. I've had my tools for over 3 years, used 5 hours a day at school and regularly thereafter on set and for photo shoots.

CHI's core competency is ceramic tools so you can't go wrong when you purchase one of these babies. eBay will have lots of deals or Sally Beauty Supply carries pro-sumer varieties that are slightly more affordable.

I totally recommend ghd- they are a hugely popular brand in the uk. You can curl with them as well as straighten and there are 3 sizes to choose from. They always win the instyle and cosmo beauty awards for best flatiron.

I've only used the cheaper versions and they were not too remarkable. But my hairdresser told me that the better ones do cost more. I got the same result from the cheaper ones as if I straightened my hair with a curling iron (downward movement). But when my hairdresser used the more expensive one, the difference was amazing.

I just bought one for the very first time. I'm sure it will kill my hair, but I only plan on using it for special occasions. I bought the Remington Wet 2 Style. It was $30 at Target.

Originally Posted by andalee-oriental

I just bought one for the very first time. I'm sure it will kill my hair, but I only plan on using it for special occasions. I bought the Remington Wet 2 Style. It was $30 at Target.

Wet 2 Style will kill your hair, unfortunately. You are basically frying the entire strand from the cortex to the cuticle. May I suggest before using, that you condition heavily.

Originally Posted by Azhia

Wet 2 Style will kill your hair, unfortunately. You are basically frying the entire strand from the cortex to the cuticle. May I suggest before using, that you condition heavily.

Thanks. I really don't plan on using it much. I wanted sleek hair for an important professional meeting. I bought a heat protector styling spray thingy and I always use spray-in conditioner.

I never blowdry my hair, even though I have a blow dryer my hairdresser gave me that he didn't want. It just sits around, and I think I've used it twice.

I wash my hair every other day, but since I'm not working, I don't use the flat iron on it all the time. I just let it air dry and go natural and wavy, it's better for it. I use the flat iron or curling iron if I'm going out or to a job interview.

Sedu or Chi Turbo. I have 2 of both..l;, Be careful and use heat protector, and if you're curly you may find a loss of curl pattern ( some of my curls are GONE and will NOT curl back up) I'm currently trying to get my hair back to health because of overuse...

Originally Posted by Azhia

Wet 2 Style will kill your hair, unfortunately. You are basically frying the entire strand from the cortex to the cuticle. May I suggest before using, that you condition heavily.

Yeah, i don't think Remington is so good. Go to Sally's and get one of their brands if you're on a budget or look for a Sedu or Chi on ebay....

I got the most amaxzing one from my hair dresser who purchased it from ner beauty rep for me. I was always amazed with how fast an goregeous she got my hair every time I visited. Its made of Titanium and has a steam option so it doesn't dry out your hair as much. I have super long curly hair and can straighten it in 10 minutes with this thing!
Its called Babylis pro. Mine ran me about $145 with a fre ionic blow dreyer.
xoxo,
-Nadirah

I work in a salon..... Chi has been the best so far. Farouq is changing the iron up to be digital. I returned mine for the old model....

I'm switching to Babyliss myself next. All the girls in the shop like it better than Chi. Seems to work better and faster. You can get it through your stylist. Ask when the "big sale" is and get it then.

I thought Chi was the best until I got a GHD. That's the winner, hands down.