I have been growing my hair out to a bob and I tried my daughters flat iron. I am not talented enough to use it. Just couldn't get the hang of it. I had an inexpensive Conair curling iron that didn't give my fine hair any body and decided to purchase a better curling iron and see if it works better. Love this curling iron. Just another idea to consider.

I got the 1 1/4inch.

Here is a link that might be useful: Curling iron

The cheaper ones do not distribute the heat on the plates evenly and will fry the hair. I like CHI and GHD. They are more expensive, but Ulta sells them and have coupons, so does BB&B.

I have also used HAI. I've used folica.com. Do a google search on them, as they may sell them at Amazon or Ulta. Always get the one inch, no matter the length of you hair. Again, it's about the distribution of heat. And get a good heat protectant oil that you apply to dry hair before flat ironing. Chi and Aveda make goods ones. There are others brands, too, but I can vouch for those as that is what I've used.

You will pay retailof 80.00-100.00 for a decent one, unless you find a great sale. I do hair, and I can always tell when someone is using a cheap one and not taking proper precautions. All the hot tools do harm to the hair somewhat, so it's all about minimizing and not preventing.

Thank you red and Anita,
That is my fear that I will not be talented enough to use it so this s why I am hesitant to spend more dollars on something that I might discard after a few tries.
But I will check out the info you provided, sounds informative.

Anita,
I live in Canada but am in florida on action and see they do have a ultra in this town.
They seem to have a couple of chi for 99.00 ,I might go have a look.
Maybe I can get a coupon.

Save those receipts and box. I believe CHI has a one year warranty. We've sent them in before with seven dollars and receive a new one.

Lyban...flat irons are easy to use. Take small sections and go slow down the strand without stopping. With the good ones, you only need one or two passes. I have straight, fine hair, but use it for volume and texture. I do use a working spray first, though, otherwise I have zero volume. So they are not just for straightening wavy or curly hair. Lots of youtubes out there to help you out.

anita - Thank you for your comments on a flat iron. My hair dresser recommended I get a "better" one but could not explain as you did why I would pay more than $100 for one rather than $30.

I highly recommend CHI irons. My daughter has very curly hair and she tried several cheaper irons till she discovered CHI a couple of years ago. They are pricey but WELL worth it. They are now sold widely; I believe we got her last one at Bed Bath and Beyond-so you can use the 20% coupon there. Target stocks them now too..

After trying out my daughter's, I eventually bought myself a CHI iron. My hair is wavy, and in Miami's humidity gets frizzy and curly pretty fast. Love it, and although I have color treated hair it hasn't done any damage. I use Kerasilk (link below) religiously on my hair and I think it helps keep damage minimal.

So this is one product for which I recommend you should pay more for higher quality, because you will definitely get better use from it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kerasilk hair treatment

About a year ago, I decided to ditch the curling iron - to go for a smoother look. My hairdresser can use a blow dryer and it comes out perfect. I don't have any hair-styling talent. Anyway, one day I decided to give a flat iron a try and just went to the closest store and bought one for about $15 - think it is a Conair. I have been meaning to get a better one, but this one does the job. I basically just do the ends, but have not noticed any damage. Just a thought. You might want to get a cheapie just to see if you like it. It took me a while to get the hang of it - but I won't go back to a curling iron any time soon!!
But I did find it really frustrating in the beginning. HTH

It's been a long time since I've used a flat iron but as I recall, for the health of your hair, you should consider:

- Type of plates: I believe titanium is best due to heat distribution and no dragging.

- Ionic: produces very smooth, anti-frizz hair.

- Temperature setting: You can adjust the temperature to not be too hot (cheap ones get way too hot) and customize the temp for your hair (very fine hair needs a lower temp setting.)

The last one I had was a Metropolis and it was almost $200 and had all of these features.

Runninginplace, how does that kerasilk work - do you use it every time you wash you hair? Apply it on wet hair and rinse out? Apply on wet hair and leave on? I'm looking for something for my dd to use - I thought my hair was frizzy, but hers is even more so, and since she wears it much longer than I do, it can get very tangled. I've been looking for a product that she can use in her hair to help keep it smooth and silky in addition to using the flat iron, so I might give this a try but want to know how it's used first.

Also, piece of advice if you are new to getting a flat iron, make sure that your hair is completely dry before you start with the flat iron or it will singe your hair.

Fourkids, another product you might consider for your daughter is Biolage Smoothing Shine Milk.

I've mentioned before that I try very hard to use only household products & toiletries that are not tested on animals.... this is the one product that I have (regrettably) not found a cruelty free replacement for. I like it that much. I have several Aveda products that I use regularly, in some sort of rotation, but I always come back to the Biolage Smoothing Shine Milk. I use it on the ends of my hair, and it does help prevent tangles and frizzies. I think it makes my hair softer and âÂÂflows betterâ if that makes any sense⦠feels nicer when you run your hands through it.

I too am in the market for a new flat iron. IâÂÂve started doing some research on the various brands a few times⦠and then get overwhelmed and quit. My sister swears by CHI, but IâÂÂve also read they donâÂÂt have the best technology anymore - - like they did a few years ago. Who would know buying a new flat iron could trigger so much indecisionâ¦.

Here is a link that might be useful: From drugstore.com

Thanks Rilie - I will look for that product too. I like Rusk products for myself and used to get them at my old salon (pricey!). I hadn't bought them in a while but found a few different Rusk products recently. I can't remember what the most recent one was called, but it is for taming frizz. It works great on my hair, but I had my daughter use it (and then I personally dried her hair) and it made her frizz way worse! Funny how products can work differently even though her hair is so similar to mine. I also used to use Alterna products but can't find the one I liked being sold anywhere anymore.

How do you find out whether products are tested on animals?

We have a Bellezza flat iron that I found at Tuesday Morning for about $50. It works well for both of us though I have no idea how it compares to CHI. My hairdresser told me that when I'm in the market for a new one, she can get me one for wholesale price (she works out of her house, so she doesn't have to upcharge anything, even hair products).

I highly recommend the karmin g3 straightener... It's great for short hair because it's really fast and thorough and it actually makes your hair soft and shiny... check it out :D

I use the Kerasilk by applying a small dollop on my hand, then diluting with a bit of water and then finger combing it through my wet hair before I blow dry. The Kerasilk really seems to help a great deal in keeping my hair healthy. It's very fine and as I mentioned not only am I blow drying it daily, I use the flat iron most days of the week and it's bleached too! Well, highlighted but still the treatment is basically bleach.

Have been very happy with the Kerasilk.

Ann

I have a croc brand flat iron that I purchased at the salon where I get my hair done. It was about $150.

I apply the (link below) Giovani anti frizz serum to my damp hair and comb through with my fingers before I blow it dry.

My stylist will usually add a second application before she flat irons my hair when I get it done.

It is a cruelty free/no animal byproducts/made with organic ingredients. I have numerous allergies ,and use the Giovani shampoos also. I get at drugstore.com

Here is a link that might be useful: Giovani anti frizz serum

Anita... One more question if I can, I bought a chi at ultra for 99.00 but now I notice it does not have variable heat settings.
I have 60 days to return it Si I will try it tonight and decide.
I can get some with variable heat settings if you feel that is important.
I have straight hair with a bob and some layers in the back. Fine hair.
Should I be using a lower setting.
Everyone else, thank you so much for all the advice,
. I really appreciate it.

Fourkids, I use both the Peta & Leaping Bunny shopping guides. The Leaping Bunny "Humane Cosmetics Standards" criteria are a more stringent than Peta (ie. some companies on Peta's list are not on the Leaping Bunny list).

I mentioned Aveda above in the context of this thread... but I actually intend to start moving away from their products, which I have loved for many years. The Aveda brand is owned by Estee Lauder, and many of the EL brands (MAC, Smashbox, Bobbi Brown, Clinique, etc.) have resumed animal testing in order to sell their products in countries where it is required by law - in other words - - China.

Testing on animals is mandatory in China. So, in order to expand into the Chinese market these companies have chosen profit over principles and given in to the Chinese government. Horribly disappointing.

Juliekcmo, I've never tried the Giovani products before. Thanks for the recommendation - I'll be looking for some new hair products. :) Paul Mitchell also has an excellent reputation. They have been a leader & setting an example in this arena for pretty much 30 years.

For household products I use alot of Method and Seventh Generation Products.

I think everyone has causes they are passionate about, and I guess this is mine.... I'm certainly not trying to sound preachy at all. :)

Lyban - sorry for taking this off topic a bit.

CHI

Rilie,
That is interesting info to have, no matter one's current point of view.

My reasons for using these products are due to my allergies; not for the reasons you stated. But I appreciate the information.

I have fragrance and preservative allergies, and have had good luck with Giovani.

I use their 50/50 clarifying shampoo and conditioner. Also I just tried their hairspray. I needed a carry on size and found a pump type at whole foods.

And to other posters, it is important to use a smoothing or antifriz type of product when straightening for good results. It helps seal and protect the hair so it is smooth and supple.

Lyban, I have used the CHI and GHD on countless clients, and myself, for years with no heat settings, and have never burned someone's hair. If your hair is in good condition and you use a heat protectant, you should be fine.

Rilie...I am going to look into the info you posted. It would disturb me if it's true.

anitamo, this is a direct quote from the Peta website (I know many people have strong opinions about Peta... but there is lots of information at lots of other different sources...):

"After two decades of touting their "no animal testing" policies, Avon, Estée Lauder, and Mary Kay have quietly resumed paying for cruel tests on animals - without letting consumers know about this stunning about-face. After confirming with each company that chemicals are being dripped into rabbits' eyes and that substances are being rubbed onto animals' skin because of requirements of the Chinese government in order to market products in that country, PETA has downgraded the companies to our "do test" list."

You can't imagine how disappointed I was/am about Aveda. I should have noticed earlier, this info is from early 2012. I've been using their products, never noticing that their anti-animal cruelty statement now includes the disclaimer "except where required by law". Now I have to start all over.....

Here is a link that might be useful: Article from Jezebel

Thanks rilie. I did read up on this a little bit earlier, and I saw that ,too, about except where required by law. That could mean anything. Another thought...the larger companies are the suspect ones because they have more products than the smaller ones. But the smaller ones use ingredients that the larger companies have already tested and deemed safe. So if they found them to be safe by testing on animals at one time, the smaller companies using those ingredients are not guilt free IMHO.

It all makes my head hurt thinking about who actually is 100% animal testing free.

Well I finally made a decision and bought a professional chi from a salon here in Florida.
It was a salon recognized from the chi Farouk site.
I am enjoying it, bit am not too good with it yet.
I can see where I will need lots of practice.
I also was given some chi product samples and see where the right products do make a difference.
I am also trying the tresemmee treatment from target, and am quite impressed.

I recently got the karmin g3 and my hair has never looked better, its great for curling too and makes the hair shiny and soft!

As the owner of a Boston hair salon I can say that the Chi was the best we ever purchased. Some of them lasted seven to eight years with constant use. I have one at home I use every two days and it's six years old. I take very good care of it, put it back in the case when not in use. There is only one setting and you move it along your hair like you were ironing. It heats fast and works wonders. Maybe you could borrow someone's flat iron and try it first to see if you can manage it. I think you can.

I have formica counters in my bathroom.

I use a square silicone kitchen hot pad under my straightener so I don't need to worry about it on the counter.

The Chi can be placed on the counter as it has protectors keeping it from touching anything.