Suggestions please: hair straightener

lakies · 11-17-2009, 07:02:41 PM

My 13 year old niece wants a hair straightener for Christmas. She has medium to fine fair hair, so imo she doesn't really need a hair straightener but from what I hear the in thing is to have the hair be as super straight as possible.

I've looked at a couple of stores and hair straighteners vary quite a bit in price.

Any suggestions? How do I select one? What should I consider in features and brands? I was hoping to get one for $30 or less.

Thanks!

sns4063 · 11-17-2009, 07:20:41 PM

As with most things, you get what you pay for. I don't have one of my own, but used my sister's. Cheap ones suck! When I've looked into purchasing one for myself, it appeared like the brand to get is CHI, which is wayyyy out of my (and from what it sounds like yours too) price range.

kktl32 · 11-17-2009, 07:30:20 PM

hth

Hot Tools Professional Flat Iron, 1190

cupunlvr · 11-17-2009, 09:49:16 PM

My daughter uses a CHI straightener, they are pricey but have a good warranty. If you use a straightener frequently the cheaper ones don't last. Look online, may be able to find a deal, I bought hers several years ago online, don't remember exactly what I paid for it but was less than advertised prices in Target, etc. Good luck!

Liz · 11-18-2009, 08:07:03 AM

Not only do the cheaper ones not last, they also fry the hell out of the hair regardless of what thermal protectant the hair is sprayed with. It is one of those things where you get what you pay for.

CHI only has a warranty if you purchase it through a salon. Buy it at Target, and when it breaks Farouk will not repair/replace it. Sedu is also another good brand.

shaeharbin · 11-18-2009, 12:00:09 PM

I have thin hair and I use a straightener every day. I bought 3 different expensive straighteners at Sally Hansen's and all three of them died after a couple of months....so I just went and picked up one at Wal-Mart for about $20 and I have had it for 2-3 years now. My hair is not fried and it works great. I would have to check on the brand when I get home. HTH.

biscottilover · 11-18-2009, 12:28:03 PM

I've seen Chi hair straighteners lately for 59.99 to 79.99 (Costco to Ulta), which look like the same model that I bought for 120ish about 5 years ago. I've also seen that same model for $129.99 at some stores, too, so I guess the price has gone down in certain stores.

I have thick hair, so Chi works the best for me. For a child with fine hair, I would say go with the cheaper varieties,..... but once I bought a Conair hair straightener for $15, (black with gold paint on the handle and fake looking gold metal parts), and it was really bad. It didn't heat up, and barely straightened anything. Maybe Conair has gotten better (I got their product about 5 yrs ago, too), but I'd try to get some suggestions for their products if you're gonna go with Conair. Just don't get the black conair hair straightener with gold paint covering most of the handle.

lakies · 11-18-2009, 12:31:38 PM

Thanks, everyone for the feedback. I knew HCWers were a valuable resource!

My sister in law mentioned Target, so I think that's the expectation level for this straightener, but I won't rule out a better quality one than is carried at Target.

When I looked at Walmart there were ones that you could use with wet hair, deionizing ones, etc. I have no experience with a straightener so I need straightener 101, lol. Any thoughts on features and store brands like Revlon and Conair?

My niece's hair is already fairly straight; I don't know how frequently she would use this item. When I was that age we all wanted hot rollers, anyone remember those?

lakies · 11-18-2009, 12:50:13 PM

Originally Posted by biscottilover

...but once I bought a Conair hair straightener for $15, (black with gold paint on the handle and fake looking gold metal parts), and it was really bad. It didn't heat up, and barely straightened anything. Maybe Conair has gotten better (I got their product about 5 yrs ago, too), but I'd try to get some suggestions for their products if you're gonna go with Conair. Just don't get the black conair hair straightener with gold paint covering most of the handle.

Thanks for the heads up. You must have posted this when I was writing the one ^^.