Hair dryer & flatiron recs? - YouLookFab Forum

My cheap Conair hair dryer and flat iron, which I bought early in college, are both threatening to kick the bucket this week. I thought the hair dryer was going to blow out this morning.

So... time to look for replacements. For something not *too* ridiculously expensive (I would not want to pay more than $40-50 for a hair dryer or $50-60 for a flatiron - and I'd prefer to spend less if possible!) but good quality, what would you recommend?

If detail helps:
I have somewhat fine, very limp and heavy hair and a lot of it, cut chin length and layered, and I color it myself every 2 months with Clairol semi-permanent dye. I tend to get a little oily near the scalp. My hair is not dry/is pretty healthy and is cut every 7-8 weeks. I wash my hair each morning, towel/drip dry for 20 minutes (or longer if I have time), and to add body I blow dry on warm/cool using this method: http://www.insideoutstyleblog......nutes.html
I have a couple of stray cowlicks, which I flatiron into shape with the rest of my hair. I also lightly flatiron my bangs to add a little curl/shape.

13 years ago

MsMary

Veteran

I had two Chi flatirons for which I paid $100 or so, and they both gave up the ghost after a year or less. The last time was when I was on vacation, and I nipped into K-Mart in St. Maarten and bought what they had, which was an Infiniti by Conair. Seems like it was well under $50. It has adjustable temperature and has worked great for me. (Although watch out -- the highest heat setting singed my bangs!)

I think the key is to find a flatiron with ceramic plates and a reasonably high temperature level.

Hair dryer, I can't help you with. I'm still using an ancient Conair myself.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote go as cheap as chips for both items.

annagybe

My VERY expensive T3 hair dryer crapped out way too early. I got this and I like it. It's highly reviewed.

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/brows.....rod4320083

christy

I have difficult to style hair and have found (and my stylist confirmed) that hair dryers do not get better the more expensive they get. I do, however, spend good money on a flat iron (again on my stylist's recommendation). I have the professional Paul Mitchell flat iron, and I do see a difference between this one and the cheaper ones I've purchased over the years. It's only been a year or so, but it's still going strong and gets hot enough to flatten my unruly curls.

cheryle (Dianthus)

I agree with Christy. I go cheap (I think I have a conair) for dryers and higher end on the flat iron. My hair is fairly fine so it is easy to damage. I have a babylis pro titanium and like it. It has a good temperature range, heats up quickly and holds the temp well.

biscuitsmom

Kari, I have a 'Straight to the Maxx' flatiron with a temp control wheel thing- you can set it from 1-10 you can have free, if you'd like it. It works fine and is about a yr old (I got a Chi as a gift, so I dont use it anymore.) Anyway, PM with your address if you're interested

marianna

I have a cheap hair dryer, but an expensive flat iron and it makes all the difference in the world. I actually won my flat iron in a blog giveaway, but I would totally pay for it if I had to!

I have this one and it is amazing and straightens my hair in minutes! http://www.misikko.com/hana-pink-flat-iron.html

Kari

Thank you for all of the seasoned advice. I actually do (did) like my Conair, cheap as it was, and truth be told it's lasted me since (gasp) 2002, so thinking about it that's a pretty good life. So I'll try to find something similar.

I'm collecting the flatiron recommendations and will be looking through them to see what makes sense to me. Thank you all very much for chiming in!

Scarlet

I have owned two expensive and one cheap flat iron. Big difference there! The cheap one was just flat out bad for my hair. My current one is a GHD, and we are in love. I think given that you have short fine hair you can be very flexible on the hair dryer. My hair requires some serious power or it takes forever to dry, but my hair is a beast. My mom has short hair and loves her Costco dryer. Two things I would consider is how heavy the dryer is and how noisy. I also like the option to do a blast of cool air sometimes.

velvetychocolate

I'm really enjoying my Conair Infiniti Professional Nano Hair Dryer - picked it up in the warehouse at Costco. Here it is on Ulta, with details (it's not on Costco's website):

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/brows.....=cat120072

I might have paid a little less than that, but this is one of the nicest hair dryers I've ever used.

Meanwhile, I don't have a flat iron, but last time I was at the hair salon, the stylist flat-ironed my hair after a cut, and the flat iron she had did an amazing job, so I asked her what kind it was. Turns out its GHD. They didn't have any in stock in the salon for sale, but offered to order one in for me. I looked around online, discovered that this thing usually retails for around $175. Ack. Thing is? I did find it on Costco's website for a lot less than that, including shipping ($110). I haven't yet ordered it, but if I decide to get a flat iron, I'll probably want to get the GHD.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/P.....allpartial

Good thing you're looking now - before the two items completely conk out on you. I'm not a fan of having to go out with wet hair! That's happened to me once or twice when the power went out. Although I have straight hair, my hair dries funny if I don't blow dry it.

christieanne

The only reason I have a T3 hairdryer is because it is the quietest thing on the market. Since I have significant hearing loss in right ear, I need to protect those ears and dryers are really a troubling decibel so close to ears. One could wear ear plugs though too.
Before I got this one, I had a cheap dryer from TJMAxx that lasted forever and I loved it. I look for variable speeds and and temp settings and lightweight.

I have a cheaper flat iron and was thinking of upgrading. It was recommended by hairstylist - a generic travel iron (shorter plate) with 4 temp settings. I think it is made by GHD but it didn't say that on box (only on base) and I bought at Sally Beauty.

Ok, hair dryer officially kicked the bucket this morning. I'll be on the hunt for that item first. My sister also said I should try her Paul Mitchell flatiron before I decide.

mila

Member

well I recommend you a great flat iron that works amazing, it's the Karmin G3 Salon Pro Styling Iron which has tourmaline ceramic plates that cause less damage to the hair, it's great to style your hair the way you like and keeps your hair soft, shiny and smooth. If you are interested you can check it out at safrons. com ( I bought it there) .
Good luck. ^_^

RoseandJoan

Good gravy, I have my original GHD's from 2000 which are great and still going strong but I just saw the American retail price and swore out loud for the first time in years '$225.00 *@@%' fortunately the wee ones are out of ear shot.

I know-some of those hair appliances can be insanely pricey! I had no idea.

I've definitely heard that ceramic plates are the way to go to prevent damage. Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Now it's time to research!

Anonymous

My first blow dryer lasted for 15 years, and it wasn't an expensive one. I've bought a few Conairs since then. The one I use has lasted, while the identical ones I bought for my DDs at the very same time didn't. I think it had to do with the fact that their hair is so thick and the dryer stays on longer. Perhaps it burns out faster? Whatever the reason, I say don't spend more than you have to for a blow dryer.

Flat irons? No experience buying them. My 2 older DDs bought their own, while my youngest DD just started using one I got for free when I purchased some hair products at the salon.

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