As the summer comes to a close, everyone has been running to their local Target to stock up on dorm accessories, school supplies, and a new wardrobe. One thing I know everyone will be taking with them to school is their flat iron. What about those who need a new one, or are simply interested in getting a better quality one?
Here are the pros and cons of a few irons on the market:
Pros:
-Has a rotating drum so it also works as a curling iron
-Adjustable heat (goes up to 410 degrees Farenheit)
-3 colors (classic silver, purple, or pink) and two barrel sizes (3/4” or 1 ¼”)
-Doesn’t crush hair between metal plates
-Ceramic Tourmaline (helps prevent damage to your hair)
Cons:
-Rotates in one direction, making it a little uncomfortable to do the other side of your head.
-Long hair can get tangled easily
-There is metal on the inside, which can damage hair over time
-Fine hair doesn’t always get the desired volume as shown on TV
Where to purchase:
http://www.instyler.com/ ($100-$120, plus S&H)
Walmart, Target, and other department stores also carry them.
http://www.aufashionstore.com/chi-original-1-inch-flat-iron-p-242.html
Pros:
-100% ceramic plates (doesn’t damage hair)
-Heats up to 450 degrees Farenheit
-Very reputable brand
-Uses far infared heat
Cons:
-Non-adjustable heat
-Have been known to break after a few months (there is a one year warranty)
-Only comes in black
Where to buy:
Farouck.com, Trade Secret, Ulta, Walmart
Price:
$70-$100, depending on where you purchase
http://stylehouseirons.com/full-size-styling-iron/
Pros:
-Adjustable heat (140-450)
-5 colors (Pink Zebra, Blue Mottled, Gold Leopard, Black, Purple)
-Has floating plates, making it a spiral curler and flat iron
-Dual Voltage
-100% ceramic
-Steams your hair, eliminating frizz (even in humidity), and acts as a natural hairspray…NO product (even hairspray) required
Cons:
-No automatic shut off
-Temperature is controlled by a dial, not digital
-Fairly new brand
-Takes a few tries to get used to the curling aspect (you don’t wrap the hair around the iron)
Where to buy:
Stylehouseirons.com
Price: $199.99
Conair 1 ½” Wet-Dry Straightener:
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=321064071316864
Pros:
-Has floating plates
-Automatic shut off
-Heats to 400 degrees
-6 wet to dry settings
Cons:
-Ceramic coated (this means it has metal plates with a thin layer of ceramic, which gets worn away over time)
-One color (purple)
-If hair is too wet, it can damage the iron
-Takes a long time to dry hair
Where to purchase: any major department store
Cost: around $35
Gold’n’Hot 1” Professional Ceramic Straightening Iron:
http://www.dermauthority.com/tools/gold-n-hot-professional-ceramic-flat-iron-2-25.html
Pros:
-8 foot cord makes it easy to use anywhere
-Quick heating
-Finger rests (makes two handed styling easy)
Cons:
-Ceramic coated
-Can’t control heat (ranges from 200-400 degrees)
-Ceramic coating visibly chips after about 2 months, revealing metal underneath
-Has many poor reviews from previous users
-Cannot curl
Where to buy: Folica.com
Cost: $26.99
What iron do you use? Let us know what you think of these, as well as the one you use!
Alli Heitzenrater is an alumna of Penn State Behrend. She is an editor for CL. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA, where she works in marketing. Follow her on twitter at @alliheitz. To stay tuned to more articles for classy co-eds, be sure to follow College Lifestyles on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
