Decent straighteners for very fine hair (Babyliss Portability Slim Ceramic Straightener)

Member Name: song_of_calliope

Product:	Babyliss Portability Slim Ceramic Straightener
Date:	07/10/09 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Cheap price, portable

Disadvantages: Don't work anywhere near as well as GHDs

I got my hair straightened at the salon for the first time after my most recent haircut. I couldn't believe it - my hair finally looked good, stick straight and sleek and tidy. This is a look I had often tried to achieve with a hairdryer and failed.

At the salon they used GHD straighteners so when I got home I searched for these and was absolutely shocked when I saw the prices. I ordered this Babyliss instead as I had other things I needed the £100 for which was the difference in price between GHDs and this one which I paid about £10 for.

I chose a portable model because I do travel a lot, and I go to the gym, and sometimes don't make it home right after work and figured I'd do a quick straighten in the ladies room there before leaving.

I got these straighteners in the post and started using them immediately. I now use them every day. They don't get my hair as straight as it was in the Salon with the GHDs nor is it as straight as my colleagues hair who uses GHDs. I'm not entirely sure whether this is caused by my technique or by these straighteners, but I suspect it's the straighteners. I don't think they get as hot as the GHDs.

When using these, you have to clamp them quite tight on your hair. This results sometimes in unsightly crimps in your hair as they don't always glide down smoothly. When they hesitate instead of gliding, you get a crimp. These do get a bit stuck in my hair sometimes and cause a bit of pulling which is uncomfortable and does sometimes break a strand or two of hair.

I should say that I have very fine, light, flyaway hair. My hair type cannot stand up to intense heat as it gets damaged extremely easily (I know this from excessive hairdryer and curling iron use in the past!). So for me the fact that these straighteners heat up quite gently and never get steaming hot is fine. For someone with thicker hair than mine these straighteneres will probably not do the job correctly.

If you use straighteners you must absolutely use a thermal protector with them so that you won't damage your hair. I use Joico Trilliant which is wonderful stuff, but there are many products on the market to choose from. When I have put the Trilliant on right before using these straighteners I do get a tiny bit of steam coming off them so I know they are getting fairly hot at least. They don't give a frying sound on my hair though the way the GHDs did.

In all, if you're on a budget, have very fine hair and want portability, these straighteners might be a good choice. However I have only given them 3 stars because for most people they will probably not be anywhere near as satisfactory as the GHDs will be.

Summary: A cheap and cheerful straightener which will help your hair look better but not perfect