I have very long and very thick hair. I am always looking for styles which are easy to complete but yet still look great. Having always curled my hair with a small barrelled curling tong for nights out I decided to look for a larger barrelled set for a different look....step forward the Babyliss 2289U.


*+*+* WHAT MADE ME CHOOSE THIS PRODUCT *+*+*

If I'm honest I had heard mixed reports on a variety of different curling tongs and decided to look around for a cheaper pair that if they didn't work I wouldn't be so upset. While scouring the internet I found these on Amazon for around £15 which to me seemed like a good price from a company brand I had had good results with in the past. My babyliss crimpers are still going strong even if they now only show their face for fancy dress.


*+*+* THE PRODUCT *+*+*

Babyliss 2289U are 38mm nano titanium-ceramic barrelled tongs which boast 4 different heat settings up to 200 centigrade which allow these to be versatile for any hair types. The cord is attached via a swivel connection, much like salon equipment and the heat up time is extremely quick and they have built in heat rest.
The look of the tongs is quite stylish with the black handle and digital screen and the length of the cord is longer than most of my hair appliances so I have the added bonus of being able to move...which is always pleasant.


*+*+* USE *+*+*

So here is my simple guide to using these tongs.
* Turn them on
* Select the temperature setting you feel is best for your hair type using the +/- button (the light will move up the temperature gauge) normally the thicker your hair the higher the temperature needed.
* Allow the tongs to heat ...I've found this takes around the one minute mark I suppose less time for lower heats.
* Make sure hair is dry and combed with not tangles.
* Always make sure you are using a heat protection spray or serum.
* Section off a piece of hair (just under and inch wide is perfect for me)
* Grip the hair using the scissor clasp and then glide them down the hair to the tip of the hair.
* Roll the tongs up the hair to your desire height you can steady them with the other hand holding the plastic tip of the tongs.
* Hold the tongs steady for 10 - 15 seconds
* Release the clasp and allow the curl to slip off the barrel
* Allow the curl to cool before further tweaking.


*+*+* MY OPINION *+*+*

The eventual look gained with these is of large Hollywood curls almost large waves which look great. They have a natural bounce and seem to gain a little shine as well however there are some downsides. Due to the thickness and length of my hair I find these curls do not stay in as long as I would like without help. I find myself having to apply hairspray while the hair is wrapped around the tongs and then clip the curls while cooling. The best way to achieve this is to slide the curl straight on to an open section clip hair rip and then pin it to the head, a dash of hairspray while pinned also helps. This makes it a little more time consuming and fiddly. I have found the curls will stay in for a good few hours but not as long as my small barrelled tongs. I have found a major problem with these though and that is the position of the on/off switch on multiple occasions I have accidentally turned these off without noticing. These is even more annoying than having to clip the curls as the first few times I did it I didn't realise until I noticed the curls weren't holding, to solve this maybe a lock setting like we see on many other hair appliances today. I have tried these on a friend with slightly shorter and thinner hair and found that the curls stayed in better and longer however we did still clip them to allow then to cool. I also felt the heat stand was a too small. It is made of the same plastic of the handle and is ridged. I wonder if this would not be better if it was a flip out version and slightly bigger. I instead choose to just use a heat protection mat like I would with my straightners.

Would I recommend these? Yes and no, it really depends on your hair I think for hair that is of a medium length and not extremely thick these would be ok but they are too big for short hair and without clipping long hair just pulls the curl out. At the price they are which is still around £15 on Amazon these are worth trying you never know with a little practice you could end up with perfect red carpet Hollywood curls.