girls who flat iron and/or curl their hair: get an instyler. the newer ones with the tourmaline plates. SO MUCH BETTER than my flat irons (chi, sedu, solia, i've tried them all).

curls, straightens, waves, gives volume, eliminates volume, whatever you want. my hair looks 40,000 shinier and it holds the style way longer. it also takes WAY less time to do my hair than with my other tools.

the "original" version doesn't have tourmaline and i haven't used it, so i can't say how that one works, but the newer one is greeeat.

does it do loose curls? i chopped my hair to my shoulders so i guess it doesn't matter right now though!

You know I've really been thinking about getting one of these and now I think you've convinced me.

I was worried about them not working very well. Like a 10 dollar straightener.

What's the advantage to tourmaline? I always hear that ceramic is the best because it has a more even heat, but I've never found a straightener that I've liked.

how much are they? I cut my hair short last winter and it hasn't grown much. I have to straighten it for it to look even half decent.

I love my Remington straightener but this thing has always intrigued me.

This is so funny. I was researching flat irons for curly hair yesterday because I need a new one. Will buy.

Question though: how good is it at the root? I have curls down to the root.

I love my Chi Turbo, but I'll check this out.

I've heard wonderful things about the instyler, but haven't been able to bring myself to spend the money on it. I really need to suck it up and get one, though.

I have a Chi straightener and I love it. I have thick hair, so it takes forever and is a giant pain in the ass.

I've never used one of these...all I can imagine is my hair getting caught and it being a total disaster.

Originally posted by: Mrs.P

I've heard wonderful things about the instyler, but haven't been able to bring myself to spend the money on it. I really need to suck it up and get one, though.

when I googled it their official site says I can get TWO for $19.99
I guess these are not the good ones with the tourmaline. bummmer

Originally posted by: cait!

does it do loose curls?

yes

Originally posted by: Andrea

What's the advantage to tourmaline?

sleeker and smoother hair, no matter if you curl or straighten it. supposedly better for your hair overall. based on my experience, i would find both of those statements to be true; additionally, i find my hair holds its style longer, no matter the weather, if i sleep on it, if i put it in a ponytail, whatever. (this has both though - a lot of tools will combine both, or combine with titanium.)

Originally posted by: amber ?

how much are they?

it was like $100, but i got a stand/holder thing, a heat guard (which is really useful until you get the hang of it), a sweeeet comb (curly girls or coarse-haired girls will looove this, teeth are just wide enough but not quite a wide-tooth comb), a travel bag (that you can throw it into when it's hot), plus a dvd showing some tricks and stuff. plus it has 3 heat settings, which is a definite must for me (my hair is fine but curly, lots of color and bleach, etc.). most good irons are around this price anyway, so it seemed reasonable.

Originally posted by: sherman

Question though: how good is it at the root?

it'll go right down to the root. it takes a little practice, but i just swipe it across the top of my root area, then use the actual brush part from root to ends. the other part i love is NO dents - you can start anywhere from roots to ends, and it's just smooth.

Originally posted by: Iron Chef Gein

all I can imagine is my hair getting caught and it being a total disaster.

i was actually terrified of the same thing, but it's really not possible.

all in all, it's definitely different from a flatiron and there is a small learning curve, but it's worth the results. it's really simple once you figure out your own method. i get compliments whenever i use it, and it completely hides all of the damage i've done over the years.

I am not a woman but if I were, I would shave my head bald and save on the shampoo.

you don't have to spend $100+ on a good flat iron. just make sure it's ceramic and close it and make sure the plates touch throughout the iron (that's what gives even heat). my flat iron was like $50 and I love it.