The difference between Flat Irons that cost $30 and one’s that cost $300? I don’t get it. I’ve used many flat irons over the past five years and all of them have been cereamic irons, which from my understanding is best for your hair. Now…from there, I’m lost!
I currently have a Karmin G3 Salon Pro, which runs about $130. I’ve also owned a Conair ceramic flat iron that was about $40. It seems that the Karmin flat iron has a precise temperature gauge, where the Conair did not, however should I be paying attention to how much heat I’m putting on my hair? I mean, heat is heat, right? I just want it to flatten my hair and make it look shiny…I don’t care about the precise degree setting!
Someone please enlighten me!
I wondered this too…but after going through a zillion $30 flatirons I decided to upgrade. I went to my local Sally (because I love Sally and the people that work there are awesome). I planned to spend $100-150. The gal was so nice and talked to me about ceramic v. tourmaline v. titanium (I think). I was really tired of the cheaper ones being uncleanable or pulling out my hair or breaking and losing heat. She helped me find one that was on sale for $78. It’s a titanium (I think? maybe tourmaline??). They also have for $5 they will guarantee warranty for 2 years…i thought that was a pretty good deal.
I love it. It is so smooth … it does a great job with the heat mid-way up (supposedly too high will damage your hair? and I have thin/fine hair so I shouldn’t go as high as someone with thick/curly hair….). It heats up and cools down quickly. Its made for professional use so the cord is amazingly long. I think its definitely worth it!
I always wondered why everyone else’s flat iron worked so much better than mine. They always had much straighter and less frizzy hair. But I felt…a flat iron is a flat iron, right? So I got one of the $30 ones from Target and it was horrible (yet I kept it for far too many years). My hubby just recently bought me a nice, semi-expensive ($75) one and I absolutely love it! I think some of it may have to do with how wide the flat iron is…my new one is much thinner and works miracles!
My understanding is that the cheap-o ones are ceramic coated, whereas the more expensive ones are full ceramic plates. The ceramic coat will eventually go away and you are left with heated plates that will tear apart your hair, but the more expensive ones will go the distance.
I have to agree with spending a little more money honestly. I have a Chi that I spent $110 on in 2006 and it’s still going strong. I use it daily. I had got on a Conair once for $20 and barely used it bc it was rough on the hair.
I understand it to be like what Abby mentioned. I know my more expensive Barbar worked better than a cheapy one.
I feel like a flat iron is a flat iron, I have one I got for 15 bucks at TJMaxx, it works for me..haha
Maybe the materials come from better sources with the expensive ones…
I believe it’s like Abby said… I’ve never had much success with the cheap ones! But not all the expensive ones are that great either (ahem paul mitchel). The best brands I’ve found are chi and paul brown. I also think it makes a difference what size you get… the 1″ works best for me 🙂 I’ve had my paul brown for years too (and my chi for years before that)!
Very interesting. Maybe someday I’ll try a really nice one. I thought they were all the same too…
I am in desperate need of a new flat iron. My current one is a cheapy and, after reading the above comments, I think I may actually bite the bullet and shell out a little extra this time in hopes of finding the “perfect” flat iron for me! Cross your fingers!
Yeah I have always wondered that also . I bought my daughter one for $19.99 at a closeout store , and then she got one for Christmas that supposed to be top of the line .. Im guessing $60 was spent. And the one I bought she still uses today, the other one… Broke.
I didnt believe it either untill…My stepdaughter has the curliest hair you have ever saw. The guy who cut her hair said she needed a CHI flat iron to flatten her hair. We had bought a ton and none worked. He flattened with a CHI and it was straight and beautiful. She has used one every since:) And loves it!
I own both a cheep and more expensive flat iron, only difference I noticed is that the one that is more expensive seems to get alot hotter.
Lol, thank goodness it’s not just me. My daughter, who is 15, thinks we have to have the high priced ones which of course I get for her. I get the cheaper ones for myself and honestly don’t see the difference. My sister is a beautician and can’t tell me either. If I ever figure it out, I’ll be sure to let you in on the tightly kept secret.
i dont use one at all, but i have found that as far as hair care prouducts go in general, price DOES matter!
the lower quality products (whether they be hair sprey or curling irons/flat irons) tend to read the same on the label, but the QUALITY of the parts/ingredients tend to be lower.
if one of my kiddos ever asked to get her a flat iron, i wouldnt take the price of it as a factor.
we dont settle for lower quality hair care items in our house.
(but we totally settle in other areas. lol)