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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 21, 2018 1:04:38 GMT
I have a solia hair straightener that I got about 3 years ago. It works ok but I’m wondering if a different brand would work to straighten it faster and make it smoother. I was at a mall last night and got talked into having a girl at a kiosk straighten a little bit of my hair. It did feel softer than usual but it was super $$$, I wasn’t prepared to spend that at the time, and knew nothing of the brand.
I’ve searched YouTube for different comparisons and it seems that most of the reviewers are very young and the most important thing to them is that the ghd heats up 30 seconds faster than the Chi. That is nice, but I want to know more about how it will make my hair feel and if one is more/less damaging than another. What are your experiences?
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Post by Zee on Apr 21, 2018 1:16:52 GMT
I have a Chi, and I think it heats up in no more than 1 minute tops though I've never actually timed it.
I can't imagine needing anything 30 seconds faster.
My hair tolerates it just fine but I do use straightening products and salon shampoos to protect it, and it gets deep conditioned every time it's colored.
The best part about my Chi is that I got it relatively cheap at TJMaxx. It's been going strong for over 5 years, can't remember exactly how old it is.
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,176 
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Post by peasquared on Apr 21, 2018 1:26:19 GMT
I have the Paul Mitchell Neuro. It heats in about 6 seconds and can be set up to 450 degrees. (That high is not recommended unless you have coarse hair or are a professional) I love it! I am able to just to one quick pass with each section, rather than having to keep going over it.
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NoWomanNoCry
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,856
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Post by NoWomanNoCry on Apr 21, 2018 1:56:09 GMT
I got my first Chi in 2008 and I loved that thing. I could run it through with one pass and it was exactly how I wanted it and the most important thing for me was it didn't pull my hair. Well two years ago I stepped on it and it broke so I had to start looking for another one..I did a ton of research from FB beauty groups to YouTube and everyone said the Chi irons now aren't as good as the old school ones but I didn't listen and got a Chi instead  . Worst mistake...my hair is already straight so I shouldn't have to run it through multiple times but with the new Chi I do have to and it pulls my hair out so bad. It also doesn't leave me with the same finish as my old one. Don't get a Chi. I plan on getting either a Paul Mitchell or a BaByliss Pro soon. |
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:07:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 21, 2018 1:59:23 GMT
<------------- I have super curly, thick hair, and the only product I use is coconut oil (besides shampoo/conditioner). I blowdry it and then use my 16 year old Paul Mitchell flatiron to lightly go over it. Even in the FL humidity, it stays like this for days! If/when it breaks, I'd want another Paul Mitchell flatiron. I also have a T3 blowdryer that I think is good for my hair--it's very healthy!
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Post by PolarGreen12 on Apr 21, 2018 2:02:16 GMT
My top 3 would be the T3, Croc, and Babyliss Pro. Those are ones that actually smooth my hair in only one or two passes, do not snag, and have multiple heat settings. The T3 is the priciest but they have sales regularly on their site. You can also get them at Nordstrom and either Sephora or Ulta.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 21, 2018 2:13:39 GMT
Thanks! I was kind of deciding between a Chi and GHD but it seemed that the Chi might be similar to what I already have. My stepmom has a Paul Mitchell and loves it as well, but I haven't tried it. I also like that the Babyliss Pro has longer plates so I could do more hair at a time. I'll have to look into the T3 as well. I have a T3 dryer and like it. Decisions, decisions.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 21, 2018 2:17:39 GMT
Another question--it seems that most straighteners are 1" but Paul Mitchell has one that is 1 1/4". What are the pros and cons? I prefer a 1 1/4" curling iron so would it be wise to get a 1 1/" straightener if I think I may want to use it to curl my hair? Any other reasons to get one size over the other?
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PaperAngel
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,843
Jun 27, 2014 23:04:06 GMT
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Post by PaperAngel on Apr 21, 2018 20:48:08 GMT
I bought the Babyliss Pro about 3 years ago & prefer it to the Chi it replaced.
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peasquared
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,176
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Post by peasquared on Apr 21, 2018 20:56:26 GMT
Another question--it seems that most straighteners are 1" but Paul Mitchell has one that is 1 1/4". What are the pros and cons? I prefer a 1 1/4" curling iron so would it be wise to get a 1 1/" straightener if I think I may want to use it to curl my hair? Any other reasons to get one size over the other? With your length of hair, you could definitely do the 1 1/4". It'll just give more coverage at each pass. |
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,539
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Post by iowgirl on Apr 21, 2018 21:30:50 GMT
I had a couple Paul Mitchell irons and they were great, but the cords would go bad. Mr. FixIt could repair them a couple of times, but they got to the point of no return. My 2 daughters had the same issues with theirs.
I have tried a Chi.
I bought a Remington from Walmart. Works better than both the Paul Mitchell and the Chi iron. I was very surprised. VERY!
I have thick curly coarse hair and have it set at 450º . My daughter bought one also and loves it. Her hair is smoother and takes less heat.
I won't go back to buying the $$$ irons anymore. My Walmart special has been going strong for over 4 years.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Apr 21, 2018 21:35:19 GMT
I have a Babyliss Pro and it’s better than the CHI I had before it.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Aug 18, 2025 21:07:42 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2018 0:58:40 GMT
I have a chi and a babybliss. My chi doesn't have temperature control and I find it snags my hair. I love my babybliss. And I can use it to curl my hair.
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Jili
Pearl Clutcher
SLPea
Posts: 4,378
Jun 26, 2014 1:26:48 GMT
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Post by Jili on Apr 22, 2018 3:37:17 GMT
I have a Chi and I love it. I resisted it for the longest time because I couldn't imagine spending that kind of money on a straightener. Previously I had a Conair or something like that. Once I sprung for the Chi, I couldn't believe the difference. I've had it for about 5 years now and it's still going strong.
I still use a cheap hair dryer, though. I can't bring myself to spend $$ on a higher-priced one.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Apr 22, 2018 3:42:16 GMT
I have a Chi and I love it. I resisted it for the longest time because I couldn't imagine spending that kind of money on a straightener. Previously I had a Conair or something like that. Once I sprung for the Chi, I couldn't believe the difference. I've had it for about 5 years now and it's still going strong. I still use a cheap hair dryer, though. I can't bring myself to spend $$ on a higher-priced one. I didn’t want to spend the money on the T3, either but found a good price online. I decided that it was worth a little more of it was significantly faster and kept my hair healthier. I’m not sure my hair feels healthier, but it does dry a lot faster. |
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Post by penguin on Apr 22, 2018 4:49:55 GMT
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Post by sassyangel on Apr 22, 2018 6:04:29 GMT
I love my Babyliss I got to replace my Chi when it died after 8 years. It had a good run, but they don't seem to make them to the same quality anymore. I love my Babyliss, I hope the same doesn't happen to them, lol.
I'm still debating getting a T3. I have a babyliss hairdryer which works, but because its professional strength, its heavy. I don't have thick hair strands, but I have LOT of it, and it takes me half an hour to dry it. That's a long time to hold a heavy hairdryer, lol. Its kind of an upper arm workout, haha.
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Post by Jen in NCal on Apr 22, 2018 20:43:57 GMT
As another option, I have an InStyler and love it. I accidentally put it on top of a comb that melted on to it so I'm back to a flat iron until I can clean it off. I much prefer the InStyler. Makes my hair very soft and shiny.
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. Worst mistake...my hair is already straight so I shouldn't have to run it through multiple times but with the new Chi I do have to and it pulls my hair out so bad. It also doesn't leave me with the same finish as my old one. Don't get a Chi. 
