Maybe Speed Isn’t What We Want

I’m trying to wrap my brain around wavers. I’m not sure why, but I have never considered using one before. Maybe it’s because I’m so used to my straightening iron, and wavers kind of look like someone bent one of my most favorite possessions.

I have naturally curly hair that turns wavy as it gets longer. They aren’t good waves though. In fact, they’re all frizz and they’re why I straighten my hair so often. So, using a tool to create deliberate waves that keeps them that way and helps me avoid frizz might be very nice.

Check Price
>> Amazon <<

Enticed by the Price

I have never had a device from Pro Beauty Tools, but the price of the Pro Beauty Tools Professional Speed Waver has me considering the option of picking one up. Less than $15 for an iron of any kind is alright by me!
Let’s face it there aren’t many places you can get lunch for that amount of money let alone a brand new hair tool that will help you add some snazzy waves.

Looks Weird – Works Differently

Wavers look like something that is very hard to explain. Basically, they’re like flat irons with a ripple. They deliberately put a line onto your head that looks kind of like a stretched out “W” (if you only do it in one spot). Obviously doing that would be really weird. When you’re done with the first section of hair, it often looks really stiff and kind of strange, but after a few minutes in that style, the sections loosen some and they really start to look like relaxed waves.

Perks as Good as Flat Irons

Since flat irons are what I know, one of the things I like most about this one is the plates and perks are very similar. It heats up to 430F which is one of the highest options for temperature in straightening tools. You don’t need to use it at that level, but it’s available.

The waver also has ceramic plates that I just LOVE on my flat iron. I’m a major fan of these beasts. They keep my hair the way I left it that morning which means a lot when you’re trying to keep a certain ‘do for a while.

Confusing Contradictions

While this has all the bells and whistles a lot of people want, it’s not all straightforward. It does a really good job of putting waves in hair, but it can also burn the hair and sap it of its moisture at the same time. I’ve never heard of dry, damaged hair that looks good, but somehow this iron manages to beat hair up while still offering a really good style.

Not for All Places

This is not a dual voltage machine, so if you travel around the world you won’t be able to use it everywhere. For the price however, I think it’s a bit much to expect a perk that doesn’t always appear on more expensive models.

I’m Melting-Melting!

Irons get hot. They are supposed to get hot. It’s literally what they’re made for. Since there have been complaints about this waver not being very good in terms of “non-transferable” heat, I doubt it’s the one for me. For those of you who already know, apologies for mentioning it again and for those of you who don’t I am THE clumsiest person in the world. For that reason I don’t think I could be trusted with this particular hair tool.

That being said the price is still right, so if you’re looking for a waver you only intend to use on the odd occasion, this might still work.

The post Pro Beauty Speed Waver appeared first on That's Foxy.

Guiding Your Curls One Ringlet At A Time

I like to have control over my look as much as I like to be able to mix things up, so something reliable that stays mostly the same every time has some unquestionable value. As far as flat and straight irons go, the stranger they look the more rigid they tend to be. Just about every iron or tool I’ve seen that looks “out there” doesn’t have a lot of flexibility in the way it styles. Again, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it is a rule of thumb I’ve picked up.

That being said, the Curlz by Xtava iron looks pretty strange, but not as much as other “bubble” irons I’ve looked into. At least this one looks like it should make curls even if it doesn’t look like a traditional iron.

Check Price
>> Amazon <<

Guiding Your Style

This iron doesn’t have a long clamp that holds your hair on the iron, and it isn’t a wand where you can start your curl anywhere. Instead it has a guide that you wrap the curls through. You start at the base of the iron and wrap your hair through the guide until it gets as far down the iron as possible for the length of your hair. I think this is a great idea because it means your curls are the same every time.

Small Grip

Unlike a lot of wands that require the user to carefully wrap the hair around without anything to hold it in place, this one has a small clip at the bottom which makes it easier to steady the hair before wrapping it around the barrel. You just clip your hair into the small holder at the bottom and wrap upward through the guide.

Grip It Good

The handle of the wand which is very close to the actual hot iron is insulated so it doesn’t burn you when you’re holding on to it. It’s designed to be comfortable so you can hold on tight without losing any skin!

Colorful Curlz

One of the less important but fun elements of this iron is it comes in three different colors. You can get it in blue, pink or orange. All the colors are the same size barrel and the same power, they just offer a little bit of different flare depending on what you’re looking for.

Inexpensive Curlz

Whether you want flexibility or not, this iron runs at about $20. I can afford to have more than one iron at that price. In fact, I can afford to have a bunch of irons at that price!

Guiding Through Different Styles

Even though this wand doesn’t really have a lot in the way of flexibility, what you lack with freedom on the barrel you can make up for with the amount of time you use it. The longer you leave hair curled around the barrel, the tighter the curls you’ll get. Obviously you need to be careful how long you leave it in your hair so it doesn’t burn, but you can get the curls you want by giving it a few extra seconds wrapped around the mechanism.

Loves Your Hair So Much It Keeps It!

Ouch! While the idea on this model is great, the execution is not so much. It’s constructed primarily of plastic, and the plastic can grab your hair instead of letting go when it’s time to make the curl. I can only stand so much pain while I’m styling before I give up and move on to the next product. I have a lot of hair, but that doesn’t mean I want some of it ripped out. No siree, Bob!

Great Idea – Execution Could Be Better

I think the idea of a curler with guides that show you where to put your hair when you’re trying to get in the swing of curling is a really good especially if you’re new to using a hair tool like this. There are people who have “niggles” with it, and based on this I don’t think it would work well for people (like me) who have very long hair unless you don’t mind having curls half way up your head.

If you have mid-length hair, are looking for your first curling wand or don’t need an awful lot of heat to get the curls you want, curl over here and make the iron yours.

The post Xtava Curlz appeared first on That's Foxy.

You Spin My Hair Right Round Baby, Right Round

Sometimes, professional performance matters. It’s good to know you’re getting what you pay for, and things work as well as they’re supposed to. Even though it’s amazing to find a low cost steal, the trial and error can be exhausting and it can even end up costing more than just investing in the best to begin with. I’ve gotten lucky before in finding a low priced tool that works, but I’ve also literally gotten burned.

I wanted to focus on a tool that would give me the results I need (and want), so I started looking on the professional side of things. I know with my straightening irons the professional ones always outperform the low cost ones, but I didn’t know if that’s the same case with curlers.

The BabylissPro Miracurl Steamtech comes with a titanium curling chamber and provides professional style in a super cool, new-fangled way. Instead of wrapping hair around the barrel, the barrel carefully draws the hair into a chamber and pulls it around to curl. That’s a huge difference from previous methods, and it’s much less likely to burn you.

Check Price
>> Amazon <<

Rolling For A Reason

My first concern when looking at this model was the idea of a device that pulls your hair through it because it might get stuck. The chamber on this one though, is designed to keep that from happening. It’s possible for hair to get caught (in a way), but the device will stop turning and even reverse so it doesn’t get tangled. You can then easily release it, change the position or reduce the amount of hair, and try again. Pretty simple huh?

Heated From All Angles

This thing curls, and does it super quickly. I’m amazed at the small amount of time it takes. The way it gets away with this is by doing what a flat iron does. A good straightener is able to straighten hair quickly because it squeezes the hair together and the heat gets it from all sides. The enclosed chamber on this curler does the same thing. It doesn’t quite squeeze as much as a flat iron does, but it does a pretty good job of making sure the appropriate amount of heat gets on every strand.

The Touch of Steam

The water reservoir

The good thing about steam is that it’s much gentler to your hair, and your curls will hold longer as well. The downside is that it takes longer to curl your hair, especially if you have thick and long hair like me. This is because the reservoir can’t hold much water (and it shouldn’t – or the unit would weigh too much) which means you’ll have to refill quite often.

I totally like the idea of steam and I love to give it a try, but given the extra time it would take me I’m not entirely sure if I’d use it. It’s still a nice option to have though, even if I would only use it on occasion.

Curl Direction? There’s More Than One?

If you’re like me, you didn’t know you can curl in more than one direction. And if you did know this, perhaps you didn’t know that it makes a difference which direction you curl in. On the MiraCurl, you can set the direction before you curl to make sure you’re getting the same look all around. Or instead, use the alternate setting for a more natural look, with right and left twisted curls mixed up.

You Can’t See What’s Inside

The enclosed chamber makes it much harder to see, but the internals of this baby are a solid titanium that so many good irons have nowadays, and it has the nano technology that keeps your hair smooth and frizz free. It’s a little hard to believe that all of this is wrapped around the circular chamber in so many different ways, but it totally is.

Pick All The Settings!

There are several time/temperature selections that can be made on this device so you have all the control. Aside from the fact this device does all the pulling, you get to decide how long you want it to run for and how much heat you want. You can also choose what direction the curls go in. The temperature setting goes up to 450F which should be enough to get anyone’s hair curling. Meanwhile, the longer you curl for, the tighter the curls are. You can set it for 8, 10 or 12 seconds, but you can run it for longer than that if your hair needs more attention.

At 12 seconds you should get the tight, bouncy curls you want, but if your hair is a little more difficult under heat you may need slightly longer than that. Remember (and I know I say this a lot), but you should always use the lowest heat and time setting first to make sure you’re not putting too much pressure on your locks.

Keeps Your Safe From Yourself

Several different things about this device make it really good for clumsy people like me. The hot part of the wand is encased in the outer chamber which means there is less to burn yourself on. Then, the edge of the circular barrel that is exposed is covered with a protective exterior so the hot part is guarded.

Turns Off When The Times Off

The auto-off on this thing is so important, and I really like that it has one. I don’t buy these things if they don’t have an auto off, and so many professional options don’t have it. I’m not sure what it is about professional styling tools, but so many of them are missing the important extra perks that make these more usable.

Miracurl doesn’t skimp on this though and even goes a step further. Besides auto-shutoff you also have sleep mode and a motion sensor, allowing it to heat up quickly again to the right temperature, without the risk of burning yourself in between usage.

You HAVE TO READ

One of the things you have to keep in mind with new devices like this is that you will not be successful if you don’t read the directions. Even though it’s entirely safe, it is still a heated product that goes on your hair. If it gets caught or you don’t get your hair out fast enough, your hair will burn at the high heat or at the very least, be really painful to unhook. If you don’t have the time to learn how to use it and be patient on your first experience, this probably isn’t the tool for you.

Willing To Attempt

An iron that protects me from burning myself while still giving me the curls I want is totally ok by me. I like the perks it has, and while I’m still not entirely sure how to get it to work properly, I’m pretty sure it’s possible to make it work without substantial trauma (IF you read the instructions and take your time).

I like that it isn’t an exposed curling wand because it grips the hair for me, and I also like that it isn’t an old-fashioned curling iron. No matter how you look at it this thing has a lot to offer, and I’m kind of excited to try it.

The post BabylissPro Miracurl Steamtech appeared first on That's Foxy.

This May Be The Strangest Thing I’ve Ever Seen… And I See A Lot Of WEIRD Stuff

I like weird things. I do! Ask my husband. I have a collection of “out there” products that look strange, but that’s why I love them. It can be anything from statues and brick-a-brack to clothing and accessories. I pretty much like everything weird.

So you know when something looks too weird for me, it’s gotta be really, really out there. I thought I had seen every type of hair styling device on the planet at least once, but apparently I was wrong. There are still some out there I have not seen, and WHOO… they are kind of a doozy!

Now, keep in mind this is all about the way they look and not about how they operate. I’ll get to that in just a bit. The first one that comes to mind as a bit whacky is the Revlon Curl Collection Bubble Curling Wand. It definitely looks like a series of bubbles stacked together, that’s for sure.

Check Price
>> Amazon <<

Ceramic Around The Curves

While it looks different, it still has a ceramic core that makes so many curling wands useful. It gets the consistent heat necessary for the right amount of curling, but I wonder how well it distributes it considering the difference in thickness at different points of the iron. That being said, I’m not a curling wand technician and considering there are few complaints about this I doubt it’s an issue.

Distributing A Lot Of Heat

Whether it’s consistent or not does not detract from the fact that the heat goes up to 400 degrees. That’s a lot for a wand, and it should be enough to get the curl you want with just about any hair type.

Weird For A Reason

Though the bubbles look strange, they actually exist for versatility’s sake. By being there, they make it possible to get different hair styles based on where you wrap your hair. When you curl with your hair running along primarily the smallest part of the bubble, you’ll get tight curls.

By working with the biggest parts, you’ll get waves. The bubbles also give you a road map of where to put your hair if you aren’t sure how tightly to wrap it. Another important thing to remember about the shape is it fends off hot spots.

The Shape Helps Keeps Curls Together

By working with the shape of the iron as it is, you get very clearly defined curls. This means that as long as you don’t break them up by repeatedly running your hands through them, you should have curls for the whole day. The combination of the shape, the ceramic and the heat level make it so the curls are not only soft, they also have staying power.

Priced Like A Champ

I’m not sure I get the style of this iron, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth a try. The price makes it even more enticing because it comes in at around $25. Not a bad deal at all.

Set It And Forget It

No, seriously! The way the wand has been designed to heat up means that within about five seconds after wrapping the hair around it, you have a perfect curl. I don’t know what that translates to with my hair because I have so much of it, but I know that in the past it took way longer to get my hair done than five seconds per strand, and it never looked like I knew what I was doing.

Revlon Curl Drama

While a lot of people love the style of this iron, some are not as pleased with the fixed way you have to curl with it. And while it does offer options when you’re using it technically, an iron without a strange shape will offer more because you aren’t limited to small tracks. Those who want super tight curls with a lot of bounce may not get what they want from this iron. However, if you’re looking for looser curls or you have super long hair, I think this model is just the ticket.

Work For It

You can get the look you’re going for with this iron, but the bubbles seem to make it a lot of work. They don’t make it easier like I thought they would. Instead, you have to try to keep them in the right place on the wand to ensure you get consistent curls throughout the entire style. That’s kind of annoying, and it takes up a lot of time I don’t have. Although, with some practice many people say they have managed to cut the amount of curling time down.

Bubbling With Potential

While I really like the idea of this one, I’m not sold by the lack of versatility. It does get consistently hot, but it doesn’t have the flexibility many other wands do. That said, the bubbles make you feel like a kid again and if you’re not after super tight curls, this may still be a winner. And that for $3 per bubble!

The post Revlon Curl Collection Bubble appeared first on That's Foxy.

Get The Wavy Look Without The Surfboard

In my world, there is curly and straight. I either have mega curls right out of the shower, or I have straight hair when I use my flat iron. From there I can turn my hair into anything I want, but I usually opt for straight until I decide to get “curly” creative with my flat iron. That being said, I’m now learning there are a huge number of options other than just curling and straightening. My discovery has brought not just curls, but crimps and waves too.

Now I know this I want to try one of everything! I recently found out about wavers, and immediately went on the hunt for something that would give me a happy medium between tight curls and stick straight. During that hunt, I came across the Bed Head Deep Waver, and I love the look it helps to create.

Check Price
>> Amazon <<

Making Waves

I remember when I was a kid, crimpers were THE THING. Since the style back then was very much 80’s I doubt it would work nowadays, and when I look at them now I wonder what we were all thinking. This waver looks pretty similar to the crimpers I used when I was a kid, but the plates are larger. I guess that’s the different between a crimp and a wave.

The movements you make with your hand while using this device is not like a straightening iron, in fact it’s a whole lot more like a crimper. You take the iron and place it on the piece of hair you want to style. Then, you clamp and leave it for a few seconds. The result is a large section of hair that has a single wave in it. Depending on length, you just continue to go down the strands in the same way. It’s probably not as fast as straightening, but it takes way less time than curling with a traditional curling iron.

You Better Lock It Up

I like that this has a lock on the sides so it clamps together when not in use. This means it will be less likely to burn countertops etc. Any safety features I get on products that heat up I will take without a second thought (but that’s another story).

Latest and Platest

Even though the plates on this one have a strange shape, they are still covered with coatings that protect hair from extreme heat. This is important to me, and I like that you can get this iron (of sorts) with tourmaline plates. Locking in moisture is really important when you’re putting heat on your hair, so the fact the plates work this way is a big bonus.

Look Beach Swept When You’re Really Just Home Swept

Salt water and beach air has a way of doing something to hair that is hard to replicate elsewhere. When you’re on the water, you get that piece-y look that doesn’t come from freshwater or regular oxygenated air. Putting waves in with the Bed Head device creates a similar look without having to drive to the nearest natural water source. Skip the seagulls and do it with something like this instead!

The Price is Right

This device is quirky looking, that’s a given if you’ve looked at it. I would be hesitant to buy something that looked so strange if it wasn’t priced low enough that I could avoid regretting it. At a mere $25 the price is definitely correct on this one

Waves That Last (Most) Of The Day

The texture your hair will get from this iron will look great right off the bat, but as with most irons it will likely fall out some when your hair moves. You’ll get plenty of wear out of your style though, so don’t worry about it going entirely flat. It will give just enough body to last throughout the day and give you the piece-y beach-y look we love oh-so-much.

Long Hair, Do Care

If you’re like me and have super long hair you might not get the look you want with the Waver. The barrels aren’t big enough to get through your whole head quickly which can make it tedious to style with. It’s probably better for shoulder length or slightly longer hair, though it’s possible it can work for just about anyone.

No Burns

Ok, this iron isn’t entirely burn proof because it gets really hot and can still touch your skin, but it isn’t going to be as likely to burn you as other options because of the black plastic on the top end of the device. The small ring saves people from burning themselves while holding on to the end to get the right positioning on the hair.

Wavering On Waves

I really like the idea of this waver. I think the potential look it can give is really cool, but I’m not sure it’s going to work with my super long hair or the thickness it brings to my style game. That being said the price isn’t bad, and I don’t think it would be harmful to try it. I’m going to add it to the shortlist as yet another way to get a look I might like.

The post Bed Head Deep Waver appeared first on That's Foxy.

Beautiful Curls Without Hours In Front Of The Mirror OKAY!

I have never been good with a curling iron. No matter how hard I try, I always seem to get crispy strands that don’t look like curls. I also have a LOT of hair, and individually curling small sections of my long locks would take FOREVER. My hair is naturally curly, but the only way I can take advantage of curls is to put tons of stiffening product in it, and I hate that feeling. Hair is supposed to feel light and bouncy, not heavy and rigid.

Before I can even consider curling my hair I have to straighten it. I know that makes no sense, but the frizz has to come out before pretty curls will stay in. Once I’ve spent 15 to 20 minutes straightening, I don’t want to spend hours putting in the curl. Basically, I end up with stick straight locks and not a lot else. I wanted to find a product that would help me get the curls I want without the huge time commitment that comes with curling my thick mane. The Conair Infiniti Pro Curl Secret might be just the ticket to getting exactly what I want.

Check Price
>> Amazon <<

DON’T Feel The Burn

This tool is different from regular curling irons because it has an enclosed chamber to pull the hair through, which is different to a lot of other options I’ve come across. Basically everything that gets hot is held within the circular chamber, and rather than pulling the device through straight hair, the hair gets pulled through the device. I am the clumsiest person in the world, so anything that’s designed to make it more difficult for me to hurt myself gets an A+ in my book!

Tourmaline Technology

Even though you can’t see the inside of the curler the plates and circular device that touch your hair have a tourmaline covering that is considered cutting edge technology. Tourmaline smooth’s hair while removing frizz and keeps in moisture. Instead of curls that break into frizz, they are preserved and can last most of the day.

Practically Adjustable In Every Way

One of the things I like most about this device is it does the work for you. You string the hair into it and then it does the curling. No hot wand to touch and little risk of burning yourself! When you decide how you want the curls, you can change the settings. Longer settings create tighter curls and shorter ones make loose, wave-like curls. You pick the time setting and the iron does the rest.

Get Heated, But Only If You Want

The heat settings on this wand aren’t difficult to use which makes it easier when you’re learning how to navigate making curls with it. You can start at a lower setting and slowly increase it up to 400F. Having different temperature settings helps ensure you don’t torture your hair while trying to get the curls of your dreams.

Grow It Out Or Cut It Short

The ability to get tight curls out of this motorized iron means you can use it on hair of just about any type. It doesn’t matter how long, short, thick or thin, it should pull it through as long as you’re not using clumps that are too large.

The Secret of Curl Secret

The real thing the curl secret does that makes it different from just about every other iron or wand is that by pulling the hair into a chamber rather than wrapping it around a heated rod, the hair gets heated on all sides. The circular motion traps moisture in from everywhere so frizz becomes less of an issue.

Warning Signs

One thing I like most about the device is it alleviates my fear of hair getting caught. When (or rather, if) the wand starts to malfunction it will make a few beeps that signal the user to push the release button. Then, the hair comes out easily once it’s been released so you don’t have to worry about your hair burning or not curling enough.

Take Your Time Or Lose Your Mind

The Curl Secret is a great option, but it isn’t easy to use straight out of the box. The box says your hair won’t get stuck, but it probably will when you’re first learning to use it. Either you’ll use too much hair or twist it wrong or do something that won’t work for the machine. Just take your time when you’re learning.

Don’t Go It Alone

There are instructions in the box for a reason, so make sure you use them. If you don’t you’ll either burn your hair or not leave it in long enough. One is bad for your hair in the long run, but the other is no good for your style, so don’t do either.

Issues For Thickness

While the device is supposed to work for people of all hair types the thicker the hair strand, the more likely it is that you won’t get what you want from it. This doesn’t mean it won’t work at all, but it is harder to get perfect curls with a device like this on thick hair. Not everyone is pleased with the result, and while it does cut down on time significantly it’s still a lot of work to get a thick head of hair under control.

An Interesting Upgrade

While I really like the idea of easy to maintain curls that don’t take a lot of time to get, I’m not entirely sure this device has what I need just yet. The only thing that puts me off is the fact it doesn’t seem to work too well with thick hair. That being said, I’m going to put this one on my short list to try.

The post Infiniti Pro Curl Secret appeared first on That's Foxy.