CHI LAVA 1 1/2" Styler is the perfect flat iron for people who travel, but it's also an excellent choice if you have limited storage space, or just prefer compact devices. While the overall size of the flat iron is smaller than standard size, the 1 1/2" plates are the perfect size for regular use. It heats up quickly, requires minimal time to straighten the hair – plus the added bonus is that it leaves hair silky and shiny.
According to CHI,
Introducing the CHI Lava MiniStyler Iron, featuring 1.5" floating plates crafted from volcanic lava and CHI ceramic. This powerful combination delivers silky, shiny, and long-lasting results. Its rapid ceramic heater ensures swift heat-up, while the dual voltage feature makes it ideal for international travel. With a maximum heat of 410°F, this iron offers convenient on-the-go styling without compromising on plate size and features, comparable to a traditional CHI Lava iron.
Claims:
STRAIGHTENER FOR A SMOOTH FINISH: This MiniStyler features 1.5" plates & works to deliver silky, shiny & long-lasting results. Its rapid ceramic heater ensures swift heat-up to 410°F, while the dual voltage feature makes it ideal for international travel.
INSTANT, STABLE HEAT & ANTI-COLOR FADE TECHNOLOGY: Featuring 5X Color Lock Protection, this styler helps preserve vibrant hair color while ensuring even heat distribution. Powered with natural minerals, it promotes healthier, shinier hair with every use.
CHI'S LAVA LINE: Products in CHI's lava line were created from some of the most effective heat-conducting materials found on earth; Volcanic Lava combined with CHI Ceramic creates smooth, sleek results without the damaging effects of high-heat styling.
CHI FLAT IRONS: CHI Flat Irons have a versatile ergonomic design and use advanced lava technology. Our dynamic professional flat irons offer a sleek design, and outstanding performance, creating shiny and frizz-free hair instantly.
Features:
Harnesses CHI Volcanic Lava patented technology, the new generation of CHI Ceramic
1.5” Floating Plates
Rapid Ceramic heater for fast heat-up
Dual Voltage for international traveling
Minimum temperature of 340°F
Maximum temperature of 410°F for healthy hair
1 hour auto shut off for safety
360° Swivel cord
Directions: Divide hair into one-to-two inch sections. Use fluid motions to run the iron over the length of your hair one section at a time.
Amazon includes a free 2oz. bottle of the CHI 44 Iron Guard.
Overall Assessment: I don't flat iron my hair that often, but this is the flat iron that I reach for when I do. I really like its compact size as well as the full size floating plates. Nicely done, CHI!
$109.99 from CHI and Amazon (Affiliate Links). Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Now that we are in graduation season, I selected a few tools that are perfect to prep for the day, but that will also make great gifts for the graduate!
First, preparing for graduation is quite nerve-wracking and I thought that an essential oil diffuser was a great way to start the day and to curb those nerves.
Gurunanda Honeycomb Essential Oil Diffuser $19.88-$25.99 from Gurunanda, Amazon and Walmart): The Gurunanda Honeycomb Essential Oil Diffuser is a wonderful and attractive diffuser that is very easy to use, it emits a gracious amount of aromatherapeutic mist, and the LED lights change colors in the most hypnotic manner. Furthermore, this unit is very affordable and can be used with your favorite essential oils to make your home a delectably aromatic sanctuary.
According to Gurunanda,
An easy-to-use, high quality device, it utilizes ultrasonic waves to diffuse the essential oils. When used with Gurunanda ssential oil, the nano-particles of the Gurunanda essential oil together with water form a calming mist that disperses into the air without heating or compromising the benefits of the oil. The soothing LED lights create the perfect environment to experience the restorative, purifying benefits that aromatherapy can provide. Its sleek, modern design easily complements any home or office space.
Specifications:
Water Capacity: 100ml
Light Modes: Red, Green and Blue color changing LED light
Overheating protection
Auto shut off when water is low - after about 4 hours
Includes U/L certified adapter
Continuous mode - Mist lasts up to 3.5 hours
Intermittent mode - Mist lasts up to 7 hours
Size: 1lb.; 3.4 x 6.9 x 3.40
Material: ABS
How to Use: Simply fill with water and add a few drops of one of your favorite Gurunanda Essential Oils.
Additional Information:
The ultrasonic diffuser creates vibrations that are carried to the surface where oil is floating. The oil floating on the top of the water gets broken down, and then diffused into the air, filling the surrounding space. The silent ultrasonic technology used in Gurunanda’s Diffuser will instantly fill your environment with the stimulating effects of pure essential oils. Whisper-Quiet Ultrasonic Operation - humidify your living space to prevent dry, stuffy air and flu/cold germs infecting your loved ones. Prevent dry and chapped skin in dry winter months.
Gurunanda Essential Oils $6.49-$7.99 each and Sets for $29.99+ from Gurunanda and Amazon): Gurunanda has a wide assortment of essentials oils and essential oil blends, and I use them all of the time. I have diffusers in several rooms, including my bathrooms, and they are absolutely wonderful. They pair beautifully will their oil diffusers, and their oil blends address a variety of concerns from sleeplessness to congestion, and there are even formulation for relaxation, tranquility and harmony.
STYLECRAFT Touch-Temp Digital Styling Iron ($129.95 from Amazon, StyleCraftUS, or in fine salons and spas nationally): STYLECRAFT makes top quality and covet-worthy flat irons that are built to last. This one has a staggering 30 heat settings and a variety of presets for fine, medium and course hair. Therefore, by controlling the heat one is able to avoid damaging their hair. I am able to straighten my curly hair quickly, and without inflicting damage to my hair. I do not flat iron my hair often, but I will definitely reach for this one when I do.
According to STYLECRAFT,
The sleek Touch Temp offers a high-tech LCD touch screen with 30 heat settings ranging from 160°- 450°F in 10° increments. As a result, Touch Temp offers the perfect temperature to keep hair healthy and damage free regardless of type or texture – from baby fine or delicate color-treated to coarse and curly. StyleCraft includes special features to help ensure safe use. This includes carefully positioned on/off and lock/unlock buttons to help avoid accidental shut-off and inadvertent temperature changes.
Features:
• Tri-Plex Fusion: Nano Keratin Proteins for healthier, stronger hair. Ceramic & Tourmaline emit negative ions to seal the cuticle, reduce frizz by up to 75% and add shine.
• Digital LCD Touch-Screen: The most high tech flat iron with digital display and complete touch-screen functionality. Carefully positioned On/Off and Lock/Unlock button to avoid accidental shut-off and temperature changes.
• 30 Temperature Settings: Ranging from 160° - 450°F by 10° increments, for the perfect setting to keep your hair healthy and damage-free. Auto-shut off after 1 hour for your safety.
• Full-Range Floating Plates: Perfectly aligned floating plates for creating a variety of snag-free, smooth styles. Multi-layered harder, smoother, scratch proof plates.
StyleCraft 2000 Professional Dryer ($79.95 from StyleCraft and Amazon): This hair dryer boasts a very powerful 2000-watt motor that is engineered to dry hair 50% faster than the average hair dryer. It is high quality, lightweight, very powerful and quite quiet.
According to StyleCraft,
Designed with the most advanced StyleCraft technology and a powerful 2000-watt motor that dries hair 50% faster, the popular and sturdy everyday dryer offers satisfying capabilities. It is lightweight, powerful, higher velocity, fast-drying, and quiet to help protect the ears.
Not only does the StyleCraft 2000 rate highly in key categories, it also leaves hair healthy-looking, damage-free, frizz-free and flyaway-free (a consumer concern for some lower-priced drugstore retail models).
Beautiful and elegant modern design with an ergonomic shape that is easy on wrists, the popular StyleCraft 2000 dryer features 3 heat settings (instead of 2), 2 speed settings, a cool shot button to lock-in styles, and a well-thought out, removable and easy-to-clean dryer filter for better and longer lasting performance. It also comes with 2 professional concentrator nozzles, including a wide and narrow opening for styling versatility.
The StyleCraft 2000 is available in two colors (black or white), and comes with a professional tangle-free swivel cord for convenient styling.
Features:
• 2000 Watt AC Motor
• Ergonomic Design
• Removable Filter
• 3 Heat Settings and 2 Speed Settings
• Two Concentrator Nozzles
• Tangle-free Cord
• 1-Year Limited Warranty
Absolute Zero Gamma+ ($69.95 from Gamma+ and Amazon): This dual-function shaver (with hard-to-find trimmer) has been called “the best shaver out there.” It is lightweight, it offers a very close shave, it is gentle enough for sensitive skin and it can be used with or without the cord– making it perfect for home and travel. This is not only a great gift for grads, but it is a perfect pick for dads this Father's Day!
According to Gamma+,
Ultra-lightweight and compact, the professional Gamma+ Italia Finishing Foil Shaver (69.95) - with impossible-to-find dual-function of everyday shaving combined with special retractable trimmer foils for goatee, beard or moustache.
With the longest continuous run time ever (120 minutes), it’s golden for any man who sports a clean-cut, razor-close shave and wants to replace a razor.
It gives a closer, smoother, more even shave that won’t irritate the skin and is hypoallergenic.
And has special gold titanium foils.
The gentlest of shavers, Absolute Zero’s advanced design is especially lightweight at under 5 oz., yet uniquely compact for greater precision. It consistently offers a closer, smoother and more even shave and also helps prevent skin irritation.
The Absolute Zero’s unique gold and titanium foil gives a razor-edge close shave when used on stubble or can flawlessly maintain a sharp or natural-looking beard. Its special, retractable trimmer is finely calibrated to be multi-functional - from reducing bulk hair to shaping and defining sideburns, necklines and edges.
The Gamma+ Italia Absolute Zero Foil Shaver can be used corded or cordless. It features a unique micro-USB charger and a lithium-ion battery that charges to full strength in as little as 30 minutes for a remarkable 120 minutes of continuous run-time. The Absolute Zero comes with a 2-year limited warranty and includes 2 free replacement cutters.
Features:
Dual-Function, Hypo-Allergenic Gold Titanium Foil Shaver with Retractable Trimmer.
Floating Foils and Cutters. Corded or USB-Charged Cordless. Longest Continuous Run-Time.
Overall Assessment: These are great gift ideas that will be both appreciated, and used, long after that tassel is moved to the left!
Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own (Affiliate Links).
If you are looking to either straighten your hair, or to create curls or beachy waves, STYLECRAFT creates impressive high quality hair styling tools worthy of your attention. I tested one of their flat irons and curling irons, and they are definitely worth sharing with you.
STYLECRAFT Touch-Temp Digital Styling Iron ($129.95 from Amazon, StyleCraftUS, or in fine salons and spas nationally): STYLECRAFT makes top quality and covet-worthy flat irons that are built to last. This one has a staggering 30 heat settings and a variety of presets for fine, medium and course hair. Therefore, by controlling the heat one is able to avoid damaging their hair. I am able to straighten my curly hair quickly, and without inflicting damage to my hair. I do not flat iron my hair often, but I will definitely reach for this one when I do.
According to STYLECRAFT,
The sleek Touch Temp offers a high-tech LCD touch screen with 30 heat settings ranging from 160°- 450°F in 10° increments. As a result, Touch Temp offers the perfect temperature to keep hair healthy and damage free regardless of type or texture – from baby fine or delicate color-treated to coarse and curly. StyleCraft includes special features to help ensure safe use. This includes carefully positioned on/off and lock/unlock buttons to help avoid accidental shut-off and inadvertent temperature changes.
Features:
• Tri-Plex Fusion: Nano Keratin Proteins for healthier, stronger hair. Ceramic & Tourmaline emit negative ions to seal the cuticle, reduce frizz by up to 75% and add shine.
• Digital LCD Touch-Screen: The most high tech flat iron with digital display and complete touch-screen functionality. Carefully positioned On/Off and Lock/Unlock button to avoid accidental shut-off and temperature changes.
• 30 Temperature Settings: Ranging from 160° - 450°F by 10° increments, for the perfect setting to keep your hair healthy and damage-free. Auto-shut off after 1 hour for your safety.
• Full-Range Floating Plates: Perfectly aligned floating plates for creating a variety of snag-free, smooth styles. Multi-layered harder, smoother, scratch proof plates.
STYLECRAFT Style Stix XL 1" Spring Curling Iron ($69.95 from Amazon, StyleCraftUS, or in fine salons and spas nationally): Now admittedly, I have little need for curling irons because my hair is naturally curly, but this one is made for all types of hair. It heats up immediately and automatically shuts off after an hour, and it can create curly ringlets or beach waves quickly and efficiently. It also allows me to create beach waves easily when I want fewer curls and more waves.
According to STYLECRAFT,
Lightweight, sleek and extra-long, STYLE STIX XL irons can do everything a standard spring or marcel curling iron can do, and much more. Faster and easier to use, curls and natural-looking beach waves can be created in a quick, single motion with no overlapping on the rod, to give luxurious, cascading hair in a flash. A multi-setting heat control with a 200° range makes STYLE STIX perfect to use on all hair types. The iron also shuts off after 1 hour for safety. Unlike other irons, Style Stix is designed with tips that are longer and have super-deep grooves that make it easy to grab, hold, and maneuver. One-pass styling helps eliminate past worries such as overlapping long hair on a curling iron, allowing for more natural-looking styles. Even the longest hair can stretch across the length of the spacious, ultra-long barrel. The irons also have a unique, easy-to-maneuver comfort-grip designed for added control as well as a firm-grip tip that protects fingers from heat and is engineered for enhanced maneuverability. Even more important, StyleCraft’s exclusive breakthrough Tri-Plex Fusion technology boosts performance for longer-lasting, better-conditioned styling results after just one easy pass through the hair. Tri Plex Fusion combines Nano Keratin Proteins (for healthier, stronger hair) with advanced Ceramic Tourmaline (to emit negative ions and seal hair’s cuticle) and reduce frizz by up to 75% to add super-smooth shine.
Features:
• Tri-Plex Fusion to Reduce Frizz for Healthy, Silky Hair
• Ultra Glide Technology
• Temperature Range from 250°-450°F
• XL Long Barrel for Curls & Waves in One Shot
• Consistent, Even Heat Distribution
• Multi-Setting Heat Control for All Hair Types
• Ergonomic Design
• 9 FT Tangle-free Swivel Cord
Overall Assessment: STYLECRAFT is definitely a brand that is worthy of being on your radar.
New Year's Eve is one of the biggest nights of the year when it comes to getting dressed up for parties and merry-making. If you are going out, and are planning on planning on putting some concerted effort into your hair style, then here are a few tools that you might want in your arsenal.
Xtava 5-in-1 Satin Wave Curler ($65.00-$104.45 from Xtava, Walmart and Amazon): If you use a curling iron to achieve anything from loose beachy waves to tight curly ringlets, then you need a good curling iron to do the trick. Whether you seek an updo, a chic top knot or the controlled chaos of a full head of gorgeous tight ringlets, then a versatile curling iron is likely what you seek. The Xtava 5-in-1 Satin Wave Curler has 5 detachable wands of varying sizes that can achieve any of your hair curling needs.
According to Xtava,
Whether you want to wear your hair in tight ringlets or beachy waves, there is a barrel for every curl achievable. Who says you can’t have it all? The Satin Wave 5-in-1 Curling Iron lets you style your hair in a variety of ways with just one iron. Each of the interchangeable, ceramic and tourmaline barrels creates every type of silky, frizz-free curl a girl could want.
A curling iron may be a multi-functional hairstyling tool, but that doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily a one-size-fits-all kind of tool to have. Luckily, curling irons are becoming much more accommodating since not everyone wants a tool whose single purpose is to give you Todders In Tiaras ringlets. To wit: size matters. A good rule of thumb is that the wider the barrel, the more waves you’ll be creating than curls.
Directions and Tips:
For tight ringlets: "Choose a barrel size that’s less than an inch wide. The way you wind hair matters too — you want to keep the coils closer together like a wound-up spring. When you release, you’ll see that the hair bounces out like a Slinky, holding the curls tightly. When releasing from the curling iron, hold the curl in place to let it cool for a couple seconds so it sets. Hairspray is key to hold these babies together."
For romantic Jane Austen novel curls: "Generally a one-inch barrel will do the trick for most hair lengths that are shoulder-length and longer. You can still use this for shorter hair but you’ll get less curl crests per section. Keep those hair sections coiled tightly and close together around the barrel for very long hair, since your hair’s length will weigh it down upon release. Separate the curls with fingers and set with a flexible hold hairspray."
For Glamour Waves: "Depending on your hair length you can achieve this with a one-inch or one and a half-inch barrel. The trick with this one is to wrap hair sections all in the same direction and try to coil them the same way to achieve a uniform curl. The key: when you’ve done your whole head, gently brush out the curls with a boar bristle brush to smooth everything into a sheet of undulating Rita Hayworth waves. For fine hair, give your hair a once over before and after brushing out so you don’t lose too much texture from brushing."
For lived-in textured waves: "Grab your one-inch barrel for this one — larger, if your hair is super long. One make-or-break tactic for perfecting this look is to leave the ends out. Curled ends tend to look much more coiffed and “done.” Using your curling iron or wand, wrap small hair sections, but not coiled closely together. Now this takes a bit of trial and error depending on your hair thickness and length, but generally less than five seconds does the trick. So does alternating the direction you curl. You don’t have to be too on it with allowing the curl to cool and set before releasing since you want it to unfurl a bit."
Xpert Tip: "When you have a head of loose curls, you can use a dry texture spray or rub some styling cream/oil in your hands and run your fingers through the waves to break them up."
Features:
– 5 interchangeable ceramic barrels
– 360° swivel cord (8 ft)
– 9 heat settings between 250ºF-410ºF
– Ceramic tourmaline technology
– Includes heat-resistant glove + travel bag
Head Kandy Brush Straightener ($59.99-$84.99 from Head Kandy and Amazon): This is such an innovative design for a hair straightener, and it is so easy to use. The brush paddle is wide enough to cover a wide area of hair, and it cuts down the amount of time that it takes to straighten your tresses.
According to Head Kandy,
The paddle of the brush is wide enough for short hair but also PERFECT for longer lengths as it covers enough of the hair as you brush through to straighten and really eliminate having to run through your hair multiple times as with other tools. in turn eliminating heat damage.
Head Kandy heats up to that coveted 450 degrees that we all know and love so you know your hair will come out beautifully straight and it can also be used for high heat keratin treatments.
Hot Tools Cool Tools 1 ¼ Inch Conditioning Vapor Flat Iron ($59.99-$71.99 from JCPenney, Amazon and Ulta): If you seek a more traditional flat iron to straighten your hair, then the Cool Tools Conditioning Vapor Flat Iron is worth your consideration. It includes its Argan Conditioning Treatment and Thermal Protectant that will leave your hair noticeably soft and protected.
According to Hot Tools,
Smooths and strengthens your hair with a Nano Ceramic® surface that emits far-infrared heat to eliminates frizz. Patented Pulse Technology® restores heat immediately for consistent, even styling. The amazing Argan Conditioning Treatment and Thermal Protectant formula works wonders for your hair. It is both a conditioning treatment and thermal protectant.
All Caps Shower, Sleep, Spa ($52.00 from All Caps Hair and their All Caps Shower, Sleep, Spa Official Amazon Page): All Caps is not your grandmother's shower cap by any stretch of the imagination. Not only will this protect your blow-outs or perfectly articulated curls while you are in the shower, but simply reverse it when you are using oil treatments and deep masking/conditioning.
According to All Caps Shower, Sleep, Spa:
What if you could take that fabulous, salon-fresh blowout and make it last forever? OK, that’s practically impossible, but a solid week will do, right? Dodge the shower droplets, hide from the humidity and wake up like a sleeping beauty with a perfect coif still in place by taking cover with All Caps. More than a traditional shower cap, All Caps satisfies all of your beauty needs from bathing and hair mask treatments, to protecting against spray tans and preserving those costly salon blowouts. The soft, flexible cap easily adjusts to the size of your head and length of your hair for a more comfortable, customizable fit. An innovative fabric technology protects hair in the shower, at the spa and in bed. The reversible design keeps clothes, furniture, pillowcases and other surfaces mess-free while doing hair masks and other restorative treatments. Unlike your old school shower caps, All Caps is fungus-resistant and completely machine washable.
To Maintain Your Blowout:
· Place the cap on your head with the microfiber terry band and buttons centered on your forehead, then pull the back of the cap down toward the nape of the neck.
· Sweep and tuck hair into the cap.
· Adjust the sides of the back of the cap so that it fully covers the hairline.
· Pinch the side toggles and pull the elastic cords to secure a custom, comfortable fit.
· If desired, hook the top elastic loops onto the front button to lift the back of the cap off the neck. To pull the cap farther off the neck, wrap the loops around the buttons to create the desired cap length.
All Caps Shower, Sleep, Spais:Hypoallergenic, Fungal-Resistant, Adjustable, Sustainable, Reversible for Masking, Machine Washable, Reusable Travel Case, Made in the USA.
AQUIS Lisse Luxe Hair Towel ($30.00 from AQUIS, AQUIS Official Amazon Store and Sephora): I have favored using hair towels and turbans, over regular bath towels, for many years, but AQUIS is definitely my very favorite brand for both. Their Lisse Luxe Hair Towel is extra large (19"x50"), ultra-luxurious, very plush, unbelievably soft, it is ultra-absorbent.
According to AQUIS,
Lisse Luxe may sound like the name of an ‘exotic’ artiste. But she’s the perfect towel for normal hair. Lisse Luxe also excels at curly hair, fine hair, damaged hair and any hair that needs gentle treatment. New generation Aquitex improves absorbency and comfort. Wraps and tucks easily leaving hands free while hair dries. Dries fast with less friction, to minimize frizz and damage.
According to AQUIS, The all around gentleness of Lisse Luxe. With the convenience of an easy to fasten turban. Great for curly and delicate hair needing the gentlest treatment. New generation Aquitex improves absorbency and comfort. Wraps and fastens easily leaving hands free while hair dries. Dries fast with less friction, to minimize frizz and damage.
Overall Assessment: If you are looking for new hair styling tools, then these are picks worthy of your consideration. Even if you don't heat stay your hair, the All Caps shower cap and AQUIS hair towels and turbans are great to pamper your hair.
