Why I need three hair styling irons? Truly

Hands up if you remember the first time your hair was on the receiving end of a pair of styling irons?

I certainly do.  They weren’t pretty, with their thick, wide stainless steel plates (not far off the size of a clothes iron) but boy, oh boy, did they transform my boofy mop into a kind of sleek I’d only ever dreamed of.

I was hooked.

That was nine years ago.  And it got me to thinking … there must be a lot of girls out there who know not of a hair life pre-styling irons.  Do they know how lucky they are?

In that nine years we’ve seen huge advancements in technology in this field.  Advances that have ensured styling irons remain on the can’t-live-without list of almost every woman I know.

In Australia, the styling iron revolution really got serious in 2004. We welcomed with tears of joy ghd, its marketing hype and superior product.  Women across the country did not hesitate to throw down $300 a pop for a fast-tracked glide to frizz-free styling at home.

And they’re still doing so.

Up until last year, ghd had the market pretty much styled up.  Enter stage left: Cloud Nine, a UK range from the original creators of the ghd.

Overnight the styling iron ante was upped, with the winner being you, the hair product consumer. Not only do both companies compete on price but both now compete to offer features and enhancements that make the styling irons of my past REALLY seem like dinosaurs.

On the back of Cloud Nine’s arrival mid-last year, ghd launched its fightback late 2010 with the ghd Gold Series.

Yes, the styling iron war continues and I, for one, am glad.  We’re now styling our hair with a far superior product and one that does far less damage.

——————————————————————————————————————————

Cloud Nine (features)

- The ability to adjust the heat settings to both the hair type and desired style is a major benefit of Cloud Nine’s revolutionary technology. The six heat settings reduce unnecessary damage often caused by the searing heat of standard styling irons (many hair types do not need high temperatures to achieve a particular style – especially fine or delicate hair).

- Unique black plates with a secret ingredient that adds shine to the hair

- Automatic hibernation mode

- Universal voltage

- Heat guard

- Swivel cord

- Carry case

ghd Gold Series (new features)

- An improved outer body casing making the stylers cooler to touch and lighter to handle

- A new protective plate guard to safely cover hot plates

- Golden contoured ceramic plates with a high gloss finish to glide through the hair for smoother, snag-free styling and ultimate shine

- A chic, new look with an on-trend dot design, gold sparkling accents and golden plates

- Universal voltage

- Sleep mode

- Unique digital technology that allows the styler to heat up to its ideal temperature in seconds

- Fixed temperature setting to achieve great results that last in a single stroke

- Swivel cord

- Curved barrel to create a variety of styles

——————————————————————————————————————————

Both Cloud Nine and ghd a choice of three different styling irons.

And I’m afraid to admit, I could justify owning three.  In fact, I really do think I need a styling iron wardrobe; much like my accessories wardrobe … and my shoe wardrobe … and my bag wardrobe … 

But stick with me here while I try to back up my justification.

1. I have long, thick hair.  That makes me a perfect candidate for the ghd Gold Max Styler ($269) or the Cloud Nine Wide Iron ($270).  I’ve been trialling the ghd Gold Max for a couple of weeks now and it gets a big fat tick for helping me speed up the styling process.  Bigger plates means it can handle bigger sections and it does so without compromising on finish.

2. I have a fringe, which is why I first fell in love with the Cloud Nine Micro Iron ($90) when first released last year.  They make ironing my fringe more precise and for someone like my step-mum, who has short fine hair, these are all she needs to create an overall style. The ghd Gold Mini Stylers ($269) are longer and come with a more hefty price tag.

3. I often go away for the weekend or for work and can’t justify carrying three irons (or can I?), which brings me back to originals, The Cloud Nine Iron ($270) and the ghd Gold Classic Styler ($269).  These are both suitable for most hair types.  ghd advancements bring it in line with Cloud Nine, except for Cloud Nine’s adjustable heat settings, which are designed to work with and protect your hair.

——————————————————————————————————————————

How do YOU choose?

Ok, so it’s all very well and nice for me to set up a corner of my bathroom devoted to styling irons but the reality is a styling iron purchase is still a major outlay for most people.  You need to consider your hair type, how you style your hair and how often.

Then get some good advice from a salon. A good salon will also offer to book you in for a service where they teach you how to use your irons at home.  This is the ultimate “try before you buy” and the only way to really make a considered styling iron purchase.

Stockists: ghd, search here; Cloud Nine, search here.

Do you own a hair styling iron?  Have you upgraded recently?  Which has worked for you?

——————————————————————————————————————————

This post was inspired by Sassybella blogger Helen Lee’s award-winning post Hair straighteners: Cloud Nine vs ghd

Disclosure:  Over the past 12 months, Styling You has been sent the Cloud Nine Micro Iron, The Cloud Nine Iron and the ghd Max Styler to trial and review.

——————————————————————————————————————————

So excited to have this blog post chosen for Independent Fashion Bloggers Network:  Links a la Mode

Operation #Uplift

Edited by Vahni of Grit & Glamour

 

Oh no. It’s The-Coveted-gate all over again. As much as I wish I could start this week’s roundup with a glowing review of positivity, the sad truth is that the blogosphere is rife with accusations of trademark infringement, side-eye, competition, and bitchiness. Ladies and gents, it is time for this to stop.

 

I’ll never understand why people feel the need to tear others down, or pass another’s content—or identity—off as their own. Blogging dynamo Cece of LoveBrownSugar noted this week that she’s had enough of the side-eye in fashion, and frankly, so have I. Last week, Cece issued an #Uplift Challenge: Find at least one female you don’t know personally and tell her something that makes her feel beautiful. Don’t get “#Uplift”? Be sure to read Beautifully Invisible‘s post—a Twitterless blogger is like Lady Gaga without a mic!

 

As you explore this week’s list and head into the weekend, I leave you with this thought: “Women with wings,” Sacramento, of Mis Papelicos, wrote, “use their wings not only to fly, but to cuddle, to shelter, to back, to push and to hug.” What are you using your wings for?

 

Links à la Mode: April 14th

• Aquí: Thrifty Threads: Six unique ways to wear a vintage silk scarf.
• Beautifully Invisible: 10 Things about your blog that drive me crazy.
• BonBon Rose Girls: An interview with Kimberly Hendrix, the eco-conscious designer of k. hendrix.
• Consume or Consumed: A detailed account of being fitted by Intimacy bra fit specialists.
• Designed by Ann: What (not) to wear when going shopping.
• Dress With Courage: Anorexia, competition, and the quest for blogger win.
• FashionablyNumb: A tribute to the queen of bohemian chic, Anna Sui.
• Fashioned By Love: The colour of joy, sunshine, and daffodils—there’s the right shade of yellow for everyone.
• Grit & Glamour: What V Wore: On the {Bur}berry last day.
• IFB: Coveted Media Intern Search
• LoveBrownSugar: Stilettos & Side Eyes: The UPLIFT Challenge—insights on the reasons we choose to “compete” instead of cooperate.
• Mis Papelicos: One year blogging and women with wings.
• Notes from a Stylist: Ever wondered what a Scotsman wears under his kilt? Kiefer Sutherland and Chris Noth bare all at the Dressed to Kilt show.
• Oh, The Places You’ll Go: Plus size gorgeous—catwalk curves and City Chic.
• Shoeperwoman: A warning to all bloggers: A first-hand account of when someone tries to take your brand/trademark.
• StyleLab: Why Blogs are like dogs and other advice on blogging.
• Styling You: Why I need three styling irons. Truly.
• The StyleCave: Long live McQueen.
• The Style Confessions: 10 reasons to love fashion blogs.
• The Taxonomy of My Wardrobe: Our right to wear the trousers—and why we shouldn’t take it for granted.
• This Girl’s Vintage: Getting that vintage dress to fit you perfectly: its all about the undergarment.

SPONSOR:

Shopbop Dresses: Black, Sundresses, Wrap, Print, Cocktail, White, Work, Jersey, by Lanston, Tucker, Shoshanna, Parker, & Obakki