CHI HAIR STRAIGHTENER!
Kate here! Oftentimes when celebrities are being interviewed they are asked "what is the one beauty product you cannot live without". They usually answer some bs about "drinking water!" or "just a dab of black mascara!", totally neglecting the real reasons behind their beauty that they could not live without ie weekly facials, peels, laser treatments, fake eyelashes, professional make-up artists etc etc. I often wonder what the ONE thing someone like Posh could not live without is. Could she pick? Could anyone really pick? You may be asking yourself what this has to do with hair. Well let me answer you! This is relevant because I know, without a doubt or any question, what my one product that has astronomically changed my life for the better is. The one I could not live without. The one without I would be a different person.
I speak, of course, about my flat iron. I have mentioned before my hair's tendency to look like pubic hair. Because of this, I have tried just about every flat iron on the market, from those that cost $10 to those that cost $300. I have decided that on those Wednesday's when I have nothing new to review, or I am diligently trying out a new product, waiting to report until I have a clear view of what a product does (only the best for you ladies!), I shall engage in what shall furthermore be known as "The Flat Iron Chronicles" where I review the many, many, different flat irons on the market today.
I would like to start today with a very common and popular flat iron, the CHI. The CHI is not for recreational hair straighteners. At around $200 a pop, you have to be pretty serious about straightening your hair to end up with one of these puppies. I used a CHI for about 2 years and I have to give it a rating of C+.
The CHI did an excellent job of straightening my hair, without a kink or a curl left in sight, however, it did not do much to change the TEXTURE of my hair. Those with curly, frizzy hair know how we long for the shiny, silky tresses of our peers. All the CHI did was make my hair equally dry and course, but in a straight and smooth fashion.
My other critique of the CHI is in its poor craftsmanship. I had 5 CHIs in a period of two years because they simply stopped heating up or burned out. Luckily my mom keeps everything, including receipts, so I was able to exchange my CHI every time, but if you were to not have the receipt, you would be out $200. And after working at ULTA for 7 years, I can say it is not just me that has problems with the CHI. It is one of the most commonly returned products we carried.
All told, CHI is an ok hair straightener, but for $200, it better blow my socks off! Or at least make my hair look like Demi Moore's!
Anyone else have any experience with the CHI that I am missing?
- meg's blog
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Reviews
Embrace your natural hair! Make YOUR own hair tendancies work for you that is flattering. If it takes time, work, and lots of money then it isnt a long term beauty soloution. Its a pain and a hassle! So for wavy hair people, style it wavy. Curly hair people, style it curly! And do it well. Be the best at styling your hair. Find a cut that is flattering as heck to your peticular face and hair tendancies. I went through soooo many cuts and have found bliss in simplicity with the right cut and products to style wavy hair with. Sex bomb without trying. Yay.Yes I straiten sometimes, I use a 50 dollar straitener I bought at Walmart. It works for how little I use it. Definately never straiten without protecting your hair from burning. Spend your money wisely when it comes to the quality of your hair products. Megs site is a blessing when it comes to research!
No doubt that the craftsmanship is poor! I've had three! And my husband discovered that the screws holding the chi's I have had are not matchable easily..if at all. Essentially you have to send it back to them for fixing and pay whatever they demand as ransom for your precious baby! A serious turnoff!!
I have not yet invested in a CHI, and now I'm glad I haven't! Thanks so much, Kate! My hair stylist does swear by her CHI straightener, but it's the wet and dry one. It always works well on my hair when she uses it on me. Reading these other reviews has inspired me to check out other options though. Thanks ladies!!
Gigi, dollink, the trick to non-singed hair is to section, section, section, never taking up too much hair at one time. And if you use the Wet and Dry iron as I do, the danger really is a non-issue. On wet hair, the first pass actually steams your hair dry (or drier) and then the subsequent passes will only straighten and smooth. It's one of the few hair care products that has revolutionized my grooming routine. Oh, and my hair is pretty straight already -- doesn't matter. My T3 makes it smooth and sleek.
The Chi hair straightener HAS changed my hair from frizzy and curly to straight, smooth and fantastic! I'm not an expert at handling my hair but this appliance makes it so easy. Yes it's a bit spendy but WORTH EVERY PENNY! It works and I love mine. My niece bought one first and I was a bit skeptical but asked for one for Christmas from Santa. I've been soooo impressed with it.
I have to laugh over this because my entire life I had the "straight and silky" tressespeople yearn for now but at the time it was all full curly hair. Nowthat my hair IS full and curly I feel like I get looked down on for not spending thetime to straighten it and walk around looking like Jen Aniston every day. I LOVE Jen...don't get me wrong...and I'm not bagging on the straight hair look. I just think itskind of ironic. Any other curlies out there feel like people/media look down on uscurlies? If you notice...whenever a woman is out of control and her life is a messin a movie her hair is always curly. Then she turns her life around and BOOM...she'sreborn with a new "straight" do saying she's gotten her life in order and is nowhappier with her new life and hair. www.naturallycurly.com mentioned this phenomenona while back and I thought I'd check to see if it runs true here too!
Love, hugs and shoes...Angie
Not the CHI, but I am a great fan of the T3 Wet and Dry. I started out with the regular pink T3, but decided to try this and have never gone back to the other, even so far as packing it for trips despite it's greater bulk. It lives up to its name, steam-drying and then straightening towel-dried hair. I seldom bother to blow-dry anymore, and it gives my highlighted, fine hair some welcome lift in record time. My morning routine gets cut by at least 15 minutes. Of course, now that wonderful Marco Pelusi's gloss has come into my life I usually finish my do with a quick swipe of that.
I also have very curly hair. I mean REALLY curly hair. Most of the time I let it do what it wants - with the help of the Jessicurl products (which make life worth living). But sometimes, I just want to change things up a bit and do the straight hair thing. BTW, as with many people, I want the kind of hair I will never have. I have a CHI and it's OK. But like you, Kate, for $200, I expected miracles. I'm glad you wrote this review because I was just assuming that I was doing something wrong. Maybe it's just not up to the challenge of really curly hair?
Carole
I've used the CHI before and I don't really care for it. Ithad one temperture setting...frigging HOT! I found somethingI like better and leaves my hair super smooth. Try the Solia Ionic flat irons. Much better, and less expensive thanthe CHI. It has adjustable heat setting dial and the ions leaveyour hair super shiny. Folica.com is always running specials. Youcan really get a good deal on one there.
Any straightner will make your hair appear to be dry & damaged if you're not using product to protect the cuticle. I have used the CHI in the past and I agree, it's average. I'd say it's worth more than the grocery store straightner because it's ceremic & "better" for your hair but i agree with tantejoan; I have a T3 Wet & Dry that I bought from Sephora YEARS ago & I LOVE it! I recommend buying all styling tools from Sephora because their customer service is great. The first T3 Wet & Dry I purchased broke because it was one of the earlier models and it's built wasn't too conventional; months later I brought it to Sephora and they traded it for the updated version, no questions asked.
I have a red CHI in the 1" size and honestly,it's effective and easy to use although it gets SO hot and there is no temp-control on the version I own. I have been straightening my hair for a couple of years and it's been a good friend but recently,I decided that my tresses needed a break,the ends were looking frayed and it seemed thinner...I've gone back to a quick blowdry (I NEVER learned how to do a "blowout",LOL!) and then 5 or so big ol' hot curlers plunked in for 5 minutes...voila! My hair is smooth and has the au currant "waves" and honestly,the shine and bounce is returning...I've just decided that for now,my CHI is hell on hair and we're taking a time out. :)There's no way that dragging a 450 degree or so iron thru your hair long term is "good" as I see it.
You can totally mail your CHI back to the manufacturer in Houston and for $35 they send you a brand new one.... Mine gave me a good 3 years before the plates came un-attached and I just got a new one for $35!
Katie
I have used probably twenty different straightening irons since I started straightening my hair when I was 14 (I used I cheap curling iron then - hello frizziness!). Every cheap and not so cheap (up to 60 bucks) broke within 6 months. Then I found the Chi about 4 years ago. The clouds parted, bright sun beams poked through, and the birds began to sing. I was IN LOVE. I didn't have to blow dry my hair straight any more - I just went to bed with it wet and let it crinkle any weird way it wanted to. It was great ... until I smashed it to pieces with a chair. I almost cried that day. I tried going back to cheaper irons again, but it was no use. Eventually the price of the Chi came down, and I bought another one... but its not the same. The Chi's you can buy now are NOT the same quality as they used to be, which I guess is why they are cheaper now. I've tried the nano, turbo, and original and none of them compare to the (original) original Chi from all those years ago. But I've found that using a heat protectant product does really help with the texture and shininess of the end result. When this iron finally kicks it, I'm going to try to get a GHD.
I just don't think that I could justify the 200 bucks for a straightening iron. I have a ceramic Hot Tools flat iron that I've been using for a couple of years and it has been good for me. Although, I am intrigued by the wet/dry feature. I am always looking for ways to trim down my morning routine. I might spring for the T3!
I have very fine wavy hair that I normally don't touch with my flat iron or even blow dryer because it is so delicate. For those times when I do straighten my hair I use a Sapphire Iron. It cost me $150 about 9 years ago and it still works like new. There was a time when I used it every day for a few years, but it was too tough on my hair and I wanted to grow it long. I still use it a couple of times a month with a Redken or Nexxus heat protect product. A friend of mine had the Sapphire Iron. I used it once and it worked so well I went out that night and bought it. My normally wavy/frizzy hair comes out stick straight and shiny every time I use it. It stays that way until I wet it too. It works best when you go slowly down each section of hair. The salon I purchased it at said they are made in Italy. I have never used another one that works better. The straightener my hairdresser uses, when she straightens my hair doesn't even come close to the results.
Indi
My friend has this and loves it.... Because I have straight hair *sigh*, I don't need it.
I paid $100 for my 2 inch Turbo CHI - I've got thick, wavy hair and this straightening iron works much better for me than my old Babyliss Pro which would singe my hair sometimes. I can definitely tell the difference in the shine and condition of my hair when I use the CHI, and the model I have does feature an adjustable temperature control. =)
My friend was looking into brand new straighteners, and she had a choice between a Chi and another (which I can't remember the name of - oops!). The Chi was not only more expensive, but had a shorter warranty, and by the sounds of it that warranty is important. She went with the other and hasn't looked back! Go for something that works rather than just the brand name!
I have very thick, long, wavy hair and have been using the CHI Turbo for about 3 years. I loved my CHI until now, it just stopped working! The power cord is loose and doesn't stay in the CHI, the light has been flickering and finally just gave out. I now have nothing to straighten my hair with other than my CHI blow dryer. I've been researching all the hair straighteners out there, the GHD, SEDU, FHI and CHI and I still can't decide which one to get next. Help?!?!
I have very thick, long, wavy hair and have been using the CHI Turbo for about 3 years. I loved my CHI until now, it just stopped working! The power cord is loose and doesn't stay in the CHI, the light has been flickering and finally just gave out. I now have nothing to straighten my hair with other than my CHI blow dryer. I've been researching all the hair straighteners out there, the GHD, SEDU, FHI and CHI and I still can't decide which one to get next. Help?!?!
Thanks for the really honest review Ill stick to the ghd I think.
PotionPrincess♥
I seriously debated being a CHI flat iron - everything I had heard told me that the CHI out classed any other brand but even at ULTA the price was not cheap! At the time I was getting my hair cut and colored at a small little shop in Uptown (a trendy area in Minneapolis, MN). The stylists there all swore by and used a slim ceramic straight iron made by HAIRART! Every time I went there my own hair would be rocked out spectacular after experiencing my final finishing touches under the skilled hands of my stylist and this iron! I would constantly watch the other stylists work their magic on all lengths of hair using this iron and everybody benefited to the highest degree of WOWness after going under the iron at this salon! It was capable of creating smooth elegant hair as well as rocked out swirls and curls on long lushious hair! After a couple of eye-witness watchings of this straight iron magic, I asked the owner of the salon to please purchase one of these for me; which she did! I think I paid close to $100.00 for it and I'd say I have been 98% happy with it! The owner and stylist said they liked the HAIRART brand flat iron hands above the CHI flat iron! Another time when I was going to JUUT for hair renovations, my stylist there said he had used CHI numerous times but that he felt the only drawback is that as beautifully as it works; he said he has gone through about 5 of them because they always stop working! I didn't like that story which also kept me from making a purchase of the CHI! I can also tell you that at one point in time in my life I purchased a HotTools Professional Ceramic Hot Iron for $59.95. I used it constantly and the coating on the actual ceramic irons has come off completely in the center of each side of the iron which is very distressing! Where did that ceramic material go? Has it been bonded into my hairshaft each time I used the iron? Alarming!!!!!! I think it was just after months of using the HotTools iron that I graduated to my HAIRART flat iron and I'm not letting anyone take it away! If you used both of my irons (one to do each side of my hair) the difference would be HUGE and clearly apparent as to which one really DOES smooth your hair in a nice way! No contest! Here's some information I found on the internet about my beloved HAIRART flatiron! I see I definitely paid MORE to the salon for the HAIRART flatiron than what it cost on line...but I'm also glad to know I can find it again if it ever dies on me! I see on this website that it's sold out! Alright! Another silent testimony to excellence! http://www.beautybasicsupply.com/HAIRART-Straightening-Curling-Iron-Ceramic-p/ha5flace00.htm
Jeanasina!
Jeanasina, I had the same thing happen to my ceramic HotTools iron. Over time, the ceramic coating began to flake off. I was worried that it was melting on my hair, so I finally gave in and bought a CHI. I thought $200 was outrageous to spend on a flat iron, so I shopped around on the internet. I found mine at amazon for $75 with free shipping. It was a 1 inch wet/dry, digital iron (big plus for me since I can set the timer and temperature) and came with a holder and carrying case. So far, I've been happy with it. However, based on the reviews, I will be saving the box and receipt should my CHI break and I need to return it.
I have a light blue chi that is temperature controlled (between 140 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit) . It is very well made and I have never had any problems with it at all!
I always wanted a CHI
I recently invested into a GHD and just adore it!! I'm not sure what brand i'll be buying once my GHD has reached the end of its life. But I will say it's definitely worth the money!Especially if you have difficult thick, coarse, kinky, curly hair that's been through everything possible and back. That and I use WEN haircare in sweet almond mint... the two combined just blow my mind!
I should probably invest in a new chi myself. I have the ceramix that was purchase from professional hair tool. But after reading all your reviews I'm afraid the ceramic will melt too. :( I just checked it and it still looks like new, no ceramic flaking but I will keep my eyes open for sure.
Thanks for the review, I always thought CHI was top quality because of the price.
i have this exact one! it works so well i don't even consider using other straighteners...
-Miss Yaya
http://myownjudge.blogspot.com/
I have the Ultra Chi Turbo in a blue leopard print. It's not as amazing as I thought it would be, but an improvement from my last one. I used a 20% off coupon at ULTA so it was a good deal I suppose. I really hope it lasts a long time. And it doesn't have heat control settings..
glad i read these. I had been considering buying it since i straighten my hair 3-4 times a week, i won't be getting since i don't wish to be making so many returns
This is the best straightner that i have ever used, i also love all of the CHI products, the smell great and work awesome!
I have one of these, bc everyone tells me how life-changing it is, but honestly, I don't feel that it works any better than the $70 one I bought at Sally Beauty Supply. I always feel like i must be missing something, somehow, but for $200, it's a pretty average straightening experience.
I have always heard this is the best but after being attacked by the Ginalli hair stylist in the mall I swear by the Ginalli products. Perhaps if I hadn't found Ginalli I would have a Chi instead. I guess it just wasn't meant to be mine.
I like CHI's flat irons, but I totally burned all my hair off with it. I had to put down my iron for good now. I have taken a vow to not use an iron unless unequivocally and without a doubt have to. It's hard, but I am coping. :-)
A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.
-Coco Chanel
I have a CHI and I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!I have frizzy curly hair! ans its nearly impossible to straighten... key word nearly!!! except for with my CHI!! It seriously get SO HOT so I have to be really carefull. But Its so straight and smooth and its just brings out the colr in my hair because I dont have to use a ton of products... and they are not crazy expensive!
Tan is Love
CHI products are great I am straight hair but I love them more straight lool and this do the jub perfectly it takes me like 5 minutes to do the whole head I love it I just love it
Chloe http://thehollywoodheels.blogspot.com
i have begged for one and shit i wish i begged to get the coach bag instead, the chi is so not work that money. yea it can do the job to a point but my hair would come out fizzy. you want a good straighter that works darn good. check out the Remington wet to dry flat iron. i have had this for about 6 months and it is wonderful. works great when dry and awesome when hair is wet as well. my hair comes out really straight and shiny not frizzy and dull...
~~ Luv & Respect, Olena ~~
http://jmedeiros.mymarkstore.com
I was thinking about getting a Chi but I won't now. I have a tendency to lose all my receipts to so this would not be the product for me.I mostly need a straightener just for smoothing my fine hair so I don't need a heavy duty one. I might be able to get away with something cheaper. I'm always hesitant to buy cheaper brands because they break but if the expensive ones break to then what is the point.
Hey you should seriously use the remington wet to straight... its awesome on wet and dry hair, curly and straight.... its like $25 cant beat it way worth the money...
~~ Luv & Respect, Olena ~~
http://jmedeiros.mymarkstore.com
I think that the CHI is overrated. However, it does work well and doesn't damage my hair as much. Although Folica is also good.
The Chi, however cute with all the different seasonal prints, just doesn't cut it for me!
I don't think I will ever repurchase one just because I found one that works even better for less than 1/5 of the price!
The only good things about them are their hair PRODUCTS that I love to use before I straighten or curl! :)
I never owned a CHI but I used to use my sister's all the time. It seemed to always get my hair straighter in much less time. However, she has gone through a couple in a very short amount of time! I have a Rusk straightener that is just alright, I've never been crazy about it, but am not ready to buy a new one yet.
Maybe quality is good but i think it is overpriced.
my hair is really straight but i have used a straightening iron for some curling action and works so much better then a curling iron.
I have had my CHI for 3 or 4 years, and have never had any problems with it. I have heard from a lot of women that their CHI simply stopped working, maybe CHI changed a part manufacturer after I got mine or something. Mine is awesome, however if I'd gotten one of the busted ones, I probably would've changed flat iron brands altogether.
http://mrsblackstenbeautyjunkie.blogspot.com
http://www.examiner.com/x-23882-Oklahoma-City-Beauty-Examiner
My hair went curly. I straighten it once a week with my CHI which I bought at Costco for $60. LOVE IT!
I have three rather good name flat irons and the CHI is my favorite. The others end up making my hair dried out, no matter what protective measures I take. The CHI iron is hands down the best!
wow, I use a couple of curling and straighten tool by conair. I heard that only ceramics is good for the hair, but my hair is still in bad condition after straightening.
I've heard a great review on this straightner and I've been needing a new one.. I've been using the same one for 5 years.