I just started looking for one yesterday! Great timing on this thread :) I have pin straight hair, but I love how it looks when I straighten it even more. I've borrowed from friends but I want my own! I dont need to spend over $100 on a CHI since I'm not really looking for any hardcore ironing, just a touch up!! I know I want ceramic, and a THIN plate, 1" or less. I was looking at reviews on drugstore brands (at Drugstore.com and Makeup Alley) yesterday and it looks like the Conair 1 1/4" Instant Heat Iron might be a good choice.

I have had a CHI for six years now and it works great. It is worth the money! Also, it has a lifetime warranty as long as you keep the box. I paid about $120, but I bought one on eBay for a friend a year ago for about $95.

I use a Philips ceramic one and I love it. It was about 1.100 crowns (not sure about what it is in dollars). My hair always feels so soft after I use it but it seems to frizz easily. I do have corkscrew hair though so maybe that's why. I used my friends Remmington a few times, that was a good one as well and only cost a little more.

I bought the Conair 1" Ceramic Perfect Heat straightener on Saturday. So far I love it. The plates are very small so it's very easy to work with, it heats up INSTANTLY, has 25 heat settings, and doesn't snag up or pinch when I am sliding it down my hair. Though I have fine, naturally straight hair so I'm not sure how it would perform on a thicker, curlier head!

Just a suggestion for people straightening their hair... Try using the shine serums you see amongst the hair products. Ones I recommend are BioSilk, CHI silk infusion or Paul Mitchell Shine Serum. Others would be fine, I suppose, but these are the ones I've tried myself. Go easy on the application...one or maybe two squirts to start and then add more if needed. It's easy to overload your hair with this and make it greasy, but just the right amount adds shine like you've never seen...and makes it ultra soft, as well.

Just my two cents!!

I use Thermasilk (can only find it at Drugstore.com now that it's discontinued) Straightening Lotion. I even use when I am not using the straightener..I just like it in my hair :) I never straighten "naked"! Also PM Super Skinny Serum.

My daughters swear by the CHI. I bought one for my oldest when she turned 16 4 years ago. I just got another one for my youngest who turned 16 last week, it was her birthday present. I got it on ebay for about $88.00. There are 2 of them though. We've got the red one, 1".

Originally Posted by ThePrettyOne:
I use Thermasilk (can only find it at Drugstore.com now that it's discontinued) Straightening Lotion. I even use when I am not using the straightener..I just like it in my hair :) I never straighten "naked"! Also PM Super Skinny Serum.

Super Skinny...that's what I was talking about. I use it on my customers every day...it's just the clear/green bottle to me now... ;)

Originally Posted by ThePrettyOne:
I use Thermasilk (can only find it at Drugstore.com now that it's discontinued) Straightening Lotion. I even use when I am not using the straightener..I just like it in my hair :) I never straighten "naked"! Also PM Super Skinny Serum.

Originally Posted by techwife:
Super Skinny...that's what I was talking about. I use it on my customers every day...it's just the clear/green bottle to me now... ;)

Do you use the Super Skinny shampoo/conditioner, too? I love them, but some people think it weighs their hair down.

I Bought One By Conair.. Wet To Dry Flat Iron It's I Like It ....i Do Like My Chi Better Tho But The Conair Was Only Like 35 Dollars

My daughters bought one at Sally beauty supplies. They paid about 40.00 for it. I dont know the brand and they are neither one where i can get to them. YOu might want to check out sallys online.

Originally Posted by techwife:
Do you use the Super Skinny shampoo/conditioner, too? I love them, but some people think it weighs their hair down.

I don't really use specific shampoos and conditioners. I mean, I dont use White Rain or anything, lol, but whatever appeals to me in the store at the time. Right now I have Biosilk and Aussie stuff. I just use the SS serum. If it weighs hair down, I'll stay away!! I actually discovered it at a salon, they used it in my hair and I went out and bought it :) The only hair products I specifically buy are SS Serum, RedKen All Soft Heavy Cream, all Thermasilk products and Garnier Creme Gel :) Everything else is just whatever appeals to me at the time!

I have a Cricket straightcrazy ceramic straightener that I bought from my stylist. It's awesome! You can straighten your hair even if it's damp (not wet)! I think it was around $75. I LOOOOOVE it!