I've Been Converted---CHI Worth The Change

My hairdresser and friends raved about certain hair care products, and I'd skeptically shrug it off thinking that my money was better spent somewhere else. I'm cheap, what can I say? However, once I actually started seeing the damage cheap shampoos caused my hair, I finally gave into buying the more expensive, recommended shampoos and conditioners. Improvement was, in fact, undeniable! It is a likely story with the Chi 1" True Ceramic Hair Straightener. I'd spent $25 here and there at Walmart on straightners for a couple of years. They'd wuss out not long after purchasing, and never really got hot enough to actually straighten anything, yet very harsh on the hair. Finally I decided that spending about $85 on a Chi that would last me at least 5 years would be more cost effective. I've had mine for over a year and have concluded that buying it was one of the best decisions I have made!

Price
I bought my Chi online for $85 plus shipping and handling (turned out to be about $100). Sounds kinda steep, but it really is worth it and online is often cheaper than you can find it in some stores. I also got a heatproof mat/case for free with it. Bonus!

Specs
The 1" Chi doesn't use very much energy for how much heat it produces. With 35 watts of power and a constant temperature of 370, you can't go wrong. It heats up to full temperature in about 60 seconds at the flip of a switch, with an LED flashing indicator light (It stays steady as it heats up, and flashes when it's up to full temperature). It has True Ceramic plates. It weighs 2 lbs and has a 10 foot cord. The plug in is one of those big ones that covers both outlets, so that is kind of inconvenient.

Versatility
One of the coolest things about the Chi is it not only straightens, (though it does straighten your hair ridiculously well, no matter how curly or frizzy) it can also do the "barrel curl" (takes some practice), and flip your hair. It's lightweight and easy to transport around just like you would a curling iron, only...a lot better.

Quality
With a Chi you don't need to straighten the same piece of hair more than once. Maybe twice if you have really tight curly hair...but it really is amazing. I don't have naturally curly hair, but I love the fact that it straightens fast, and eliminates frizz.

Ceramic Plates
Ceramic plates mean less damage on your hair and an even, constant temperature. I color my hair, and I don't completely understand the science to it, but the plates produce negative ions, actually sealing the cuticle, helping your color so that it doesn't fade. I use heat protection sprays on my hair before straightening. In the past, using cheaper straighteners I had problems with product build-up on the iron that simply would NOT come off, even if they claimed to be ceramic plated. Well, I have had absolutely no build-up problems with my Chi. The ceramic plates make your straight hair smooth and shiny, and you'll be very pleased with your results...daily!