Makeup Wars – My Favorite Hair Tools
Outside of nail polish, my hair is probably my biggest beauty obsession. You see, I have one giant, hard-to-tame mane that is both a blessing and curse. When I get it under control, it’s my favorite feature. When left to its own devices (which no one but the boyfriend gets to see), it’s a hot garbage juice kind of mess. And that’s not me being self-deprecating. The boyfriend jokingly calls me “wookiee,” when I let my hair air dry. It’s serious, people.
Thanks to my lifelong search for the perfect potions and gadgets to take my locks to the next level, I have a bevy of tools in my hair arsenal. If it’s been on an infomercial, I’ve either tried it or have it on my to-do list, with the exception of the flowbee. I can’t with that.
Today I’m going to share some of my faves as part of this week’s Makeup Wars challenge. I’ll also let you in on some of the fails in my hair care graveyard.
My Hair History
I am the product of two parents with thick heads of hair. My father’s coarse, poodle-like curls combined with some crazy, Jewish, wavy hair gene, that apparently skipped my mother, left me with hair that frizzes in even a drop of humidity, creating waves that NO ONE would be jealous of.
What’s funny is, I remember my hair being stick straight as a child yet, once I hit puberty and got my first perm, it was game on for the frizz monsters. From then on, I tried tool after tool to get the beast under control.
I slept in pink sponge rollers. Frizz + Shirley Temple curls… not a winning combo.
I tried the Caruso steam rollers which definitely hold a curl but I would get creases from the clips and who can travel with that set? I tried once and had salt spill all inside my luggage.
I owned a number of Conair hot tools, including the hot air brush and spiral curling iron, and I recently found these old Clairol Lock N Roll curlers in a storage box in my basement.
I even bought the Revo Styler, in an attempt to alleviate the pain in the ass that is round brushing my hair. All that accomplished was tangling my hair in the rotating bristles to the point that I had to cut myself free.
Needless to say, none of them did the trick so my hair tool quest continued.
Now for the hair tools that are working for me.
First and foremost, it all starts with the hair dryer. I’ve been through my fair share of inexpensive dryers to know that they’re worth the investment. If I had hair that dried super fast, I probably wouldn’t care as much but it used to take me anywhere between 30-45 minutes to dry my hair properly before venturing into the world of high end dryers 10+ years ago.
My latest and greatest love is the T3 Featherweight Luxe 2i ($250). You guys, this is serious hair drying business. I first spied it backstage at a fashion show last fall. When told it was created after seeing stylists tape two dryers together to shorten dry time, I was intrigued. I’ve owned T3 dryers for years but worried about what all that power would do to my hair.
I’m happy to report that I’ve been using this dryer for over six months now and my hair is excellent shape. More importantly I can be COMPLETELY DRY in 10 minutes flat, 15 if I need to really work the round brush. That’s life changing!
T3 Featherweight Luxe 2i
Speaking of round brushing, I discovered this fantastic brush company through my stylist, Shannon at John Roberts. She uses the Phillips Monster Vent MV-P 2 ($24.99) which gives great bend and polish to the hair without tangling it. Added bonus; Phillips Brush is a local, Cleveland company.
Phillips Monster Vent Brush MV-P 2
This is how my hair looks using just a round brush and hair dryer. We’ll call this the “control hair” for the tools I’m about to show you.
My hair - dried with a round brush
The InStyler ($97.99) is one of the “As Seen On TV” products that actually made it to the real world of retail. Why? Because it actually works. The rotating, heated barrel polishes and curls the hair while the brush smooths out any tangles.
InStyler Rotating Curling Iron
On days when I’m too lazy to wield a round brush, I plug in the InStyler to give my hair the look of a fresh blow-out.
The trick is to hold the hair straight out to the side, clamp the InStyler vertically on the hair, near the root, and give it a half twist away from your face. Then pull the InStyler through the piece, slightly tilted down and away from you. It waves the hair back without making you a full-on Farrah.
Bounce and defined layers with the InStyler
Traditional curling irons and I are not friends. With my layers, I always have pieces falling out or I get marks from the clamp. The Enzo Milano Clipless Curling Iron ($149.99) is the solution to all my curling iron problems. It comes with a glove so you won’t burn your hand and you can create so many different curl patterns with just one tool.
Enzo Milano 25mm Clipless Curling Iron
I prefer to use my Enzo Milano for soft waves. I hold the iron over my head with the tip pointing down. I wrap sections around the iron, away from my face, starting the curl at about eye level. I typically don’t wrap the ends around the barrel which creates a natural, beach-y look but for Jump Back Ball (right) I curled the entire section to create polished, glamorous waves.
Soft waves with the Enzo Milano Clipless Curling Iron
The Verge Bubble Wand ($99.99) from One Styling is another hometown product. This Cleveland-based company has a line of texture wands to create unique shapes in the hair.
The Bubble Wand, which I often describe as looking like a sex toy, creates a perfectly imperfect curl. As the hair falls over and between the bubbles, it creates a curl that is part wave, part ringlet.
Verge Bubble Wand from One Styling
When I want loose, bouncy curls I turn to the Bubble Wand. There is a small clip at the base to secure the hair and then you just roll up the section, away from the face. Because my hair is so thick, with mushrooming tendencies, I only curl the sections to cheekbone height, with the exception of the shorter layers at the front.
Loose curls with the Verge Bubble Wand
If you’re like me and you do your hair before your makeup, no doubt you’ve ended up with foundation on your strands at some point. My shorter layers always fall on my face and it’s tricky to pin them back without screwing up my ‘do. Well, Ricky’s NYC has a cure for that.
These adorable No-Crease Butterfly Clips ($5.99 for 3) have a traditional metal clip on the bottom and a flat, plastic butterfly that sits against the hair. This allows you to pin hair back without fear of creasing.
No-Crease Butterfly Clips from RIcky's NYC
Bottom Line: I realize when it comes to hair tools, I have pretty high-end taste and that’s not in everyone’s budget. But for me, it’s worth it to spend a little extra to keep my hair healthy and get the results I want. Of course there are lower cost alternatives, like the Revlon Spiral Styling Wand and Conair YOU Textured Waves (similar to the Verge Bubble Wand). And plenty of brands make clipless wands like TIGI Bed Head but I draw the line when it comes to hair dryers. That is one place I will not skimp.
Are you a hair tool junkie like me? What are your fave hair gadgets? Have any hair tool horror stories to share?
ps I’m currently eyeing the Perfecter and the Beachwaver from Sarah Potempa. Have you tried them? Thoughts?
Disclosure: Product samples were provided by reps for T3 Micro, InStyler, One Styling and Ricky’s NYC. I purchased the Enzo Milano curler and Phillips Brush. Affiliate lines appear via Skimlinks and rewardStyle. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
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I think I need to get those clips when I’m in NYC next week!
You should! I love mine. I only have one so I need to order more online.
The bubble wand fun, I don’t have anything like that! You have tons of fun hair tools!
Thanks! They’re my guilty beauty pleasure. I’ve owned the Topsy Tail and numerous bun makers and I love my Turbie Twist towel. It’s clearly a problem, ha!
I on the other hand have the opposite kind of hair. Fine, slightly colour damaged but lots of it. It’s always tended to be flat. I use the InStyler an quite like it. I’ve always been a round brush and dryer girl too, to get and set volume in my hair. These days I tend to let my hair air dry and then if I wanna actually look nice (mum of 2 kids under 7) I’ll run the InStyler through it.
Good to hear that the InStyler works for other hair types. I’ve never tried making curls with it but I’ve seen videos and it looks really nice.
The In Styler looks cool!
I love it! I had misplaced for about six months and I felt lost. When I found it in a random drawer, it was like Christmas had come early.
I need that bubble wand and those brushes. And your hair! It looks awesome in each style.
Thanks Teri!
You have gorgeous hair. I love what the Bubble Wand does on your hair. My blog partner has that gorgeous hair so that’s why I featured her today. Great tools are so worth it, even if you have to take time to buy a collection.
I agree. When it comes to my hair, I’m never afraid to splurge. Just ask my overpriced stylist, ha!
Wow you’ve got curls down, sistah! Love your curls with the bubble wand and I’ve always wanted to try the InStyler but have been afraid.
Don’t be afraid. It’s super easy and won’t tangle hair.
I love my InStyler too! I love to use it on my ends.
It takes away all the work you’d need to do with a round brush to get the same effect. Brilliant!
You have seriously beautiful hair!!! Wow!!
That’s so sweet, thank you Kelly!
I own a mid-range hair dryer and I like it enough. I only bother to use it a few times a year though. I’m always tempted by new gadgets but it boils down to the same old problems- my hair hates pretty much all styling tools and heat alone is never enough to get it to hold a curl. Old fashioned pin curls are where it’s at for me. And I really like the look of those Ricky’s clips!
I use the Ricky’s clips almost every day. They’re genius.
Your hair looks so sleek and gorgeous!!! I’m freaking jealoussssssss! I totally did steam rollers too. I used to get up at 4am to put them in while I was in HS and then sleep on them until 6. OW. Girls are so lucky now with these gadgets they have lol
They really are! I think of all the damaging things I did to my hair because I didn’t know better and the technology wasn’t sufficient. Ugh!
Thank you so much for this! My hair is the longest it’s been in nearly 10 years (I’ve been growing out an A-line bob for a year) and I am SOOOoOOOOooo clueless when it comes to styling tools these days. I’ve been intrigued about the ‘bubbly’ wands but had NO clue what the final outcome would look like – and it’s EXACTLY what I’ve been trying to achieve! YAY! You’ve saved me a load of experimentation!
You’re so welcome! I’m glad it was helpful. My friend turned me on to the bubble wand. She uses it EVERY day.
I need those butterfly clips!
I use mine every day. It’s genius
I was a proud owner of the lock n rolls too! I would love to try the Enzo Milano tool as it’s impossible for me to get beachy waves.
It has made all the difference in how I style my hair. I saw a similar clipless iron on Ideeli today for $45 http://www.ideeli.com/invite/cincyfan, if you’re interested.
Pretty hair! I’m dying over the bubble wand looking like a sex toy, hahaha!
I was discussing it at dinner with friends one night and the guys totally tuned out our beauty talk until I started describing the bubble wand. Suddenly, they were intrigued.
I love my instyler and my chi! I go to sleep with wet hair and deal with it in the morning.
I wish I could do that. When I sleep with wet hair, it’s such a mess in the morning that no tool can tame it.
I am sooo thankful for you posting the bubble wand! i’ve been eyeing it, but did not know how it would work, or look like. LOVE! Totally my next hair tool purchase!
You’re so welcome! Glad my post was helpful.
I have to try that InStyler!
Definitely give a try. I use mine all the time.
That bubble wand looks like serious fun! I had the InStyler for a while and ended up giving it to a friend. It didn’t end up doing much for me. Also, I burnt myself with it constantly, lol. Thanks for the tips!
Sorry the InStyler didn’t work for you but the bubble wand is definitely worth checking out.
I want an instyler!!!! And that iron looks awesome!
My mom called me wanting one too. I need to play with it more for actual curling.
Those vent brushes look amazing!
They’re wonderful. I highly recommend the brand.
Has anyone ever told you you look like Maya Rudolph?! Gorgeous hair! Will you also be doing a favorite hair product post? I’d love to hear what you use!! Thanks so much for your blog!
Hi Natalie! It’s so funny you say that. In the past few years I’ve been told that a lot and while I don’t necessarily see it, I love Maya Rudolph and think she’s beautiful so I’m flattered to be compared to her.
I’ll definitely plan out a product post. I have a bevy of tried and true potions and some fun new discoveries to share.
Best I have ever used is the Karmin!
I personally love my Karmin