Hair straighteners - recommendations please!

[nothing2lose]

My DD (turning 11) wants a hair straightener for Christmas. As I am beauty-challenged and have no idea about such things, can anyone recommend me a good one? Not too expensive as she is getting lots of other stuff!

Extra safety features and ease of use a bonus.

Thanks!!

[westy]

I have a GHD and love it

[Jaycee]

I was going to suggest a GHD but they are very expensive.

Remmington have a good name and not too pricey

[Lenny]

The GHD ones are exxy. I only got my own one when i was about 35 - i had to save up LOL.
They get uber hot too. Not great when you are 11. I burned my head once. It hurt like...well, you know.


Is she likely to use it much. I think a cheaper version would be fine. I like the look of those spinny ones on TV - then you can do other styles too. (Please note - this advice comes from someone who is also very beauty-challenged!)

[Peace]

I love my ghd but agree they are too expensive for a youngin. Used to have a Remington that was great too so I would recommend one of those

[PumpkinZulu]

That spinny one on TV (InStyler I believe) is $120! I was considering it until I saw the price. Apparently it's not worth it.

Remington are probably the best bet. A GHD is wet expensive and too hot. What hair type is your DD? Straightening does end up ruining your hair, especially thin hair. Remington have a good range and prices are good too. I have an old VS Sasoon that has lasted me pretty well that was only about $50. You can also get hot pink Remingtons...in fact, I'm pretty sure I saw a hot pink straightener and blow drier pack at BigW.

[nothing2lose]

She won't use it much. It is more like a plaything at this stage. Her BFFs have one and they get dressed up and straighten each other's hair. She has lovely long, thick, but fine, hair with a lovely curl to it. The idea of one of the twisty ones gives me heart palpitations as I forsee a knotted, twisted mess (memories of my own childhood and mum's curling brush).

How much for say a Remington????

[PumpkinZulu]

I think maybe $40?

[nothing2lose]

Thanks. I will check out the Remington.

[little_O]

I had (still hope to have once it recovers from pregnancy lol) thick hair with a curl. I found as a kid the cheap ones did nothing but frizz my hair more.
I have ghd...way to expensive but I plan on getting cloud9 ones next. Australian made and are WAY better.

For my first ones I went into price attack and spoke to the girls there and the recommended a good pair for my hair type. Might be worth a shot. Just don't want to damage your dd's hair . Remington sound like a good deal though too

[Mummy&Daddy2Be]

I found as a kid the cheap ones did nothing but frizz my hair more

this!!!!! i started straightening my hair around 10-12, every bday or xmas mum would buy me the crappiest straighteners like remingtons, big w brands, kmart brands and they all made my hair worse, frazzled it, made it dry and way more frizzy.

i finally bought myself a fabulous straightener after all these years . it's called a Cloud 9 - made by GHD but much better, has special plates that coat your hair with shine, and has temperature adjustment, where as the GHDs don't. buuut it did cost me $350 last year :/ - so yep very pricey! but it was totally worth every penny! - the amount of straighteners mum bought me, would of equaled that anyway.

good luck!

[Teeki]

I think going to a store where they can help you is a great idea. They can point out ones that have a lower maximum temperature.

My current one is a VS Sassoon Goddess straightener, and it's easily the best I've had. But, before this I had cheaper Remingtons and they did the job. I think for your DD this is all she'd need.

The other thing I'd advise is for her to chat to a hairdresser about looking after heat treated hair, and making sure she has the right products so that it won't end up fried if she straightens it every day.

[Amy_jellybean]

Another GHD fan here as well. I've had heaps of straighteners over the years and these ones are by far the best. I bought them 4 years ago and they are still going as strong as the day I got them. I agree that the cheapies will do nothing but damage her hair.

[lady_neon]

I have a VS Sassoon, was a little under a $100 from memory. It's reasonable enough, GHD are much better but I dont straighten my hair enough or care enough to justify spending that much money on one.

[mrscricket]

I have a Remington. I quite like it. You can set it at a fairly low heat. I have fine straight hair so I don't need to do much, I just run the irons over it in case I've done a dodgy blowdrying job. I really want GHD too (hint, hint Santa ), but I think Remington would be great for a teen. Absolutely make sure you get a heat protector for her. I use the Redken Satinwear blowdry lotion which is around $20-$30 depending on where you buy it but it is well worth it. It's a cream that you put through which I find easier than the sprays, in terms of getting the amount right.

[Ginger]

GHDs are fantastic. it may be too hot for her to handle confidently though? they really do the best job though and last the distance.
maybe a second hand one?

[Tinks]

According to Choice, Diva hair straighteners came second to GHD and are only $70ish. You can get them at the Shaver Shop. But if she's 11 and just wants to play around you can get kits from Myer etc which have a straightener, curling iron and crimper attachments. My DD had one and LOVED it, used it all the time.

[bellany]

I'm another cloud 9 lover. They have adjustable temp control too.
I did have a Remington cheap one and it did frizz and damage my hair but I was happy enough with it cos I didn't know any better lol