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That is the question. It's been a long time comin' since I've wanted to try out a Chi flat iron. After seeing a few videos about it on YouTube, it was time to get one. I bought the cheapest, plainest but most reviewed Chi on BeautyChoice.com and it's model number is CHI-GF1001 for $78.95. But by using the code "lauren555" (expires after the 31st of Oct), you get $10 off any order over $50. Shipping is free for purchases over $50 so I thought that was a good deal. The grand total was about $75.By the way, I have wavy, frizzy, dry, color-treated hair.
CHI PROS
- Small, sleek, lightweight (1" wide plates)
- Power switch on the inside of handle to avoid accidental shut off
- Ceramic plates and coils
- About a 9' long swivel cord
- Super fast heat up
- Straightens, flips, curls
- Adds SHINE; makes my hair more silky and smoother than my old flat iron
- Easy to clean
- Cools down quicker than my old flat iron
CHI CONS
- No case/pouch
- 9' long cord can get in the way if you don't need it
- Cheap quality plastic; it's like a matte plastic that scratches easily
- Cord quality is flimsy; not like a regular, normal, stiffer cord
- May pinch your palm/hand at the back end of the iron (that really hurt too!)
- Unstable base; tips over easily (the most annoying thing to me)
- Can only do small strands at a time; slow-going
- I have to go over my hair about 3 times
- No adjustable heating
What I'm comparing the Chi to is my old flat iron. A couple years ago I was up really, really late and was engrossed in an infomercial that featured the Maxiglide. I know, it sounds like a feminine product, right? Haha. This retails for around $80.
Picture A.1
Picture A.2
Picture A.3
Picture A.4
Picture A.5
MAXIGLIDE PROS
- Comes with a zippered case and DVD
- Comes with 2 different removable (picture A.1) plates: 1. detangling pins; 2. smooth/flat
- Adjustable heating
- Steam feature (picture A.5) adds moisture and helps "tame" frizzies (use only distilled water to prevent calcium/lime build up)
- Large 2" wide detangling plate holds more hair at one time; quicker straightening
- Non-slip rubber strip (picture A.4) at the base (the best freaking thing!)
- Two passes through my hair is good enough compared with 3 passes with the Chi (I think the detangling pins help with that)
- Straightens, flips, softens (I tried curling with the smooth plate but couldn't get it to work)
MAXIGLIDE CONS
- Heavy, big and bulky
- Plates are ceramic COATED (picture A.2); that was not specified in the infomercial; I thought they were true ceramic plates
- Detangling plate will get dirty like a hairbrush over time (picture A.3); hard to clean
- Slow heat-up; takes at least 2 minutes
- Takes forever to cool down
- Straightens and softens but does NOT add shine; Chi smooths and shines better
- No swivel cord
FINAL GRADES
CHI: 4 out of 5 stars
MAXIGLIDE: 3 out of 5 stars
MAXIGLIDE: 3 out of 5 stars
FINAL THOUGHTS
I wish I could take the pros of each and magically make my own flat iron. But back to reality. I would definitely recommend the Chi GF1001 for straight, smooth, shiny hair at an affordable price. The number one thing I hate the most about it is that it's very unstable and it tips over easily. I have to take an extra 2-3 seconds making sure that thing won't fall over each time I put it down. But overall, I like it very much.
As for the Maxiglide, I definitely would NOT recommend it. Since trying out something better, I know this isn't worth buying because although it straightens hair, it does not make it shiny and silky.
What's your favorite flat iron? Please share your recommendations. Maybe I should of spent a little extra money and tried out a T3 or a Kyoseki. But I'm still happy! =)
Oh yeah, I was up another night watching yet another infomercial (LOL) and saw another very interesting "flat" iron called the InStyler. You guys have to check out the link and see this crazy looking thing but it probably works really well! =P
