I was recently the recipient of an InStyler. I had never seen it before, and didn’t really know what it was. I know, I must live under a rock. I guessed right away that it was some type of hair groomer, and it intrigued me. This hairstyling tool is similar to a flat iron, but the heat element is a rotating barrel rather than a flat plate. Opposite the barrel is a brush which guides the hair along the barrel. I took one look at that barrel and thought, this will wreak havoc beyond words on my tangly hair. I have to use a special wide-toothed detangler comb just to get the knots out of my hair. One wisp of wind and it’s all tangles again. Alright, open mind, open mind…..
I read the information that came with the InStyler and decided to start using the lowest heat setting. My hair was totally dry. The aim was what it always is: straighten the daggone wavy mess. I carefully combed a section of hair with the wide-toothed detangler, then gingerly ran the rotating tool down that lock. It didn’t pull, snag or tangle the hair. I was pretty shocked. I put the tool down (on a fireproof surface, of course) and examined the results. Pin straight. I mean, pin freakin’ straight! I ran the InStyler through the rest of my hair, with a similar result. I didn’t even bother to meticulously pre-comb each piece after awhile. For the first time in months, I wore my hair down, not tied up in a ponytail. I also liked that , because the barrel was round, I didn’t get the “ridge” that a flat iron sometimes leaves where the edge of the plate meets the hair.
The InStyler works great to straighten hair, and flatten out frizzies. Can it curl hair too? Of this, I am more skeptical. I tried to make the ends of my hair curve under(or “flip in” as they call it), and it worked only slightly. On someone with already very straight hair, I have to wonder if this would work at all. I also tried to use the InStyler to create “lift” or body on the top of my hair, with limited results. It might have added a tad of extra lift, but not a really a huge effect. Maybe I will have better luck with a little more practice, I can’t say for certain.
Two warnings about this hair tool: 1) It gets HOT, even on the low setting. Don’t let it touch the skin. 2)Be careful not to lay it down on a flammable surface, or leave it anywhere around children.
Although the info that comes with the iron says you can use it on damp hair, some hairdressers caution against this. I don’t think I would try this.
As a person who has waged a battle with unruly, wavy hair for a lifetime, I like the InStyler. After using it a few weeks, it takes me only five to ten minutes to straighten my hair. It’s easy, and it gives me options. I think it’s a keeper.
