Okay...you all know that I am obsessed with new and exciting ways to keep my hair flat yet in good condition (I know an oxymoron...as we all know heat + hair = death to hair) Well I am pretty confident that I have found one that will give you the equation of heat + steam + hair = FABULOUS!
I was poking around various hair forums and had heard a whole lot about the Maxi Glide Flat Iron...every "long hair care forum" said that this iron was the BEST one they had ever used. Then I saw it on HSN complete with demonstrations taking FRIZZED OUT hair to smooth and shiny in seconds. That was IT I had to try it. Guess what.... it sold out in minutes - I was BESIDE myself!! Then I googled it and found it over at StyleBell...yaaay! I had it in my hot little hands in 2 days.
Now on to the good stuff...how did it work. The main complaint on all the forums about this iron was that the ceramic pins that are meant to detangle your hair actually pulled it out - yikes! The reason I went ahead and got it is that the newer version has interchangeable plates. There is one with the detangling ceramic pin plate but it also comes with a smooth plate too. The plate with the pins works quite well is you are using small sections of hair and working slowly but if you have no patience or tend to work quickly with your hair, don't do it! Use the smooth plate instead. The iron has a temperature control and the best feature of all STEAM!!!!!! When I tell you that my hair was SHINY and smooth...that is an understatement. I was in AWE I was staring at myself so hard! I would suggest watching the enclosed DVD for tips and just play around with it.
Now one thing...the iron is bigger than what you are probably used to BUT once you get the hang of it you will love it. It has grooves on the outside so you can flip and curl your hair as well. The steam feature should only be used near the ends of your hair - we don't want any burned scalps now!
At the moment they are sold out on HSN but you can scoot on over to Stylebell and they have several packages to choose from. You can even get the same sold out HSN package that has both the Maxi and Mini glide irons for under $130 (not bad right??)
Style Pretty!!
I've heard a lot about this flat iron- thanks for providing your personal insight, also can this be used on wet hair?
Posted by: Wes | May 14, 2008 at 10:20 AM
Hi Wes..
Virtually any flat iron will work on wet hair because water evaporates at 100 degrees BUT I wouldn't suggest it. If you are looking for an iron that will work on damp hair I suggest getting one of the newer wet to dry irons (hair still can't be soaking wet...just damp). The irons have built in channels with vents to let water evaporate as you straighten.
Posted by: Lianne | May 14, 2008 at 01:08 PM
Love my maxiglide. The key to using the pins is to first detangle your hair of course. And second, per instructions it to let it glide over your hair, do NOT press the pin plate together like you would a traditional flat iron. I told them that at LHCF, but I know how cumbersome it can be to make sure your gliding not actually pressing. I don't lose any hair (except for a shed hair or two) when I use the maxiglide and I have super curly/kinky hair.
Posted by: Jen | May 16, 2008 at 01:14 PM
Jen!!!
Thanks for the tip!! I am going straight home and trying it your way with the pin plate.
Posted by: Lianne | May 16, 2008 at 02:11 PM
The Maxiglide was my first flat iron and I thought it was truly the best thing out there. For a while at least...The plate with the metal pins really does do a great job straightening, but after a while your hair does start to fall out. And the steam function that *seems* so hydrating and sleekifying really only dried out my hair further! The "ceramic" coating on the plates also started flaking off really bad after about a year, and I was left straightening my hair on they grey metal surface underneath. Healthy for my hair, I'm sure. And have you noticed that the maxiglide is really reallllly heavy? Yeah, I got tired of lifting weights every morning, so for that and other reasons I got a 1.25 inch Solia and I've never looked back! :)
Posted by: Morgan | May 16, 2008 at 02:13 PM
Morgan - we will see how long mine lasts...as I said in my review I have been using the flat plate so I haven't had any breakage or falling out granted I have only had mine for a week so we will see how it goes.
Posted by: Lianne | May 16, 2008 at 03:39 PM
Ooooh wow this sounds amazing! Thanks for the post!
Posted by: juicybeauty | May 21, 2008 at 01:01 AM
And I am definitely linking back to this on my blog :)
Posted by: juicybeauty | May 21, 2008 at 01:02 AM
If you are serious about having straight hair, I highly recommend thermal reconditioning. I have been getting my hair thermaled for 5 years and I love waking up with healthy, shiney straight hair everyday without having to do anything. I go to this great place in San Francisco, but can't recommend for any other locations. Be careful choosing who does your thermal, as there is a big difference in skill set out there. Email me if you want more info. I love my thermal so much i would never go back. Just a thought.
Posted by: Brooke | Jun 09, 2008 at 01:31 AM