travel curling iron or rollers?

May 18, 2008 8:13 AM

Traveling to France for a few weeks this summer. At home, I normally blow-dry my hair and set it in hot rollers, but I don't want to lug my full-sized stuff. Anyone have a suggestion for a really good large-barreled curling iron, or a compact set of hot rollers, as well as a small hair dryer? I've seen a few online, but if you have a rec for one you think is good, I'd like to hear it.
posted by Ollie to clothing, beauty, & fashion (11 comments total)

Buy something in France, and then you won't have to deal with the difference in electrical currents. My old curling iron burned up in Vienna even though I was using a great converter. After that, I tried using a travel curling iron but I didn't like it.

I'll look and see if I can find one online you can buy and have delivered to your hotel for your arrival. Be back in a few.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:14 AM on May 18, 2008

I would say, if I were traveling to France for a few weeks, I would either get a loose perm and/or a wash-and-go cut. Why primp when you can be out there in the world?
posted by DenOfSizer at 9:41 AM on May 18, 2008

Okay, so here's my advice: first off, as I was saying in my previous comment, you need to think about voltage (converters are around $20) and the difference in plug (adapters are about $3), but it looks like you can buy a dual voltage curling iron in the U.S. that hopefully won't fry like mine have.

Here's Rick Steves' advice (he wrote it so I don't have to. Thanks, Rick!)

First you'll need to consider the voltage. American appliances run on 110 volts, while European appliances are 220 volts. (These numbers can vary slightly — for example, 120 instead of 110 volts in the US.) These days, some travel accessories are "dual-voltage," which means they work on both American and European current. If you see a range of voltages printed on the item or its plug (such as "110–220"), you're OK in Europe. Some older appliances have a voltage switch marked 110 (US) and 220 (Europe) — switch it to 220 as you pack. A few old, cheap American appliances aren't equipped to deal with the voltage difference at all, and could be damaged or destroyed if plugged directly into a European wall outlet. In these cases, you'll need to buy a separate, bulky converter (about $20) — which can be more expensive than simply buying a new dual-voltage appliance. With so many dual-voltage gadgets available, I haven't traveled with a separate converter in years. Still not sure? Ask the salesperson about voltage when you buy the appliance. Travel stores also offer useful advice on plugs and adapters (such as the "Electrical Connection Wizard" at www.magellans.com).

Once you've dealt with the voltage, you'll have to consider the plug. A small adapter allows American-style plugs (two flat prongs) to fit into British or Irish outlets (which take three rectangular prongs) or continental European outlets (which take two small, round prongs). I bring both continental and British adapters (handy for long layovers in Heathrow Airport). Secure your adapter to your appliance's plug with electrical or duct tape; otherwise it might stay in the outlet (and get left behind) when you pull out the plug. Many sockets in Europe are recessed into the wall; your adapter should be small enough so that the prongs seat properly in the socket. Many budget hotel rooms have only one electrical outlet, occupied by the lamp. Hardware stores in Europe sell cheap three-way plug adapters that let you keep the lamp on and your camera battery and MP3 player charged.

Personally, I've never packed a hair dryer and generally hotels or other travelers have happily loaned them to me. The few times one wasn't readily available, I found that waiting 15 minutes for my hair to dry was far less annoying than carrying a bulkier suitcase.

I looked at the French curling irons and I didn't like any that I saw. This is the travel iron I had, and actually it wasn't all that bad now that I think about it. I just didn't worry about my hair when I was traveling as much as I'd expected so I felt it was a waste that I bought it, I think.
posted by miss lynnster at 9:42 AM on May 18, 2008

It's a really good idea to buy them when you get to France, they aren't hugely expensive at any large hypermarket and you can give them away just before leaving (assuming you don't plan on returning for a long while).

Also, instead of buying a dryer and rollers you could try a hair styling brush set like this to cut down on cost and bulk (if storage will be a problem).
posted by ceri richard at 11:04 AM on May 18, 2008

Tell your hairstylist that you need a more Wash-N-Go style for a few weeks. Headbands, ponytail holders, barrettes may all be in order. Don't waste your vacation fiddling with your hair. Anyway, a few weeks without heat styling will do your hair a world of good.

If you won't skip out on the styling tools, buy them in France. Hairdryers draw a fair amount of power and the adapters aren't always up to the challenge. (This as a girl who blew out the power at her host's home in Scotland. I was using what had been a very reliable adapter.)
posted by 26.2 at 1:58 PM on May 18, 2008

Aw, just leave the irons and whatnot back in the States. Speaking from personal experience, those multi-current things are a waste of money. They never work quite the way you think they should (never quite as hot or quick as the ones designed for the local voltage) and rarely last longer than a month. Go to your nearest Monoprix and pick up something if you absolutely must have a curling iron, or go with the volumizing brush and hair dryer route.

Aside from the time contstraints of only a few weeks there, you don't say where in France you are going or for what purpose. If you're going for work, you will want to spend the cash on some sort of hair dryer if your hotel/flat doesn't have one for you. If not, I'm not sure why you'd go to the trouble?

Other bit of advice from personal experience - you also might find that hairstyles are different in Europe, overall, to the US. The emphasis is on shiny sleekness, not on volume. The only exception to this is someone whose hair is naturally very curly, but even then, if they're going to a big event or for an important meeting, they straighten their hair. Think very straight, very shiny, very sleek, very breezy. You might find yourself wanting to get a cut and style when you're here, particularly if you're here for work in an image conscious job and want/need to look chic in a European sense. If you get a cut & style in France, or anyplace in Europe I've been in the last 3 yrs, you are really not going to want or need that expensive, bulky large barrel haircurler you brought over from the States. You will, however, want the space in your bag for things to bring home!
posted by Grrlscout at 2:04 PM on May 18, 2008

I use these rollers everyday at home. They are in a small bag and would fit very easy for travel. They work wonderfully. I have had these rollers for about 3 years. Also a great curling iron that is affordable and great.
posted by Snoogylips at 2:23 PM on May 18, 2008

If you're staying in hotels, it is very likely that there will be a blowdryer provided, unless you're staying in hotels or similar one-star establishments.
posted by desuetude at 5:20 PM on May 18, 2008

Everyone has their appliance conversion horror stories. If you want to bring a curling iron, I suggest a cordless one. It is powered by a little butane cartridge. I used to have one and it worked great (I didn't travel with it, but cordless factor was nice at home too).
posted by radioamy at 9:04 PM on May 18, 2008

Nthing the suggestions to buy your curling iron when you get to France. I bought an awesome, tiny hair dryer while on vacation in Germany about 8 years ago (it was less than the equivalent of $10). Since then, I've used it on multiple trips to Europe and have lent it to many family members to use on their own trips. Way, way easier than relying on a voltage or plug adapter.
posted by Jemstar at 6:30 PM on May 19, 2008

Maybe this is too old-school, but have you thought about foam curlers? When I used to have long, straight hair I used them at night while I slept. Really nice results.
posted by CruiseSavvy at 12:55 PM on May 23, 2008