So good I bought three! I absolutely love this curling iron. I've been using the 1" for about four months, just added the 1 1/4", and gave one to my niece (who also loves it). The irons heat in an instant, have a very long cord that swivels, and grip the hair very well. I have shoulder length hair that's basically straight. The 1 1/4" iron makes large, loose "curls" that blend together and look like a lot of body, not like defined curls. They 1" makes more defined curls that start as large ringlets that I finger-comb into looser curls. I started with the 1" because I was concerned the larger iron would be too big for my hair length and the curls would fall out since my hair usually doesn't hold a curl. But with Frederic Fekkai styling products and this curling iron, my hair holds the curl all day. This iron is very efficient (cutting down on styling time) because the grip is so good and it gets hot enough that every use is effective. So no do-overs. A word of CAUTION: this iron has the potential to get DANGEROUSLY HOT. The heat settings go up to 10. I keep it at 3 1/2 (medium), which is very hot. When I gave this iron to my 16-year-old niece, I advised her to start at 3 and increase the heat if necessary.
I expected more I originally purchased this product in 2014. I had decided to upgrade and pay a bit more money. I wanted something better than the Conair I had for 2 years that had finally stopped working. I looked around and the staff at Ulta recommended Hot Tools. I loved how it curled, how quicky it heated up, and how easy it was to use. I was happy I spent the extra money. Then after three months of use it just suddenly stopped working. It would heat up all. I had thrown out the receipt. I went back to Ulta they were able to give me partial credit for a new one. I thought ok, it's just a fluke. So I bought the same 2" barrel hot tool curling iron. Again, I loved it! This time I kept the box (just in case). Now, here we are almost one year later but, not quite one year yet, the clamp stops working. Not even 1 year!! Of course, I had moved from MI to SC then from an Apt into a house... I no longer have the box or the receipt. So I'm out of luck. I had my conair curling iron for 2 years and paid half the price. This one I had to replace twice within a year and a half. I'm disappointed in the product. I've attached a picture of the problem. (The ring should stay in the center so it rolls. I would fix it occasionally but, occasionally turned into every other curl.)
Not as good as the ceramic version 2
2023-06-03
I replaced my old ceramic plated Hot Tools curling iron with the 24k version & it doesn't work nearly as well. It also smells like burning plastic, which I didn't experience with the ceramic version.
Won't hold 1
2023-05-19
My hair isn't even naturally straight yet it won't hold a curl with this iron. My $20 conair curling iron works better than this. Waste of money.
wanted to love this so bad :( 3
2023-04-28
i wanted to love this curling iron so bad, but unfortunately my hair just would not hold a curl with it :( i tried changing the heat setting and different thermal or prep sprays but nothing helped. by the time id be finishing my head the curls i started with fell :( the curls that did stay were beautiful though, so id purchase with caution and just keep the receipt :)
My new go to curler! 5
2023-04-23
Lately I've really been into the 90s blowout/bombshell look! The 1 1/2 size really helps me achieve that look!
The OG of curling irons 5
2023-04-18
If your looking for curls, and don't want to have to maneuver your arm a certain way, or watch tutorials on how to curl your hair with other tools, while burning your hair practicing you should go with HotTools. I've used this line for years, and am very happy with it!