I have very thick, long, curly hair. Most of the time I wear it up in a bun so styling really isn't much of a problem. But when I want to wear it down I like to wear it straight. Since I don't have the patience to use a brush and blow dryer to straighten it by hand I've tried several flatirons. The best I've tried is the Maxius Maxiglide Xpress. I first do my best to brush all of the tangles out of my hair (a major chore). Then I take a small section of hair, get the Maxius unit as close to the scalp as possible, and close the sides over the section of hair. Then I gently pull downward until I've done the entire length of hair - the Maxius has teeth through which the hair is drawn rather than just a flat surface, which helps get out any remaining tangles. It also uses steam to straighten the hair while I'm drawing it through the teeth (it has a small water reservoir that I fill before each use.) I do have to be careful not to use a burst of steam right at the scalp since it's pretty hot. Once I've finished with all the hair sections I'm done - and my hair is as silky and straight as can be. It is awkward to use on very long hair like mine and if you've got a friend who's willing to help things will go much easier and faster. On short hair, however, it's really easy (I let a friend of mine use it and with her shoulder-length hair things just zipped along.) It's easy to clean and so far appears durable. I haven't experienced any mechanical problems with the Maxius (although admittedly I only use it about once every six weeks or so). Effectiveness It makes my hair utterly straight and silky through the next shampoo. Durability It seems sturdy and I haven't had any problems with its function.

MeerkatLindsey

USA

I will never go back to anything else. I would not pay 120 for it but I payed 70-80ish for it originally, worth every penny, if only I could get my sister to get her hands off of it! I have been using this for around 5 years, still strong. we have 2 different styles in our home. Maxius I'm sure centers their flat irons toward curly hair, I am an african american woman and this is what I use first and foremost! Effectiveness Despite the fuzz and frizz I get (I don't fill mine with water) I am so happy with the straightness, I don't have to go over it multiple times all I have to do is hit once effectively and it gets the job done. Perfect for straight styles, can even take the place of a blow dryer. Great with wet or dry hair! Durability Holds up well over the years, one of mine has been dropped so many times yetr it still works just takes longer to heat up. But when I originally purchased, it took less than a minute to heat up to the full temp. Perfect!

Kiannab

USA

I have had this flat iron for over four years and it works just as it did when i first bought it. I love it. it comes the hair while straightening. i have never had any problems and warms fast. does not over heat or cause damage to hair.

vampdeviltry

Corpus Christi, TX

This is one of the best flat irons I've ever used.It's small enough to straighten edges yet sturdy enough for the rest of your hair as well.I especially like the steam feature.It softens the hair and makes it easier to straighten.I like that it comes with a plate with pins and a smooth one.The only difficulty I've ever had with it is the cord.It can tangle easily if you're not careful.Much more than other flat irons I've used.

honeybee1234

Springdale, UT

I love this straightner. It works better on my hair than anything else I have found. I love the teeth because it slows it down and detangles my hair, but if you have really curly hair, it may not work as well. The teeth my pull at your hair. Take it slow. Once your hair is straight, it stays straight until you shampoo the next time.

RebeccaSetters

USA

I was able to get a really good price on this.  It works fast and it works well which is exactly what I need at 5:00 in the morning.  I don't have time to worry about how my hair will turn out.  This iron is one that I've been able to rely on.  After 2 years, it still works great.

sheilababe

Canyon Country, CA

I have very course, textured, natural African American hair which is usually worn curly.  I bought the Maxiglide last year and I have been very pleased with it.  Nothing gets my hair quite as straight.  I do have to use really small sections of hair in order to avoid having poofy hair, but when I take my time the result is full and beautiful. I don't use the steam burst option as often.  It doesn't seem to make a huge difference with my hair.  But the flat iron plates with the teeth are a must.  You don't need to clamp down super hard, just glide the iron through your already detanged hair and the result is shiny, straight strands. Now for the cons.  The temp goes up to 10 and I usually iron at around 4 or 5.  But I have no idea what 4 or 5 really mean.  In the natural hair community, people are very mindful of temperatures because if you use too high of heat, it could straighten your curls permanently.  It would be nice if the temps were mentioned in the manual or something. Otherwise, I love this iron.  Highly recommend it.

SelahOco

Milwaukee, WI

I watched Maximus on Shopathometv.com while he was demonstraiting the iron.  I have had it for over a year now and I am very happy.  Two other people have since bought it after using it only once.  There are these combs in the ceramic plates that individually straightens each hair.  Then with the steam burst system, this makes your hair very shiny.  I have tried it on my girlfriends daughter's hair who is mixed (white and black) Her hair is very kinky curly and very thick.  It took me about a half an hour to make her hair look super straight and manageable.  She said that this was the nicest her hair has looked ever.  After using all those kinds of relaxers, this did not damage her hair nor sting her scalp.  Was worth every penny.  My hair is very fine and wavy.  This does make my hair look full and very beautiful.

only1kimmied

Cleveland, OH

The Maxi Glide saved my hair!  My hair is naturally very thich and curly.  For years I have strugled with frizz, tangles, and dull locks. I have used a at least 10 different flat irons in the past. I almost gave up trying to get straight hair all together!  Sure the other one's worked, but my hair looked dull and damaged. One day I was watching a shopping chanell and they had a product called the maxi glide.  I watched the demo and thought "This has to be a set up, her hair couldnt have gotten that straight!"  As I watched I began thinking. I thought about the fact it was live TV and it MUST be doing what he says. I ordered it! When I got it home I couldn't wait to try it. I filled the chamber with water for my "steam burst", and plugged it in.  I used the middle heat setting, and in less than 2 minutes it was heated up and ready to go! The steam moisturized my ends and the little detangling pins glided through my hair.  Right there before my eyes, I saw my curls un kink.  My hair was silky, straight, shiny and FRIZZ FREE! Wow. It was amazing. It only took one pass over each section and in 20 minutes I was done. It looked great! I had honestly never seen my hair that straight and shiny.  Not even with a blow dryer and brush. If you are thinking about getting this product... The Maxi Glide WILL NOT let you down. The only thing it will let down, are your curls!

LissaLights

Barberton, OH

If you are very new to using flat irons (as I was when I tried the MaxiGlide), then the MaxiGlide is not for you. I would recommend starting off with a smaller flat iron to get the hang of the proper technique for using a flat iron, then graduating to a MaxiGlide. When I first saw the commercial, I was really excited and ordered right away. I was really drawn in by the testimonials. Upon receiving the MaxiGlide, I first realized that it is very large in comparison to other flat irons. I would have to say that "bulky" is a better word. It takes a lot of maneuvering to use it correctly. The MaxiGlide comes with two plates - a smoothe one and one that has "teeth". I didn't like the plates with the "teeth" because it seemed to always get my hair tangled up in it. As far as getting the hair straight, it does an excellent job of that and the steam burst feature really gets the hair shiny and keeps your hair from reverting back to frizzy so quickly. I was really able to get close to my scalp with the MaxiGlide which meant that my roots were very straight. Overall, I gave the MaxiGlide an "average" because although it receives a lot of publicity and hype, I didn't find it to be that much better than a regular flat iron. It gives good results, but because it is so large, it just takes much more effort to use it.

vrobnson

Acworth, GA