Remington Flat Iron Review

About three years ago my sister-in-law and I were shopping at Bed Bath & Beyond.  As is common for her she wanted to buy me something but I really didn't have any specific thing on my mind.  So we browsed the aisles.  Up and down the bath linens, the comforters, the housewares.  Then we got into a section with health and beauty products and I began looking at the flat irons.  I didn't really think I needed one because I have naturally board straight hair but I was hearing so much about them that I just wanted to check them out.  Linda had gotten the Chi flatiron for herself a few months earlier and she thought it was a good iron.  She decided to get me a flatiron because we had heard that it helps hair look even more shiney than it is.  We decided on the Remington TStudio Collection S-8400 because it was mid-range in price.  I think she paid about $59 for it.  I still have mine but Remington has now upgraded to a TStudio Collection S-9400 (pictured).  Both are very similar with just a few differences.  The S-8400 is pictured as the primary photo.

Unlike some flatirons, the S-8400 can only be used on dry hair.  My friend has one that can be used with wet or dry hair.  So, why would someone with straight hair want a straigtening iron?  Well, I can't stand to blowdry my hair.  It takes too long and I have always enjoyed the feel of the damp hair hanging down my back and drying on its own.  However, if I falls asleep with wet hair I wake up with a mess and the longer the messier.  The straightening iron allows my hair to lay flat, sleek and shimmery.  My hair has always been healthy but straightening it brings out the natural oils and gives it a higher sheen and I think it stands out.

The S-8400 has 2 1/4" inch Tourmaline-ceramic plates and boy do they get hot! This flatiron will heat up to maximum temperature in about 30-60 seconds.  I'm not sure what the temperature gauge is measured in but you can set it in increments of 10 all the way up to 200.  These Tourmaline-Ceramic plates are designed to lock in moisture and give your hair that added shine.  There is a small on/off button on the left side of the handle and sometimes you have to play with it to get it on.  The temperature buttons are on the front of the handle; which frustrate me because while straigtening my hair I have a tendency to hit the buttons and turn the heat down.  One major complaint I have with this specific flatiron is that the instructions say it has a hinge lock but it doesn't.  Once the plates have cooled I slide a hair elastic over the flatiron to hold it shut.

The S-8400 is very durable.  Though the plates are ceramic they can withstand some pressure.  I like that the plates are so wide because I can cover more hair at a time.

If you're looking for a good quality flatiron at a reasonable price I would recommend the Remington TStudio Collection.  The S-8400 is still being sold on Amazon for $25-40 and the S-9400 currently sells for approximately $50.  If I could choose I would go with the S-9400 because it has been enhanced with more features that seem more appealing to me.