Oh boy was I excited when I got invited to this trial. Thanks so much BR for the opportunity! I eagerly checked the doorstep each day and when I saw a box sitting there I ripped into it like a kid at Christmas. It comes in a sturdy box which has heaps of information on it. Inside is the straightener, instruction manual, a little turkey baster looking gadget and a heat resistant glove.
A little bit about my hair, it is very long and I would say semi thick. I have been dying it for over 20 years so it is a bit dry and is definitely frizzy. I also have a natural wave, I usually use Ghd's which do a pretty good job but they are about 5 years old now so I feel are getting less effective.
I actually never read the instructions for anything but I had to for this as I didn't know what I was doing. First off there is a separate water reservoir which you fill up, it suctions onto the surface so it doesn't move. Then you align the straightener onto it and it fills the bottom with water and it is ready to use the steam function, when the water runs out you simply place the straightener back on and it refills it.
You can also fill up the straightener directly using the little turkey baster, there is a small reservoir on the bottom. I have used it this way which is good but you have to fill it a few times if you have long hair as it runs out fast so it is probably easier filling up the freestanding reservoir and less fiddly.
The buttons are on the inside so you need to turn it on then press the steam button and select the temperature, I use it on 180° then it is ready to go when the light stops flashing. It heats up super fast....I'd say 10 seconds which is awesome. There is one glove to protect against heat. I kinda feel like Michael Jackson wearing this and I actually broke out into a song the first time I put it on lol good times.
It is much bigger than my Ghd's so it took me a little bit to get used to plus the glove was making it slippery so I ended up putting it on the other hand. I probably won't bother with the glove much. The first time I used it I wanted to really give it a hard test....my hair had been in a braid the day before so when I brushed it I turned it into a frizzy, curly mess. I thought no way it would make it straight.
I sectioned my hair and started at the front and omg it made it poker straight! I could not believe my eyes! Not only was it straight but super shiny. Pretty impressive indeed! Continued below.....
I knew I was in for an experience when I opened the box. Beautifully packaged. I was slightly intimidated with 'what bit went where' initially but a quick read of the instructions and it was super easy. Very clever that it automatically fills and refills itself from the water reservoir when needed. Loved the one touch button for steam, or not if you didn't want steam, and that you could increase the temperature of the straightener. Very useful during humid months then a bit more heat to straighten is required and my hair is thick. Also great though as a quick 'touch up' on a lower heat to help protect your hair. The plates are a good width which makes doing your hair faster and overall they are not too heavy. On my last trip to the hairdresser I had asked him how he gets my hair so sleek because with my GHD's I just can't get it like that and his secret was to straighten my hair went it was almost, but not quite dry. And that's exactly what this product does. By adding the steam it gives a fast, lasting straighten that keeps your hair feeling hydrated, then, and over the following days which is when I find the ends of straightened hair go dry. I am genuinely blown away. Usually I would only use straighteners twice a month to preserve my hair from drying out, over the last 2 weeks I have used Steam Straight Brilliance 3 times and my hair feels fantastic. Not only is it quick to do but its lasts days without needed a straightener 'top up'. I just love it. Salon hair at home and so, so easy. In fact, not just a home but it can go anywhere with you. My new look for summer is straight!
Tips: The first time I used it I used the reservoir unit and let the straighteners fill themselves. Because its so quick to do, the following few times I have filled the reservoir on the straighteners directly and just switched them on. So easy and quick!