VS Sassoon Steam Straight Brilliance

I was fortunate enough to be able to trial this straightener and let me just start off by saying that, as a regular GHD product user, I am now converted!

First impressions, opening the box, was that the VS Sassoon Steam Straight Brilliance is a very sleek looking straightener that I would happily leave out on my make-up area counter. The colours and pretty and the design is very appealing to the eye.

After thoroughly reading through the directions, I was a bit concerned it was going to take some time to set up but that proved wrong and set-up was nice and quick and easy. The water reservoir was easy to fill and, once you set the straightener on, it fills with water quickly. I've got mid-back length hair and didn't need to refill the straightener at all before my hair was done.

As someone with quite frizzy and curly hair, one of the things that impressed me most was that the straightener actually fulfilled it's promise that you only need one pass per section of hair. Even with my GHD straightener, sometimes a section will require multiple passes before it stays straight. The wide plates were great and it really only took about 10-15 minutes to get my hair looking very smooth and straight - love a good time saver!

The most impressive thing to me, in the end, was that (probably thanks to the steam) my ends, which can often get quite frizzy or look split at the end of straightening, looked smooth and healthy and I didn't feel the need to have to curl or smooth them with serums! The detangling comb was also a very helpful attachment for achieving that smooth look.

Overall, I'm extremely impressed with the product (and so thankful I got to be a part of this trial) and will definitely be using this as my primary straightener from now on. My hair stayed mostly frizz-free until my next hair-wash day, even surviving a windy day on a boat and the beach (which usually re-curls my hair). I cannot recommend this product enough for those who have generally unmanageable frizzy/curly hair.

First off, I am in LOVE with this straightener. This steam straightener is absolutely fantastic. I have very thick, slightly wavy hair which can be very stubborn when straightening. With the steam functionality of this straightener I have found that my hair instantly starts to straighten and I only have to run it over my hair one or two times for the desired result I'm looking for. The steam function is fantastic and so easy to refill. Just putting it kn the stand and pressing down, it fills up within seconds and is ready to go. I have also used this straightener without the steam function and it is absolutely amazing. It dry straightens amazingly and so quickly. I only need two or three passes for the required result. It doesn't pull my hair and none of my hair gets stuck around the plates like I have experienced with other straighteners I have used. I love that it comes with a glove for safety and also a water dropper to fill up the water attachment if you need. I find my hair stays straight for a lot longer after using this straightener than my past ones. It also seems to take longer for my hair to feel oily which has been a fantastic. My hair feels a lot softer than normal and it doesn't get frizzy at all untill the next time I straighten it or wash it. I can't find anything about this Steam Straightener that I don't like. It's design is lovely to hold and I haven't burnt myself at all. The sleek design and rose gold and black colour is gorgeous. The long power cord makes it super easy to use around my bedroom and I'm not confined to one small area. The stand it comes with where you fill it with water is amazing to have so you can put if down without the worry of it falling or moving. It's a great safety feature. It heats up to the desired temp sure quickly so there's hardly any wait time to start using and as I've stated, it straightnes my hair so fast that my morning and hair routine is much faster and as a mother that is absolutely fantastic. I loved the packaging it came in also, lovely pictures and heaps of helpful information about this straightener. The foam inside is a good touch, makes you feel confident that it has been well cared for with in transit to the shop or couriered to your door. Also if you are traveling you'll know it's safe.

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!

I'm grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the "Beauty Review trial of the year" for Vidal Sassoon Steam Straight Brilliance. The boxed packaging comes in black and gold, matching the straighteners and has visual/written instructions. Inside the box are the straighteners, base station for automatic water refill, universal heat protective glove, pipette for easy refill and instruction booklet. I have long, thick, naturally wavy hair and I trialled in multiple ways. Steam with detangling comb, steam without detangling comb, straightened with steam and detangling comb, and straightened without steam and without detangling comb. If I had to choose a favourite way to straighten would be steam without the detangling comb. I found the detangling comb uncomfortable and didn't like the how it felt pulling through my hair. The comb is easily removed by sliding away from the straighteners. When using the straighteners without the steam you just turn the straighteners on. There are three parts to the straighteners, the straighteners themselves, and a detachable water reservoir, and the base station, which is an easy way to fill the detachable water reservoir. You can refill the reservoir without having to use the base station by using the pipette. The base station is ONLY for refilling the detachable reservoir, it is not intended as a resting place for the straighteners. Use the base station by pushing the straighteners down onto station where water automatically fills the reservoir. Do this with the straighteners off, then remove, adjust the temperature and turn on the steam function. The buttons are all on the inside arm of the straighteners. There are five heat settings to suit your hair type between 140-220 degrees. When you switch on the straighteners the temp defaults to 140 degrees. At each different temp setting there are LED lights to indicate the chosen temp. There is an LED light to indicated when you are using the steam function. To use, I started at the back of my head and took a section of hair no wider than the plates. I love the width as I have a lot of hair and can cover larger sections faster. When using the steam function the straighteners make a clicking sound. This is normal and the sound is the pump pushing water internally. Once finished empty all water reservoirs, there is also a safety auto-shut off after 30min. Allow to cool before storing and there is a hinge lock for storage. Once straightened my hair looks and feels smooth, soft and hydrated. My hair stays looking sleek for 24hrs or more and that's with tying my hair back. I naturally run hot and end up with frizzy hair but not with these straighteners. That’s exactly what these straighteners promised and I am really thrilled with the product and finish. I love the Vidal Sassoon Steam Straight Brilliance straighteners. They are easy to use and my hair looks and feels very healthy. I bid goodbye to my 13yr old straighteners and will not be looking back.

The VS Steam Straight Brilliance Straightener looks sleek in black and rose gold. It has a solid, quality feel to it. It feels ever so slightly heavier than a regular straightener to hold, but is light enough to style thick, medium length hair without any arm fatigue. It sits nicely in the hand with an indicator where to place your thumb. It has a swivel cord for easily moving around the head.

The packaging includes clear instructions, a water dropper tool for refilling the straightener directly and a glove (made of stretchy fabric) which fit my medium sized hand well.

Water can be added from the base or directly into the straightener. I added it from the base, but either way is easy to do.

I selected the 180 degree setting with steam to suit my hair texture and thickness. The flashing light indicates it is heating up, turning solid when it reaches temperature. It heated up very quickly.

I was a bit nervous about using steam close to my skin, but it is a small, contained stream of steam and was totally fine. The straightener can also be used without steam, but after seeing the difference steam makes over regular straightening, I'm not sure why anyone would want to!

The straightener promises to straighten all hair types from thin and damaged to thick and coarse with the steam setting being a point of difference to lock in moisture to treat frizziness and straighten coarser hair types.

I usually have a lot of short fuzzy flyaway strands. After using this straightener with steam, you would never know. I have a patch of hair on my templete intent on sticking out normally, so I rotated the straighter slightly inward (as if to curl towards my face) to direct it in line with the rest of my hair. This worked well and the straighter did an amazing job of straightening and smoothing my hair. The results lasted several days until my next wash. There are a lot of straighteners available these days, this one is definitely different from any other I have used or have had used by a hairdresser.

I wanted to see what the steam alone would do for my hair, so I didn't use any product with it. The straightener made my hair feel really soft and shiny, with all my frizzies tamed. It's the first time my hair has felt in better condition after straightening.

Very excited to try these. So much so that I tried them on my daughters rogue hair first so I could see how good they really were from the back. It was nice being able to see the action unfold right in front of my eyes as if I usually straighten my hair its hard to do as well as see how well I have done at the back.

Being on one income, I have a cheap pair that has personally been seeing me through after the death of my good straighteners. If I ever wanted to do a good job I usually have to call in my mums.. but now I no longer have to. I have a good pair - and they are so pretty.

I think my favourite feature is the water reservoir stand that acts as a holder... this is hands down is one of my favourite features especially with kids around. I can set it on the stand in the bathroom or bedroom and know its not going to flop around, fall or move where my kids can touch it.

The heat is great its not burning hot and doesn't torch my hair to a crisp.. which might be because of the way it heats.. I feel like its steaming hair into place with a better heat - more like how a blow-out works, rather than baking the hair into place like my old straighteners.. I also don't get that burning hot smell and feel like the hair is too hot. So I think this is also why the look achieved is also more a glossy, soft, straight look than a clumpy, dry, straight look.. this achieves a very glossy mane.

Depending on the hair I left the comb attachment on or off.. so mine is wavy and fine and I left the comb on no issues. My daughters hair is curly, long and thick and I took the attachment off and used a normal comb as its quite thick to get through initially and then at the end I added it back on.

It also seems a lot less frizzy so I think the moisture might make it less static or something?? Somehow it holds the hair down much better - my current ones straighten but I have this halo of fly-aways that always need hairspray or a smoothing oil to weigh them down with this its very much smoother and glossier from the get go so I have had less fly away issues.

My fine hair also used a lower setting than my daughters thicker hair which is nice to have that control over... mine is still quite quick to straighten even at the lower setting which is nice to have that option so i'm not frying my hair as damaged enough from colouring etc.

Definitely a favourite new hair friend.

Thank you BR for the opportunity xx

I received this straightener in a nice black and rose gold box, the straightener itself is black with luxurious rose gold titanium plates and rose gold metal near the swivel cord base. It is heavier and wider than my last VS straightener. The wider base plates make it easier to treat larger widths of hair. It comes with a refillable clear base station which is easy to fill. There are five heat settings from 140 to 220. I used the 160 setting. I used it with the detangling comb attached, but it can be removed by sliding it off. After filling the base station with water, I placed the straightener into the slot and it filled its tank with water. A heat protective glove was provided, I would have liked a heat resistant pad included to place the straightener on. I divided my hair into sections, turned it on, selected the temperature and pressed the steam button. These buttons are all in a row just inside the handle, on/off, steam and temperature control button. Heated up very quickly and efficiently straightened my hair, took about 10 minutes. The heavier weight takes a bit of getting used to, but it was fine. My hair was glossier, not as frizzy as usual. Using steam is gentler on your hair as well. It can be used without steam also. Can be used to curl hair as well. My hair still felt smooth the next day. I would highly recommend this straightener if you want a high end reliable product.

I've used cheap straighteners that had no business existing. I have used GHDs. I have used more department brand straighteners that have been as good as GHDs... this offering from VS Sassoon blows them all away.

First of all... the packaging is super luxurious. Sturdy, attractive, in line with the straighteners, which are also sturdy (heavier than my usuals) and really luxe with black and rose gold touches. Inside the packaging is the heat glove (which is fine, but I did without it well enough), a dropper to fill the water station in the straightener if you didn't want to use the automatic filler, and instructions. The instructions are super comprehensive, which was great, as this technology needed them.

First of all - you have a standing water station. It has suckers on the bottom so that it's safe to use. You fill it with water then set the straighteners onto it to get the water into the straighteners. At first I was worried I'd done it wrong, but the moment I used the straighteners (at 180 degrees, with the steam button on) the clicking the instructions said would happen, happened and steam came whooshing out. I was on my way.

I can unequivocally say these are the fastest straighteners ever. I can get my wavy hair poker straight in five minutes. The plates are larger, which I found handy for speed, and they glide through the hair... once you take the comb off. Which I did after one go. I did not care for the comb as it tugged at my already brushed hair. Using the straighteners sans steam was also good, but not as good. The steam left my hair straighter, shinier, smoother, less split-ends looking, and 24 hours later it was still straight. I only needed to refill the straightener once per use. (I used the dropper once, but wouldn't bother with it unless I was travelling).

I can't recommend these highly enough. There's no way I'd ever go back to my old straighteners, and if anyone asked for a recommendation, these would be my go to.

I was intrigued with the concept of a steam straightener, straightening my hair for me is like going to the dentist - painful! It takes me so long and then a day later you've got to start all over again - so would this device take the pain away? I set out to find out.

The product is beautifully packaged with clear instructions. It has a water tank that the device rests on that mysteriously sucks the water up, but there is also a small pipette that comes with it that you can top up the water with if you take it travelling with you. The cord is really long which is good. They are quite heavy compared to my Cloud 9's and the plates are probably twice as wide.

To be fair I wasn't really a fan the first time I used it, I found it a bit clunky to use and a bit heavy, but then...I noticed that 2 days later my hair was still....straight! Even after being windswept and slept on. In hindsight there's nothing wrong with the device, it was just me getting used to using something different and getting the hang of it.

After using it for two weeks, I love it! My hair stays straight for far longer, and the wider plates mean that the process itself takes far less time - BIG tick from me.

Look it's not cheap, then again most great straighteners aren't but how often do you buy them versus the use you get? If I were you I'd be making this straightener your next hair care tool - you won't regret it.