Adapter Plug

If the items are dual voltage as you indicate then you only need the plug adapter. The curling iron should say something more than dual voltage on the plug.

I am in Europe right now and finally resorted to buying a hair dryer/brush like the kind I use at home as I was tired of all the electrical stuff. I bought it in Barcelona and it worked great, as well as in France...then on to Italy where it would not fit any of the plugs in my hotel in Santa Margarita, and of course I did not have an adaptor that went from European to European:)) I asked an Italian about it and he said he often has stuff that just does not fit the plugs, so ask the hotel. I am now in Florence and it fits one of the plugs in my hotel here. There seems to be no easy answer:)) Thankfully my iphone and computer simply need an adaptor. Good luck.

If it is the original iPhone charger, it is dual voltage. You will find that dual voltage curling irons will not work the same as they do in the US.

I don't have my curling iron on hand so I just looked on the product's website the information it had on there. Will the power: 105w on my straightener be an issue. I'm reading on other websites that it may burn/melt without a converter. And the iphone charger I'm using is for the Iphone 5.

They burn or melt when you do not have a VOLTAGE converter for US appliances that are ONLY 120V input. IF dual voltage, you are fine with an adapter. HOWEVER, check the line input tag on your curling iron just in case there was a model change. It has to have an input label - required by US law. Voltage is critical, wattage is not.

The phone is fine. Wear sunglasses when you use the curler. You've doubled the amperage. Enjoy the light and fire show.

Come on Ed, I know you like your cute comments but so unnecessary when she is trying to resolve a basic question. IF it is dual voltage, there will be no need for sunglasses.

Thanks for the help Frank! It's really appreciated. Hope all goes well :)

Sorry. Missed the point at the top about dual voltage on the curler. But I'll be real quick to point out that my wife goes through a dual voltage hair dryer in about a year when it's has a lot of high voltage use.

Ashley, To begin with, what type of "Adapter Plug" did you buy? It's usually a good idea to pack more than one, as they're easy to forget in the hotel room so it's always prudent to have a "backup". You've indicated that your Curling Iron and Hair Straightener are both "dual-voltage". If that's the case they should work fine in Europe. Did the website for the Curling Iron list anything more than "dual-voltage". It's a bit odd that they didn't provide the specifications? I tend to agree with Ed that you may not get the same "life expectancy" from dual-voltage appliances as you would with single voltage products (of course there are always exceptions). One other important point to mention is that you'll be travelling with an iPhone in Europe. Have you addressed the issue of data roaming charges (and of course voice and text roaming)? The costs can be HUGE so it's definitely something to consider. Happy travels!

The adapter plug packaging just says "Travel Essentials, Europe 3-400 and it has the letter "D" on the actual adapter. I am planning on picking up another one before I take off on Thursday. As for my curling iron, the website only states dual voltage. When I get home I will check the actual information on the product and update back on here. Also, I'm only going to be there for two weeks and I'm not planing on using my hair tools every day I'm there so hopefully the "life expectancy" won't be a problem. And I'm only using my phone for taking pictures because it's my only form of camera. Other than that I won't be using it to make calls/texts/etc.

Ashley, Thanks for the clarification on the phone. As you'll only be taking pictures with the phone, are you planning to leave it in "Airplane Mode" for the duration of the trip? Regarding the Plug Adaptor, HOLD ON! You mentioned it had a "D" listed on it. Is this the one that you're planning to take to Italy: www.travelessentials.com/D-Plug-Adaptor---US-To-Great-Britain.aspx If that's the case, that Adaptor is for use in the U.K. and WILL NOT work in Italy! The one that you will need is one of these: www.travelessentials.com/B-Plug-Adaptor---US-to-Continental-Europe.aspx (for non-grounded appliances) www.travelessentials.com/Grounded-GUI-Plug---Italy.aspx (for grounded appliances) Cheers!

My coworker had a spare adapter she gave to me, so great thing I checked up on it! Looks like I'll be purchasing two at the store today. Thanks! And yes, I will have my phone on airplane mode all throughout my trip with the wifi turned on. And have data roaming turned off.

Be aware that many US appliances, even if they say "dual voltage", meet US safety requirements by using polarized plugs (one blade wider than the other). However, most European power is not polarized, so important safety systems don't work. Additionally, the standard 2 pin adapter is intended for 2½ amps or less (about 600W, less than a hair dryer). To be safer, appliances should be double insulated (square-in-a-square symbol). Better yet, only use appliances with the CE symbol.

There is a difference between "dual voltage" and "multi-voltage." Multi-voltage, which encompasses most gadgets like phones, computers, battery chargers and other "electronics," are auto-sensing, and convert the voltage automatically; nothing is needed except the correct plug adapter.

Dual voltage appliances, on the other hand, require you to flip a switch on the device for the correct voltage. Most things that get hot, like hair dryers and curling irons, are dual voltage. So, if you forget to flip that switch (or, when you get back to the US, to flip it back), you could indeed be in for trouble.

If your appliance is not multi-voltage or dual voltage (and you need to check the INPUT to be sure), leave it at home. Yes, original iPhone chargers are multi-voltage, as are many replacements, but someone posted here about buying a cheap replacement charger that was 110 volt only. It never hurts to check, before you blow a fuse, start a fire, or destroy your device.

A few issues to consider. In the US our residential electricity 110-120 volts (V) AND 60 Hertz (Hz) frequency.
Europe mostly uses 240V and 50Hz.

Genuine Apple iPhone chargers are both dual voltage (110-240V) AND dual frequency (50 or 60Hz). That curling iron is probably 60Hz only. The iPhone charger will automatically adjust to the voltage and frequency. All you need is a plug adapter for the correct SHAPE of the outlet. Voltage adapters for 60Hz-only items won't work.

Always check the voltage and frequency of your electrical items before leaving. US law requires a label or raised lettering. I ruined an electric toothbrush on a cruise ship in China because the electrical outlet was DC voltage, not AC 50Hz or 60Hz. The outlet was labeled "no shavers." Learned my lesson!

Some appliances require you to flip a small switch for foreign electrical use. Newer appliances are almost always self-adjusting.

Chargers convert to DC, frequency ceases to exist so is irrelevant.

A curling iron is essentially only a heating element, frequency is immaterial.