Hair dyers/flat irons that are very powerful electrical necessities

Just make sure it is designed to work with 220 volts. If it is only a 120 volt, it will not work well even with a required converter. The converter must be match to the wattage requirements of the iron. I personally do not recommend the usage of a 120 v iron with a converter. Buy one when you get there.

flygirl, As Frank mentioned, the first step is to ensure that the Hair Dryer / Flat Irons are designed for dual voltage operation. Look for the words "Input Voltage" somewhere on the device. Rather than use a Voltage Converter with your present hair appliances, you might consider either buying dual-voltage travel models (check www.magellans.com) or buy European models when you arrive there. Happy travels!

Yes, flygirl, if your appliance says something along the lines of 100-250v and 50/60 Hz, you're good to go - all you need is a $1.00 adaptor. Actually, I'd bring 2 adaptors...it's too easy to leave one behind, left in an outlet, dropped behind a headboard, etc. Hey, Lee - last time I went to Europe , I grew a beard, too! So freeing...;-) I'm considering going braless this autumn...water-saving, ya know.

How did the human race manage to survive for millions of years without hair dryers and flat irons? Actually, all we need are brain transplants between those with straight hair who feel they have to have it curled and those with curly hair who think they have to have it straightened. Last time I went to Europe I just grew a beard and saved the 1# for my rechargeable electric razor. The two times before that, I learned to shave with a disposable razor. Packing light (really light) is all about figuring out what you don't really need and having the discipline to leave it at home.

Seriously wish guys would butt out of beauty questions. ;) Flygirl, I respect your need to look be-aut-i-ful. I'll just say to be CAREFUL that you don't bring an expensive American flat iron with you. Even if the wattage on the flat iron says that it supports up to 240V, you still run a risk of destroying the flat iron. There are horror stories on here of girls' Chi irons burning out. I'd hate to see your $100 flat iron be ruined... But I know you'll be in a quandary as only the really good flat irons can get really, really hot.

How did the human race manage to survive for millions of years without hair dryers and flat irons? Since they didn't exist, ancient human standards of beauty were much lower., and it was a lot harder to have a bad hair day then. Tip to guys -- if you want women not to care so much about how they look, quit commenting on women's looks so often.

Amen, Carroll! Men are attracted to women when they're all put together. But then they complain about us taking the time to make ourselves look that way. We can't win... If I let my hair dry flat on my head, I would look homeless. So I'm not going to apologize for the cosmetics, hair products, etc that I travel with. I just get up a half hour earlier than my husband to start the regimen!

I don't know how long you will be in Europe, but your best option may be to just buy one there. It may not work quite as well as your Chi, but even for 25 euros I've had friends that have been very happy with theirs. I decided to forego my straightener while I was there but I understand it's rough!

I use the big hot rollers to straighten and give my very thick fine hair some body and the problem I have with appliances is that it gets too hot. Even with the converters it's hotter than home so just be cautious. Not sure why I can't find a dryer in a European hotel that can melt butter in 60 minutes.

LOL, Leslie. I actually had the opposite problem when I used my Conair with a converter. It didn't seem hot. Annoying. I finally just bought a European flat iron on Ebay. I tried to find one on European Ebay, but most of the sellers wouldn't ship internationally. I bought a hairdryer in Ireland last time I went. I was so finished with trying to get a converted American hairdryer to blow at the right wattage....

Here is the best thing I have ever done...I bought a Flat Iron in Italy!! Only 30 euro!! All my friends that go there borrow it. I don't have to worry about blowing up my $100 iron! or burning down the hotel or frying my hair!

If a flat iron is set to a 110-240V range, it will work in whatever current within that range, period (assuming it is a good one). So I don't see problems there. If you are planning on buying a cheap one, maybe it is better to buy a "bi-volt" one in US, than buying one in Europe and spending time looking for a store etc. As for the whole "I don't need it" discussion: as an heterosexual male, I think both sexes shouldn't use travel to urban areas as an excuse to slack off. Women with more arm hair than me (let alone horrendous armpit or facial hair), guys with un-groomed bears or overgrown hairs also look strange. It is almost as if they screamed "tourist on long trips!" when I spot them in a bar, pub or so.