using a hair straightener...

Laura,

That depends on whether the hair straightener is designed for operation on 220 VAC. If your appliance is designed ONLY for use on 115 VAC and you connect it in Europe using a Plug Adaptor, it will self-destruct immediately as soon as it's switched "on". You'll need to check the straightener to determine the Input Voltage ratings, which will be listed on a nameplate somewhere on the unit.

If your straightener is not designed for multi-voltage operation you have two choices:

1. Buy a dual voltage or butane travel product such as THESE products.
2. Pick up a cheap hair straightener when you arrive in Europe. It will have the correct plug and be designed for use on electrical systems there.

My wife used to drag all of those "extras" with us...hair straightener, curling iron, hair dryer and plug them in just using an adapter. Bad bad bad idea. I remember seeing the hair dyer nozzle (the end with the heating element) glow bright orange all the way through the plastic exterior. The last straw for her was seeing her hair go up in smoke from the straightener. Now - she just uses the hair dryer in the room or the one from the front desk. We've finally learned it's just not worth the hassle, the risk, the mishaps, etc.

For my last trip I found a small, travel size straightener at Marshall's (or maybe it was TJ Maxx). It's dual voltage so I just had to bring a plug adapter. It's tiny and not that powerful, but I have shoulder length hair so it works fine for me. Hope that helps! Happy travels!

How about a non-appliance-dependent option like a cut/style that will work even if the hair dries naturally?

FYI, hair DRYERS are common in most hotels, now, so that's one appliance you can leave behind.

I am the same way, I went to europe last year taking less clothes in my bag and instead a small set of curlers and a blow dryer. Many tour members had problems with there straighteners/blow dryers working. I went to Sally Beauty and bought a blow dryer that you could manually change the wattage on, I also bought my curlers the same way, this way it converted the power internally. (the plug adapters aren't necessarily power converters!!!!) Needless to say many people borrowed my small yet high powered blow dryer (Europe's blow dryers were lacking the power necessary for me.)
http://www.sallybeauty.com/travel-dryer/SBS-301011,default,pd.html#start=1
The key is the dual voltage!!!!!!!!!!
I hope this helps!

I got a tiny dual voltage straightener at BB&B. if it's dual voltage you only need the inexpensive plug adaptor.

It is true that the hotels in Europe have blow dryers but they do not work well for thicker hair. I bring my own blow dryer and flatiron as well. They are worth the extra weight in my luggage.

Mary

Hi Laura
I must add that I relied on the "all hotels in Europe have hair dryers" on our last trip. While this was true I wish I could post a photo of the one in my hotel in Paris. I have long hair and this thing blew a soft whisper of air from a hose connected to a machine attached to the wall. I would still be there blow drying my hair! All the photos of me in Paris are with my hair in a clip and it looks pretty bad! If you have hair that's difficult to style I would bring my own dual voltage appliances and adapters or buy something inexpensive over there.

The trouble with bringing your own is that most US appliances have safety protection provided by polarized plugs (one blade wider than the other so it only goes in one way), but continental European receptacles are not polarized, so you are not protected. If you bring one from over here, make sure it is double insulated (box in a box symbol on the voltage plaque). Also, the ungrounded, two pin Europlug is only approved for 2½ amps (at 230V - 575W).

I think someone mentioned this higher up, but the best option is to buy one when you get here,

I would agree with the posts regarding the diminished intensity of hotel hair dryers, at least in the ones I experienced in both Italy and UK. I have short hair which I don't blow dry, but I have tried to speed up the drying of some laundry and really....the trickle of hot air was not helpful for clothes drying. I can't imagine how long it would take for someone with long or thick hair to blow dry with the ones I have run across.

To Ken's response at the top suggesting a butane alternative, see the discussion about transporting flammable pressurized gas in the cargo area below your feet while crossing the Atlantic under the "Packing" forum topic:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/packing/butane-canisters-for-curling-irons
Remember Saudi Flight 163!

While we each travel for different reasons and motivations, I'm reminded of the often misquoted phrase from/by Hamlet about "Frailty...." We all have our frailties.

As a PS to the original question about adapters, I saw the consequence of a waxing iron connected to an undercapacity transformer/converter that didn't handle the amperage demand of the iron. The iron added to Germany's garbage burden.

@Edgar,

Point noted. According to this item, Butane appliances are permitted under very limited circumstances:

"One butane curling iron per passenger is permitted in carry-on baggage. No refills are allowed and the safety cover must be on the curling iron. It is not permissible to be used on the aircraft at any time. Butane curling irons are not permitted when traveling to Switzerland."

I agree, this is not a realistic option for international travel, so the best options are:

• Buy a cheap electric hair appliance when you arrive in Europe.
• Buy a dual-voltage hair appliance from Magellans or where ever and pack that along.