Flat Irons and Curling Irons - help?

I take the easy way out. Go to a cold country and put a hat on and nobody sees your hair. It sounds crazy, but works for me, lol.

I have given up on bringing these items on my overseas travels. I just use a good gel that holds my curls and call it good. It's not ideal, but works.

What is everyone else doing?

My guesses:

A) Buying one there
B) Doing without
C) Something else

I have fried every single hair tool I have taken and used a converter for

Did you have a true voltage converter, or just a plug adapter?

Unfortunately, flat irons and curling irons are not easy to find abroad! It's not like the US where there's a store on every corner. I blew half a day in Prague looking after I fried mine because my niece and I had professional photos scheduled! :(

Buy a cheap one in Europe..

(You can survive without the $150 model for a vacation)

Voltage converters don't work on these (if you kept the box it probably tells you that on there)

Here's where I look in some cities.

London - Boots
Paris FNAC
Spain El cortez ingles

(yes, I have bought hair appliances at all of these over the years!)

I use one by Bioionic, it converts automatically. You can find them on sale @30% to 40% off from their website from time to time. You'll need the adapter but no converter. I use it as my flat iron at home too. They make a very nice product.

I have a great suggestion! I have used VacationPretty.com, they rent them! It's like the Rent the Runway of hair tools. Cheaper than buying and they have various options. I rented from them on my last trip to Greece and Spain. Life saver and super easy!

You can try to find a dual voltage appliance online at home, but I think those particular appliances are rarely dual voltage. If you succeed then all you need is the correct plug adapter.

OR, you buy a 220/240v appliance abroad, and use it only for travel. I assure you that women all over Europe are familiar with flat irons and curling irons. If you don't have access to one of the chain stores listed above, ask at the concierge or front desk of your hotel. One of the ladies there should be able to help.

Definitely true at the hotels! I was able to borrow one at the Rosewood in Tuscany. It was a treat in Italy because they had Dyson products there and at the Grand Tremezzo in Lake Como!

I have used this mini flat iron successfully. It's dual voltage, works fine in an adapter plug. Small, inexpensive, does the job. But I say that as someone who has never spent $100 on a hair tool in my life, so...

I have tried several bought at home that are supposed to work in Europe. None of them ever do, with or without a converter. I finally on this last trip popped into a little hole in the wall appliance store in Barcelona and bought a flatiron. Works great, was about $25 and now I have one that works.

I bought a used European straightening iron, COOP brand, for $8.00 on eBay.

Not a curling iron, but I've used my cheap little Remington ceramic hot rollers in Europe without any adverse issues. It is dual voltage, lightweight, and costs less than $20.

I bought in Europe.

Unfortunately, flat irons and curling irons are not easy to find abroad! It's not like the US where there's a store on every corner

While not on every corner, they are easily found in most major cities where people start their trips. Typically, you can find them in major department stores. For example, I bought a flat iron at El Corte Ingles in Lisbon a couple of years ago. I’ve also acquired a curling iron and hairdryer over the years.

Where are you starting your next trip? I am sure that someone can point you to a place to buy one.

I get a shorter haircut, and bring my Switzerland-bought hairdryer! And hair wax!

Have you ever tried velcro rollers? Now some come with metal/thermal rollers

Thank you all for the suggestions! I have waist length, thick, course, unruly hair so cordless options or options that don't go up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit don't work for me unfortunately. When it's done, my hair is stunning! And when it's not, I look like the resident witch. :)

I also ONLY carry on, no checked bags...regardless of how long my trip is, so rollers are tough. Everyone has their thing and I like to feel pretty when I'm on vacation!

My next trip is to Ireland and then I'll be going to Portugal so I'll be looking at some of the options provided here.

I had the hardest time finding an option in Prague! I went to the department stores without luck and just hated wasting time. I work full time and have kids so the travel time I do have, I don't want to be running errands or looking for something I can arrange for ahead of time.

Thank you!

Everyone seems to be afraid to say the obvious answer. Rhymes with Amazon.

My partner gets hers there, and we've also gotten products in FNAC in Paris as mentioned. Anywhere in the world there are women with hair, there are stores selling hair care gadgets.

Worst case, go into the nearest local beauty salon and ask where THEY buy their tools.

Years ago I bought Conair brand dual voltage hot rollers that I take with me on every trip. I found them in a large drugstore in Seattle. I believe they still make them.

https://www.verywellhealth.com/donating-hair-for-people-with-cancer-2248940

You could get it cut, help others and start growing it out on your vacation and save yourself a lot of bother while traveling.

For Ireland, go to the Boots website before your trip. Search for ”hair straightener”. You can check to see if the item you want is in stock at a Boots near your hotel. They also have ”click and collect” and delivery options.

One more thing … If you buy a flat iron in Ireland, also buy a UK/Ireland to Europe plug adapter so you can use it in Portugal. You usually can buy the plug adapters at Boots or the airport.

My strategy was to wait until a trip where my luggage was delayed, then go to an electronics store (this was in Catania, Sicily) and buy a European flat iron. I think it cost about 40 euros, which I expensed back to the airline :)

I think it's best if you have a good straightener to take with you. I have a L'ange which is a 110-240V. All you need is an adapter to get the electricity to the straightener from the three-prong plug on the wall while in the UK. You do not need a "Converter" Which converts voltage. A straightener without the dual voltage indicator will burn up in Europe. It just can't handle the 230 V. You must buy one within the voltage range of 110-240V for it to work correctly.

https://www.amazon.com/LANGE-HAIR-Titanium-Curling-Straightener. It's not cheap, but It works great and is easy to travel with. This is my daily straightener and it has traveled back and forth with me to the UK for the past five years! oh, I curl my hair with this too.