What about curling irons?

We have stayed in all kinds of places in Europe over the past 5 years. I can't remember one that didn't have a hair dryer. Most of the time I don't even use it and just let my hair dry naturally. I typically have a short layered bob, but sometimes my hair is shorter than that. In either case, I am "blessed" with stick straight hair about down to my ears, then wavy hair below that level in the back. It's gonna do whatever it wants regardless of any equipment intervention on my part, especially in warm, humid climates.

My sister did this on our last trip with her flat iron. I brought one too but never actually used it. She said it worked fine but the flat iron got a little hotter than normal so she had to turn it down.

I go to Europe almost every year so I bought a blow dryer in Florence and a curling iron in Paris and use both. They are not very expensive and since I go to Europe a lot I felt it paid for itself. That is what I did as I wash my hair every day and need to use a curling iron.

I've taken dual voltage curling irons and they worked just fine with an adapter. Mine was a Conair. That said, you can't just assume something is dual voltage. You have to look. The voltage requirements are usually stamped or printed on the back of the device in very tiny letters. A dual voltage curling iron will say something like: Input: 100-250 V, 50-60 Hz. That dash is important, as it means that it can accommodate everything between 100-250 volts.
Lately I've been taking a Conair Mini you 2-in-1 styler. It works well enough, but I have short hair and only need a bit of a touch up after drying.

The big question for the mini-tools is this: Do you rely heavily on the tool for your styling or just touching up a look? The mini tools only do small strands of hair at a time. If you rely heavily on the tool for your look you'll want a full sized tool.

Lulu, I can't remember the last time we stayed somewhere that didn't have a hair dryer in the room, although it's possible you might have to get one from the front desk. I've used my US curling iron (dual voltage) with an adaptor all over Europe with no problems. I bought one of the small travel curling irons (about 2" barrel), but I hated using it. My regular one doesn't take much room and is much easier to use.

. I will be sure to make sure that the curling iron is stamped properly, thanks Cindy. My hair is about 3 inches past my shoulders and I have alot of it. Nancy, I'm glad to have your opinion since you've used one of those small ones. I'm just afraid those tiny ones won't work, or I'll burn my fingers....so thanks for letting me know. I will just go ahead and purchase a normal size. They all seem to weigh about a one lb...can't believe I"m giving up a pound for a curling iron, but I do feel better when my hair looks like I want it to look...so I guess worth it in the end.

Lulu, I have much shorter hair than you. You would go crazy using the mini one.

This topic seems to pop up a lot. Try a Travel Forum Search for "curling iron".

Another vote for a full-size dual voltage. I took a mini and since I have a mid-length style, it didn't work well at all. Also, I second that my hair appliances seem to run a bit hotter, so watch the fingers, scalp & hair.

My wife carries a Conair travel curling iron that's run by a tiny disposable butane cylinder. She's been carrying it for 20 years to Europe, and it works great.

I am glad I shave my head.

Thanks David. My hairdresser has one, and I went to take a look. Are there any safety issues with them? For instance, does anything happen if you forget to take the cylinder off after use?

My wife insisted that she travel with a hair dryer, and I insisted that she did not. All of the places we stayed at ( hotels, hostels, and B+B's had a hair drier - but not certain about a curling iron. My advice is to purchase one in Europe and give away before coming home. However, it seems that you are considering a small (and assuming light) one, so this may be manageable. If you are only traveling with a carry on - I would consider buying oversees.

Peace,
Joseph.

I can't imagine that you can take a butane curling iron on an airplane???

How many people here have plugged in their curling iron in Europe and blown out part of the hotel's electrical system?

Kent: I always had trouble with my blow dryer and curling iron so that is why I bought my in Florence and Paris. I was sick and tired of the trouble.

I really have been considering just waiting until I get to Venice to buy my curling iron. We are only there 1.5 days and the thought of traipsing around shopping for that doesn't seem like much fuN. One thought is to but a cheapo here, and one there if we pass by store that carries them, so I will always have a European one.