special curling irons?

Buy an inexpensive one in the UK on your next trip. And also buy an adapter (e.g. buy a UK to continent adapter).

I have appliances that I bought when I lived in europe and I always take these with me when I travel. They always work.

You could always buy one there. That way you only have to carry it home Vs both ways. It might cost a little more when you consider the exchange but you will have it for next time. That's what I did for my Flat Iron. This is an especially good idea if you're going to be travelling there again soon or often. Or maybe you could order a European one online from home? Or once there surf the net for a good deal to save time searching for one.

Or you could bring one of those Butane refill cordless Irons like the Braun one. But if you're hardcore into travelling light with carryon only, this won't work. The butane refill charges would have to go in checked baggage...

Or you could do it old school with roll flat travel curlers. If you sleep on a silk pillow case it might help carry the curl into the next morning. That is if you can stand not washing your hair everyday....Some of us can't.

Or if you don't mind dishing out a few extra pounds you could always treat yourself to a wash and set at a Salon. There might even be one in your hotel. But that's probably not a very cost-effective or practical solution!

I have a transformer that works with my curling iron but I decided to just buy one over there - they don't cost much especially if you buy one at Argos or Dixons. I felt it was safer with such high wattage.

Years ago I bought a curling iron and a blow dryer at Boots.

I have a Conair dual voltage curling iron that I recently paid only $25 for. I just have to use a plug adapter (not a converter) if I use it outside of the States. It automatically detects the voltage you're using so you don't have to worry about remembering to flip the little voltage switch :)

I bought a Braun butane curling iron in Dublin, and loved it. I didn't have to worry about adapters, or if a plug in was located next to a mirror, and it will work great in the states for traveling, camping, etc. No electricity needed! And it went through checked luggage no problem.