Haircare when traveling in France!

Elizabeth, You might have a look at the Magellan's catalogue, as they have a good sellection of dual-voltage hair care appliances. I've never had to shop for appliances in France, so don't have any information on stores where you can find that sort of thing. Happy travels!

Firstly, I don't think it is a silly question at all - if my hair is not right, I don't feel right. I am afraid I cannot help specifically as I live in Spain and only use a hairdryer on my hair. My travel hairdryer is dual voltage and was quite cheap to buy (in Spain) so that might save you the bother of buying them in France only to leave them behind or lug them back. If it were me I would try to buy at home - in your case the US. Most department stores in the big cities in France I am guessing may have them. Carrefours a large store which sells all manner of electrical goods, clothes and food but they are typically located on motorways on the edge of cities - in Spain at least. I wouldn't want the hassle of looking for these essential things early in a trip. Good luck.

There is little need to bring a hair dryer. Over the recent years everywhere we have stayed a hair dryer was available in the room or on request from the front desk. For a hair iron you probably will should buy it in Europe.

The one time I didn't bring my dual voltage hair dryer I stayed in a hotel without one. I always bring one now. Last year I stayed in 2 apartments that didn't have dryers and I was glad I had one. As for a flat iron, I have heard of more difficulties with those. Be sure it is dual voltage. You might want to consider buying one there.

Go to Darty, a chain of appliance stores found everywhere, or go to Monoprix, again a chain with stores everywhere. They'll have the flat iron. You can also buy a hair dryer if your hotel doesn't supply one.

Get something in the U.S. that is dual voltage. Forget Magellan's. They are overpriced. You can go into any Target or Walmart and get yourself a dual voltage dryer and flat iron. And the hairdryers at hotels and B&Bs typically suck. I have used a Conair dual voltage dryer and flat iron with no problems whatsoever all over Europe with just a plug adapter. The dryer had a folding handle and both performed exactly the same as they do in the U.S. where I also use them when traveling on business.

The question is not silly at all. I totally understand. Some of us just can't do a "pony tail" or some short everywhere cut,, and we like to look a certain way , and there is nothing wrong with that . I even contacted a few stores in Paris to see if they have what I want,, BHV on Rue Du Rivoli carries hair appliances on their second floor.
Many hotels supply hairdryers, weaker then most of us are used to, but still at least they are there.

While hair taming is not such a pressing issue for me (pun intended) I do cart along a simple, cheap, dual-voltage blower. It works, but not exactly like in North America, since on 220 only the lower temp/force puts out a breeze. That's an argument for buying a machine in Europe, although a pretty minor concern to get hot and bothered over in my opinion.

I agree that Monoprix would be a good place to get a flat iron and blow dryer if you decide to buy in France. Think of Monoprix like a Super Target.

When I traveled in Europe with my family, my mom and I brought along one of our favorite flat irons. Somehow we fried it and had to buy one in Italy. We got a fairly nice one at a hair salon because both of our hair is pretty unmanageable without a good straightener. It worked great and we've been able to take it on return trips and lend it out to others. The hotels' blow dryers didn't have much power for our thick hair so we ended up also buying one of those at a small electronics store.

Wow! So many helpful replies! Thanks so much to everyone who took the time to send me their thoughts and advice (and thanks to anyone who may offer help after I post this message!). It's a relief to know I'm not the only one who likes to maintain their hair straightening regime when traveling! :) I will most likely acquire the appliances I need prior to traveling, and if I have "technical issues", I'll visit a Monoprix or the like. Didn't Rick Steves talk about how much of an interesting cultural experience it can be to visit a local store in Europe? :) Elizabeth

I so love this! I got tired of looking a fright in my trip photos. I started with a butane curling iron that I got at Boots in England. Flight attendants use them or used to anyway. the cartridges are O.K. In checked baggage if they are disengaged. but, that really didn't do it for my hair. I've tried a small dual-voltage curling iron and have now settled on a set of dual-voltage hot rollers that I got on Amazon. The reviews will usually tell you if it worked. I never had any trouble; I just attached the appropriate country plug. so, figure out the appliance you need and then check sites like Amazon - just make sure it 's dual-voltage. I also got some travel-sized spray bottles for the products I needed. The photos from last trip were worth it.

You've had many good responses re: appliances but I wanted to let you know my experience with the effect Paris water has on my hair. I don't know what's in (or not in) the water there, but my normally easy-to-handle hair gets very hard to handle - dry ends, frizzy, fly-away, etc. So I always bring lots of conditioner (or buy some there). Just a warning.

Thanks to Elizabeth for starting this thread ~ which is by no means silly. It stands to reason that after spending a bundle on a European vacation, you'd want to feel comfortable about your appearance while you're over there. I only recently began using a flat iron but I LOVE it! A few minutes straightening my hair actually saves me time in the long run, as my hair is then more manageable. I'm headed to Switzerland, along with some side trips, next month and am trying to decide whether to purchase a dual voltage flat iron over here, or wait & get one there. Probably easiest to just get it beforehand, so I'll check out the Baby Croc recommended above. Btw, I never rely on assurances that a hotel or apartment will have a hair dryer. One never knows!

In response to Holly's comment about the Paris water - it's extremely hard water. We have to add softeners to dishwashers, laundry, etc. Shampoos here are formulated for the hard water, but I'll let you in on a little secret - some French women have learned to wash their hair only a couple times a week and will use a dry shampoo in between if necessary. I have found significant improvement in my hair by washing every 3rd or 4th day. (But I shower in between. I promise!)

I agree with the below post about looking at Magellan.com. They have everything for travel. They are located in Santa Monica, Ca., but have a website too. I just bought a curling iron at Target, which has dual voltage. We have been in France for the past two years. I just take my regular curling iron and use the two piece adaptor in Europe..