Does the InStyler really work?

I recently purchased the InStyler® Rotating Hot Ironwith Ceramic Tourmaline Plate from QVC for $97.80 (free shipping.) The InStyler is a rotating hot iron cylinder with a brush that heats up rapidly. The claim is that the InStyler can straighten, flip, or curl your hair while adding volume and shine. The brush separates your hair, while the rotating motion of the heated cylinder polishes the hair. Supposedly, the polishing allows the Instyler to use less heat than a flat iron. To use the InStyler, you just put your hair in, close the product on your hair, and then slowly move down the length of your hair. The cylinder will automaticllay rotate. You also don’t have to use any hair products, which I thought was a nice plus.

After watching the product pitch on QVC several times I decided to research some reviews on the internet to see what others had experienced with the InStyler. The reviews I found were almost split down the middle. About half of the women loved the product and the other half absolutely hated it. I probably read about 100 reviews because I was really on the fence about buying a rotating hot iron for $97.80. Although the price included the InStyler itself, a comb, storage bag, heat shield, stand, heat-resistant mat and 25-minute DVD, it still seemed like a lot of money for a hair styler that might be able to do the same thing as hot rollers or a hair straightener. Some of the reviews I read talked about how hard the InStyler was to use and some even said it was truly a product made for a hair stylist only. Other reviews talked about how easy it was to use and how shiny and bouncy it made their hair. QVC (which is a home shopping channel on television) has a good return policy so I decided I would give the InStyler a try and if I did not like it for some reason, I would return it for a refund.

The day my InStyler Rotating Hot Iron Styler arrived, I tried it out. The first thing I did was watch the 25-minute DVD which was included with my package. The DVD explains the straightening function and curling function. The DVD also describes the different heat settings and how to actually use the InStyler in your hand and what styling works best on different types of hair. For example, for fine, limp hair, you should set the heat on the InStyler on low but if you have course, unmanageable, frizzy hair, you should set the InStyler on high. My hair is pretty thick but a little on the fine and limp side, so I decided to use the rotating hot iron on medium. The DVD also explains how to turn your wrist with the InStyler in your hand to create volume or keep your wrist straight to create a sleek, silky, polished look with your hair. At first I thought, oh no, I can’t do this! But I really caught on pretty quickly and I loved the result. One word of caution, the rotating cylinder of the InStyler gets very, very HOT! The very first time I used it, I burned just the tip of my ear, not bad but enough that it hurt for a few days. Then I realized that a “heat shield” was included in my package which is a plastic guard that easily slips over the cylinder that actually creates a barrier between the cylinder and your skin. The heat shield does not get in the way of styling but is a nice safety accessory. Once I started using it, I felt more comfortable trying different styling techniques.

The first time I used the InStyler, it took about 15-20 minutes to complete the style I wanted but I was really trying to be careful and going slow. Now, I use it about every other day and it takes me about 5-10 minutes for a complete look. I love how fast I can get ready now. I use to have to use a big round brush with a blow dryer to completely dry my hair, and then use a flat iron for a straight look. I have shoulder-length, wavy hair. With the InStyler, I can have a mostly straight look to my hair, but frame the hair around my face with a curve or I can put a flip on the ends if I feel like it. There is also a technique I learned on the DVD called “overdirect” where you turn your wrist so that the brush is away from you and sort of pull up on your hair. This creates some volume in places you need it, especially if you want that big, poofy look in the crown area. You can also easily style your bangs with curl, straight or side-swept.

The results the InStyler has on my hair is amazing. My hair is truly shinier and has more body than when I use a flat iron. It takes much less time and for me the InStyler has replaced the flat iron and the big round brush while blow drying. Now I wash my hair at night, let it dry and use the InStyler in the morning. It’s good for quick touch-ups too.