I have owned and used several flat irons over the last ten years. In high school, I was literally obsessed with having straight hair. I was so self-conscious that I wouldn’t go to school with my hair up in a pony or a bun EVER (my everyday look these days, haha) and my hair had to be perfectly straight before I left the house to go anywhere. Thinking back now, I feel bad for myself for caring so much! I would spend so much time in front of the mirror using a terrible (and terribly cheap) $15 flat iron that was just destroying my hair. I went through SO many flat irons over those years, because I kept buying cheap ones that would inevitably break after a couple of months of use.
These days, I’m definitely more into quality over quantity when it comes to any sort of hair/makeup/skincare/clothes/everything. I have really learned to appreciate having something that will last a long time and work well over having several cheap things that won’t last more than a month or two, or won’t perform the way they should. CHI is definitely one of those reputable top quality, long-lasting brands, so I was super excited to finally try out a CHI flat iron after all of these years of striving to have the straightest hair in all the land (haha).
Let’s first talk about how GORGEOUS it is. This one is the Ultra CHI Blossom Burst and it’s so pretty that it’s kind of ridiculous. I am a huuuge sucker for pretty products, we all already know this.
It’s got a simple off/on switch, which I prefer over choosing a temperature because I personally always use the highest temperate and with my previous flat iron, I was always accidentally pushing the -/+ buttons while straightening my hair and I would always turn the temperature way down (or off!) without even realizing until I noticed that my hair wasn’t getting any straighter, haha.
Last but not least, it works- and it works WELL. Over the last couple years that I’ve got into my quality over quantity frame of mind, I have purchased more expensive flat irons. I’ve owned two, both of which were over $100 and I thought worked quite well- but holy, I just didn’t even know what was out there to compare to! With my previous flat iron, even with having mostly straight hair to start with (but with quite a lot of waves in the back… so random and stupidly annoying, haha), it would take me at least ten minutes to get it looking how I wanted it. This doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but when you’re in a rush, that extra five minutes makes a huge difference. I got my hair looking just how I like it with my Ultra CHI in 4 minutes and 30 seconds (I even timed it on my phone, haha)!
Here’s a quick before and after using my Ultra CHI. With this flat iron, I found that I could take a bit larger sections that I usually would, and it would straighten that all perfectly- which cut my styling time in half.
I want to show you a super quick and easy twisted hairstyle while we’re at it, too. I’ve been doing this a lot lately as I am growing my hair out, and as you can see from the pictures above, my ex-bangs that I am trying to grow out are in a super awkward stage where they just don’t sit right. So, I’ve been doing a ton of hairstyles that involves twisting them/braiding them/pinning them back, and this is one of my favorites because it literally takes two seconds and a tiny elastic, but it leaves you with a super polished look.
All you need to do is, one at a time, grab a one or two inch section directly above your ears (don’t grab any hair above that, just that square section) and twist, twist, twist the hair until you have a tight twist, and then with any front pieces (like my awkward bangs, haha) tucked under the twist, pull the twists together at the back of your head and secure with a tiny elastic. From there, you can gently pull up on pieces at your crown to create a bit of volume if you’d like. That’s seriously it- SO easy!
CHI has a ton of other great haircare products as well- not just their amazing flat irons. Below are a few favorites that both Cole and myself have been using. The spray wax is great on his super thick hair, and I am loving the dry shampoo and dry conditioner which both smell sooo good.
Have you ever tried a CHI flat iron?
The Beauty Highlights says
So pretty…Love it.
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Tina @ My Highest Self says
I need that Reworkable Taffy and the Texturing Spray! I just realized I haven’t touched a flat iron since I cut my hair. I think I need to get back into it.
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Betsy says
I love my chi!! A friend gave me mine years ago because she didn’t want it and it’s totally on it’s last legs. Love how long it’s lasted but not the price to replace. Worth it though!
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Kat Dinges says
OMG that is such a pretty iron!!! Love the easy hairdo. My life is all about quick and easy things nowadays!
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Neversaydiebeauty says
I have a Chi flat iron and I love it. Love your easy twist. Gonna try it with my shoulder-length hair
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Bree says
Chi flat irons are the best. I adore mine.
I am always looking for fast hair styles my mornings are so rushed so for me the faster the better!
Elyse says
I’ve been using the same flat-iron for easily 8 years. It’s not a CHI… I really have no clue what it is! It’s nowhere near as adorable however.
I straighten my dreaded fringe every day, but usually don’t bother with my whole head because it takes too long (and with humidity there’s really no point!)
I wish I could muster the courage to grow out my fringe, I’ve NEVER not had one. In my whole 20 years of life haha.
great post hun :)
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Jodi says
I love twisting my hair back like that! I’m trying to grow my bangs out too – it can be so frustrating, hey?
I haven’t tried a CHI flat iron but I have tried their heat protector and I loved it!
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Phyrra says
I want my hair to be as long as yours! I love your hair styled like this.
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Emily says
LOVE THIS. I’m glad to have the tips :) http://meowemily.blogspot.com/2015/09/the-perfect-matte-lip.html
Justina says
Your hair looks amazing!
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Laura MyNewestAddiction says
I am pretty much OBSESSED with these products from CHI! OBSESSEEEDDDD
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MarciaF says
Your hair is so pretty. I love how perfect it looks with the Chi products.
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
Wow, there really is a difference!
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Nidia - Lit From Within says
cute twist! have you thought about cutting your hair in a Lob? I think that would look so cute, esp with the length of your ex-bangs. With this Florida heat, I wear my hair up almost every day. I can’t take it!
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Miranda | Slashed Beauty says
Chi has always been my favorite brand for straightening hair! Their irons work so well!
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Kath TheFabZilla says
I like this hairstyling iron! I love your simple tutorial too!
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Renu says
That flat iron is the most adorable on earth. I need it in my life! And can I also have your beautiful hair?
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Jess Scull says
Such a pretty look on you!!
Lisa Heath says
Your hair is gorgeous!
Mercedes says
I love CHI irons, my first one lasted over 10 years.
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Honeygirlk says
Girl, I love your sweet hairstyle… it’s gorgeous on you – like a whispy Cinderella. :) I love this line… that reworkable taffy is my love.
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Sheila says
That was some serious dedication by your young self! Yes, its all about quality and I love how the iron makes your hair look.
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Eugenia says
That is such a cute simple hairstyle! I can not live without my Chi!
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El says
My hair is wavier than yours, so I find it works better for me to encourage it to curl rather than straightening it. But I totally feel your before-and-after shots – when my bangs were growing out similarly, that deceptively mild curve at the side there might start out mild in the morning, but by noon, I’d be reaching for a clip or a ponytail holder because that one spot ended up sticking out sideways like it wanted to be on Farrah Fawcett in the 70s! Sooooo annoying.