Chi, that sucks!

Remember when I purchased the Chi Travel Set? I realize now (almost a year later) that I never wrote a review of it. I know this is kinda late, but you never know. It might still be out there, lurking for its next victim!

First, it wasn't much of a steal anymore when I ran into the set during a routine shopping excursion to Costco and discovered it was being sold for even cheaper! I think it was around $69.99 there. But guess what, even at that price...I wouldn't buy it again. I hate when Costco does that! Like when I purchased the hubby the complete Sopranos DVD set for a whole lotta mula at Best Buy and a few weeks later they have it for a good chunk less. Ugh, Costco! You are the bane of my wallet's existence! It's like I must consult with them before making any big purchases. Argh. But I digress...

Well, the kit was nice and cute and compact and stored neatly for traveling. This is what enticed me to purchase the set in the first place. Especially with a name like Chi, I thought it would surely deliver despite it's minute proportions. But, it is only useful if you are completely desperate and even then, make sure you have a lot of time on your hands.

The blow dryer is worse quality than even that of hotel dryers. It took a verrrrrrrry long time for it to even dry my little girl's hair and she's two!

Next, the flat iron was a little stubby but had good sized plates, so I thought, hey maybe this is where it'll redeem itself...until it started to burn my fingertips!

Overall, this product was probably my biggest purchase regret of 2009 that and the juicer I bought and used all of ONE time. Man, I am such an impulse buyer!

The Hot Tools Helix curler I bought in the same post turned out to be just so-so also. By the time I got to one side of my head, the already curled side had gone straight again. I endured it though and let it sit in my cabinet for months since I gave my older curling irons away when I purchased it. But no more! I got a wonderful hot roller and curling iron set from my sister for Christmas, and me and my fickle hair loves it!

Hot Shot Tools Hairsetter with 20 Flocked Rollers by Helen of Troy

$59.99 @ Sally Beauty

Hot Shot Tools Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron by Helen of Troy

$29.99 @ Sally Beauty

Note to self: Read customer reviews first, then purchase! During Christmas she found this set at Sally's. It was buy one (hot rollers) and get one (curling iron) for free. There were different packages like dryer plus flat iron, but I am so glad she chose this one. For some reason, my hair is extremely fickle with curling, but these do the job perfectly. Thanks sister!

Maxx'd Out at Nordys!

So I have this weird quirk in my personality where I get on "kicks". A majority of people have one thing and they go all out for that one thing, like Hello Kitty, NASCAR, or dirt. You know, when you're totally obsessed with something and that's your "thing" for a while and it's all you can think about. Well for me, my thing changes...alot. Probably because I overdo it and I get sick of it. Like eating too much sweets. It just gets ick after a while. That's how I am with shopping. One month, I may be all about shoes. Next it will be purses. Next underwear. It's endless! Right now I am on a hair care kick. I have just been so sick of my blah hair that I want to do new stuff to it. I don't know what kinda stuff yet but I have been keeping my shop eye (AKA third eye) open and have been running into some great deals. For instance at Nordstrom Rack I found this...

CHI Mini Flat Iron and Blow Dryer Collection

$99.95 vs. $200 MSRP

I thought that this nifty little set would be perfect for traveling and since I am going on a vacay this June to visit my currently preggers BFF, I had to pick it up! And how perfect is it to bring to any gigs for minor hair styling needs! I have yet to open it as I am still researching the reviews. I currently use a Hai stick, so CHI is new to me and my hair.

Next, I was in the market for a good curling iron. I had two perfectly good irons and gave them up for adoption when I found a good deal on a Wigo iron. This SOB of an iron turned out to be sh!t and pulls single strands of hair when you least expect it and you know how that hurts so much more than having a fistful yanked! Anywayyyyy. I digress. I was in the market yada yada. TJ Maxx surprised me by carrying Hot Tools. Unfortunately not the lusted after salon quality irons but these...

Helix with Nanosilver by Hot Tools

$19.99 vs. $59.99 Retail

The TJM I visited had three different barrel sizes: 3/4in, 1in, and 1 1/4in. I grabbed the 1 1/4 because I like that size, not too big, not too small. I tried it out right when I got home because I have the worst luck with buying the right iron. Lo' and behold this iron is pretty fantastic! It heats up right away. The clamp is not too lose or tight, no more hair slipping or being pulled. Also, my hair is pretty stubborn and doesn't take too well to curling but it curled it with no problems. So far, so good. We will see if I have any complaints in the near future.

P.S. Today is my birthday! It's the BIG one. I have to show and tell my gifts another night.