Lots of people have been asking me recently, “is hot tools a good brand?” And, while it’s not a top of the line, professional hair straightener manufacturer, I actually do think this brand has some really good qualities. I decided to take a close look at one model and do a comprehensive hair straightener review on all the good things and the bad things.So, today I’ll check out the Hot Tools Pink titanium straightener. While it doesn’t exactly make me feel like dancing, I do recommend it as a fairly reliable and effective mid range model.
It Won’t Stop You from Burning Down the House!
I really love straightening irons with an automatic shut off feature. I’ll admit that I’m a tad forgetful and sometimes I actually get half way to work and then have to turn around and go back home again because I’m worried that I haven’t turned my flat iron off. Most of the time I have and it’s just my mind playing tricks on me!
So, when I learnt that this model had an auto shut-off feature, that was a big plus in my book. Until I looked closer: it shuts off after TEN HOURS. Huh? 400 degrees of burning hot metal on a dressing table for ten hours? Goodbye house! (Note that other listings say two hours – even this seems ridiculously long to me).
Sorry, hot tools, you might as well not have bothered with this little feature. But, as long as you don’t rely on the shut off and make sure you manually turn it off when you’re done, The Hot Tools Pink Titanium hair straightener has quite a few really neat redeeming features. Don’t write it off on one flaw: read on!
BUY HOT TOOLS PINKTITANIUM FLAT IRON-AMAZON-
The Power of Titanium
People are always asking which is better titanium or ceramic curling iron? I’ve used ceramic straighteners pretty much since the day they came out. That’s 20 years of ceramic flat irons! And I’ve seriously loved and relied on most of the pairs I’ve owned. But, I’m a sucker for a new gadget and when titanium plates came out I just have to give them a go. And they really go! Titanium creates the same hot, well distributed temperature as ceramic plates and is the best known conductor of negative ions. So, if you’ve got a problem with frizz, titanium is your friend!
The Hot Tools Pink Titanium gets a big tick from me because it’s sitting on the right side of the ceramic titanium debate. They may not be of the highest professional quality, but they’re more effective for fighting frizz than a comparably priced pair of ceramics. They are mid range irons and, at the time of writing, were priced at $53.50. Amazon prices fluctuate all the time depending on sales. Why not check the current price?
I’m a material girl and I’m totally sold on titanium when it comes to the ceramic or titanium flat iron debate!
Better Protection: For Your Iron, and Your Hair
If you use protective products when you’re straightening (and you should!) the chemicals in these can wear away the surface of some flat irons, causing chips that will damage and snag your hair. Luckily, this hot tools flat iron has a corrosion resistant surface so it, and your hair, will stay healthier for longer. Lots of the hot tools reviews on Amazon.com agree that the plates last for ages and don’t scratch, chip or decay easily.
You’re in Control
I think that one of the best things about the titanium pink hair straighteners is the level of control you have over how much heat you use. Temperatures range up to 450 degrees and it has cool features like the variable temperature controls, LED readout and a clever little lock to prevent you pushing buttons and accidentally cranking the heat up while you’re using it.
BUY HOT TOOLS FLAT IRON-AMAZON-
Convenient Features
The pink titanium flat irons have a few great little features which add to their convenience – a big plus in my book! The best of these features is the 8 foot swivel cord which makes it easy to maneuver around my head and is super handy if your nearest power outlet is a long way from your mirror!
Will it Curl?
I truly believe that the days of curling hair with a curling iron are over. With the right set of flat irons, you can cut down on the number of tools you need by using the flat iron for curling as well as straightening.
The perfect curling dimensions for a flat iron are one inch plates and this straightener not only meets that criteria, it also has a few other features which make curling easier. The Hot Tools Pink Titanium features slightly rounded edges on the floating plates which make it easier to curl, narrow housing so that nothing’s in the way and less gap between the plates and the housing to prevent snagging as you curl.
If you’ve ever wondered what is better ceramic or titanium curling iron? The answer is titanium. Not only is this material best for straightening hair, the increased negative ions get rid of frizz to leave you with smooth, glossy curls which last far longer.
Lots of people ask me how to curl black hair with a flat iron. And it works in exactly the same way as any other hair type: Starting from the roots, catch a section of hair, flip the hair around the flat irons and then pull slowly down through the section. The key to being able to curl black hair with flat irons really is the material you choose.
Regardless of your hair type, if you’re after a flat iron that you can use for occasional straightening or curling as the mood strikes you, The Hot Tools Pink Titanium flat iron is an excellent choice. If you’re thinking more for daily styling, I’d recommend stepping up to a more professional model. I have lots of reviews of professional straighteners for you to choose from if you’d like to take a look.
Is there Peace of Mind?
The biggest thing that bothers me about this product is that the hot tools manufacturer warranty is really hard to find. I always buy my straighteners on Amazon.com, rather than the manufacturer’s website, because I like to be able to shop around for options and compare straighteners brands.
Usually, the warranty information is displayed right there on the product listing. But, on this Hot Tools listing, it simply said “contact the manufacturer to request information on the warranty”. A pretty off-putting message for a busy girl! Perplexed, I flicked over to some of their other products to see if there was a hot tools curling iron warranty and, again, I got the same answer.
I am yet to find the answer to whether there is a hot tools warranty or not. But, at the price, I suppose it doesn’t really matter if it doesn’t last forever.
The Final Verdict: All Right for the Price
For a set of straighteners under $60, I think The Hot Tools Pink Titanium is a pretty good buy. Overall, I give this model a 3.5 star rating. It does have quite a lot going for it:
- It’s on the right side of the titanium versus ceramic curling irons debate.
- You’ve got total control over the amount of heat you apply to your hair.
- It’s great for curling as well as straightening.
- It’s definitely priced to sell.
And, there are just a couple of things which let it down:
- They might as well not have bothered with the “auto-shutoff”.
- It’s hard to find any information on the manufacturer’s warranty, which has me just a tad worried.
The hot tools reviews on Amazon.com are mostly pretty positive. Why not waltz on over and check them out?