Works as advertised, but it's expensive.
- Curls, straightens hair well
- Adds volume, softness
- Three heat settings
- Loud
- Low introductory price isn't so low
- Requires good eye-hand coordination
As one reviewer puts it, the InStyler is basically an "extreme curling iron." Simply clip a lock of hair between a bristle-lined clasp and a rotating, heated barrel to either curl or straighten your hair.
Based on the reviews we've read, the InStyler works almost as well in real life as it does in the infomercial – at least for most owners. Users say this device does a good job of curling or straightening hair, though there's a bit of a learning curve involved. A couple of TV news reporters get largely positive results in their tests -- with a couple of dissenting opinions from some subjects -- and there's a convincing demonstration of its straightening prowess in several YouTube video clips. As for its curling abilities, a blogger on Shoot-Me-Now.com raves that it works very well.
We did find a few complaints about the InStyler. Several reviewers and owners say that the unit is somewhat awkward to use and that they burned themselves when first using it. It is also a bit on the noisy side, at least compared to other curling or flat irons. A few women say the InStyler isn't any faster than other hairstyling devices. And there are many counterfeit, supposedly lower-quality and untested units being sold, so consumers must be careful to order from InStyler official sites, reports WalletPop.com's Consumer Ally section.
On the customer service side, some consumers report that the InStyler infomercial, which advertises a 30-day trial for only $14.99, conceals the fact that you have to buy two Instylers at a time for $140 once the trial expires. Some users complain that they were billed the full amount before the 30-day trial ended and had to haggle with customer service for a refund.
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Our Sources
1. KWCH (Wichita, Kan.)
Reporter Kim Setty asks three women to try the InStyler with a hairstylist. The stylist approves, saying it does "a great job of not only straightening, but also working like a curling iron." One of the women, who has fairly straight hair, is also very happy with the results, saying it works quickly. However, the curly-haired test subjects say it isn't any faster than other straightening devices they've used in the past.
Review: InStyler, Kim Setty, May 20, 2009
2. KFVS (Cape Girardeau, Mo.)
Anchor Lauren Keith asks test subject Missy O'Kelly to describe her experience with the InStyler. The product works as advertised, she says, and O'Kelly is impressed by the volume it creates. Both O'Kelly and Keith take issue with the $14.99 free trial (which can easily balloon to more than $140 if you don't send back your two InStylers promptly). O'Kelly also expresses frustration at the fact that she was obligated to purchase two InStylers instead of one.
Review: InStyler Rotating Iron: Does it Work?, Lauren Keith, May 13, 2009
3. O, The Oprah Magazine
This short review of the InStyler explains how it works and recommends it because it both straightens the hair and curls the end while leaving the roots full of volume. However, the InStyler isn't compared to other models.
Review: 5 Beauty Innovations, March, 2009
4. MakeupAnarchist.com
This beauty blogger says the InStyler leaves her hair bouncier with good body and softness compared to other styling irons. However, she reports that it requires a bit of coordination since it only rotates in one direction, noting that it can be very awkward when you use your non-dominant hand. She also says that yes, it makes noise, but that it is not louder than a quiet blow dryer.
Review: Review: InStyler, "AnimesTrinity", June 18, 2010
5. AntiHairSlave.com
Joi Ennis uses the InStyler to straighten her hair in this video review. Overall, she likes the InStyler for her own hair, but says it would probably not work well for people with very curly or kinky hair, because you can't get close enough to the roots to straighten it there. She also likes that her hair does not smell "burnt" after she uses the InStyler.
Review: InStyler Review Recap, Joi Ennis, March 23, 2009
6. BeautyJunkiesUnite.com
This blogger reports says the InStyler works, but requires practice not to burn yourself with the device. She offers tips for learning how to use it, and says it is a "little on the loud side." More than 60 comments, many from InStyler owners, offer additional perspective. The takeaway seems to be that some people like it, but it isn't a good fit for everyone.
Review: Review: InStyler Rotating Hot Iron Hair Straightener, "Amber", July 14, 2009
7. TheGloss.com
This blog post links to a YouTube video review of the InStyler that has since been removed, but 150-plus reader comments give some insight into consumer opinions. Some reviews are very positive, reporting that the InStyler works amazingly well, while others say it doesn't work well, they burned themselves with the product or that it broke quickly.
Review: Instyler Reviews, Samantha Cabrera, March 19, 2009
8. DailyFinance.com
WalletPop.com removed their review of the InStyler after they found out that they had reviewed a counterfeit item from Amazon.com, says Mitch Lipka, a columnist for WalletPop.com's Consumer Ally section. Lipka warns consumers that there are many counterfeit InStylers out there, and the company says the fakes are not tested to safety standards and do not perform as well as the original InStyler. There are only three sites authorized to sell the InStyler.
Review: Beware Counterfeit InStyler Rotating Irons on Amazon and Other Websites, Mitch Lipka, Nov. 3, 2010
9. Suite 101
Kerrie Troseth discusses the pros and cons of the InStyler, which she calls an "extreme curling iron." She likes the three heat settings and range of styles it can produce, but also says it's noisy, expensive and tricky to use if you don't have good hand-eye coordination. In her opinion, the InStyler works best on fine hair, but she says those with extremely curly hair will have a hard time getting perfectly straight hair. She concludes that "the InStyler infomercial is mostly accurate in its information."
Review: Product Review of the InStyler, Kerrie Troseth, Jan. 3, 2009
10. Shoot-Me-Now.com
In this post, a blogger recounts the time she borrowed her hairstylist's InStyler. Although she finds the InStyler to be heavy and difficult to position at first, she is completely thrilled with the product after using it. "Ladies and Gentlemen, what I had before me was the most glossy, perfect and smooth curl you have ever seen. It was EXACTLY like the infomercial. EXACTLY," she writes. Regardless of how much this blogger loves the InStyler, she has yet to purchase one for herself -- she says the price is way too steep.
Review: "Non-Review" Review: The InStyler (Angels Singing), "Katherine", June 23, 2009
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