Wet/Dry Flat Irons

With wet/dry flat irons, price does not predict performance

Wet/dry flat irons claim to take hair from wet to dry in one easy step, but many fall short. The most common complaint is that these irons simply don't dry hair effectively -- or they dry somewhat but don't actually straighten.

The Remington Wet 2 Straight 2\" Straightener (*Est. $30) is an exception. While many users say they have to towel dry hair well or let it air dry some, they agree that this iron works very well on damp -- not wet -- hair. They say it shortens styling time significantly and straightens hair effectively. While there are some quality complaints, this flat iron has a two-year warranty. A few users say it damages their hair, but beauty expert Paula Begoun says this is to be expected in a wet/dry flat iron; she still recommends it at Oprah.com.

We also found the BaByliss PROro Nano Titanium 1-1/2" ;Titanium-Plated Wet-to-Dry Ultra-Thin Straightening Iron (*Est. $130) recommended at CosmeticsCop.com, though Begoun doesn't explain why this model is recommended. But for a fifth of the amount that you would spend on this flat-iron, you could get a well-reviewed flat iron that is proven by hundreds of users. Or for half the amount of the BaByliss, you could get the Infiniti by Conair SS9, which excels in damp conditions.

Another option that's safe for damp hair -- though not recommended for actually drying hair -- is the Infiniti by Conair SS9 (*Est. $65 and up) . While we found few other reviews for the SS9, it was the top reviewed flat iron in a recent test conducted by a product review expert, and it earned excellent marks for effectiveness. It offers several optional features, like steam-enhanced straightening and detangling combs. According to user reviews, the effectiveness of both features is questionable, and it's not clear whether experts used either in their testing. The SS9 has both an auto-off feature and a digital temperature reading. Several users complain that the steam is inconvenient to use, though, and may burn hands.