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I have always loved having long hair, and I’ve had several variations of the same style since elementary school (except for one time in college when I chopped it all off, but we don’t talk about that). To say that keeping it healthy and looking good is important to me is a significant understatement. My hair is one of my favourite features about myself, and I’m always looking for ways to make it look its best without investing hours in styling.
So, when I got the chance to try out the Shark SmoothStyle Heated Smoothing Comb Straightener, I jumped at the opportunity. I have many hair tools in my collection already, but I’m always looking for new options that offer a quick and easy styling experience without breaking the bank.
I have to preface my experience with a little background information about my hair. It’s not thick. It’s actually quite thin and fine, but I am blessed with having a lot of strands of hair on my head. That means styling it takes me a lot longer than I’d like—sometimes close to two hours if I decide to wash it that day.
My hair also does this thing where it knots up fast, a process my hairdresser dubbed “Velcro hair” because you could put a brush through it and two seconds later, bam! Knots. That’s why it’s crucial for me to have the right styling tools to protect my hair from damage that could make it even stickier, so to speak. I have to say, the SmoothStyle Heating Comb really did a number on my hair in the best possible way.
I decided to start with a clean slate, so I washed my hair and dried it to 70%, as per the instructions. The instructions also give tips on how to hold the brush depending on the look you’re going for, so it was all super straightforward.
Once I was ready to test it, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked. I sectioned my hair using the included clips, and it took about two minutes to dry and style each section. At first, I thought this couldn’t be it because all I had to do was hold the styler by my roots for a few seconds and then brush it out to the ends a couple of times. But it was, and within about 10 minutes, my entire head was straight, glossy, dry, and softly styled.
Aside from cutting my styling time down by about 30 minutes, the styler is so easy to use. There was no guesswork on how to use it or turn it on, as it has clearly stated temperature options at the bottom and a separate control for using it on dry hair. My hair never got caught in the bristles, and when I woke up the next morning, I barely had to run a brush through it. It also comes with a carrying bag, so if you need it while you go on vacation or are getting ready at a friend’s house for a night out, it’s easy to take with you.
I do have to include that I used a couple of other products to prep, such as the JVN Complete Instant Recovery Hair serum that protects your hair from heat damage while giving it the nourishment it needs to repair itself from damage. It also leaves my hair feeling silky smooth when all is said and done. I also used the Nexxus HY-VOLUME Weightless Light Cloud Serum Foam, which gives your hair an added boost when looking for volume.
The finished product wasn’t some magical reveal because, as I’ve said, my hair is thin, and 60s high volume isn’t always attainable for me, but I was left feeling with lighter, bouncier tresses. This is to say that the styler delivers on its promises, and if I’m going for a straight look, I will definitely be reaching for it again.
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