Hairstyle World Article for Women

5 of the best…portable hair tools

July 17th, 2006

Fed up with your humdrum hairstyle? Reinvent yourself with some of our favourite tools of the trade.


A packed social diary is inspiration enough to go that extra mile on the mission for maximum glamour. Flat and hat hair, frizz, bland or bed-head issues become public (appearance) enemy no 1, with hair appliances climbing with a bullet to the top of the shopping charts. Looking good on the go has never been easier with perfectly portable gadgets that fit effortlessly into a handbag, and compact mains operated gizmos that can be stashed discreetly in a drawer or locker along with the Optrex and Alka Seltzer. From work to wow hair starts here…

Braun Cordless Smoothliner Straightener,
£49.99
The daddy of cordless gas-powered straighteners with patented 3x smoother ceramic plates. Key features include express heat-up function to 190°C and interchangeable long and short handles – the latter making it the perfect option for straightening locks on location. Best for: Sleek, straight styles with no strings attached.

BaByliss Portability Spiral Tong,
£15 (Boots, Argos and leading department stores)
A cordless curl wand powered by the energy cell included in the purchase price. The ceramic coated barrel and the spiral ribs mean it’s easy peasy to create even curls without damage. Simply wind a section of your hair along the barrel of the tong or brush attachment, starting at the base working up towards the roots. For loose waves or extra volume just leave the hair to set for a short while or for more defined curls leave your hair to set for slightly longer. It heats up quickly to a high temperature and a protective shield makes for easy storage. Best for: Creating curls in the back of a limo, lift, wherever.

Nicky Clarke Frizz Control Ionic Rollers,
£19.99
12 medium sized rollers presented in a compact nylon travel case, which heats 6 of them at a time in 3 minutes. Their dual voltage makes them ideal for desk to dance floor transformations, whether at home or abroad and they are hassle-free and ideal for those sleek meets curly mid-lengths and ends looks and the shorter all-over curls styles beloved of the A-list. The Frizz Control feature smoothes the cuticle of each hair leaving it soft and shiny. Best for: Mimicking those Scarlett and Charlize yesteryear-inspired Oscar looks.

Morphy Richards Head Gear – 3 in 1 Styler,
£24.99 www.morphyrichards.com
This groovy looking slimline pink gizmo is perfect for the gal with a trio of back to back parties to attend as you can achieve straight, curly or volumised effects at the flick of a switch. It comes with a storage pouch and a sectioning comb and four sectioning clips, which are useful if you have a lot of hair. Best for: Working mid-length fine to medium hair types to the max and creating fashionable root lift and tufty sections in short styles.

BaByliss Colourlights,
around £40 (Boots, Argos and leading department stores)
A complete kit of 40 hair extensions comprising a selection of 12 bright, pastel and natural colours, plus bling-tastic jewelled strands. Each extension has a special waxy tip that acts as an adhesive when combined with the heated plates. You can wear your ColourLights for days at a time - hair can be washed and dried as normal - or whip them out after a party using the removal solution provided. Scissors are also part of the package so the extensions can be customised to suit any length of hair. Best for: Adding a new dimension to your trademark style without the need for a lasting commitment.

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