FHI Heat Runway Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Styling Iron 1" with I.C.H.S.+Nano Ti+NanoTiO2+Nano Ag Technology
|
List Price: Our Price: $375.00 You Save: $25.00 (6%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Beauty See more product details |
|---|
Customer Reviews of FHI Heat Runway Professional Ceramic Tourmaline Styling Iron 1" with I.C.H.S.+Nano Ti+NanoTiO2+Nano Ag Technology
Customer Review: Updated Review - The Runway isn't king anymore in my eyes + Runway VS CHI and Solia!
Summary: 5 Stars
September 2, 2009 Update
It pains me to say this but after 8 joyous straight-hair months, my Runway stopped working. I was doing my mother's hair tonight and I was about 1/4th of the way finished when I noticed the iron wasn't heating up anymore. It went from being normal hot to just warm, to now just cold. The red light indicator is dim and not flashing as it should be when it's at the desired temperature. I will not try to contact FHI for a replacement because they will not give a warranty to anyone who doesn't buy it from a salon or their website.
I had such a great experience with the Runway that it pains me to have to go find another one. I have been hearing that the CHIs break easily these days and I'm not sure about the other brands out there. Does anyone make a flat iron that lasts more than a year or two?
I did notice FHI changed the packaging of the box to be in red and black and show the runway and a girl. My box is white and blue and just shows the iron. So maybe the new box design signifies a new and better Runway iron -- who knows?
September 19, 2009 Update
I've now purchased two more flat irons since my Runway broke. The CHI Original ($90) and the Solia 1" ($80). Here's how I'd compare them to the Runway.
The CHI original is the weakest of the three irons, due to the fixed temperature. The best thing about the CHI is that it is made in the USA (real ones sold at salons, not the fakes). I am keeping the CHI as a backup iron in case my Solia ever stops working. It's not horrible and I could be happy with the results, it's just that it takes longer to straighten your hair with it and it gives more flyaways than the other two. Overall quality grade: C
The Solia 1" gives similar results compared to the Runway. For less than 1/3 of the price I can't really be picky here. The problem with the Solia is that it still gives flyaways and some unwanted bends, while the Runway seemed just about flawless. The Solia heats up faster than the Runway though. I don't think the Runway is worth buying after trying the cheaper Solia. It is made in Korea, same place as the Runway, and looks very much the same as the Runway except the plates are blue and not white. Overall quality grade: B
In conclusion, the Runway is -technically- the best flat iron I've ever tried and gave me "A" quality results that were close to what one could achieve with Japanese hair straightening (thermal reconditioning), but I would not recommend purchasing it due to it possibly breaking and the price you are paying to get one. You can spend a 1/4th of the price and get something that is only a hair or two worse, literally. Basically, it is not in a league of its own.
Customer Review: The Best Flatiron Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
The FHI is, bar none, the best flat iron that I've ever used and I've used plenty. I had it for over 3 years, but recently it broke--didn't stop working fortunately, but I had a plate physically break on a trip--and I was in the market for a new iron. I think it was stepped on or thrown and, as it's ceramic it just cracked. In any event, I have natural 3C hair, until April it was mid-back length. I recently cut it into a bob, which also eliminated the bun option and meant that it had to be straightened pretty much all the time for work. When it broke, I was desperate for a replacement and THOUGHT I'd found it for an amazing price on a site called hair products pro dot-com. They gladly took my money and then spend over a month emailing me to tell me that it was out of stock--BTW they still have it available for purchase on their website.
Finally, I gave up and accepted a shipment of the H2Pro, which is comparable only to a CHI. It leaves ridiculous amounts of unwanted bends, flyaways, frizziness, and my hair is not soft or shiny. Additionally, the style held for a little under 3 days even with nightly wrapping. I was appalled to say the least. Also, while the Runway emits positive ions that can strengthen my hair, I felt like the other flatirons that I've tried (H2Pro, Chi, Missiko, are breaking and pulling it and I actually feel uncomfortable at the 450 setting, which I absolutely did not with the FHI. Although I know I probably don't need it set that high, my former stylist set me at 370, I like it because I'm lazy (story for another blog)...But, the 370 setting required 3-5 pass throughs with the H2Pro and Missiko (2-3 with the Chi) and I just don't feel that my hair is healthy. It feels scorched and brittle on the ends, which I never EVER got with the Runway.
Bottom line, you get what you pay for. Buy the FHI :)
Customer Review: Very Fragile
Summary: 1 Stars
I had read SEVERAL reviews before purchasing this flat iron. This is a $450 top-of-the-line flat iron. I have very thick and coarse hair, so it cut my styling time in half and keeps my hair straight for days. I discovered the runway because my stylist uses it, and I got hooked. I have used many straighteners and I thought it was the best. That being said, my sister bought a flat iron from Target a few weeks after I splurged on my $450 FHI. She bought one that is for both wet and dry hair, and performance-wise it is VERY comparable to the Fhi...and it was less than $50! Several reviews that I read warned about the delicate plates. Mine was dropped once, and now is completely useless (it wont even turn on), there is a hairline crack in the plate, and it is no longer covered by the 1 year manufacturer warranty.
If you drop this thing one time it wont last. My friend dropped it from probably 2-3 feet. I was ULTRA careful with it (my friend was the one who dropped it), but it just takes ONE time, there is no mercy with this (or the warranty).
It isn't worth $450, go buy a $50 wet/dry hair straightener and it will do the job just as good, and you won't have to worry about it breaking, and breaking your bank.
Customer Review: FHI Runway
Summary: 3 Stars
After reading all the good reviews about this product i decided to take a chance to buy it. I am East Indian in decent so i have really thick, long hair so this flat iron needs to work well for me to get my hair the way i am accustomed to having it...I really didnt see the WOW factor in this product as others mentioned. It did flat iron my hair in 10 mins but any good iron can do that also, my hair had no glossy effect after i was done...That was a total disappointment because i've used many other irons that allows you to have have this however, i must say that all it takes is one quick movement of the iron into your hair and it's instantly done...No touch ups necessary and really does last for days. In addition, the iron is really light, easy to handle & i got it in a couple days of ordering which was impressive for me since i do not live in USA.
My advice to others would be to try something else that is cheaper because for the price this iron isn't worth it.
Customer Review: Love it but broke quick
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought this item, and while it worked, absolutely LOVED IT!!!!! Unfortunately, after about 6 months, it completley quit turning on and heating up - completely just stopped working. So, I can't rate it well, as that makes it about $100 per month I spent to straighten my hair...BUT...while I did, this iron was fabulous. It did a GREAT job and actually convinced my friends who have straight hair to buy straighteners for their own straight hair, as after using mine, their hair looked so much better. 4 of us went on a 4 days girls trip, and all used my iron for 'giggles' - after claiming it the best ever. They didn't want to spend the money and got cheaper versions and weren't as impressed - but goes to show what a great iron this is. Unfortunately I bought it new on ebay without a warranty, so after 6 months, I'll have to pitch it, bummer. Looking to buy another one though, still. Loved it!