Sunday 3 November 2013

BaByliss Perfect Curl

Isn't it funny how we always want what we don't have. Short haired girls want long hair, blondes wish they were brunettes and girls with straight hair want curls - and I fall in the last category... My friends will know that I have been on the hunt for the perfect curling tool for ages. I've tried most things; heated curlers, the wand, curling tongs, straighteners (yes as bizarre as it is to curl with a straightener) - Mount Remington, the graveyard of all my unused heat styling tools is quite impressive. Despite making promises to myself that this was it - no more heat stylers for me, I made an exception after seeing another curl miracle worker on You Tube - I'd like you all to meet Gladys the BaByliss Pro Perfect Curl.

This little beauty looks more like some form of power tool, than a hair curler, and it's all because of the innovative technology behind it. Instead of wrapping your hair around a long barrel, you place the curler around a section of your hair and voilà, it's automatically sucked up into a ceramic curl chamber, and when you release it a couple of seconds later, you have a perfect curl. Let's see how this actually works in a little bit more detail.
I don't think Gladys the BaByliss will mind when I say that she may look a little strange, but she's very easy to work and all you need to do is to figure out the three different settings and which ones work best for you: 
1. Curl direction: you can either have all the curls go in the same direction or you can choose to alternate between each curl, for a more natural look
2. Time setting: ranges from 8 - 12 secs and the shorter the time, the looser the waves
3. Temperature setting; three different temperatures depending on your hair type.

When I tried it I chose for all the curls to be in the same direction, soft curl style (10 secs) and temperature setting 2 for normal texture hair. I applied heat protectant spray and after the hair was completely dry I sectioned it off, to make it easier to work through. They recommend that you use sections that are no more than 3 cms, but since I have quite long hair my sections were probably no more than 2 cms. Wherever you decide for the curl to start, that's where you position and release the clamp of the curler - it doesn't have to be close to your scalp, it can be much further down if you wish. Once you've released the clamp your hair is automatically pulled into the curling chamber without you having to do anything at all.

I'm not going to lie, I was more than a little bit apprehensive about this bit. I was worried that my hair would get stuck, I had visions of it burning off or that I would need to cut off long sections to free myself of this contraption - but there's no need to worry about any of that. If the section of your hair is too thick, or it's not wound up properly in the ceramic chamber, there will be a few warning beeps and you just release the clamp and your hair is freed. There is no pulling of your hair or "getting stuck", and in fact there were no hairs around the tool at all after I had finished curling it, which makes a nice change from what my hair usually goes through when I wave it. In short it feels incredibly safe, comfortable to use the tool and it's relatively gentle on your hair. It looks like a bulky tool (sorry Gladys), but it doesn't weigh more than a slightly larger blow dryer and you don't need to worry about your arms getting tired. The only thing I would recommend is that you try to  avoid pulling the curler when you have a section of hair in the chamber. Instead perhaps try to hold the curler a bit closer to your scalp, so that the hair is relaxed - I think the curls turn out better that way.

A few beeps will let you know when the curl is done, and you simply open the clamp and gently release the hair. It took me a little over 30 mins to do my hair, but I noticed that as I got more comfortable and confident with how to work with Gladys that the left side got done in much less time, so I'm pretty sure I can get that down to about 20 mins - which I think is an acceptable amount of time to spend on your hair in the morning. When the hair has cooled down completely, you might want to use some hairspray to set the waves and then work through with your fingers or brush, however you prefer to style your hair and loosen up the curls. On me the curls lasted a little longer than two days, and in the photos below I've shown how they changed during that time:
 
8 hrs after styling
 32 hrs after styling - including a workout at the gym and shower + miserable rainy weather 

This is an amazing curler - it gives lovely, bouncy and long lasting waves in the style of your choice, however it does also come at a price. Is it worth it? Well that all depends on how good you are at styling your hair and how much you want those curls. I'm pretty good at doing my hair using a wand, but this is so much easier, gentler on the hair, the curls look more or less the same on both sides and it's minimum effort. I LOVE Gladys the BaByliss, and can't recommend her enough, and I really think that the hunt for the perfect curling tool is at an end - may we live happily and curly haired long ever after!

89 comments:

  1. I've seen this advertised on Youtube but wasn't sure how good it would be but I think you may have just sold it to me! Your hair looks amazing after 8 hours and its good to know that even after 32 hours your hair hasn't dropped out completely! X

    Hanclarky

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    1. Hiya Hannah - it's a really good curler, and I'm so impressed with it :O). Xx

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  2. Hi Charlotte, I love your hair!!!
    I follow you with GFC and Bloglovin!!
    Have a nice sunday!!! my g+ and heart in bloglovin for your post!!!

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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    1. Hello Marcela, thank you so much, that's really nice of you - it's such a great curler I would recommend it to anyone :O). Follow you too - have a great Sunday :o). Xx

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  3. I saw this on tele. It looks amazing! Awesome to get something that actually works!

    Rachael x
    All The Little Things x | Rachael McClenaghan

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    1. Completely - I think it's worth every penny! Xx

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  4. I think it looks really nice and natural, I think I will put this on my christmas wishlist. I just can't get the hang of curling my hair with a wand.

    http://welldressed25.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. And fair enough heat styling is going to wear on your hair, but with this one it feels gentler since there's no pull on the hair and it doesn't get stuck! Xx

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  5. I've seen this around a lot but you never get to see longterm results so thanks for posting these pics! Wow that's a really impressive curl! My hair is so fine my curls last about 30 mins at best so this looks really interesting. I'd also be scared of having my hair trapped though lol

    Claire | AgentSmyth

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    1. I hope I've reassured you that it's perfectly safe LOL. This afternoon it's about 55 hrs later and I still have a soft curl, so I'm very pleased with that :O). Xx

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  6. Replies
    1. I got this for just under £150, which is a huge investment really, but I'm so impressed with it and I know I'll get my money's worth :o). Xx

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  7. I've nominated you in the sunshine award so if you'd like to take part then click over to my blog http://daisychainprincess.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/the-sunshine-award.html :)

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    1. Hi Bess, thanks a million that's so nice of you. I do have a few other tags I need to do too so it may be a while before you see the replies, so please be patient with me :O). Xx

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  8. I would like to change my hair color blonde ... :) And i dont know what to do... For two weeks I go to the my haidresser and we will see :)
    And I'm impessed whit the results we see on Your head :) wow!!
    www.antymarka.blogspot.com

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    1. If you do change your hair color, you'll have to show us how it turned out - thank you so much, it's a really excellent curler :o). Xx

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  9. Such a great review of this hair tool! It looks amazing and pretty easy to use xx

    www.ohsoaddictedtobeauty.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Rachel, thanks a million - despite looking a little weird it's the easiest heat styling tool I've ever used :O). Xx

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  10. Really want to try this but it's damn pricey!

    www.notanotherbeautyblog.co.uk

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    1. Yes it's definitely not cheap, but it IS worth it :o). Xx

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  11. Looks really good. That´s great that it still holds even after gym and rainy weather. :)
    fashionhappenss.blogspot.sk

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    1. definitely, part of it is probably because of styling products, but some is definitely this wonderful curler :o). Xx

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  12. Thanks so much for this review. This sounds like something I would love.

    katespitz.blogspot.com

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    1. I hope it was useful - I know it may sound a big too good to be true - but in this case it isn't and it's definitely working for me :O). Xx

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  13. It's pretty awesome and the result on your hair is amazing ! I'm very impressed :)x

    Enora from http://remainreverie.blogspot.fr/

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    1. Thanks a million - it's definitely going to make my hair styling a lot easier :o). Xx

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  14. Great review and pictures! I'm amazed at how long the curls stayed in! Does your hair normally hold curls well or do you think it had to do with that method of curling it? On the rare occasion I curl my hair it takes forever, so this seems much faster!

    sundaysgraceBLOG

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    1. Great question Carly! Well my hair usually holds curls fairly well, but I usually have to really frazzle my hair to get that effect. That's one of the things that really felt different with this curler, yes of course I used heat, but still my hair didn't feel completely "fried" afterwards. So some of it is definitely because of how it was curled :O). Xx

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  15. Lovely review:: would it work on hair that's past the shoulder?

    Libertylovesmakeup.blogspot.com

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    1. Well my hair goes to to about half way down my back and it's working amazingly well! Xx

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  16. I've been dying to get my hands on these but the price tag can't reach an agreement with my bank balance at the moment so Dear Santa.. Great post anyway, bit more of an insight to the overall performance of them!

    Lauren | What Lauren Says

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    1. Thank you so much it would definitely make a great X-mas gift :o). Xx

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  17. I've been seeing this everywhere recently and its tempting me more and more everyday! you have lovely hair charlotte :)
    xx

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    1. That's so lovely of you - thank you! I was sceptical whether it was worth it or not, but I'm so glad I got it :O). Xx

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  18. ooh that is amazing! Ahh now I can't wait for my hair to grow out so I can curl my hair like that haha

    xo Deborah
    Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes

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    1. Ooh, that's motivation for you, but I think it works well on short hair as well if you don't want to wait :o).

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  19. Your hair looks amazing! An it stayed really well! Gladys is a good broad to have around! ;)

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  20. I really want this. Looks like it has impressive staying power.
    Karen x
    http://silvermachine78.blogspot.co.uk/

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    1. It's a great curler for sure, and yep - my hair is still wavy :o). Xx

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  21. How much was it and where did you buy it from? Xx

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    1. If you follow the link it'll take you to a website called Sally Salon Services, where I got it for just under £150. Xx

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  22. I really want these curlers after seeing them on telly, they are definitely going on my christmas wishlist.

    Trill xo
    Esttrill.co.uk

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    1. Great idea, I think you'll be so happy with them. Xx

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  23. I'm still on the fence about this curler, I will admit the price puts me off a little when I have my trusty wand. I have seen some great review for it though and I always have a problem with my super straight hair holding curls but everyone seems to say this holds your curls really well, so I'm tempted :) xx

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    1. I've used the wand a lot as well, and it's funny because I was tempted to buy another one that was a bit wider and then I saw this, the rest is wavy history :O). Xx

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  24. Really interesting product. Your after styling shots make me want to give it a try!


    Macie,
    Amen Fashion †

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    1. Hiya Macie - thanks a million, I highly recommend it :O). Xx

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  25. This sounds like a great styler and your curls look great! (:

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  26. Curls are always beautiful on a girl.

    Min x
    http://www.minsbeautyequipment.com/

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    1. Ah, another one in the curly camp :o). Xx

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  27. so strange but does such a lovely job on your hair! I'm in the wanting-straight-hair camp so definitely don't need this though!

    writingwhimsy.com

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    1. Thank you, all I need now is a really GREAT wide straightener for those straight hair days - a girl can change her mind right :o). Xx

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  28. Yeah I agree, when I first saw this in action, I was scared hair might get stuck in this ~contraption~. It's like a horror movie waiting to happen!!
    This curling thingamajig sounds really impressive though, and really easy to use!

    Vanessa | Citron and Guavaberry ʘ‿ʘ | Makeup & Silly things

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    1. LOL - I'm glad it's not just me with a vivid imagination :o). Xx

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  29. Great post! I really want to try this hair curler now! Your curls look so nice! :D

    xoxo

    http://perlasancheza.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you so much, that's really lovely of you! Hope you'll visit again soon :o). Xx

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  30. You have very beautiful hair!! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

    Louisa Moje
    http://lapassionvoutee.blogspot.com/

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    1. Hello Louisa, thank you that's so nice of you - both for visiting and for the comment! Hope to see you here again soon :O). Xx

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  31. I am getting this exact product for christmas so am very glad to hear it is worth the price! Great post babe x

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    1. Thanks a million - lucky you, I don't think you'll be disappointed with it :O). Xx

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  32. This looks amazing, I saw Fleur De Force use it on one of her videos and it looked really good. Definitely adding this to my christmas list, great review!

    www.alarahblog.blogspot.co.uk
    Alanah
    xxx

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    1. Thanks a million - I hope you're lucky enough to get it :O). Xx

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  33. love the look of this!!! www.beckysbeautique.co.uk
    xxx

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  34. I've wanted this curler for so long!! It looks amazing.

    http://thesecretlifeofabeautylover.blogspot.com/2013/11/ba-star-review-exclusive-discount.html

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    1. Hello Tanaya - thank you very much for visiting and for leaving a comment. It really is excellent and the curls last a long time too. Hope you'll visit again soon :o). Xx

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  35. Just wow... I tweeted you on Twitter but I sooooooo want one of these, it looks AMAZING! Argh I wish it wasn't so pricey xx

    Gemma | Miss Makeup Magpie

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    1. Hiya Gemma :o), I know it is eye watering. I scouted around to try and get it a little cheaper, since most other shops quote it at £170-ish.... Xx

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  36. I really want to try this but I can't afford the price tag :'( It takes me 1-2 hours to curl my hair with the curling tongs I have at the moment and I think this looks amazing!

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    1. Hello Lauren, oh noo - I know what that can be like, the things we do for curls! If you wait a few months I'm sure the price will drop quite dramatically eventually :o) Xx

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  37. Your curls looks really nice, even after 32 hours! That's amazing :)

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    1. Thanks a million - I've used it every week since I got it with the same results - it's brilliant! Xx

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  38. I can't believe the curls lasted so long! It looks lovely :)

    www.sarahjayne-beauty.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Thanks a million - it's a really excellent heatstyler and I'm so glad I invested in it :o). Xx

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  39. Replies
    1. Thank you, I don't think anyone will be disappointed in this product. Xx

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  40. Lovely review. I really want this curl tool, but it's so expensive! I'm glad to hear your review on it, because I have been nervous about burning hair or getting in stuck too.

    http://tanjamortensen.com/

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    1. Hi Tanja - it feels really safe to use and more gentle on the hair than using a wand actually :o). Xx

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  41. This looks so lovely. I have seen it on youtube, but didnt Think it would be that great. Thanks for This post hugs Cherie from Denmark

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    1. Hej Cherie, thank you so much that's really nice of you. I've used it every week since I got it and it's absolutely brilliant! Definitely worth it's price :o). Xx

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  42. This looked terrifying to me but amazing at the same time so I just sort of skimmed past it. I just saw you mention in a newer post that you'd reviewed this though so thought I'd take a look and it sounds great. I have the most vivid imagination when it comes to things that could go wrong so I was thinking all sorts about this. The results look amazing though and it sounds really safe from what you've said too! Might have just changed my mind about this one.

    Lisa x
    http://uniqueornbeauty.blogspot.co.uk

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  43. sales promotion: with coupon code ‘haircurler’ to save 15% for all Curl Secret, Miracurl and Pro prefect curl on haircurltool.com.

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