I was shipped my straightener quickly, and I was so excited to try Solia out. When I first opened the box I was confused and surprised. Nowhere on the box or labels did it say "tourmaline", and instead of a heat-proof pouch I got an almost invisible sample of argan oil polishing serum. I emailed customer service and got a timely response. All of their straighteners have tourmaline, but they're shipping out all the old inventory packaging before they move on the new stuff. The result: a free sample instead of a heat-proof pouch. Too bad, I really wanted the pouch...I also wish I had just gone to Folica and purchased it there, because right at the top of their website was a code for a discount.
As for the straightener itself, it is pretty awesome. I am Caucasian and have thick, wavy, very malleable hair. I did have to go over the same section of hair 2 or 3 times before getting it completely straight, but that is still better than any other straightener I have ever used. It doesn't tug on my hair, and straightening is faster for me than it ever has been before. I need to get a better heat protectant than Tresemme spray though, because I have a lot of fly-aways. I end up putting hair-spray on a toothbrush and combing the fly-aways down.
Bottom Line: There was a little road bump with what I expected to be shipped, but it is the best straightener I have ever tried on my hair.
Update: 12-27-2011
This hair straightener is still working as well as the day I took it out of the box. 13 months and going strong.
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My hair type...long, very thick, wavy, very frizzy, and a lot of it (like Julia Roberts when she first came on the scene)I loved my Solia but after 3 years the plates unattached. It scared me because it happened while straightening my hair. I decided to try the Sedu because I thought it would last longer and I was really curious if it were better.
SOLIA PROS
Swivel cord never got tangled, I have to battle the Sedu every use
It got hotter
My hair stayed straight for days in the Florida humidity, with the Sedu I have to keep straightening though the day.
It was easier for me to maneuver
The plates touch, with the Sedu there is a slight gap
SEDU PROS
It only takes one swipe to get my hair bone straight, Solia it took around 3
Short time to straighten hair, Solia took about 10 min. more
Easier to clean, sedu just a wipe with a dry cloth, Solia needed a cleaning iron solution
Lighter
Doesn't pull my hair, with the Solia my hair did get caught once in a while
Both of these irons are way better than any drug store or discount store iron I have tried but over all the Solia is way better for me. I'm going to go ahead and buy another solia even though my Sedu is only a couple months old. I wouldn't mind it so much if I didn't have to keep straightening my hair (sometimes 3 extra times a day). If I don't have time to keep straightening, I have to keep rubber bands in my purse to put my hair up. That's a big problem for me.
What I learned...IF IT'S NOT BROKE DON'T FIX IT.
Read Best Reviews of Solia Tourmaline Ceramic Ion Flat Iron (1-1/4") Here
I am african-american with native-american like hair. It's VERY thick, no relaxer, although its pretty straight on it's own.I ordered this flat iron on a Friday and got it on Monday. I was really excited to use it, so I only used it on part of my hair. My hair was already straight, but the ends were messed up and needed a touch up. The irons didn't seem to get hot and the ends would NOT curl. When my mother came over, she wanted to try them because she's also looking for a good flat iron. It didn't work well for her either. I was highly upset and was looking for ways to return it.
Before I returned it though, I decided to try one more thing. I went to wash my hair, I blow dryed it, and tried the irons again. I was VERY pleased! It only took about 15 minutes (used to take 45 with shoulder-length hair). My hair was extremely shiny and soft, and laid down exactly how I wanted it. I have my hair cut in layers and it really brought that cut out. I guess the first time I tried to use it my hair was just too dirty. The iron still only gets 4 stars because now I feel like I won't be able to touch it up after a week, I'll have no choice but to use my old flat iron for that.
Another good thing about it, is that it get hot, but I can get right to the roots without burning myself. Another plus is that I can start the iron in the middle of a chunk of hair and it won't leave a dent like cheaper flat irons do. Cheaper flat irons also produce a LOT of steam and makes the room smell like its burning, but with this flat iron there was barely any smoke and it didn't burn my hair at all. VERY PLEASED!
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I have been using this flat iron for the past year. It worked great and I had no complaints until yesterday. I plugged it in to use it, let it heat up, and picked it up to start straightening and instead, it seriously burnt my hair. It pulled out half of my hair and they were stuck to the plates, melting in front of my eyes. I looked at the iron and it started smoking!!!! I immediately unplugged the unit, threw my hair in a pony tail and went to work.I came home last night and looked at the flat iron and saw that the plates had melted off even after I had unplugged it...very scary. I don't know how hot it must have gotten, but I hadn't done anything different with it that I've done in the past.
I'm on Amazon now shopping for a new flat iron, I will NOT be buying a Solia.
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