Just like how every other technology is evolving, so are curling irons.

I don’t want to say we are a lazy generation, but it seems like technology has taken over making everything easier for us.  Including curlers.  I received the Rowenta Beauty Curl Active iron last week, which includes an automatic barrel. Say what?  The Rowenta Curl Active automatically rotates hair around a motorized barrel, which ensures hair is perfectly coiled.  Basically all you have to do is push a button and the iron does the rest of the work.

I’ve never seen anything like this before and like any beauty enthusiast, I was so excited to try it out.  I didn’t really understand the purpose of this curler other than the fact that it could be for lazy people (seriously, how hard it is to manually wrap the hair around the barrel and roll it up?), but it does have some perks.  For instance, it’s perfect for those who may not be as experienced in curling their hair; you can multi-task while you are using it, and it saves you from burning yourself (it bounces back about an inch once you release the button, so you can’t burn your scalp).  The iron also comes with a heat-resistant case, so if you are traveling and have to pack your iron ASAP, you can shove it in there without burning anything else.

Other perks of this iron include two rotation switches for various hair styles, variable temperatures (two heat positions of 180 degrees Celsius and 210 degrees Celsius), a fast heat up of 1.5 minutes, ceramic coating to protect hair and increase shine, and it’s the “ideal curl diameter” of 1 1/4 inches.  The trigger to release the hair is also super sturdy; overall, this is a very well-made iron.  For C$179.99, you are definitely getting what you pay for in terms of quality.

Now for performance… I started off my hair routine with using the Matrix Heat Resist shampoo, conditioner, and styling products, including their Blowout Tamer, Iron Tamer and Exquisite Oil (loooove the smell of this stuff).  These products are formulated for heat styling so you don’t have to use a separate spray, just wash and go!

From there, I sectioned off my hair and then proceeded to use the iron.  This tool definitely takes some getting used to, but once you have the hang of it, it’s super easy to use and quite convenient.  Click on the video below to see it in action.

The iron does leave you with nice curls, but because of the size of the barrel, the curls are looser, and I found that they didn’t hold that well over time.  I know in the marketing materials, if you take smaller sections of hair then it will give you that “head full of curls” look, but maybe it’s just my hair, but I didn’t get that at all.  The next day my hair felt natty and the curls were all but gone.  I  really wanted to love this iron because I think it’s a really cool idea, but it just didn’t do much for my hair (especially compared to my other irons, which leave my hair curled for days on end).  I know that this iron did get a lot of positive reviews from other bloggers and YouTubers, so maybe it’s just the texture of my hair…

If you are interested in this iron, it is available at Trade Secrets and select salons.  Let me know if you have tried this and your thoughts!

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