Helen of Troy Super Mega 1-1/2" Professional Brush Iron

Frankly, this is the only 1 1/2" barrel curling brush on the market from what I could find, so it's lucky it's pretty good quality. The barrel heats up to a nice, but not hair-scorching temperature and it heats fairly quickly. The plastic tip stays cool enough to touch, so styling is simple and the bristles are close enough together to make curling even my baby-fine locks possible.

The only major problem is what I consider a design flaw: the joint between the barrel and the handle isn't covered, which means if you're not extremely careful to keep your hair toward the tip of the barrel, it'll get caught--and it's painful. I invariably lose a few valuable strands a day, no matter how I try to prevent it.

This curling iron has been the best hair utility item I have ever owned. I have purchased it over the past 10 years about 4 different times. It's not because the iron goes out or stops working its because I've left it somewhere during travel or for some other reason that wasn't the iron's fault. It is WONDERFUL for straight hair to give lift and volume at the roots and to give soft turn up or down at the tips. Your hair never looks like an iron has touched it - totally natural results. Excellent heating element, never quits, lasts forever, a must have for straight hair. Only 2 downfalls - 1. it's nearly impossible to find at stores and I have to always order it online. 2. it would be nice if there was an auto-shut off timer that turned the iron off after an hour or so of no use. (In case I walk out the door and accidentally leave it on.) Otherwise - this iron is the BEST!

Was a gift for mom; can't find them in the stores; is the only type of hair curling device she uses, so I bought her two. She's very happy with it.