does anyone know of a website where you can purchase 'italian' curling irons over here (that only owrk over there. i would much prefer that over shopping for a new curling iron and hair dryer on vacation.<BR>thanks.

I think Christina has got it.<BR><BR>Screw the converter, transformer mess. Get a dual voltage appliance (most DO work) and get an adapter (so your plug will fit the outlet). <BR><BR>I have heard that hairdryers are rather iffy, even when dual voltage. I have never been anywhere where the hotel didn't have one I could borrow.<BR><BR>Check your curling iron. Does it say anywhere "100-240V~50/60Hz"? This means it will work anywhere with voltage from 100 to 240 volts (US is 110, Europe is 220, and Australia is 240) and will work either electric cycle of 50 OR 60 Hertz (I may be wrong here on the terminology, but you get the gist of it). BOTH have to be mentioned for your item to be dual voltage. <BR><BR>If your item only says something like "120V~60Hz" it's obviously not dual voltage.<BR><BR>My curling iron worked fine in Australia and Europe. Although, I have to admit, on most days, I just threw my hair up in a ponytail and went on my way!

OK I know to some people this is unimportant but having a good hair day matters for us girlie girls! I have solved this problem by purchasing a blow dryer (or curling iron) when I arrive at my destination. I know it sounds impractical but I have a collection all labeled with country of origin, Italy, Mexico, England. When I visit London again in September I can skip the trip to Boots for the hairdryer (like CVS only better) It is cheap usually around 15-25 dollars and well worth it. I have two sets of converters that I have purchased at duty free. Give it up, a total waste. Sometimes they work, most often they don't.

Teri - <BR><BR>I'll take a woman who is comfortable putting her hair in a ponytail or clipping it up in one of those thingys over the high maintenance "girly girls" any day of the week! There is nothing sexier than a good looking woman who KNOWS she is attractive and is confident enough to go out without trying too hard.

Well Michael that is really nice. Fortunately, my husband whose name is also Michael, prefers an elegant Latina who actually "dresses for dinner" instead of throwing her hair up in a ponytail and pulling on a pair of jeans. One who knows how to sit like a lady, walk in Manolo Blahnik's with grace, and order in French. I do not wear shorts or athletic footwear, except to the gym, where I maintain my size four "high maintainance" figure. Nope, I do not camp, schlep, or white water raft. I guess I must be no fun at all. Oh well different strokes Michael.

My wife took a hair dryer to England 2 years ago and Italy last year. It was dual voltage - 120/240. It worked in England, fried in Italy - I think cuz we didn't push the switch firmly over to 240. ( A little rotor thingie). <BR>There were several stores near Victor Emmmanuel II in Rome on the way to Porta Maggiore and we got an Italian one for about 37.000L ($20US?)<BR>Note the difference between an adaptor (covert round metal to flat metal) and a converter (changes 120V to 240V or vice versa). Most small converters can't handle the hundreds of watts a heater element uses; they will smoke and melt. <BR>A converter is unnecessary for dual-voltage appliances, use an adaptor. <BR>(Sorry if the Electrical 101 is obvious).

Revlon - dual voltage curling iron - available at Target for about ten bucks. I always bring this with me to Europe and have never had a problem. You do need an adapter plug. Curl away.

my wife fried a curling iron in amsterdam. we went down to the lobby, and asked where we could purchase another one of these(showing the curling iron to the girl at the desk, as we didn't speak any dutch) she gave us directions to a place in the red-light district that was a sex-shop! i guess she had different ideas as to what we were showing her!

Teri - <BR><BR>Michael was simply stating a preference. On top of that, you inferred a lot of things that weren't even close to what he said. Do you have any idea how insecure you sound about yourself?

But Michael - <BR><BR>Doesn't a pony and a scrunchie look kind of odd with a cocktail dress for dinner? <BR><BR>

I'm going to have to agree with Michael- Teri sounds like one of those women who simply has to try too hard - just look at the way she tries to build herself up in her post. More importantly, the way she tries to tie having high maintenance, curling iron dependent hair to being able to order in French, carry oneself appropriately, dress stylishly, etc is very telling - AND amusing. The curling iron look went out a LONG time ago - for everyone but suburban chicks with overly coiffed "mall hair" and others with outdated looks.

Oh goodness! What a problem! What do you do, actually, if your hair DOES melt? That must be a horrifying experience, and one I would hope your significant other would capture on film. Some of us less fashion-conscious folks just don't even have to deal with these problems. Our natural hair works fine in Europe, just like all the gorgeous Europeans' hair does. <BR>Get over your hair and enjoy your vacation! If this is your biggest concern, you haven't done even half the planning you need to, ducks!

What is it with Americans & curling irons? THEy are not used in other countires to anywhere near the same extent. Is it part of the tarty texan big-hair thing???? You know, the types that also wear frosted pink lipstick & blue eyeshadow that went out years & years ago?

Big hair, big asses that will not fit into airplane seats, crispy pink 'jogging suits' with white sneakers. My what a glamorous picture we paint here.<BR><BR>Never mind the people who cannot drive on the 'wrong' side of the road, or eat with a fork in their left hand.

Hair styles that require use of a curling iron, as a general rule, are out. Straightening irons are another issue altogether.

OK, who is still using a curling iron??? They make a curling brush. (looks like a brush roller with a handle on the end) You need to blow dry your hair till almost dry, then brush (roll) your hair around the barrel. A little bit of syling spray or hair spray put on your hair before it is fully dried will help. And yes, you can melt your hair with a curling iron.