elaine123

I have given up on purchasing a dual voltage flat iron to use on my upcoming trip to Paris. Therefore, I'm looking to purchase one in Paris upon arrival. Any suggestions? I purchased a dual voltage iron from Italy from folica.com and ended up sending it back. It was expensive, and my $40 Sally Beauty supply brand did much better. Help.

kerouac

Buy this sort of product from a Darty store (list of stores at www.darty.com -- there are 12 locations inside Paris). This chain is specialized in housewares, from plasma TV screens to coffeemakers.

Kyliebaby3

Kerouac- do you know off-hand if the outlets are the same in France and Belgium? I'm looking to buy a flat iron in Paris too (thanks for the Darty tip), and I'm hoping it will also work in Belgium.

TTess

My daughter just spent two weeks in Paris. Even with a converter etc., her flat iron fritzed out so she went without one her entire trip. Now, I have the pleasure of buying her a new one today! Beware.

TTess

Kyliebaby3 -

Yes, Belgium and France have the same outlets.

Kyliebaby3

Thank you so much, TTess. That's very helpful!

Also, I just had, what I think, is a somewhat brilliant idea-- buy one on Ebay-France (www.ebay.fr).

Even if it's not the greatest one in the world, it will work with their outlets, and I won't risk frying my expensive U.S. one, nor will I have to hunt for one when I arrive.

I'm inquiring to see how much it would be to have one sent over, and if it's not that much, I may just do that so I have it when I arrive. I'm not leaving until December, so there's plenty of time for it to get here. Anyway, just a thought if anyone is looking

Iregeo

Kyliebaby...i have an idea...we'll split the cost of a French one. I'll use it next week, and send it to you to use in December!

chevre

Not a big deal but if you buy when you get there check to make sure that the actual plug in part is attached. Because of different plugs some small appliances leave it up to you to put on the plug. It's in there it just isn't attached. This isn't the case for all of them by the way, just some.

Lawchick

The plug is always attached in France and Belgium

Kyliebaby3

Lregeo:

Are you going to buy one when you get there? I don't think you could get one here in time trying to use Ebay if you're leaving next week.

Iregeo

Kyliebaby, I'm still considering buying a converter intended for heat appliances. The skeptic (and lawyer) that I am, I can't imagine that companies would make them and accept the fire/hair damage/product liability if they were so unpredictable!

I know, I'm waaaaaay overthinking this!

artsnletters

I have a related, kind of opposite question in this vein.

Does anyone know where I could get a dual-voltage hair dryer with a diffuser attachment (what I need for curly hair)? I've had my eye out for a while with no success.

Alternatively, is such a thing sold in France? What is it called?

I'm not (I don't think, anyway) going to Europe soon, but I'm thinking ahead as I suspect this will be a tough one to find.

jngrant28

Or, does anyone know of a diffuser attachment that can be bought and used on the hotel hairdryers? I have curly hair and have been trying to figure out how cold it will be if I just don't dry my hair at all in late September. Curly hair doesn't look very good under a hairdryer w/o a diffuser!

Kyliebaby3

Iregeo-

Yeah...it does seem a little random, but I guess science is science, and it's not worth burning down a place over!

I actually heard back from one of the people on Ebay.fr who I had contacted, and she is coming out to CA just before I leave. Incidentally, she said she'd take down the listing on Ebay and bring the flat-iron with her so I can pick it up and pay before I leave on my trip. Love it!

Like they say, "asking is free," and assuming this all works out, I'll be glad I contacted her.

Now, I won't look like a troll on New Year's Eve in Paris!

janisj

jngrant28: Check out this - It's the "Hot Sock" made by Color Design Systems. It works w/ just about any hairdryer - fits over the end of the hairdryer and works great. I bought mine at Ulta but you can get it on line

http://tinyurl.com/6b3rfs

jngrant28

janisj - that's great! I have an Ulta just down the street. Works like a normal diffuser, yes? What a deal. Thanks!

janisj

Yep - it seems weird since it is just a sort of "knitted sock" that fits over the nozzle. But it difuses the airflow and what comes out is a gentle breeze. Takes no room at all in the luggage and works great.

In fact I use it at home too and don't use my big plastic one anymore (hmmm - don't even know where it is actually)

AnthonyGA

Darty and BHV have an excellent selection of electric appliances of all sorts, and the prices are very reasonable.

melissa_s

if you need serious beauty supplies and the hairdryers at monoprix are not doing the trick - do yourself right and go to the following street, it is a treasure trove of professional beauty supply shops: Passage de l'Industrie, in the 10th arr.

Mahya2

I'm one of those with the unwanted curls also - I brought my US ion hair dryer and flat iron to Spain, used a converter and had no problems. The flat iron I bought at Sally's was "Helen of Troy" gold series and as a matter of fact I think they're on sale, 50% off now.