Hair dryers?
 

I will traveling to UK/Europe in October. I would like to avoid spending the extra money on an adaptor to take with us to use on my hair dryer. I don't do much styling with my hair, but wondered what opionions you all might have on doing without at this time of year? <BR>Or if I bought a dryer in London would it work in other European cities?

Get a travel hair dryer. Magellan's and other travel catalogs have them. they are smaller and aare set to the European voltage. You will need PLUG adapters for it also. Again, Magellan's has a chart detailing this

Hi Elizabeth, <BR>I take a "small" hair dryer with me and my plugs & adapter set. My set is made by Franzus and I've had it for a long time. There are several other makes on the market too, you can find them at Samsonsite stores, various luggage/travel good stores and even Target. It's really simple, plug the appropriate plug into the outlet, then plug the adapter to that and the hair dryer into the adapter (sounds confusing)... works all the time for me. I've used my own hair dryer and my adapters/plugs in a number of countries and never once had a problem. Unless you are spending months in London I would not bother to buy one there. Many hotels have hair dryers so taking your own is a precautionary measure in case you get the odd room that does not have one, or if you stay in an apartment as we did on our last time in London (or some B&B's). Some of the hair dryers in hotels are either very slow or operate like a leaf blower and there is no way to control the blowing! We had one like that in our hotel in Paris in April - I gave up on it after one try and used my own. I don't recall every finding an outlet in the bathroom (except for a razor I believe) in any hotel in either the UK or France (or in the bathrooms of our relatives homes in France either for that matter). It's got to do with safety measures, so if you take your own dryer you will need to use it elseware in the room - hopefully near a mirror! Sometimes that can be a challenge too, but it makes for great story telling later on. A hairdo that requires little in the way of styling (or one that looks good straight!) is a real blessing when you travel.

It's me again -- I goofed and called it an "adapter", actually it's a converter. You plug the appropriate plug (different prongs then in the US) into the outlet, then the converter into that and then your dryer into the converter! Such high level technology has me all confused!! Sorry

I have long hair, that I wash and roll into a bun or french twist, so I never worry about a hairdryer. What the other Loons have discovered: don't take your own hairdryer with a converter and adapter. It will burn up (my sister has killed two hairdryers; Nate has killed one). Some hotels and b&bs have hairdryers. If you want to be sure you have a hairdryer, the two options are (1) buy a travel hairdryer which has the higher voltage - you'll probably need an adapter for the plug or (2) buy a hairdryer in London (western Europe has the same voltage and plug configuration). My sister bought one in Paris (see: "killed two") and has used it ever since - all the Loons now share one or two dryers (those of us who use dryers). The other women have discovered headbands, scrunchies and hats as alternatives to hairdrying...

Postscript here: Britain might have a different plug configuration than the rest of Europe (I have recollections of two different adaptors - one for England; one for France, etc.). In that case, you'll need an adaptor if you buy the hairdryer in England.

The easiest would probably be to pick up a European hair dryer when you arrive at the airport. You'll pay a few dollars more, but it's worth the convenience. You may need an adapter plug for some other countries. I just found a Microfiber Towel (it's in all the ladies magazines and they have a website - Aquis) which is just the right size (comes sized for short to medium or long hair), which really does absorb much more water than a regular towel. I never thought I'd have a "wash and wear" do and be able to leave my hair dryer and curling wand at home, but my hairdresser came up with a style I enjoy more than any I've ever had. It looks even better in rainy weather and can be "freshened up" with damp fingers.

I wholeheartedly agree that you should buy the Franzus plug ADAPTER set that Lori mentioned; it will have the appropriate plug adapter for the U.K. and also the one required in Italy/France/Spain/Portugal (don't know about other countries). In short, the adapter required in Great Britain is definitely NOT the one needed across the Channel. The prongs are different. My suggestion is to buy a small, lightweight travel dual voltage hair dryer (through the Travel Smith or Magellan's catalogue or at Brookstone) along with an adapter set before you leave; this will allow you to move from the UK to continental Europe with no worries. If it's dual voltage, you will then also be able to use it in your travels stateside. <BR>Happy travels! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Britain does have a different plug configuration than France .. I've never had a problem, just plug the "right" plug i.e., two skinny round prongs, 3 flat prongs, etc.) into the outlet, then plug into the converter and then hair dryer - I've never blown out anything anyplace, honest! The best idea of all is a hair style that requires none of the above tho :-) Mine is mid-neck and does require some blow drying and the round brush, but I don't go overboard with it when I travel and it always looks decent in my pictures so I guess whatever I'm doing works. Even if you buy a hair dryer in London it will need an adapter for France because of the different "prongs" setup.

Lots of hotels provide hair dryers in the bathroom. My hair is short, but even then I am not able to do some styling with these. So I always take my own. It is a European hairdryer with a button that one can change from 110 to 120 V and I always take my universal adaptor with me.

Check the hotels where you will be staying. Some of them already have hair dryers installed. Just a thought.

The plug configuration for Great Britain definitely is different from that on the European continent. Britian plug configuration is 3-prong -- sort of like on most US cloths dryers, but smaller. The continental configuration is two prong, round posts. Your best bet would be to by the continental configuration and then buy an adaptor when in Britain. The British and continental voltages are the same. Do not even vaguely think about plugging your American hair dryer into the 120v plugs sometimes provided for electric razors. You will either blow a fuse or start a fire -- the voltage is ok, but the current-draw for you hair dryer would over load the circuit.

<BR>Elizabeth - even tho most of the better hotels, even three star, will have hair drers. But "just in case" I always bring my small, lightweight travel dryer with the appropriate country's adapter (no converter necessry). As mentioned above, European countries are not all the same. But the one universal rule (as mentioned above too), is to NOT use the outlet marked for electric shavers for your dryer etc.

<BR>Elizabeth - even tho most of the <BR>better hotels, even three star, <BR>will have hair dryers. But "just <BR>in case" I always bring my <BR>small, lightweight travel dryer <BR>with the appropriate country's <BR>adapter (no converter necessary). <BR> As mentioned above, European <BR>countries are not all the same. <BR>But the one universal rule (as <BR>mentioned above too), is to NOT <BR>use the outlet marked for <BR>electric shavers for your dryer <BR>etc.

You don't need to spend a lot of money buying a travel hairdryer from Travelsmith, etc -- you can buy one for $10-15 at any drugstore or discount store nowadays (in the US). Any major brand has one with a switch from 110 to 220V

I bought a TINY hairdryer at either Linens 'n Things or Bed, Bath & Beyond. It is about the size of 4 C batteries, dual voltage, and $9.99. It looks the same as the tiny Franzus model Travelsmith or Magellan's sell, but about 1/2 the price.

Thank you for all the great suggestions. I think I will go with the microfiber towel for drying. I just don't want to spend the money for all these different adaptors/convertors and a new hairdryer. My main concern is not having wet hair when starting our day. I can easily pull it up in a clip, but I hate to do that when it's too wet. <BR> <BR>Donna - Do you remember how much the towel cost? I will do a search for it

the microfiber towels are about $20. The pack-towel type, of viscose, I beleive, at camping stores (try REI) are available in different sizes and half the price. I think Elvira suggested trying a pet store for a pet-drying towel for even less, out of the same material.

I was amazed at how many European hotels have hairdryers in the rooms, or you can ask to borrow one at the front desk. In my travels I've burned out one hairdryer in London, and my friend caused a power failure in Paris. Both times with dual voltage dryers (yes, they were on the correct settings).

Get yourself a Conair blow dryer, curling iron, curling brush (see www.conair.com then shop at Walmart, Service Merchandice, etc.). No switch, they adjust automatically, but you do need adapters to "plug in" depending upon where you're going. Don't bother with a converter - they're expensive, heavy, and may or may not work (mostly don't - you could burn down the building or, worse, ruin your hair). In the alternative, you'd be doing yourself a huge favor by getting yourself a "wash and wear" hair cut. Doesn't it just amaze you that MEN can just shake it out and walk out the door? You can too. Find a good hairdresser and get a wash and wear cut. If your hair is cut properly, believe me, it will just fall into place, with just a bit of "fluffing" on your part. No dryer, no converter, no adapter plugs necessary. I've tried those "microfibre" towels - even the PET ones. No better really than an ordinary towel. Find a good hair stylist. One that give you a style that looks great out of the shower.