We've bought, and have had for a while, the 220 hair dryer and curling iron, but now my wife informs me that for this upcoming trip to Ireland, she needs to take her flat iron w/ceramic plates. Well, it's 110, and I don't want to go through the expense of buying a transformer. I told her to just wear her hair up, then I got that "look."

I can't seem to find one here in the States that's 110/220. We're flying into Shannon. Is there a store close by that I could purchase a European 220 one, maybe in Shannon or Ennis?

Oh goodness! Couldn't we just let the hair go for the duration of the vacation? How horrible could it be? And think of the extra time you'd have for sightseeing.

Look what I found for Mrs. Budman (Budperson?)!!

http://www.conair.com/conair/product...sp?product=253

>>Couldn't we just let the hair go for the duration of the vacation? <<

Oh, my God, couldn't we just let go of showers during a trip? Think of all the extra time for sightseeing.

Kudos to you for being such a thoughtful husband.

"She needs to take her flat iron w/ceramic plates"

Oh, my Lord. That must be quite a complex operation in the morning.

Tell her the "totally natural look" is all the rage this year.

I "discovered" ceramic hair straighteners relatively recently and they have quickly become something I can't live without, so I fully empathize with Mrs Budman. They keep my previously untame-able hair sleek and frizz-free all day and for me, this is nothing short of a miracle. Using them adds about 5 minutes a day to my morning routine and, believe me, it's well worth it.

As others have commented in the past on this forum, most photos of me are ones that have been taken on holiday, so I like to make the effort to look my best, even if it means losing 5 minutes' a day sight-seeing time - I can live with that and, therefore, so can my husband

I can't help with shops in Eire, but I hope your wife manages to find some Budman.

Comair makes a flat iron with ceramic plates that runs off butane for about $16. Bought one at Walmart yesterday.

If your wife has a Chi she might not be happy with just any old flat iron. Google search for dual voltage flat iron turns up a WIGO European for $50 but it is not ceramic.

I can't imagine anything with any quantity of butane could be taken aboard a plane - would you be able to buy this in ireland?

(And separately Budman IMO has a lot of patience - any morning routine that takes more than 35 minutes incuding shower would drive me up a wall - who has time to waste on things like that?

This is always a bone of contention when we travel with my brother and his wife - her morning routine is over an hour! We eventualy compromised - we leave a few minutes later and she gets up 30 minutes earlier so as not to hold up everyone else.

I'm being educated (by budman!) I've seen these things used at the hairdresser's but never paid much attention. Is it used on wet hair or do you have to dry it first?

Hi, Budman, we went to an Electrical Supply place the year we wanted converters, they had everything!
Or, buy a cheap one in the UK..we did that one year with a blower.
I think your wife will be cheered by the sight of those lovely Irish girls with all that long curly hair..tell her I am always envious, having straight straight hair..we are never content, are we?

Although I've never had occasion to use one of these (strictly dryer and curling iron for my short hair), I can understand why she would want to at least start the day with great hair. But I wonder if a couple of Irish rain showers wouldn't bring the frizz right back? Budman, I can't wait to read your trip report!

Equipment? Hair? I don't even use a dryer at home unless it's very cold out and my hair hasn't dried naturally by the time I have to go out. I use the built-in hotel dryers to dry the clothes I've washed in the sink. I guess I must be taking other extras, though, since I think I'd have a hard time packing in a 22" case for two weeks.

For some reason I never expected to see "Budman" and "flat iron" in a post. Good luck to Mrs. B and get yourself a Guiness, you've earned it!

Guinness--sorry for the typo! I can hear my ancestors rolling in their graves.

I'm with you kybourbon-if your wife has a CHI flat iron-nothing else comes close- and no, it doesn't come with dual voltage. I just took mine to China, where I had to use the hotel's bigger converter-and it worked just fine-China has 220 voltage. Chi flat irons, for the uninitiated, will make your hair look incredibly shiny straight and swinging. It's a miracle what that flat iron has done for my hair, and the numerous compliments I get after my hairdresser uses it me-By the way, even certain hairdressers in smaller cities in China I went to, where no one in the salon spoke English, ALL had good ceramic flat irons to show me when I indicated through sign language that I needed a wash/blowdry-very straight!

I have checked with my airline. I am allowed ONE of the tiny butane cartriges. That will work.

I don't know what a flat iron with ceramic plates is, Budman, but there's a Dunnes Store on Clon Rd. in Ennis. I've always been able to find anything in those places.

Thanks for all your responses. I did an internet search and couldn't find anything that was 110/220, but thanks to you, chardonnay, the one you linked to will cost about the same as the 110 that my wife bought.

Actually, my wife changed hair styles a couple of months ago, and the flat iron replaced the curling iron. As far as time to "get ready" in the morning -- about the same. It used to be "wash, dry, curl." Now, it's "wash, dry, flat iron."

ChatNoir, she now has the "totally natural look."

mclaurie, it took the place of ironing one's hair. You use it on dry hair, and it works great.

nytraveler, it hasn't been a problem as I get to drink coffee and plan the day, and heading down to the local bakery for breakfast pastry while she's getting ready.

We tried the butane curling irons years ago land they didn't seem to do the job.

mvor, thanks for stereotyping -- I'll have 2 Guinnesses, one for me and one for you.

Just got back from a day in the City (NY) and with the weather and all, the hair held up just fine.

Thanks again everyone for your inputs. I think I'm going to order one of those Conair irons on the internet tonight. I hope it gets here in time for Mother's Day. (Just kidding).