I read someone's review of the power plugs being three lines in a row.

Will I need to purchase an adapter for my blowdryer and flatiron?

Thanks!

The real issue is that the electrical current in BA and Santiago is at 220 volts and 50 cycles therefore your blower will work very slowly if it can handle 220 volts. Your iron will melt if you plug it in. It would be better to buy new machines locally. In Santiago there are very cheap blowers and irons.

Wow. So I should just leave my styling appliances at home and buy new.

Will the new appliances work in the states when I return home?

Your hotel should be able to furnish a converter. Why don't you ask them?

Probably not - it's the same problem, it's a different voltage and cycle of electricity. Some appliances have a switch to go between the two, in which case all you'd need is a plug adaptor (radio shack has them in the states, along with probably most electrician shops).

I have an adapter that I used in Italy a few years ago. Will that work?

Fairly sure it's not the same plug used in Italy as here from my recollection. There are basically two types of sockets here - one is two round pins about an inch apart, the other is two angled bars - sort of like a U.S. two prong plug but the prongs are each angled at 45 degrees in different directions. There are also combination sockets that accept either, and then the same with the additional third grounding prong (though a lot of older buildings don't have those).

When we were in Argentina hairdryers etc. worked with a two plug adaptor. It is very close to the European one and they may work as well. Our tour operator gave us a number of the adaptors when we landed, making it easier.

I just returned from Argentina and Chile. While I didn't bother w/ hair dryer on this trip, I heard people say they needed 2 different adaptors for the 2 countries.

In general I agree w/ buying the appliance - for Europe I just have a European hair dryer that I store in one of my suitcases and use when I travel there.