Having coarse and frizzy hair has its set of challenges. I personally have really frizzy, wavy, and sometimes crazy curls, and I can vouch for it. Though I’m not a fan of hair care tools, occasionally, just to experiment with my looks, I don’t mind trying out hair tools to tame my frizz and give me smooth and straight hair. In the recent past, I have almost tried everything from a hair straightening brush to keratin-infused straighteners, and for the long run, I even went through hair-smoothing.
While these hair care tools were a short-term investment, lasting until the next wash, the hair treatments often come with a set of hair damage when done too often. So, when I got my hands on the Philips One Stroke Straightener, I was convinced it would certainly do something great. And after using it on my frizzy, coarse hair for a month (not regularly), here is what my honest take is.
The first impression
The very first look of this hair straightener kind of took my breath away. Its lavender shade exudes such feminine vibes and is an absolute delight to the eyes. The straightener feels sturdy and comfortable to hold. It also comes with multiple temperature settings, which is useful because different hair types need different heat levels. I usually style my hair at a higher temperature because my hair is thick and difficult to manage.
It comes with smoother ceramic plates, ThermoShield technology, and Ionic Care, which are designed to reduce frizz and provide smoother results. These smooth plates help the straightener glide smoothly through the hair, so you can spend less time styling and more time enjoying the same great result.
What I like about the Philips One Stroke Straightener
Frizz-control and temperature settings
What impressed me most about this straightener was the frizz control. Though it took time to style my hair, after styling, my hair looked smoother and shinier than usual. The Ionic Care technology seemed to help reduce flyaways, and my hair felt softer compared to when I used some older straighteners. The best part about the straightener is its temperature control settings. As per your requirements, you can set the temperature settings from 120°C to 230°C. As per my hair types, I kept it between 200 °C and 230°C for maximum results.
Quick heating with longer plates
The straightener heats up quickly, which saves some preparation time. I also liked the longer ceramic plates because they cover a larger section of hair in one pass. Philips claims that the One Stroke technology helps straighten hair faster, and this could be true with fine or slightly wavy hair. On my hair type, though this did not come true in a single stroke, I have to use the plates regularly, but the results looked natural rather than extremely flat.
Three-day lasting effect
As the brand claims, the results last for 3 days, and I would second this. Even with my heavy textured hair, my hair was smoother and straighter for up to 3 days, in fact, until my next wash. My hair remained manageable and less frizzy even in the humid conditions. While it did not stay perfectly straight for multiple days, it definitely made my hair easier to handle and style, though again, I did not expect a salon-like finish.
Easily portable and travel-friendly
Weighing around 480 gms, the straightener is easy to carry and can easily make some space in your cabin luggage. So, if you are a frequent traveller and need your styling tools on the go, this one is a big hit. Another cherry on the cake is that it comes with a heat-protectant mat, which you can use on the surface to avoid any bedsheet or couch burns.
What could have been improved in the Philips One Stroke Straightener
A one-stroke claim is not for coarse hair
While the brand claims faster styling and one-stroke straightening, my experience was a little different because coarse hair usually needs more effort than fine or slightly wavy hair. One stroke was not enough to get the sleek look I wanted. I had to go over each section two to three times to achieve smoother results. Because of this, the styling process was not significantly faster for me. If you have hair similar to mine, you should not expect salon-straight hair in just one pass.
Less hair fall is not practically true
Philips claims that their 35% smoother plates guarantee less hair fall; however, this is not practically true. I did witness hair fall while using the tool, but again, that also depends on the weather conditions and the hair’s health. But you can expect a few hair strands falling on the couch or the floor while styling.
Premium pricing
Unlike the other hair straighteners or straightening brushes under the Philips flagship or other brands, this one is priced in the premium segment, at ₹6,763 on Amazon.in. So, if you’re someone who does not need a styling tool too frequently, this one might sound a bit heavy on your pockets.
A little burning smell
This is not a definite reason why you should give a pass to this straightener, but I felt a little burning smell while straightening my hair, and for frequent styling people, this can be a con. However, a burning smell is pretty common in other straighteners too.
Overall Experience
Overall, I think the Philips One Stroke Straightener is a good option for everyday styling. It offers smooth results, good frizz control, and useful features. However, if you have very coarse hair like mine, do not expect the “one stroke” promise to work exactly as advertised. You may still need multiple passes to achieve the desired finish. Even so, the final results are neat, polished, and suitable for daily use. However, it comes with premium pricing, which might be a matter of concern for people who do not wish to spend much on hair styling tools.
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The products featured in this review were provided to HT Shop Now by the brand for testing and evaluation. Our opinions remain independent and are based on our personal experience with the items. Please patch-test the products before use. At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up to date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so we may receive a share of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, concerning the products.
