Our tester has thick and wavy 2A hair that measures over 2 feet long. They also have over 25 years of experience styling hair with curling irons, straighteners, and other accessories like hair clips. Stylists consider thick hair as anyone with single strands that are thicker than sewing thread. Our tester also has dense hair that measures more than four inches in diameter when gathered together. 

The 10 curling irons we tested

Important features to consider

Barrel material

The barrel material is important to consider when buying a curling iron. Different plate materials offer features like ceramic that heats evenly and prevents heat damage or titanium that heats up quickly and styles thick hair easily. 

Design (spring, wand)

There are several types of curling devices in the market, and we tested four designs. There is the traditional curling iron made with a barrel and springed clamp, the wand you wrap the hair around with a glove, an automatic spinner, and the Dyson Airwrap Styler that uses the Coanda effect. Wands will tend to give you wavy, beachy curls, and clamp-designed curling irons will give you more structured and tight curls. 

Size & length

Curling irons come in many width sizes, and each size creates different types of curling designs. The smaller the curling width, the tighter the curl, and vice versa. However, styling your hair can often take a long time if you’ve got thick hair. To combat this, a longer barrel helps accommodate more hair and makes styling time faster. For this review, we tested most curling irons with 1 ¼ inch width barrels (except for the Chi, which only came in one size). 

Other (budget, dual voltage, heat temperature)

Other features to consider are heat temperature settings, dual voltage options, weight, and budget. Having thicker (and coarse hair) can be a little difficult to curl and are best styled with higher heat to set the hair. Stylists suggest curling irons to heat between 350-450 ℉. 

If you are an avid traveler, finding a curling iron with dual or universal voltage options is important. This means you can use the styler in different countries. Weight should also be a feature to consider if you need a travel-friendly curling iron. The average weight of the curling irons we tested was 15 ounces. 

Lastly, think about your budget. There are affordable options for thick-haired people who want to curl their hair quickly and easily. The curling irons we tested were between $45-$599.   

How we selected & tested:

Features

We compared the features that made styling fast and easy for thick hair like heat-up time, heat settings, ionization, cord length, and auto-shutoff. Each feature was scored out of 10, and the better features it offered, the higher the score. We recorded the actual timing for heat-up and auto-shutoff timing instead of going along with the advertised timing. The best-curling irons heated up within 30 seconds of turning on and turned off within 30 minutes of use. 

If a curling iron had at least four heat settings, it scored a seven or higher. If the iron featured ionization to smooth out frizzy, thick hair, we rated it a 10. Lastly, the longer the cord length, the easier to handle and score higher.

Build quality

Curling irons with sturdy and well-made designs will last longer and also keep your hair healthier. We analyzed the plate material best suited for thick hair when comparing build quality. For example, we rated tourmaline, titanium, and gold-plated barrel materials the highest out of 10 because they hold high heat very well and quickly for thick, unruly hair. We also tested the spring strength and clamp grip. If the spring was sturdy and the clamp gripped onto the hair well, it scored highest out of 10. For curling irons designed as wands or clampless, we didn’t score these for springs or clamps. 

Ease of Use

While using the curling irons we reviewed characteristics that affected the ease of use, like swivel cord, ergonomics, weight, hair grip, hair section thickness, and how long it took to curl a whole head of hair. Each characteristic scored from one to ten, and the easier and quicker it was to style the hair, the higher the score. Specifically for ergonomics, we kept track of bulkiness and if the tip was meant to hold for easier grip and keep cool to the touch. If curling hair was painless and fast, it scored the highest in this category, like the Bio Ionic. 

Hair results

At the end of styling, we checked to see how the hair felt in the curls, if they were damaged, dry, and frizz-free. The smoother and healthy the hair looked, the higher it scored out of 10. We also measured how long the curls lasted from 1-12 hours, and the longer lasting, the higher the score. 

Travel

For those who like to travel with their styling tools, we wanted to see which curling iron was best to bring to a trip. We considered the weight, cord organization like velcro ties, and dual or universal voltage features. The lighter-weight irons with built-in velcro ties for cords and multi-voltage components scored highest out of 10, like the Bio Ionic or the Kristin Ess wand. 

The post The 10 Best Curling Irons for Thick Hair appeared first on Your Best Digs.

We’re avid travelers, and we like nothing more than wearing bags that seamlessly bring utility and aesthetics together without breaking the bank. We’ve tested and used a variety of bags through the years in scenarios like snowboarding, walking tours, running, shopping, and on everyday errands alone or with children. We tested many other travel items like travel purses, travel accessories, packing cubes, travel jewelry cases. No matter where you’re traveling, we’ve pinpointed some features of fanny packs and belt bags that are useful to remember when picking a new bag.

The 11 fanny packs we tested

Important features to consider

Design / organization

This category takes into account a variety of features on the bag. One important aspect is aesthetics, which is very specific to each person. There are sporty, minimalist, or colorful fanny packs available, too.

Pocket count and placement are crucial too. We like belt bags that offer outside and inside pockets for more organization. Inner pockets also give you extra security when carrying your valuables.

Lastly, each fanny pack features a closure of some type, like clasps or buckles, and the location of the closure also affects usability. Some people prefer front clasps for easier removal.

Material

Specific materials might actually be preferred for specific activities, as there’s not just one “best” material for all scenarios. Some offer features like waterproofing or ripstopping. If you’re going to a festival or a concert, you may need belt bags made of clear plastic for security reasons. There are also fanny packs made of leather or vegan leather that are great for going out to a nice dinner or club without making you look like a tourist.

Size & strap length

The size of the fanny pack affects how much you can carry at a time. Be wary of how big the fanny pack is because it might be difficult to wear and disproportionate to the size of the straps; for example, larger bags with thin straps would strain the shoulders. Strap length is also important to remember depending on your body type.

How we selected

We selected some of the most popular fanny packs on the market and bought popular dupes to see how they compared, in addition to testing other popular affordable and generic belt bags. All of these fanny packs we tested were under $50 at the time of purchase.

How we tested

Build quality

We tested the build quality of each fanny pack by analyzing the durability and design of the fabric, zipper, clasps, straps, and waterproof status. Each category is rated out of 10, and the highest they ranked, the better quality of the fanny pack. Our most durable fanny packs often had ripstop, water-repellent fabric and zippers like the Wandrd bags and easily accessible clasps and smooth, comfortable straps like the Lululemon belt bag.

Fit test

We tested each bag for over three months rigorously on different body types and took them on week-long vacations, daily errands, and events. During these fit tests, we reviewed the comfort of the straps, removing the clasps, ease of accessibility and pocket organization, overall capacity, and versatility. Each category ranked out of 10, and the more comfortable and easier-to-wear belt bags scored closer to 10.

Travel

Lastly, we tested the fanny packs based on usefulness during travel. We analyzed each bag based on its ability to fold easily into luggage or carry-on bags, safety features, comfort in wearing it for long periods, and ability to use it for other specific purposes like diapers or toiletry. Bags that were easy to use for traveling ranked closer to 10.

The post The 11 Best Fanny Packs & Belt Bags appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Why trust us?

Our testers have styled their thick and wavy 2A and straight 1A hair for over 30 years, and in that time, they’ve tested many different hair accessories, including claw clips and hair tools like hair straighteners and curling irons for thick hair. One of our testers even has thick hair over 4 feet long! We can’t tell you how many claw clips we’ve collectively purchased in the past because they’ve broken (quite quickly) or can’t hold up the amount of coarse hair we have on our heads. There are now specific features we look for in buying quality and long-lasting claw clips that securely hold our entire head of hair.

Important features to consider

Design

Aesthetics are important to keep in mind. Claw clips come in many sizes, shapes, colors, and patterns. There are so many types of designs for claw clips, and we were able to find many styles that accommodate thick hair. For example, some popular styles are the rectangle-shaped clip, butterfly shape, and octopus-shaped clip.

Rectangle clips have rectangular sides and open centers to hold the hair. Butterfly clips have a loop in the center where the spring is located and slightly curved lines where the tines grip the hair. Octopus-shaped clips have extra long prongs that overlap and often hold the hair in a curved bun due to its flattened shape.

Material & build quality

Growing up, we were used to plastic claw clips and understood they had a limited life span. Nowadays, more durable materials are available, like acrylic and celluloid acetate. The latter is a solid material that can bend without breaking and is known for its sustainability. Cellulose acetate can break down into cellulose and acetic acid. We were very surprised at how much pressure and twisting we could apply to these claw clips without cracking.

Another aspect is also the strength of the spring. If a claw clip has more resistance when you open and close it, it will be better off gripping your hair for more extended periods.

Size

The claw size is important to consider when you have thick hair. Obviously, longer or bigger-sized clips can hold more hair. For holding up an entire head of hair, we recommend claw clips at least four inches in length. Also, keep in mind the size of the tines or prongs. The longer the tines, the better the grip, like the Camila clip.

How we selected

We picked claw clips that were trending on popular social media platforms along with dupes or other more affordable claw clips that were rated highly on the internet. We tried to pick clips of different designs, patterns, sizes, and materials to test if they worked on thicker hair types. The claw clips ranged from $2 to $30 each.

How we tested

We ran a series of tests to review each claw clip’s durability. Such as opening and closing the spring at least 50 times, bending the claw open multiple times, twisting the sides back and forth at least five times, and throwing it aggressively on the floor at least five times to see if it broke. While some of these tests are extreme, many popular brands on social media platforms often market their indestructibility, and we wanted to test to see if it’s a marketing scheme. The higher the quality, the higher the score towards 10.

We also tested each claw clip on user experience and how well it securely held all of our thick hair–especially if it was comfortable to wear. We ran basic “shake” tests by wearing the clips and shaking the head repeatedly to see if it would fall out. We also tested working out with these clips by walking and running for several minutes with our hair in buns on top of our heads and pulling our hair back with the claw clip. Each of these user experience tests gave us a score out of 10, and the higher the score, the more comfortable and easy it was to use the clip.

The post The 11 Best Hair Clips for Thick Hair appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Why trust us?

Our tester has been styling their hair since kindergarten – blame it on mom for not being too handy in styling, but we learned how to do various hairstyles with and without heating tools for almost 30 years (which means we’re well-versed in testing clips for thick hair and curling irons for thick hair). Our tester has particularly thick, coarse, 2A wavy hair that often needs taming in the mornings. We’ve used multiple brands and types of hair straighteners and understand the features required for styling thicker and coarser hair types.

Important features to consider

Design & features

Straightening iron design can vary in many ways, even though they look similar. Most straighteners will have a V-shape with a hinge on one end and plates on the ends. Different straighteners have varied plate widths (if you have more hair, you may think about wider or longer plates to accommodate more hair).

Try to find straighteners with floating plates to help reduce excess pressure on your strands of hair with each pass-through. Floating plates have springs behind them to make more even contact with hair–allowing for less pulling and better straightening. Also, keep in mind the handles. Some handles are flatter, and others are rounded to help with ergonomics. While we prefer rounded handles for an easier grip, it may also be more challenging for the straightener to stand on its own on the counter.

Heat plate materials

There are so many buzzwords for straightening plate materials today. From ceramic to tourmaline to titanium, there are many different types available. Ceramic is often an affordable option compared to tourmaline ceramic or titanium and still offers benefits like even heating and smooth passes.

Titanium heats up in seconds and helps smooth out the thickest and coarsest hair, but be wary about using a hot tool of this material too much because it can damage your hair if you use it too often. Tourmaline works with many hair types and also heats up fast. It’s often ADDED to other materials like ceramic or titanium and helps to smooth out frizz and keep hair healthy.

Heat settings

While most straighteners have multiple heat settings, some are changing the game. For example, ghd only has one heat setting at 365 ℉, which might be a deal breaker for people with thicker or coarse hair. Most brands recommend using heat settings at 400 ℉ or above for thicker hair because it takes a higher heat setting to smooth out.

Price

Straightening irons come in so many price points. You can find flat irons from $40 to $500. The great thing about straightening irons is that the price point doesn’t dictate quality. I’ve used inexpensive irons for years, but it may cost you if you want more features or tech-focused devices.

Additional features

Other features to consider can also impact your user experience. While not necessary, we enjoyed using a digital screen to know the temperature and when the device was correctly heated. If you worry about turning off your straightener (anxiety we’ve all had at one point), then an auto-shutoff feature will be your best friend.

If you travel often, try finding a straightener with universal or dual voltage so you can bring this styling tool on your next trip without a converter. A minor feature we also liked was a velcro strap to help wrap and organize the cord–this was a small but helpful feature.

How we selected

We selected nine straightening irons of varying materials and designs from $40 to $500. We’ve previously tested some of these straightening irons on other hair types but wanted to see if they held up for thicker and coarser hair. In addition, many of these straightening irons are popular in the beauty industry, and we wanted to see if they were worth their price.

How we tested

For several weeks, we tested each straightening iron and reviewed several tests.

Features

During testing, we took notes on how long each straightener took to heat up properly, ranging from 20 seconds to over two minutes. The shorter the heat-up time, the higher it ranked out of 10. We also tested auto-shutoff features, and while most had this feature, the straighteners that turned off automatically within 30 minutes scored a 10/10. For some irons that took an hour to turn off, we ranked them at a five because we found that too long.

We noted each of the straighteners’ heat settings and ranked those with more custom or higher heat settings higher out of 10 points because the better heat optimization for thick hair, the better. Lastly, all our straighteners feature ionization to promote better hair health.

Build quality

We tested the build quality by researching and reviewing the materials used on the plates each straightener. Many used common materials like ceramic and titanium; both have their own ways of smoothing out and heating the plates quickly to straighten hair. We rated the durability of these materials based on if they were plated (less durable because they can eventually chip), coated with tourmaline on top (to add extra shine), or pure materials (the most durable at 10). We also analyzed the plates and rated them out of 10 if they touched easily without applying too much pressure.

Temperatures

Many of the straighteners we used, boasted high temperatures and we wanted to see how accurate each of these temperatures was during styling. Using a thermocouple probe thermometer, we measured the highest heat of each straightener by placing a thermometer in the center of each plate and pressing the plates together for 15 seconds. We found most brands came close to reaching (or even surpassing) their advertised heat.

Ease of use

While using each straightener, we ranked four categories out of 10: how easy it was to use in terms of ergonomics (how comfortable it is to hold with one hand), if there was a cord swivel, how much it weighed, and if the plates pulled or tugged on our hair with each pass (smoother passes were better).

Hair results

Lastly, we analyzed the hair results with two categories based on hair damage and whether the strands were straight and frizz-free. The less damage, silkier, and smoother the outcome, the higher the score out of 10.

The post The 7 Best Hair Straighteners for Thick Hair appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Important features to consider

Design

When purchasing a gallon water bottle, be mindful of the design. The way a gallon water bottle is designed is more than just aesthetics and colors, it also affects ergonomics. Carrying, lifting, or pouring a gallon-sized water bottle is rather heavy, and you want a water bottle designed to be easy and suited for your needs. Some bottles are designed with side handles, carrying straps, top swinging handles, and grippy textures that enhance the drinking experience.

Material

Gallon water bottles come in two primary materials: plastic and stainless steel. The material also affects the weight and insulation. Since carrying around one gallon of water is already heavy, plastic gallon water bottles are great if you want a lighter-weight option. However, if you prefer your water iced cold at all times, consider a stainless steel water bottle that is insulated. Stainless steel is heavier than plastic, so you will also carry a heavier load in preference for longer-lasting cold water.

Cleaning

Similar to our experience testing glass water bottles, the fewer parts, and the simpler the design, the easier it is to clean. Designs with built-in side handles are often the hardest to clean because there are few cleaning tools to reach all the nooks and crannies, like a long, thin, and malleable brush. In contrast, water bottles with wider mouths and no handles are the easiest to clean. Also, if you like drinking from a straw, you will need a straw brush.

Other features (motivation, sleeve, magnet top)

There are also other features we’ve encountered while testing gallon water bottles. For example, some plastic water bottles have encouraging labels on the outside to promote hydrating throughout the day at each hour. If you want a plastic water bottle but hate condensation or want a carry strap, you can also choose a water bottle with a neoprene sleeve. Lastly, some water bottles also have magnets to keep screw caps from getting lost.

Budget

No matter your budget, there are affordable and upgrade options for anyone. While many of the plastic water bottles we found were under $35, the insulated stainless steel water bottles ranged from $50 to $150.

How we selected

We picked eight-gallon water bottles priced from $25-$150. Of the eight bottles, four are lightweight plastic, and four are insulated stainless steel. Some of these bottles also have sleeves with other features like carry straps and pockets. There are also various ways to drink from water bottles, like sippers or straws.

How we tested

We used each of these gallon water bottles for daily errands and gym classes for two months. We also created controlled product tests to review how easy they were to clean, how tight the seals were on each lid or if they leaked, and analyzed their overall usability.

Cleaning

We cleaned each water bottle over a dozen times. Since most of them were not allowed to go into the dishwasher, we hand-washed them and made notes on the number of pieces we had to wash, the difficulty it was to clean thoroughly, if we needed to remove additional sleeves, and any tools we needed to clean. The easier a bottle was to clean, the higher they scored out of 10.

Leak tests

We filled each water bottle with red-colored water and tightened the lids. We laid each water bottle over a paper towel-lined counter and timed how long the paper towels stayed dry. Most of these bottles stayed fully sealed throughout 30 minutes except the RTIC and the Yeti bottles, which needed to be tightened after the first five minutes.

Usability & Insulation

For two months, we made notes on using each water bottle. Was the bottle easy to carry? Did the width of the mouth affect easy refilling? How many handles did each bottle have? Did the design of these bottles help with the ergonomics of carrying and drinking from this bottle? We also noted additional features like insulation, weight, infusers, etc. The easier and more accessible the design of each bottle, the higher it scored out of 10.

Additionally, we tested the insulation of the four stainless steel bottles to analyze if they really did keep drinks as cold as they boast on their labels. We filled each bottle with 60 fluid oz of room-temperature water and 65 oz of ice. We checked the temperature throughout 48 hours with an instant-read thermometer and compared each bottle’s results.

The post The Best 1-Gallon Water Bottles appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Important features to consider

Thickness

The tip thickness or size of a pen is an essential feature because it affects the user experience, handwriting style, and quick drying time. The gel pens we tested come in various sizes ranging from 0.28 to 1 millimeter thick. Thickness also affects the amount of ink that comes out of the pen. We experienced that the thinner pen sizes produced thinner lines and less ink, which made them dry more quickly. However, the thickness also affected the darkness and vibrancy of the colors.

Comfort / Design

The design of a pen affects how comfortable it is to hold for short or extended periods. Keep in mind that how someone holds their writing utensil also affects their comfort level. With this in mind, comfort level could completely depend on each person, but certain designs help support your fingers and hands during writing.

For example, some pens have silicone or rubber bands to contour to your grip. Pens with rubber or silicone grips were easier to use because they felt more secure in our hands. A well-balanced pen also alleviates muscle cramping, or lighter pens could help with extended periods of writing. Try to find pens with bodies that are appropriate for the size of your hands; if you have bigger hands, it will be difficult to continuously grip a super slim pen and vice versa.

Quick-dry

If you’re a lefty or have quirky-styled penmanship that ends up in lots of smudges, having a gel pen that is made for quick-drying will help with any potential ink accidents. Gel pens can be a little tricky with drying time because they’re often more watery; this also depends on the thickness of the tip and the amount of ink that comes out. However, there are now gel pen brands that formulate an ink with faster drying times and they actually work!

Other features

Gel pens also have other features to look for, like color options, erasability, or being able to buy refills. Different colors are important for people who like different options (or use color to organize). If the permanence of pens troubles you, there are also erasable gel pens with ink removable with friction and heat. Lastly, if you want to produce less waste, try to find a pen that you can refill in the future.

How we selected

We selected 19 gel pens from smaller and well-known brands, with varying line thicknesses, designs, and other features like erasability and the option to refill the ink. These gel pens are all under $8 per piece, with many pens under $5.

How we tested

We tested each pen over two months on different paper and materials, in varying lengths (like to-do’s, journals, instructions, and letters), and evaluated each pen’s user experience with different writers. During these tests, writers noted each pen’s comfort level, ink smudge tests, and smoothness.

Bleeding, feathering, and smudge tests

For each pen, we performed a smudge test to see how long the ink takes to dry. We used a timeline from 0-30 seconds. Pens ranked between 0-10 depending on their drying time (instantaneous is 10/10 and longer than 30 seconds is 0/10). We also observed if there was any feathering or bleeding on the paper during these tests.

Comfort tests

We tested each pen on different writers and noted the comfort level based on their design.

(need photos of different hands holding pens?)

Smoothness tests

We tested the gel pens on different paper types to see how smooth each pen wrote on each surface. We noted if there was any friction or skipping by both writing words and using lines across the page. Pens that moved effortlessly while writing were ranked 10/10, while some pens like the Muji gel pen had too much friction and some skipping was ranked 2/10.

The post The 19 Best Gel Pens appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Important features to consider

Type & design style

Finding cute desk accessories starts with knowing what you need for your desk to prevent clutter. These days options for more aesthetically designed organizers and tools are available. During our tests, we found styles that ranged from bold and bright colors to minimal and sleek designs for pen holders, staplers, and more.

Staying with a theme is important to keep your working space from looking messy or chaotic. We chose designs that included acrylic materials, minimalist metal and wood styles, and gold accents.

Build quality & durability

While there are a ton of cute new accessories for your desk to choose from, there are also a lot of poorly made items. Build quality can change based on materials and the overall make of the accessories. For example, monitor stands made of glass might bend depending on the weight of your monitor. Some acrylic organizers are thicker and more durable, while we’ve also seen thinner and more brittle acrylic pieces.

Technically, durability is similar to build quality, but we wanted to further test the longevity of each piece after several weeks of use. What initially could be considered a good quality product could easily break after daily use–this is something we observed with some of the cute accessories we thought were front runners.

Unfortunately, you can’t always tell how durable something is until you test it. We recommend picking accessories with materials known for good quality, like metal, or buying from a trusted brand.

Usability

The most important thing when considering cute desk accessories is if it works and is usable. If some accessories offer an aesthetically pleasing design but don’t work as intended on your desk, it takes up valuable space. Will the size and shape of a cute new pen holder fit on your desk? Is it easy to use a new acrylic tape dispenser with one hand? Overall, we kept this in mind and questioned whether or not changing out industrial-designed accessories for cuter tools makes for an effective workspace.

How we selected & tested:

We selected over a dozen different accessories in various designs and materials made of acrylic, plastic, metal, wood, and ceramic. We reviewed any assembly or instructions and the build quality of each piece. Over several weeks, we implemented each of the accessories into our daily work experience to test their durability and usability. Were the aesthetically designed accessories just as well made as commercial or traditional accessories? Did these accessories perform as promised? Did we use them on the desk, or did it just end up as clutter?

The post 13 Cute Desk Accessories for Women appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Important features to consider

Safety features

Many travel purses come with features that keep your valuables safer. For example, some bags offer locking or carabiner zippers, making it harder to open the bag without alerting you. Or cable loops that lock your bag to a chair. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) blocking pockets prevent someone from stealing your credit card information. Secret pockets or compartments built into some purses offer even more security. While not every trip requires such rigorous security, it may give keep peace of mind.

Style & size

Purses can come in endless styles and designs like cross-body, shoulder, fanny pack, backpack, messenger, tote, or multi-use. Each design is subjective to each person, but we prefer bags that we can use on many different occasions and that is long-lasting. You also want to ensure that the bag style is comfortable to wear during travel.

Travel purses come in various sizes and styles, and your preferences could differ depending on your needs during your trip. For instance, we like wearing backpacks or messengers for our carry-on option because they hold a lot. Everyday walking calls for a small and lightweight option to fight fatigue and keep you comfortable.

Durability

Items used during travel can often take more of a beating than products you use at home because you may use them for longer periods over a series of consecutive days. Any travel purse’s materials can affect its durability. Many bags also have anti-slashing fabric made of nylon or polyester that stops thieves from cutting straps or slicing your bag open. Synthetic fabrics can also be water-resistant and add another level of protection. Purses made of faux leather (or polyurethane) are often budget priced. However, be cautious of cheap materials because they tend not to last as long as genuine leather bags.

How we selected & tested:

We selected five different purses of different styles, materials, and sizes under $100. Travel purses come in many variations, and we wanted to test bags of all types, like messengers, crossbody bags, shoulder bags, totes, fanny bags, and backpacks.

We test each bag on several domestic and local trips, on planes, car rides, metros, and walking adventures to evaluate its comfort level and durability. During testing, we evaluated how much each bag could hold daily essentials like wallets, phones, water bottles, jackets, souvenirs, and snacks. We also took note of how effortless it was to carry from daytime touring to nighttime dinners or events.

The post The Best Travel Purses appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Important features to consider

Fine jewelers and gem industry professionals recommend keeping jewelry in a cool, dry place–preferably away from direct sunlight. In addition, jewelry should be stored separately to prevent damage and tangling during transportation.

It’s advised to use organizers and cases lined with soft fabric, so it’s more gentle on the jewelry. Even if your collections largely consist of costume jewelry, it’s still important to store them properly to prevent damage and prolong the life of the pieces. Keeping these parameters in mind, we took these essential features in mind when choosing travel jewelry cases:

Type/shape

Portable jewelry organizers come in different shapes and varieties. For example, hardshell jewelry boxes keep their shape, roll or folder organizers can hold many pieces and don’t take up too much room in your luggage or travel purses, and hanging cases keep your bathroom less cluttered.

Material

Professionals recommend using jewelry organizers lined with soft and gentle fabrics. Based on price point, this can range from artificial suede and polyester fabrics to velvet and genuine leather. Some cases also have compartments made of plastic for visibility. While the outer shell isn’t as important as the lining, they do not recommend using wood because it can cause moisture build up on your jewelry.

Size & number of compartments

Not all jewelry travel cases have sections for each type of jewelry piece. The size and number of compartments depend on the amount and types of jewelry you want to store and transport. Most jewelry travel organizers have a mix of compartments that store necklaces, earrings, rings, and other pieces.

If you must have item-specific sections, it can dictate the organizer’s shape, design, and style. For example, jewelry folders or rolls have more space for storing necklaces since they can be longer. We would recommend trying to find jewelry cases that have more earring panels if you have a large collection of earrings.

Budget

The good thing about jewelry travel cases is that they come in various price points. Artificial or vegan leather and polyester fabric-lined cases often come with lower prices. On the other hand, you may need to spend more money on softer and finer materials if you want genuine leather. We found organizers under $100. On average, most travel cases were around $30.

How we selected & tested:

We reviewed five different options of jewelry travel cases of different styles, sizes, and materials under $90. After testing each organizer during a series of trips across the country in our carry-on and check-in luggage, we critiqued their sturdiness, ease of use, and if they kept our pieces safe during transportation.

The post The 7 Best Travel Jewelry Cases & Organizers appeared first on Your Best Digs.

Why we wanted to try the Shark

Home tech companies like Shark and Dyson move into industries like hair care because they can apply their expertise in producing home tools (such as vacuum cleaners, steam mops, and air purifiers) to other aspects of people’s lives. They often take traditional products like blow dryers and improve their designs for a better user experience.

Just like with their vacuums, Shark is obviously using the HyperAir IQ to go after the higher-end market that Dyson targets with their Dyson Supersonic and Airwrap Styler. The HyperAir IQ offers similar features to its Dyson counterparts, like fast-drying and attachments for different styling methods. Shark also created IQ technology with this blow dryer, which produces both heated and ionized air at high speeds to dry hair not only faster but also with less heat damage.

Unlike Dyson, however, Shark products are often more affordable in price, and the HyperAir IQ reflects this theme. At $249.60, it’s nearly half the price of the Dyson SuperSonic and Airwrap Styler. In addition, the HyperAir IQ is often much more available for purchase, unlike either of the Dyson hair products, making this a good dupe for someone who likes styling their hair.

How we tested

We tested the Shark HyperAir IQ hair dryer on type 2A, thick hair by reviewing the quality of the tool, measuring how long it takes to style hair, and testing various attachments over two months.

Build quality & ergonomics

The HyperAir IQ is composed of a typical plastic body and a circular head instead of a fluted nose that measures 12.5 cm x 7.49 cm x 27.99 cm and weighs 1.65 pounds with an eight-foot cord.

IQ Technology is a combination of heated and ionized air that flows through the air dryer at high speeds. Shark states that this technology helps to dry hair faster and with no damage compared to other tools.

This new hair dryer is built with what Shark calls IQ Technology, which measures the temperature up to 1,000 times per second to make sure it doesn’t overheat and burn your hair. However, unlike Dyson, Shark doesn’t state the maximum temperature it will heat the tool so we don’t necessarily know how hot it gets on the highest setting.

Attachments and accessories

The HyperAir IQ has four different attachments available for purchase or included in a bundle.

• IQ 2-in-1 Concentrator: This attachment is a common tool for many traditional hair dryers, however, the HyperAir IQ 2-in-1 Concentrator has two settings for airflow through the slim nozzle. The wider nozzle is useful for pre-style drying and the slimmer nozzle helps target specific sections of hair, especially when using a brush for a blow-out hairstyle. To switch settings, locate the switch and flip it towards the airflow you prefer.
• IQ Styling Brush: This tool looks like a brush with firm and plastic bristles atop a movable head that moves in a 360-degree area. This attachment helps to straighten and add shine to hair while drying similar to some hot air brushes we’ve tested.
• IQ Curl-Defining Diffuser: This diffuser comes with two different settings that retract and extend the inner prongs to use with shorter or longer curls.
• IQ AirWave: This attachment creates beachy waves by using air to circulate hair in a cylindrical tube and make ringlets. You can also switch the direction the air circulates from left to right depending on how you want to style your hair.

One of the interesting features of the HyperAir IQ is the dual optical sensors that automatically understand which attachments are connected and set the appropriate heat and airflow settings. Since there are three airflow and temperature settings each, it’s helpful to know where to start when styling your hair.

There are also additional accessories that can come in different bundles depending on what you purchase. For example, we purchased the Premium Styling Tools bundle that came with all four of the attachments (and filter brush), hair clips, and a nonslip mat.

Drying performance

Using the HyperAir IQ to dry freshly showered, wet hair without any attachments took about five minutes and 30 seconds on the second level of heat and third level of airflow. Like the Dyson SuperSonic, this hair dryer is especially powerful.

Using other attachments like the IQ Styling Brush was not a great experience due to the awkward angle you need to brush your hair while holding the hair dryer. Although you can move the brush attachment 360 degrees, it felt bulky and awkward in our hands. The plastic bristles also didn’t grab onto the hair adequately.

When using the IQ 2-in1 Concentrator, it was useful to have different options for pre-style and targeted drying in one attachment. The wider pre-style width helped quickly dry the hair with controlled airflow. We liked that you didn’t need to change out attachments to create a blowout hairstyle with a brush, especially because the attachments get fairly hot and are difficult to remove when you use them.

When we asked Shark directly about the maximum heat temperature of the HyperAir IQ, they couldn’t give us an answer. Overall, the HyperAir IQ quickly dried the hair, but we did notice that the hair felt more damaged and less glossy than when we used either of the Dyson tools.

Curling performance

Using the IQ AirWave to curl hair was a bit of a confusing experience. It wasn’t until months of using the HyperAir IQ that we noticed a QR sticker on the machine that leads you to a tutorial website. Previously, we had to look up videos online to learn how to use the IQ AirWave. To adequately get ringlets, we needed to pre-dry our hair to about 80% dryness level, then section off the hair in about four to eight sections.

Starting from the bottom section, add about half an inch of thickness of hair into the tube and make sure it’s in the correct curling direction. Then, turn the machine on and slowly flip the tube upside down. You know it’s properly curling when you can see the hair circulating inside the tube.

It took about 45 minutes to one hour to do our entire head, and it was a workout. Holding the IQ AirWave and the hair dryer takes a lot of endurance and gives you very thin ringlets; it definitely will not give you large bouncy curls or a nice blowout style like you can get with the Dyson Airwrap. While the beachy curls did last an entire day’s worth, it wasn’t our preferred style.

Who would benefit from the Shark HyperAir

If you’re looking for an affordable Dyson Supersonic and Airwrap Styler dupe, then the Shark HyperAir IQ would be a good choice with some caveats, like potential hair damage from setting the heat on too high or the lack of options when curling hair.

Both the Dyson Supersonic and Shark HyperAir IQ run at the same power of 1,600 watts and share some similarities. Here’s a quick comparison between the three:

Who would NOT benefit from the Shark HyperAir

If you want a hair styling tool specifically for curling your hair quickly or styling your hair in big bouncy curls, the HyperAir IQ is not the tool for you. The IQ AirWave attachment is marketed to create “effortless beachy waves,” however, we disagree that it’s effortless due to the large and heavy attachment you need to hold while using the HyperAir IQ.

Due to the type of curling attachment, you can’t adjust the width of curls you want to achieve using the IQ AirWave like you can using the different-sized barrels of the Dyson Airwrap or other curling irons. More often than not, the hair we tested had curls that ended up being about a half-inch thick, no matter how much hair we used while curling.

From out-of-the-shower wet hair to styled and slim tendrils of curls, the entire process took about 45 minutes to one hour. This is definitely not a shortcut to getting beachy curls.

Conclusion

If you want something similar to the Dyson Airwrap styler to curl your hair or keep your hair healthier like both Dyson products, this may not be the styling tool for you. However, if you’re in the market for a powerful and affordable semi-dupe to the Dyson Supersonic, the HyperAir IQ may be an appropriate choice with some caveats, like potential heat damage due to the recommended heat settings. We advise lowering the heat settings to prevent heat damage and applying a heat protector to the hair before using this product. If you just want a powerful hair dryer without attachments like smoothing brushes or curling tools, you might want a traditional hair dryer that’s even more affordable than the HyperAir IQ.

The post Shark HyperAir IQ Hair Dryer Review appeared first on Your Best Digs.