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Is Babyliss big hair still the bees knees or are there better similar competitor products out there?

34 replies

BettyBi0 · 22/02/2016 23:08

So I've only just heard of the BBH phenomenon and I'm thinking of getting one to tame my frizzy wavy long hair. Seeing as I'm 4 or 5 years late to the BBH party I thought I'd just check if it is still rated well or if there are other better products out there that do the same kind of thing.

Is it really that much quicker than using straighteners? I'm super low maintenance (aka a mum-bun addict) so needs to be quick and simple to use

OP posts:
ItsMyFuckingWedding · 22/02/2016 23:09

I bought mine in October and I love it

burnishedsilver · 22/02/2016 23:46

Still the need knees.

It's not quicker than straightening but it is simple to use.

burnishedsilver · 22/02/2016 23:47

Stupid swip keyboard!
Obviously that should have said bees knees.

candykane25 · 23/02/2016 00:16

Still the bees knees :)

Youremywifenow · 23/02/2016 00:48

Timely question. I've just bought a Mark Hill one to replace my Babyliss. Tried it tonight and it's shit for many reasons
-the handle bit is too wide so my hands got tired really quickly from holding it

  • the on/off switch is at the bottom so need another hand to access it and have to let go of the bit I've just sectioned
-doesn't spin on the hair, it just clicks and lets go as I think the anti- tangle mechanism is too neurotic
  • worked on the fringe but nowhere else.
My hair looks ok but I'm taking it back. Just buy a Babyliss one. Keep the reciept as they always break within 2 years. I've got through 3 now but I have a lot of hair.
Youremywifenow · 23/02/2016 00:54

Should add that I still go over with straighteners with the Babyliss but it does give you a proper salon blow dry look that I can't get from just rough or air drying and using GHDs. Once you get the hang of it it is quick, let hair get almost dry then just go over it with the Big Hair.
It does still need straighteners as it blows your hair in all directions so all the shorter re growth bits fly outwards so the top of my head ends up with loads of sticky out bits.
I also have long wavy thick hair.

Tartyflette · 23/02/2016 01:02

I'm not that keen on it. I find it quite difficult to use (left-handed, so it might be down to that) and i'm forever using the wrong switch so the barrel turns the opposite way to the way to i want it to turn. it has also twizzled the section of hair on the outer edge/end of the barrel into KNOTS .
On the plus side it's quick, you can get some kind of result in just a few minutes, if used on nearly dry hair.
In addition, My hair is naturally curly but it makes it too flat, even lank, - I like to have a bit of bounce, that's more natural for me.
I prefer a smaller (and much cheaper) Babyliss hot air styler that costs around a tenner in Argos. Again they only last about two years but at least they're cheap to replace.

bakewelltarte · 23/02/2016 07:14

I've been using it for years and I love it. I first blast my hair with a hair dryer until it gets to the damp stage, spritz in some blow dry/heat protection spray, then section it off and use BBH - I don't use straighteners after . It definitely gives you a salon blow dry look, love it!

PhoenixRises · 23/02/2016 07:19

Love mine - it did take a few days to get the hang of it, but it's the only styler I take with me if I'm on holiday.

BettyBi0 · 23/02/2016 07:54

Interesting about it not picking up the shorter bits. One of my main hopes was that it may help with my 2inch long fluffy after baby halo around my face. I was hoping the spinner might help it blend in with the rest of my hair a bit

OP posts:
JugglingTheBalls · 23/02/2016 08:12

m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=530677993760493&id=429943857167241

I saw this on mrs gloss and the Goss fb page recently and it's changed my life. I alway find my hair hard to manage. It's thick, a bit course and naturally curly. I found this so easy to do. I do give it a quick go over with GHDS at the end

I had the babliss big hair and found it a bit fiddly, I always seemed to snag my hair in it no matter how much I practiced.

Give the above link a try.

Petal02 · 23/02/2016 20:37

I love my BBH. I just wish it folded in half or came apart for travel.

MNetter15 · 23/02/2016 20:58

I absolutely love mine, it's hands down my best ever beauty buy. My only gripe is that I seem to lose a lot of hair on it and as my hair is still quite thin after my pregnancies, I really limit its usage and keep it for special occasions. I can't afford to lose all the hair 😭

It's so easy to use... It really looks like a professional salon blowdry.

rageagainsttheBIL · 23/02/2016 21:10

Love mine - on lazy days I tend to wash my hair, faff about until it's air dried to just damp then spend 10 mins finishing it with the BBH. It is great to get a professional look with little effort.

I know Remington do a similar type product now but haven't tried it. I think the BBH gets better reviews.

PolaDeVeboise · 23/02/2016 21:25

I've got the Tresseme one, half the price and just as good IMHO. Only difference is that you have to manually turn the barrel.

burnishedsilver · 23/02/2016 21:27

That's interesting juggling. I'll give it a go.

KatharinaRosalie · 23/02/2016 21:29

When mine broke, I got a Rowenta instead and much prefer it. Cheaper in Germany, just need an adapter www.amazon.de/gp/product/B00N9UQ610/ref=s9_simh_gw_p364_d0_i3?pf_rd_m=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=058MTG9F20ENRJD2P31H&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=585296347&pf_rd_i=desktop

WhiteHairReally · 23/02/2016 21:36

I have the BBH ( smaller 42mm barrelled one) at home and the Remington equivalent in my gym bag.
Suspect the Remington actually gives a slightly better finish, despite it not twirling. It comes apart for travel too. However I have heat protection spray in the gym bag and not at home as I am trying to use up the guilty haul of 'other hair protection products'- Frizz Ease/ Dove for Elderly Hair/ Liz Earle Hair Serum etc before I buy any more, so that might explain the difference.

HilarysMantelpiece · 23/02/2016 22:49

Love my BBH....mine died recently after about 3 years of full service- incl DD's hair. I went and bought a replacement immediately.

I dry my hair 85% with standard hairdryer...then tip my head upside down and BBH with the hair upside down (IYKWIM).
Lovely smooth finish- better and faster than trying to section and dry it thoroughly with my arms over my head.

MrsPatrickDempsey · 23/02/2016 22:56

Love mine.

MrsSeanBean · 24/02/2016 10:07

I can't exist without my Babylis BH. When my first one broke, I had to go to Boots immediately, mid blow dry (with one side of my head smooth and swooshy and the other side a frizz ball) to replace it. The urgency of the situation was obvious for all to see.

I didn't realise there were any competitors, or similar products available. However I am glad to hear there are, as I have a secret dread of the product being discontinued.

Petal02 · 24/02/2016 10:14

John Freida do a rotating hot air styler, just like BBH. I too live in fear of BBH being discontinued, so I wanted to check out alternatives.

www.boots.com/en/John-Frieda-2778U-Volume-Shine-Air-Styler-Exclusive-to-Boots_1274584/

Two years ago I had layers cut into my hair (BIG MISTAKE) and only BBH could deal with them. Now that the layers have grown out, life has returned to normal, and whilst I still love my BBH, I can also manage quite well with a non-rotating brush, ie, like the traditional hot air styler. I've got the Remington, which is easier to travel with than the BBH:

www.argos.co.uk/beta/static/Product/partNumber/1336137.htm

These seem to have been around for years, so I don't worry quite as much about them being discontinued.

I blast my hair dry, til it's around 80% dry, then use my BBH as a smoothing/finishing tool.

Bombaybunty · 24/02/2016 10:41

Mine seems to have slowed right down, is it twisted up hair or is it dying? Sad

MrsSeanBean · 24/02/2016 10:44

I don't know what caused mine to die. It smelt of burning, and yes I think it did get slower.

After it died I inspected it carefully and couldn't find any twisted hairs. I always cleaned the filter thing on the end. It did come back to life briefly when I pludpgged it in again, but still smelt of burning, so being the cautious soul I am, I binned it.

I think it lasted for about 5 years of twice weekly use though, so pretty good going.

theclick · 24/02/2016 10:47

I'm on my third BBH as it always dies. But I don't care because I get a lot of use out of it. I love it But wish it was £10 cheaper.