Should I invest in "professional" appliances for my hair?

   Your stylist has just created a trendy new cut for you and you ease back in the chair, smiling, thinking how good it is going to look when it's finished as they apply styling products to your hair. You notice the smooth, powerfull sound of their blow dryer as they go about the business of scrunching and fluffing your hair into a finished look. It brings to mind the old dryer that you've had since your last year in college, how it whines and rattles anemically, doesn't seem to get as hot as it should and takes forever to dry your hair each morning. Their flat iron seems to glide effortlessly, smoothing out your tresses and you tkink to yourself "Hmm, if I had tools like my stylist had, life would be so much easier. Maybe it's time for some new hair appliances."

   Before you have your hairdresser special order "pro tools" for home use, there are a few things to consider. It is true that the apliances used by most working professionals are far superior to the ones you will find in your local Big Box store. They are built fom higher quality materials with stronger motors and heating elements to meet the demands of professional stylists that will use and abuse them for eight to ten hours a day, four to seven days a week.Most people don't need that kind of performance for use at home and will find that the tools available to them at the retail level will be suitable for their purpose. As a stylist, I would rather see you spend your money on good, professional shampoos, conditioners and styling products. You will see an immediate improvement in your hairs' condition and manageability, making it a far wiser investment of your hard earned dollars.