Cortex 4-In-1-Curler

Cortex-HeaderJust so you know, I’ll be wearing my hair like this more than a few times a week.

But before I jump into the review — I wanted to let my beauty readers know that the Sephora VIB 20% sale will be starting today and running for a few days. Is anyone picking up goodies for a discount? I have a few things I want to pick up and will be heading out around lunch time to take advantage of the sale on the products I have either wanted to try, or I know are staples in my beauty cabinet.

In reality, I’m probably going to only buy the philosophy hope in a jar moisturizer, Bobbi Brown shimmer brick and the Too Faced bronzer I’ve been dying to try. There’s plenty more on my wishlist but being on a strict budget helps me not splurge like mad when a sale comes around. But I have no moisturizer, I’m running low on my Jouer bronzer, and I want a little shimmer-shimmer on my cheeks because I love a good lookin’ glow to the cheekbones.

Onto hair!

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Luscious long thick locks is something I’ll never achieve without the help of  hair extensions. Prenatal vitamins with folic acid can only do so much for one’s hair and nail growth. It is what it is, and my hair will always be fine and limp.

The titanium curler heats up to the temperature you select in a matter of seconds, and you can achieve anything from a relaxed wave, to a tight curl using the Cortex 4 N One. It’s surprisingly quick to transform your entire look with a hot piece of burning metal to curl your hair. I love how bouncy, soft and fluffy my hair looks after curling it. Since I’ve had the curling wand since early September, I’ve been curling my hair multiple times per week using the 2″ and 1½” barrels for big bouncy curls though, I haven’t used the tapered [½ — 1″] nor the 1″ barrels yet). I’m instantly transformed into having mesmerizing full set of locks. My only suggestion for people who have no idea what they’re doing with their hair, like myself — is to section it off, and curl your hair the exact same way on your head. Wear the glove if you have to — thankfully only burned my fingers twice since using it. To prepare my hair, I use my tangle teezer hair brush (amazing by the way), section it into four using my too expensive yet so cute yellow Dry Bar hair clips and a heat protectant if you do so desire to keep your hair in pristine shape.

The only complaint I have with the curling iron is that it doesn’t have a mini kick stand for itself. I’d rather not put the hot iron directly on my counter, but there’s no other choice. It slides all around and I keep it in place holding the cord against my leg and the sink so it doesn’t fall off while I section my hair.

Disclaimer: Flat Iron Experts sent me the Cortex 4 N One  for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

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Cortex: Clipless curling iron

Flat iron experts is so good to me. I’ve gotten to review a number of items from their online store over the past few years. I’ve given mostly positive reviews in the past about the hair straighteners, curling irons or new-age crimping irons. But in all honesty I didn’t know what I could compare the products that I was reviewing, to. More specifically, I didn’t know what to do with curling irons. My hands were always gimpy and the barrels that I chose to review, were frankly too large for my hair. It just gave me volume, without curl. Which is great seeing as I have fine limp hair, but some days I just want a little curl on the ends.

It’s not because any of the the products were crap. It was because I am such a gimp when it comes to doing anything with my hair. If I wanted curly hair I’d have to fiddle with my flat iron and maneuver it in a way to create odd looking curls. It took forever.  Which meant I’d rarely take the time to do that to my hair. Not to mention the fact that I went over certain pieces of hair multiple times to achieve a look I could go out in public with. Damage your hair more, sure!

I think all of the products were meant for super long, super thick hair. I e-mailed my rep that I deal with at Flat Iron Experts and asked if I could review a smaller curling wand, one that was clipless.

This thing heats up so fast. To the right (above) the digital screen temperature just rises so fast. It’s kinda fun to watch it heat up.

Here is the base of the iron, and where all of the tubes (wands?) plug into. Idiot-proof for sure.

Some specs.

Lord almighty I had no idea what a world of difference not having a clamp on your curling iron could do for your hair. And how much less time it takes up!

I was sent the Cortex 4 in 1 clipless curling wand and have been using it on the days that I don’t wash my hair. Which is a lot. The first time I used it my hair came out like this. I used the smallest barrel which is the 1.5-3.4 inch. It gradually gets smaller toward the tip of the barrel.

Okay don’t let the photo below fool you. That was just my first attempt at using it. Not a bad one I may add, but please…keep reading. It gets better. Oh boy does it ever.

On the left was right after I curled it. On the right is when I combed through my hair with my fingers to make it less prom-like. Not bad, right? I mean, could be better. It looks a little messy on the right, and just too perfect on the left. I didn’t curl my ends, and you can definitely notice it, so I made sure to include the ends of my hair the next time I did it.

 I’ve gotten the hang of it so well that I curl my hair multiple days during the week now! It’s so easy and super fast. The camera flash darkens my hair by the way, I didn’t dye it lol.

I even styled the ends of my hair for girls night the other evening.

Even though I say I’ve gotten the hang of it well, it really wasn’t a huge ordeal for it to work magic on my hair. I’ve used it probably 6 times and it’s been just as easy as the first time. I’ve decided to film and put together a video of how I curl my hair in the morning now. Watch me curl my hair in this video!

Super easy right? You can buy the Cortex 4 in One Curling Iron here.

Thanks to Flat Iron Experts for sending this product over to me, to review.

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