Product Review: Drybar 3-Day Bender Curling Iron with 1.25" Barrel

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My hair never holds a curl. Like ever. For pageants, I keep my locks in hot velcro-rollers for the entire day just to make sure it maintains a decent amount of volume and oomph during the one hour I’m on stage. With an intense combination of volumizing mousse and just under an entire can of hair spray, it usually looks acceptably glam on stage. I curse the days when I thought Keratin treatment was a good idea. For this very reason, I’m extremely picky about the products I choose when styling my hair. Mild or poorly-made tools are simply ineffective and a complete waste of money for me. They also end up creating a really nice oily residue on my head, which is fabulous. I’ve heard nothing but raves about Drybar and their blowout phenomenon (Peace, Love, and Blowouts, y’all!), so based upon a personal recommendation from an Miss America sister, I asked for the Drybar 3-Day Bender 1.25” Curling Iron for Christmas.

Drybar 3-Day Bender 1.25" Curling Iron Review

drybar’s products aren’t cheap, so my expectations were high. They use some sort of fancy pants Nanolonic mineral technology, which helps set and keep curls in place while infrared energy seals and smooths the cuticle, reducing frizz. The 3-Day Bender costs $135 and is available at almost all major beauty stores, specifically Sephora. I have to say that the value of this 3-Day Bender Curling Iron blows any expensive hair dryer or straightener I’ve ever purchased out of the water. The iron is easy to hold, rotates for convenient curling, and creates shiny, gorgeous, and (most importantly) long-lasting curls. They weren’t lying when they dubbed it a 3-Day Bender Curling Iron.

My mama also bought me the drybar Money Maker Flexible Hold Hairspray, so I was able to see how effective their styling products were, as well. I’m a still a devoted fan of Moroccan Oil’s Luminous Hairspray, but drybar’s Money Maker formula is a close second. It smells phenomenal and completely avoids that crunchy/sticky texture almost all cheap hairsprays leave. Money Maker provides flexible, brush-able hold and helps tame unwanted frizz. It’s become a downright integral part of my daily hair routine, and I highly recommend trying it.

To apply, I hold it about 3-4 inches away from my head and spray all over my hair. Allow it to fall and set. It’s also suggested that you try spraying the formula on your hands and finger combing through hair for an even more natural look. Honestly, aside from testing it out, I’ve never needed to finger comb… when this stuff says it’s flexible, it’s flexible. Never crispy, which is an unattractive descriptive word used to describe 98% of hair spray residues from other products.

Basically, I’ve fallen in love with all things drybar, and I want to buy their full Big Blowout Bundle next! The set includes a Buttercup Blow Dryer (used by over 1,500 stylists at Drybar locations nationwide), Full Pint Medium Round Brush, 3-Day Bender 1″ Barrel Digital Curling Iron (for tighter curls), Hot Toddy Heat & UV Protectant (to use before the blowout), and Triple Sec 3-in-1 Volumizer, Texturizer, and Dry Shampoo . At the very least, I need the Buttercup Blow Dryer, and I need it now.

Has anybody tried any other drybar products other than the 3-Day Bender Curling Iron? Any thoughts?

30 thoughts on “Product Review: Drybar 3-Day Bender 1.25″ Curling Iron”

Jessica January 20, 2014 at 10:19 pm

I haven't tried any DryBar products. I really need to get my act together and start spending more time on my hair.

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30 thoughts on “Product Review: Drybar 3-Day Bender 1.25″ Curling Iron”

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