FHI Runway VS Paul Mitchell Express Ion Style

FHI Runway

This iron is supposed to the be iron of all irons. The creme de la creme. The 'all that' to the bag of chips.

Before I get to my review let's review it's features...

Where to buy: Folica and most major online retailers

Price: Originally $450 but is now retailing around $275-$300

They say: FHI Heat Runway Flat Iron is a professional ceramic tourmaline styling iron with Nano-Fuzeion Technology.

Features and Benefits:

• Six layers of hand-made, pure ceramic plates that are treated with tourmaline to produce 20 times more moisture-locking negative ions than other irons
• Patented integrated ceramic heating system provides virtual instantaneous heat recovery
• Widest temperature range in the industry 140-450 degrees Fahrenheit
• Ideal for all hair types
• Allows for damp to dry capabilities
• Floating and beveled plates are perfect for creating curls, waves, flips and ringlets
• Gentle for infrared heat and low electromagnetic field prevents damage to the hair
• Nano-Fuzeion Technology produces unmatched conditioning and shine
• Made in Korea
• 1 year warranty

I say: Here's a comparison...

Paul Mitchell:

• Sleeker, "pin straight" hair
• more shine
• gets close to the roots
• lightweight
• great tension without the feel of stretching the hair
• Easier to make tighter curls
  

FHI Runway

• Hair is left with more texture than Paul Mitchell
• Hair feels incredibly soft with moisture being sealed in - softer than PM
• Less shine (probably because there is more texture
• Iron is clunkier than PM
• Didn't reach roots as close
  
• Tension is good, but feels like it can stretch relaxed hair easier than PM
• Easy to make curls with body and waves
  

So, you see neither are perfect irons and it's all a matter of preference. For styles with body, waves, and volume, I'd take the Runway. For stick straight or curly styles with high shine, I'd take the Paul Mitchell.

The final determinant to why I will stick with the PM was that after a night of dancing and sleeping without my satin bonnet - don't judge - the PM side held up the best. The next morning, my Runway side was basically halfway reverted while my PM side was still sleek and silky.
And I also don't use flat irons often enough to invest in the Runway on a permanent basis.

Posted in: Healthy Hair Growth,Product Review