I wanted a cheap straightener after the one I had been using (A Con-Air, I think) started smoking. I found it at Wal-Mart, thought the price was good, and went for it.It didn't work. I have thick, long, wavy hair, and no matter how many times I went over the same spot, my hair would not get completely straight. Nor could I imagine this thing actually drying my hair. I used it one time and haven't since.Maybe I just have stubborn hair or something, I noticed this thing has a lot of positive reviews, so I don't know.