I took a Cricket to Mexico a few weeks ago. No, not the insect – a mini flat iron! The Cricket mini is the perfect travel companion, especially when you’re going to a humid climate, and you have hair that likes to frizz–and a lot of it!
What I like so much about the Cricket is that it smooths out hair and gives it lasting shine, but the high-tech, low friction, tourmaline ceramic plates means it will work magic with less damage. The proprietary coating on the plates reduces the friction (or “pulling and tugging”) on your hair, which means less damaged. Although I’d never suggest flat ironing hair that wasn’t combed through, the Cricket also has a unique, ribbed, comb-guide housing that helps to keep your hair detangled and straighter, while you are running the flat iron through it.
There are a few additional details on the Cricket that I really like. For starters, it has two rubber accents on either side of the flat iron, that help you grip the iron more securely, and that also help you keep fingers away from the hot metal. The temperature of the Cricket Mini is up to 392 degrees Fahrenheit, but there is no temperature setting. It does heat up fast. I always recommend that you use a heat protectant before you use any flat iron, including this one.
One thing I really like is that the “on/off” switch is on the side, making it safer and easier to access. Many other minis put the power button in the middle between the hot plates, which, especially on a smaller sized flat iron, is a surefire way to burn your fingers. There’s also an indicator light which isn’t always present on minis, but that is necessary to know if your iron is on (and hot), or off. The plates are smooth and hair glides through easily. Finally, although it really doesn’t matter all that much, I like the fact that this mini is champagne-colored with a slight pearle finish. It looks clean and ladylike, and it is nicer than boring black!
Although the Cricket Friction Free Mini Flat Iron is just 6″ long and the plates are only 1/2″, you can do a lot of good, reasonably fast, even if you have a lot of thick, long hair. You can get cheaper flat irons, but they may not be as user-friendly as this one. For a suggested retail price of just $39.99, it’s a good investment that you’ll take wherever you need a touch up, or for traveling around the country, or the world!
Speaking of travel, I like the Cricket Friction Free Pocket Brus (srp. $7.95), too. The cute, round brush comes in an all-in-one compact with brush head and mirror that is the size of a regular powder compact, but much lighter. To use it, simply open the top of the silvery compact, and push up on the side with the bristles, watching them “bloom” into a full, round head of bristles just like a hair-loving flower! And even if your hair is thick and long, it will tackle it, terrifically. My Cricket brush smoothed my hair almost as though I’d put silicone product in it, but I hadn’t! The 2.25″ round interior mirror is nice for makeup touch-ups, too — very handy
There’s an entire line of Cricket Friction-Free brushes that help banish unwanted fly-aways. For those who love tech-speak, the friction free brushes are made with a proprietary blend of polymers to reduce friction caused by brushing, combing and styling hair – reducing damage and creating a smooth finish and shine. The Bristles are ion infused with tourmaline to impart moisture into the hair, reducing static electricity and creating incredible smooth shine. You can’t beat it.
Visit the Cricket Web Site or other online retailers, salons and beauty supply stores to get your BHTC (best hair travel companions).
