I'll be the first to admit, I've always been fascinated by styling tools, especially when I had long hair. But even with my locks down, it was a total mess - the strands would get all tangled up and it just didn't look great. And when I finally cut it all off, I realized I really needed something to tame my hair, even though it's shorter now. It still gets all knotted up, but at least it's not as noticeable thanks to this straightener.

I was totally torn between a multi-styler, straightener, and curling iron. I ended up choosing the straightener because I read that it could also be used to create curls, but its main function is to straighten hair. I wasn't too fussed about the brand, to be honest - I chose Rave because of its reputation and long history in the market. The name Carl Lagerfeld meant nothing to me, I just looked at the specs.

Purchase. I ordered it through the DSN website and picked it up in-store.

Issue with the store: for some reason, the staff changed the item in my online account to a different product from Philips. It still shows up in my order history as cancelled... But I'm just glad the ink on the receipt is still legible after almost a year.

Contents: the box, the straightener itself, and a few bits of paper - the warranty card, certificate, and safety instructions. It looks pretty serious, with a sleek black design and a red power button and clamp for contrast.

DocumentationFeatures. I highlighted the criteria I looked for in bold:

Number of modes: 10

Minimum/maximum temperature: 130°C/230°C

Heat-up time: 30 seconds

Ionization: tourmaline

YES: Temperature control; clamp for folding; floating, rounded plates; heat-insulated tip; automatic shut-off; overheat protection; rotating cord.

The modes are basically just a way to adjust the temperature - you can see the dial on the photo below with the numbers: 130, 150, 180, 210, 230. I ended up setting it to around 200 degrees. Anything lower just doesn't do the job, so I never go below 200.

It heats up in about 30 seconds, which is super convenient - you don't have to wait around for ages.

I was a bit skeptical about the red light on the outside of the device at first, but it's actually super helpful. When it's flashing, it means the straightener isn't ready to use yet. But when it stops flashing and stays steady, it's time to get started. The same goes for the auto-shutoff signal - it flashes again when it's time to turn it off.

I was really happy to see that the plates are floating - that was one of my main criteria when choosing this straightener, and I'm glad I made the right decision. It's made a huge difference in how my hair behaves when I'm using it.

I have to say, I was surprised by how important the rotating cord is. It makes a huge difference in how easy it is to use the straightener, and it also helps to protect the contacts on the cord. I was using a non-rotating cord with my old straightener, and it was a real pain to use - this one is so much better.

I've never actually used the clip to secure my hair, to be honest.

I don't have a hook to hang the straightener on, so I just leave it on the counter or store it in a box in my closet when I'm not using it.

Made with:

Plastic body

Keratin-tourmaline coating on the plates

I'm not exactly an expert on materials, but I did some research and chose the tourmaline coating because I'd heard it was good for preventing frizz and flyaways. So far, I'm really happy with the results - my hair doesn't feel all static-y, and it looks great.

Dimensions:Length of the cord: 1.8m

Width: 3.2cm

Height: 2.9cm

Depth: 30cm

Weight of the straightener: 350g

At first, I thought the straightener was a bit too big for my hand, but now it feels really comfortable to use. The length of the plates is perfect for my hair, and the width is great for making bigger curls.

I do have to use a bit of a stretch to reach the plug, but that's not because of the size of the straightener - it's because I'm using it in a socket on a tall table.

The length of the cord is actually really convenient - I can plug it in and still have plenty of room to move around.

Power:

Powered by the mains

Input voltage: 110-240V/50-60Hz

Power consumption: 0W when turned off

I did some research before buying this straightener, and I was told that 230-240V is pretty standard, so I figured it'd be safe to use. We live in a typical apartment building, and power outages aren't super common.

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My experience with the straightener:

I have to admit, I was initially put off by the smooth design of this straightener. It's just so slippery that it can't stay upright on a flat surface – it wobbles back and forth and then falls over. Unless it's turned off, of course. But when it's hot? Forget about it.

Now, I did read the instructions, and they do say to use a stand with it. But when I searched online for the right kind of stand, I was disappointed – the options available are clearly designed for storing the straightener, not for using it. I just wanted something that wouldn't be a hassle to put down when I'm not using it.

The thermally insulated tip sounds great, but it just looks like a piece of plastic that's been extended on top – the 'thermo' layer is only a couple of millimeters thick on the sides.

So, I just end up putting the straightener on a tea infuser or a piece of cardboard – whatever's handy.

I spent ages trying to figure out how to use this straightener – it's my first one, after all. I had no idea which direction to pull the hair or how to turn it. Watching video tutorials helped me get the general idea, but it's still easy to mess up and end up with a tangled mess, just like I do.

It's impossible to grab onto the outer edge of the plates with your fingers – they get scorching hot! It's not as hot as the plates themselves, but it's still not safe to try and hold onto the plates while you're using the straightener (which kind of defeats the purpose of the insulated tip, doesn't it?)

Overall, the quality of the straightener is great. I don't use it every day, though – for me, straightening season starts around March or April and ends in October. In the winter, I only straighten my hair when I'm going out, or just because I feel like it – even if I'm not leaving the house.

The coating is still in great condition after about six months of use – all the product photos were taken at the end of May 2023. The button with the dial still works smoothly, the plug goes in without any issues, and there are no sparks or electrical shocks. Everything works perfectly, and I have no complaints – the straightening and heating performance are just as good as they were when I first bought it.

Maintaining the straightener. I\"m a little embarrassed to admit it took me 10 whole months to figure out I needed to clean it. I only realized it when I caught a glimpse of all the grime building up on the sides of the plates. I\"d heard that if it starts to smell like burnt plastic, it\"s definitely time for a clean. Luckily, mine hasn\"t gotten to that point yet.

For some reason, there\"s no info on how to clean the straightener in the instructions, so I had to look it up online. Apparently, all you need to do is wipe it down with a slightly damp cloth while it\"s still warm – and make sure it\"s unplugged first, of course. It worked for me.

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And finally, the result of using the device on my hair.

My usual styling routine. I start by washing my hair. Dry hair is way harder for the device to handle. On damp hair, I apply Elseve\"s hair serum (I\"ve been using this bottle for ages – it\"s crazy how much it\"s increased in price lately!).

I wait a bit until my hair transitions from damp to slightly damp, then I dry it with a blow dryer, always with the dryer blowing downwards from my head – it\"s just faster.

I straighten my hair from the back of my head, gradually moving towards my face. Of course, I start with the lower sections, then work my way up. I try not to \"push\" the device in the wrong direction while straightening, so I don\"t end up with a weird kink.

After blow-drying || After straightening

I like that, despite my clumsiness and lack of a decent rearview, I still manage to get a decent look going on the back of my head. I\"m not sure if all straightening devices would work like this, but the Roventa definitely does:

I don\"t always add volume to my roots. More often than not, I just straighten it so I can easily tuck it behind my ears.

Here\"s an example with volume:

I've noticed that the straightening device pushes out short hairs on my roots. Every styling session with this thing ends up looking like:

In the past, I'd be frantically teasing out each section, wasting a ton of time. Now that I've got the hang of it, I'm not as stressed out. I usually just twist a few outer layers all over my head.

I have to say, last summer, right after I bought this, I got a haircut and had my crown shaved off. Yeah, I made it easier for myself that way. Less hair to dry, easier to style, and it's actually nice to have the wind blow through in the heat. Plus, my winter hat fits better, and it's easier to do a ponytail. Although, it's not all good.

I hardly touch anything near my crown. I focus on the ends, and that's the last thing I do.

First attempts. I don't know why, but I used to curl all the ends except the ones near my face. I had a bob with some length back then, and I guess I liked how it looked. Now, I don't do it that way anymore.

How long the style lasts. After a day, the volume drops, and my hair gets greasy. I did it without any styling products, just a straightener. My hair's got a weird texture – it's easy to mess up with the wind, so it gets dirty faster. Your experience might be different.

Just done || The next day

Photos from different periods, but they clearly show the mistakes. The straightener's clamp was different – my ends ended up all over the place and looked broken (left side). A more extreme clamp made them stick out (right side):

Curly hair. May it be cursed. Girls who get their curls done regularly, you're my heroes.
Let's just say that without some hair lacquer, my style wouldn't last. The thing is, curling my hair myself is a nightmare. While I'm curling one section, the previous one starts to drop. I get confused about which section I'm on, I skip some, and sometimes I even twist a section the wrong way, and the straightener gets stuck in my hair. In short, it's not for me. If beauty requires such sacrifices, then it's not worth it.

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Conclusion

I've gotta say, this straightener's not bad, but it's not ideal for a total newbie. One thing I do like is that it's super lightweight, unlike those heavy-duty pro straighteners.

I'm still working on mastering the whole round brush and blow dryer thing, so I just dry my hair upside down and use this straightener to tidy things up – curl the ends in the right direction and get rid of any pesky kinks. For me, this tool's a total lifesaver. Plus, my hair looks amazing when I use it.

The build quality's solid, and it comes with a 2-year warranty. I've got a bit over a year left on the warranty, and I'm hoping I won't need to make a claim anytime soon.