Product: Pro Salon Multi-Function Hair Styler (Generic-brand Hot Air Brush)

I've read in a blog somewhere that a hot air brush is the most flexible hair styling tool that you can own. Depending on the setting and you hair condition (i.e. if it's wet, dry or somewhere in between), you can use it to straighten your hair, tame frizz but maintain sexy waves or create luscious curls. Being someone who is constantly frustrated with her hair, I knew I needed this.

It's basically a brush and hair dryer/blower combo. And I know from experience that styling your hair with a blower on one hand and a brush on the other is often cumbersome and doesn't always deliver the desired result, so having only one tool to deal with seems like a much better option. But I don't have the budget to buy those expensive brands (upwards of P2000), so I opted for one of these generic hot air brushes that retails for P200 at SM Appliance Center.

Right out the box, it looks like it's good enough to do the trick. But when the sales crew who assisted me emphasized that this tool is for personal use only, I should have known that there's going to be an issue with the product. And the perceived issue, as I was told, is I won't be able to use it continuously for more than 30 minutes. But the real issue was the hot air brush stopped working already somewhere between the 5-minute and 10-minute mark. It overheated.

So I promptly returned it the next day for replacement (actually D returned it for me). Again, he was told what I was told and he countered that it hasn't even been used for more than 10 minutes. Good thing they agreed to replace it with a new one and reiterated that the product tends to overheat quickly. Now, I count to 120 whenever I use it and let it cool before I continue to avoid the overheating issue. I also only use the low setting. It's not the most convenient and efficient tool to use, I know but it still beats our good old hair dryer + brush for drying my hair. As for styling, I think I will need the more professional and pricey brand for that.