Solia vs. Sedu: The Flat Iron Battle Rages On
November 19, 2007 by Pascalle Castange
Filed under Hair Care, Product Reviews
Not too long ago I told you gals about a flat iron purchase I’d made. Originally, I purchased only the Solia 1 1/4″ flat iron.
I had no idea up until recently about the kinda/sorta “battle” (and I use the term very loosely) between two major flat iron manufacturers: Solia and Sedu. So, me being the curious consumer/blogger that I am, I decided to buy BOTH and put both to the challenge of taming my lion’s mane. LOL! Yeah, I know, I’m nuts. But I figured it’d make a GREAT post for you guys (I know, I know, you can thank me later…)
What makes these flat irons so different? It’s the “tourmaline plates”. Tourmaline plates? you ask? Yeah. I said the same thing when I first read it. Here’s the definition per an article I found (also comparing the 2 irons):
“…tourmaline gives off negative ions, which have been shown to lock in moisture into the hair follicle and help to straighten hair without excessive heat damage.”
Cool. My hair is a FRIED as they come. I have not had my hair professionally done since my baby shower LAST FALL. Yes. You read right–as in a year ago. *Le sigh* So, I’ve been doing the wash and go thing for the past year. And as it’s starting to get cold ’round where I live, it’s time for a blow dry & flat iron. I’m always up for a challenge. You ready? Here we go!
Sedu is apparently a world-wide known flat iron brand, used by celebrities and celebrity hairstylists. It’s been mentioned it many national magazine publications, and because of that, you pay a higher price for it. A Sedu 1 1/2″ flat iron will cost you around $130.00 USD. Ouch! Yes.
Solia on the other hand, uses the same technology, and costs less: the 1 1/4″ model costs $88.00 USD.
I could get into the nitty gritty details on the differences, but why when you can read all about the smaller differences right here. You gals want to see PICS! LOL! I know.. I know…
So. What did I do. I bought a clarifying shampoo so that I could start fresh. I had gel, conditioner build-up which I wanted to get totally rid of. And here is my hair fresh out of the shower (towel dried), with ZERO products in it:
I use a professional blow dryer to blow my hair normally. Personally, I SWEAR by Solano Professional Blow dryers. I have the ‘Top Power 3200′ model.
Love ‘em. It’s what all my hairdressers in NYC used. They’re around $80.00-$100.00 USD but worth every single penny (yes, you can find them on eBay too *wink*).
As I knew I would be using a flat-iron, I did not blow dry in great detail. Just enough to dry out my hair before using the flat iron. Hence the reason for the puffiness in my hair in between:
UGH! I know!! My ends look TERRIBLE! Definitely time for trim, Pascalle. I know.. I get it. I look like a hippie, don’t I? (Nevermind that you can see my shower curtains in the background. Oy. I’m a hot mess!)
Anyhoo! OK. So after this was done, I used Neutrogena Triple Moisture Healing Shine Serum specifically on the top/exterior and ends of my hair.
This is a very important step! You want to make sure that you protect your hair from the damage of heat styling (specifically since in my case I did a double heat whammy with blow drying and flat ironing). Find the serum that works best for you, but definitely protect your hair before heat styling. You don’t want to fry your hair. OK. Let’s move on…
I used each flat iron on each side of my head.
I was planning on cutting bangs for myself (I knowwww, I told y’all I’m crazy!) so I put that part back to save for last. Keep in mind the pic above is ONLY a portion of my hair. The rest was not done just yet. Judging from the, the Sedu side, it looks flatter and smoother than the Solia side, doesn’t it?
But that was shortlived. Here is the full result:
Now, call me blind, but I DON’T see a difference with each side… do you?
Here’s each side:
I honestly don’t see a difference. For the price difference I expected the Sedu side to show a HUGE difference. To me, there isn’t a huge difference. So I later styled my hair and braided my hair into a ponytail and played with my new bangs. I love ‘em!
That night I put my hair into a loose ballerina hair bun and wrapped my hair in a satin scarf. I do the bun to give my hair some loose waves and body. It looks messy here, but you get the idea…
So that’s that!
What do you all think? I really want to hear from you all. Did you see a difference in either side? Did it look the same? Obviously I won’t keep both irons, so I want to hear from you!!! Help a sistah out.. 
From what I understand, it’s which one *keeps* your hair straight. I just bought a sedu after borrowing a friend’s chi. The chi did a good job of straightening, but if it was particularly humid I’d have to go over my hair again. I’ve read that with the sedu it stays straight. Don’t know though, because I just took it out of the box…
You know I really can’t tell that there is a difference. Like I always say sometimes you are just paying for the name not the quality. I swear by my ceramic iron and I think it cost about $90. I also use it with Ojon products. Your hair is gorgeous anyway you put it. But I get you with the mommy trap. Baby won’t wait while mommy presses her hair. Oh well.
Well, I decided to stay with the Sedu.
Kim: let me know how it goes for you.
Noel: Aww thanks! You’re so right about baby not waiting though. My boy could CARE LESS while mommy tries to get her hair in order! LOL!
Hey, you are right there is no big differecnce b/w the two! At first I was going to order the Sedu b/c of the great reviews. But when I finally went to purchase it, it was out of stock and was going to take 2 to 6 weeks for me to reciecve it in the mail. So I looked at the Solia to see if the Sedu was worth the wait. After seeing your experiment I will most likely get the solia. Thanks for your help!!!
Hi,
I love your blog – thank you so much for doing this!
I have a question:
Did you feel like the effort that you put into each side was the same? Or did it seem like you had to go over the hair multiple times with one of the irons?
Thanks!
Hi Jen! Thanks for the love
Actually that’s a good question. The Sedu was easier to maneuver and needed less “swipe” time–if that makes any sense.
I actually think that the Sedu side looks better, which is unfortunate because I recently ordered a Solia. At least its cheaper… You made the right choice though!
I think they both look the same. I really enjoyed the pics and the post.
Which one kept your hair straighter longer???? (I need help buying a flat iron too, and I too have thick to medium thick hair–I’m African American mixed with Indian). Please help a sista my dear…Thanks!!!!
Pascalle,
You rock!!!! My barely worth it $80 flat iron bit it, & I was about ready to just pull my hair out instead of trying to figure out which one to buy next. I finally decided it was between the Solia & the Sedu, but seriously couldn’t make up my mind.
I am so happy you did this experiment (& posted it), I am buying the Sedu, it looks like it took all the frizz out of your hair (my hair has 2 textures – curly & frizzy!).
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Pascalle,
So grateful to you for doing this experiment and posting your findings – you’re AWESOME!
I received my Solia 1 3/4 last night, I am off to go get the Neutrogena T3 moisture.
I started motherhood really late at 41 y/o. So semi-permanent dyes (I’m heavily greyed) and chemical relaxers have turned my once beautiful locks into a brittle, dry and breaking mess. I am going to try giving up chemical relaxers for a couple of years. I pray the Flat Iron is the healthy calm to my raging hair-storm.
THANKS again for sharing!
At what temperature setting did you have the flat irons?
I purchased a Sedu last month, the outer body of the Iron get extremely hot , I have to be extra careful while using it, Is it a defective one or it is one of the unique feature of Sedu (1â€)
I have the same question as Melissa (#1)
Which side stayed straighter longer? Sedu or Solia?
I just bought a Solia last night because it looks better and was cheaper.
Pascalle,
This was great. Love your page.
I need to buy and iron and like most people I debating between the sedu and solia. Your posted was very helpful but I would like to know two things before I make my mind.
1- Which one kept your hair straighter longer
2- Which tempature setting did you have the flat irons? because the Solia iron is hotter than the sude.
I was thinking on buying the solia because it has a hi temp of 450 while sedu only have hi of 410.
Thank you!
Love this blog. It is so unique how you wrote it and it gives a really personal touch that people can relate to. Not that technical mumbo-jumbo from info-mercials and websites. I must agree though and say the Sedu side looks smoother. Just slightly though. They both look equally shiny. I received a Solia for Christmas 2007 and still love it. It works just as well the day I took it out of the box.
Thank you so much for the post, I have been searching online and all I have found was paragraph after paragraph it was nice to see your results. I also think the Sudu side looks a little less frizzy, but both sides look wonderful not much of a difference at all.
Sedu….sorry for the typo
Which side stayed straight longer than the other one? The Soila or the Sedu. thanks
Hi!
I was wondering.. like all your readers here, which side stayed longer and feels healthier?
Thanks!
Hi guys,
There really wasn’t a side that ’stayed longer’. But I will say I kept the Sedu and am so happy I did!
Hope that helps! Good luck ladies and thanks for the love on this post
if there wasnt a difference what made you keep the sedu?
also i hear the solia pulls.. and the sedu doesnt?! is that true?
I have been looking at the reviews on Folica.com like an obsessed woman to figure out which best top flat irons I should really purchase for myself. I wished I knew where to go to test a Sedu and Solia to see which works on my hair the best. It is hard to tell sometimes when we as African American women have different hair textures. I am leaning towards the Sedu but the Solia looks very cute. I guess what matters is which works best for the hair regardless of style. I have been trying a lot of flat irons for the last past 2 years. I am a natural. My hair is like a 4 type. Before I invest in the Sedu which I saw other AA women gave praise to it and I also so with Solia, but more for the Sedu side, I want to be sure. I am glad to saw this blog to read. Does heat temp really makes a difference on thick, coarse/kinky curly hair? I’ve been hot combing my hair to get it bone straight. Straigteners used before did not do the trick. I’ve had some up to 450 degrees.
does anyone know which straightner lasts longer? [[or which one breaks first?]]
btw, solia side looks much better. in the “AFTER” picture its much straighter and more tamed. sedu side looks cotton candy-y.
This is a good blog, u guys both of these flat irons are good i have a sedu and my mom has a solia i have 4 type hair and my mom’s hair is kind of fine but still curly. Neither one of us would trade our flat iron for anything else, my hair stays straight for a week until i wash it, that is without moisture block. really i just think it depends on the products u use and your hair care regimen that is what the flat iron results depend on but if u guys really want some reviews on it go to folica.com there are plenty of b4 and after pics on both of these marvelous flat irons as well as customer reviews
i ended up buying the Chi. its not like the other straightners I’ve had. with my other straightners, my hair didn’t really get frizzy in the humidity. but with the Chi it does! what product is best for blocking frizz?
Sabrina-
The absolute best product I’ve ever used is Bumble and Bumble ‘defrizz’. Nothing has ever kept my hair better from frizzing in humidity. I have thick, frizzy hair. When I use the product before I straighten my hair, it stays straight for multiple days.
I highly recommend it!
It’s sold at salons and on the website.
Help,
I’m about to buy the Sedu Revolution for my girlfriend who has the CHI. We did a Corioliss test in a mall kiosk and like it because the plates were rounded. The new Sedu Revolution plates are rounded for curls AND they do not touch so they don’t PULL the hair. Does anyone know if the Solia plates are rounded and don’t PULL the hair? The Solia is $50 cheaper. Not that I’m cheap. I am getting this strictly for when she’s at my house!
I am in the process of purchasing a flat iron. I have been reading blogs and reviews. I still cannot decide. I have med to long straight hair and need it to curl and flip. My hair is damaged so I don’t want it to burn. Which one would work better and last longer?
Great advice since I am looking fir a flat iron. Loved reading your article!
Thanks so much, I was having the same exact dilemma. You rock!
I researched for weeks and could absolutely not decide whether to buy a solia or sedu. Sooo, after reading this blog I bought a Sedu revolution from Folica early January, and when I received it and tried it, I felt that it worked well as well as any other professional straightener I’ve used. So I decided it wasn’t worth $70 more dollars. I returned it and got a solia. I recieved the Solia today, and immediately realized my mistake. Paying the $70 extra for the sedu is SO worth it, because it DOESN’T SNAG YOUR HAIR! and the Solia does.
Sedu plates are smoother, rounded, and sealed at edges so that your hair doesn’t get caught between the plates and the plastic.
I’m going to return the solia and get reorder the sedu. Though I won’t have a straightener for a few weeks while I wait I think it’s worth it. Also the solia makes a funky squeeky noise as you use it, because of the “dynamic alignment” plates moving up and down, in and out. Ick.
Go Sedu!
sorry for the vocab/wording mistakes..I’m tired and wrote that quickly but I wanted to say that:
P.S. my hair was equally smooth/straight/and last the same amount of time with both straightners.
I just can’t decide either. I’m using a ConAir right now… and it works good (takes a little longer and messes up in humidity) but I’m ready for an upgrade! I THINK after reading this whole thing that I am going with a Sedu lol. The idea of a up-down-in-out-moving squeaky noise is kinda weird. However Solia does have a 2 year warrenty – Sedu only has one (correct me if I’m wrong… hee hee I might go Solia though lol. Who knows?
If you purchase from Folica.com the Solia has a 2-year warranty and comes with a free heat mat to rest the iron on. It also doubles as a carrying pouch. I also could not decide, but ended up going with the Solia. I read countless reviews of the Sedu “shorting”/having issues with the cord within a year’s time. I can’t wait to try it out!
Anyone know more about Corioliss?!
Amber-
The Sedu also has a two year warranty.. and if you use the code Friend20 now (through 2/27) you’ll save 20% off your entire purchase
I have the Sedu original and it’s awesome
I have had a Sedu for a little over 2 years. It is the most amazing thing I’ve ever used in my hair. I have very curly, thick hair. It’s unique though, because it is fine not coarse. I live in Iowa talk about crazy weather. It could be humid and rain in the middle of what’s supposed to be winter. So it is very important to me to have a straightening iron that will keep my hair completely straight in all weather. This is it! I’ve never used the Solia, but I probably never will. I am hooked on the Sedu. In fact I just ordered a new one, because I want to try the new 1″ version. My suggestion to you no matter what iron you decide on is to visit folica.com. They have the lowest prices anywhere and amazing customer service. But hurry because they have a special going on until the 27th of Feb. 20% off (FRIEND20 at checkout) and as always the have free shipping for over $50. Good Luck!
Has anyone ever used the True Ceramic Pro? I purchased one several years ago and it worked fantastic for about 2yrs.It stopped turning on and the company sent me another one free of charge.Well, this one is horrible.I dont know if its a defective one or not but its definitly not the same flat iron I ordered years prior It leaves your ends dry,it pulls your hair and does not get as hot.At first I thought it was just me but my daughters use ittoo and found the same.I think they went out of business and another company took them over b/c when I called them to return it, I got a 3rd party vendor for them. Has anyone ordered one recently this iron?
Just purchased the Sedu as a b-day gift for wife. Have no experience w/ flat irons. Without squeezing down, the plates only touch at the outer end – there’s a small gap elsewhere. Should the plates lie flush without pressure? I’ve seen a single comment either way – would like to know from those of you with lots of experience whether this is a defect or proper design? Thanks!
the solia’s moving plates pull my hair out – have hair all over the sink and floor and the ends stick up straight! not so with other brands. plates get gummed up easily from products and requires cleaning after each use – not so with other brands.