Review (5/5): Better than my flatiron!
I have a graduated bob and bleached (level 12) hair. This means varied lengths, from about 4" to 10", and damaged hair that must be treated very tenderly. Because I favor a smooth underswept style, I was using my flatiron to achieve that look, but first I had to blowdry my hair or my natural wave would still turn through the ironing. A double process is a pain, and the blowdrying takes away the sheen from my hair, making it look lifeless.
The brush iron is easy to hold and does not diminish the hair's sheen. I strongly recommend sectioning your hair, doing a little at a time. Don't try to take a large section and roll it...unless you are very precise, it will be easy to cross-roll as you get it out of your hair, creating a nightmare tangle.
I take a section and hold the end of the hair so the section goes straight up. Then I put the iron under the hair...the stiff bristles keep the iron awaay from my scalp, so no danger of burning myself (unlike my flatiron). I pull the section of hair down over the iron and keep it like that for about 10 seconds (on 'high', and my hair is fine) then I continuously roll the brush through the hair as I bring it down to the end. I keep rolling it as I let the end curl around and roll it up like a regular curling iron.
Because there is no upper grip, there is no danger of getting an indention in the hair. Just beware of cross-rolling the hair.
Also, keep your fingers offf the barrel. Easy to say, but I did burn a fingertip. Now I let the cool plastic end of the roller rest in my left palm for guidance, and keep my fingers well awaay.
I'll post an update if I have more observations.