Testers liked the two-step steam/heat switch, but expressed a desire for a hotter air-flow (the safety thermostat to shut off the appliance if temperatures exceeded comfort level was thought a little optimistic). However, this inconvenience was outweighed by the styler's smoothing effect on her hair, which she described as a fantastic surprise. "An interesting styler and easy to use, although it's more suitable for reviving previously styled hair than creating a new look," said Christine Pike. "It didn't give my hair a lot of body, but it perked it up and gave it a nice, freshly styled feeling," agreed Lorrie Sheehy, while Lily Draper appreciated the "gentle coaxing" of her hair back into style. On balance, testers with shorter hair found the steam styler more useful than longer- haired ones, who felt its results were too subtle to make this an indispensable product.Filling and fitting the water reservoir at the tip of the styler was a simple manoeuvre, although Alexandra Cook was slightly irritated by the fiddly plug. Two powerful heat settings and a click-in attachment system failed to sway opinion much.

The vent brush was deemed "ineffective" by Christine Pike, Lily Draper and Angela Bishop, but the styling brush gained a fan in Alexandra Cook for her "springy curls". However, with none of the panel overly impressed by the Big 'n' Bouncy's performance, opinion was that it was a lot of hot air and little else.***VIDAL SASSOON HOT AIR STEAM 'N' STYLEpounds 21.99The hair reviving steam facility in this appliance won praise for being one of the most innovative styling solutions in the test. "It's time-consuming, and certainly not something you could do every morning before work," said Lorrie Sheehy. While Christine Pike dismissed the Big 'n' Bouncy as an "unnecessary performance". Even Lily Draper and Alexandra Cook who both achieved marginal roller success found the largest ones were impossible to use.

However, Alexandra Cook liked the idea of the roller heating wand, and found it easy to use and precise.Everyone agreed that the roller system was not suitable for busy women. Others agreed that the omission of pins rendered the appliance practically useless. Christine Pike noted that 12 rollers are not nearly enough for serious styling. The hard-to-grip handle was considered a minor drawback in what was otherwise the favourite appliance.*REMINGTON BIG 'N' BOUNCYpounds 23.40"Where are the pins?" cried Angela Bishop, spokeswoman for panellists across the board who could not master Remington's Velcro rollers "They just rolled out of my hair The model on the box didn't seem to have this trouble Is my hair too slippy and soft?" wondered Clare Swift. "All stylers should have this release system - it gave me a lot more confidence," enthused Alexandra Cook. Disappointment at the lack of retractable bristles on the larger brush was balanced by impressive performance, which left testers with big waves and a sense of styling satisfaction.

"This wouldn't be out of place in a salon," said Christine Pike. The vent brush did not fare so well, and was criticised for its harsh bristles and difficulty of use. Lorrie Sheehy complained that she felt as if she was "give myself a blow-dry with a comb".Special mention was made of the booklet, praised by Alexandra Cook for "clear instructions for the timid styler". The firm bristles wind hair and then draw back into the barrel in a twist of the styler's tip. One of three attachments, the curling barrel was universally praised for its retractable bristles which allowed tangle- free styling.

"Excellent for bounciness and big hair on a layered style," said Christine Pike. While Lorrie Sheehy committed to the Charles Worthington as the ultimate styler for her fine, layered hair.*****PHILIPS HP4485 SALON STYLERpounds 24.99"Perhaps a little more curl than I was expecting," said Lorrie Sheehy through her ringlets, testifying to the effectiveness of the small styling brush. Angela Bishop liked the cold-air setting which cemented "tenacious waves" in her shoulder-length hair, but Lily Draper complained of tangling. With soft bristles, the Charles Worthington was not to everyone's taste - Alexandra Cook complained of a drag factor akin to "pulling Velcro through her hair".However, most of the panellists favoured the Charles Worthington for ease and effectiveness. This enthusiasm waned when some of the bristles snapped off after repeated use.