ReFa Finger Iron ST (RE-AS-02A) | Can a cordless iron change your bangs and hair tips? I looked into it
A story about realizing, 'If I could use this every morning, it would make things so much easier.'
“Grab a 1cm bundle of hair and add a curl.”
That is what professional stylists do every morning, and
this ReFa Finger Iron ST (RE-AS-02A) was created to replicate that technique.
Once I started looking into it, I couldn't stop.
Honestly, at first, I was just thinking, “Can a mini iron really be useful?”
But it's cordless, you can charge it and carry it around,
and you can use it on your bangs, hair tips, and stray hairs.
It's like, you know.
“It would be so convenient just to have one of these in my bag.”
I started thinking that.
*PR
There are a few features of the RE-AS-02A that caught my attention,
and these are the ones that really hit home.
[Carbon Layer Plate]
The three-layer structure of high-density carbon, a heater, and a low-resilience coating retains moisture in the hair while delivering heat gently, making it safe to use even on hair tips where damage is a concern.
You worry about damage to your hair tips, right?
This was made with that exact concern in mind.
[Cordless / USB Type-C Charging]
Because it's a lightweight, compact size that's easy to carry, it's perfect for touch-ups on the go. It's a cordless type that can be used at tables or in restrooms where there are no outlets nearby.
A full charge takes about 2.5 hours. Considering the old model took 4.5 hours,
this is actually a huge, albeit subtle, improvement.
[Two temperature settings: 160°C and 180°C]
It's cordless, has two settings at 160°C and 180°C, and heats up in about 90 seconds.
My honest worry before buying was whether I'd have the patience to wait 90 seconds during a busy morning (laughs).
But there is a way to use it while charging, which I'll mention later.
[Buzzer notification when heating is complete]
It's become even easier to use, with additions like a buzzer sound to notify you when heating is complete.
Even if you take your eyes off the mirror, it lets you know it's ready with a sound.
This is a small feature, but I think it's easy to incorporate into a morning routine.
[Comparison] How is the RE-AS-02A different from the old model (ReFa Beautech Finger Iron)?
The big differences are the 'charging time' and the 'usage time after a full charge'.
The old model had a charging time of about 4.5 hours.
However, with the switch to a USB Type-C cable, the charging time has been significantly improved from 4.5 to 2.5 hours.
On the other hand, since the old Beautech Finger Iron can be used for longer on a full charge,
the question of 'which one is better for travel when you can't charge it frequently?' honestly remains.
Both are equipped with Carbon Layer Plates that are less likely to damage hair even when used on damp hair, so there is no difference in their ability to gently curl or straighten hair.
Looking only at the numbers, there are many aspects that are almost the same.
But in terms of 'usability,' such as the convenience of charging and the buzzer notification feature,
I felt that the ST (RE-AS-02A) has evolved significantly.
Honest Q&A | Things I was curious about regarding the RE-AS-02A, I asked
Q. How much does the unit weigh?
The product weight is about 160g (excluding the cap and USB cable).
It's about half the weight of a smartphone; I'd say it's neither heavy nor light.
Q. Can I use it while it's plugged into a cord?
It is possible to use it while connected to a cable. However, it will not charge while in use.
If you don't have enough charge in the morning, you can plug it in and use it as is.
Just knowing this gives you a different sense of security.
Q. Can I bring it on an airplane?
You can bring it on an airplane as long as the main unit and the built-in rechargeable battery are separate (removed).
It takes some effort to remove the battery, but it has been confirmed that you can take it on trips.
Q. Who is this not suitable for?
For those who want to thoroughly straighten their entire long to medium-length hair, honestly, the Straight Iron Pro is better suited for finishing long hair evenly, as it has four temperature settings and higher power consumption.
The true value of the RE-AS-02A lies in 'pinpoint care for bangs, hair tips, and stray hairs.'
If you try to cover your entire styling with just this one, you might feel a little unsatisfied.
Summary | The RE-AS-02A is your 'everyday companion you can carry around'
The price is 14,500 yen (reference).
Honestly, it's on the higher side for the price range of a mini iron.
But you can use it every morning without a cord, fix your hair on the go,
and it charges in about 2.5 hours via USB Type-C.
Daily stubborn bangs, dry hair tips, and wavy stray hairs.
I think this is an iron that solves those 'little stresses' one by one.
Your morning a year from now will be 5 minutes easier.
I believe that ultimately, it is up to you to decide how to interpret that.
I have simply spoken honestly about what I found.
*The information posted is based on the official website and retailer information. Please be sure to check the latest specifications on the official ReFa website (refa.net).