Chi X Barbie On The Go Travel Kit Review (2023): Compact and Capable

I have mixed emotions about my unruly, tangled hair, but one thing I absolutely love is hair tools. However, I find that black and gray tools can be a bit boring, so I prefer ones that come in vibrant pink, just like Barbie. In recent collaborations with the iconic doll, Chi has released a new line of hair tools, including a mini flat iron and a foldable hair dryer, both adorned with Barbie’s adorable doll head logo. These tools are packaged in a cute pink, blue, and green case.

The Chi X Barbie mini hair dryer reminds me of the ones you might find in a hotel. It’s even cuter in bubblegum pink, but it does come with a compromise in terms of power. As expected from a travel-sized dryer, it’s not as powerful as a full-size one. However, its compact size allows you to fold it up and easily pack it in a bag or a packed bathroom drawer without taking up much space. It performs well for its size, but it lacks separate heat and speed settings. Instead, there are just two settings: medium heat with medium speed, and high heat with a higher speed.

In the travel kit, you’ll find a small concentrator attachment, which is useful for targeting airflow, especially during blowouts. However, there’s no diffuser included. This is a common omission in most travel dryers, although I would highly recommend the Paul Mitchell compact handle-free dryer that comes with a collapsible diffuser as a perfect option for traveling.

As someone with curly hair, I believe diffusers deserve more love. They are essential for creating beautiful curls, so I suggest pairing the Chi X Barbie mini hair dryer with Rizos Curl’s pink collapsible diffuser to match the aesthetic or any other portable diffuser. Even a cheaper option like the Hot Sock (which may not provide the same level of comfort as a traditional diffuser) could work in a pinch. However, the best scenario is to use it with a bonnet dryer hood, which offers optimal heat distribution and coverage.