PHILIPS SELFIE STRAIGHTNER ESSENTIAL

• This is positioned by Philips as a user-friendly, budget-friendly hair straightener under the “Selfie”/Essential line — designed for quick, convenient styling at home. 

• Model: HP8302 (also appears as HP8302/06 in some listings) with plate size (19 × 85 mm) suitable for shorter or medium-length hair. 

• Key specs:

  • Maximum temperature: 210 °C for professional styling. 

  • Heat-up time: ~60 seconds, so you can get ready quickly. 

  • Material: Ceramic coated plates for smooth gliding and less hair tugging. 

  • Cord length: 1.6 m, with swivel cord feature (to reduce tangling). 

  • Universal voltage: 110-240 V (so suitable for travel globally) in some listings.

• Additional notes: The “Selfie” branding suggests it's created with social/selfie styling in mind (“look your best for all those important selfie moments”). 

 Key Benefits

• Quick styling: With 60 sec heat-up and 210 °C temperature, you can style fast — convenient for daily use.

• Smooth glide: Ceramic plates help reduce friction, making straightening easier and gentler on hair.

• Compact size: The smaller plate (19 mm width) is good for shorter hair or when you want precision (e.g., ends, fringes) rather than covering large sections.

• Travel friendly: With universal voltage (in some variants) and a swivel cord, it's easier to style on the move.

• Beginner-friendly & affordable: Positioned as an essential/entry-level model — good value for money. Many user reviews underscore this. For instance one review says:

  “Easy to use..but as there is no temperature control..it gets hot easily…” 

  Trusted brand backup: Philips is a large brand with service network, which is a plus for support and reliability in India.

 How to Use It

Here’s a straightforward step-by-step usage guide for this model:

1. Prepare your hair: Wash, condition and dry your hair fully (or until nearly dry). Using a straightener on damp hair can damage it.

2. Apply a heat-protectant: To protect from heat damage, a thermal-protect spray or serum is recommended.

3. Plug in and heat up: Switch on the straightener and wait ~60 seconds for it to reach working temperature (~210 °C).

4. Section your hair: For best results, divide hair into sections (especially if you have thicker or longer hair).

5. Straighten:

   • Take a section of hair, clamp the plates at the root (keeping a safe distance from scalp) and slowly glide the straightener down to the ends.

   • Because the plate width is 19mm, you may need to take smaller sections compared to wide-plate models.

   • Avoid holding the straightener in one spot too long — keep it moving to prevent heat damage.

6. Finish & set: Once all sections are done, you can apply a light serum or spray to add shine or hold.

7. Turn off & cool: Switch off the device, unplug it, let it cool fully before storing.

8. Maintenance: Clean the plates periodically (when completely cooled) to remove any product build-up so the ceramic coating stays effective.

9. Use appropriately: Since this is a more basic model (no advanced temperature control in many listings), start with moderate usage and avoid using the max heat every time if your hair is fine or damaged.