USB-Chargeable Hair Tools for a Bouncy Blowout on the Fly? We're Listening...

Those of you following along at home (hi, hey, hello) may have noticed that I recently got bangs.

Well, technically speaking they’re more curtain bangs than a full-on fringe situation–been there, done that, lesson learned–but bangs nonetheless.

That’s right. I’ve officially traded in my signature bitchy-bob to become…. a bangs-baddie.

I also decided to grow my hair out (but that’s a story for another time).

It’s okay if you didn’t notice (it’s not); it’s summer and we’re all too busy live, laugh and lovin’ our way through the holidays.

And hey, I get it. I’ve been pretty much doing the same.

Between a Christmas here and another there, throw in an interstate baptism and some overdue birthday celebrations; I feel like I need a holiday from my actual holiday, and it’s only January!

Anyway, back to my hair.

So I cut it myself at home.

Like all good decisions, it was made on a whim with little thought about the consequences.

Namely, maintenance.

It had been a while since I’d had bangs, so I’d ~conveniently~ forgotten just how much damn work goes into keeping them looking cool and effortless à la French-girl style.

So these new Mermade Hair travel minis couldn’t have landed on my desk at a better time: in late December, just days from the Christmas break.

I popped them in my beauty bag and off I went on vacay where I put them to the ultimate travel test.

Here’s how everything went down…

Meet The Mermade Travel Series.

‘Be more organised’ may be a permanent fixture on our New Year's' Ins’ list, but let’s face it–there are times in life that we’d rather hit snooze and let future us deal with the fallout; be it a missed gym class or limited time to get ready.

Enter, Mermade’s travel series: a collection of styling essentials and USB-chargeable hair tools to take your beauty on the road.

So whether you’re commuting, travelling or squeezing in a morning gym sesh, your hair can look bomb.com

Here’s everything you need to know:

Mermade Hair USB-C Velcro Roller

• Compact and clip-free.

• Heats to 80°C to reduce damage.

• 32mm in size, ideal for small to medium sections of hair.

• Universal voltage so you can plug in and charge anywhere.

Mermade Hair USB Curling Tong

• 25mm barrel for small to medium-sized curls.

• Rechargeable with 35 minutes of styling time.

• Heats to 150°C set temp to prevent hair damage.

• Includes protective cover and clamp for better control.

OK, now the review…

My Mermade Travel Series Review.

Let’s start with the Mermade USB Velcro Rollers.

This is the first time I’d used some since my Physie days 20 plus years ago (IYKYK).

As it turns out, they’re a bangs’ best friend!

Compact and lightweight in design, the roller duo worked a treat on my fine, short tresses.

True to their promise, they only take about two minutes to charge and are easy enough to wrap my fringe around and secure in place with the silicone ring.

Mermade suggests leaving them on anywhere from a couple of minutes to about 30. I went with the latter, using the downtime for my skin and makeup routine.

It took a bit of trial and error to perfect the look I was after, but they’ve been a mainstay in my haircare routine ever since.

I wouldn’t suggest them as a cure-all for curling your entire head, but for adding shape and volume to a fringe or fine hair? Definitely.

OK, now onto the Mermade USB Curling Tong.

A quick disclaimer: I am not much of a curling girlie.

Having had short hair for most of my life, curls can quickly make me look five years old.

My hair also sucks at keeping them intact, so by the time I’ve finished they’ve usually started falling out, leaving me with more of a shag than a salon-worthy ‘do.

That said, I was excited to see how the Mermade Curling Tong would bode on my now longer hair.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was able to curl my entire head before the curler’s charge ran out.

Its compact, cordless design made it easy enough to use on my fine hair. Combined with its clamp that helped control the direction of the curl.

I didn’t experience any static or frizz, but as I expected, my curls lost a lot of their shape by the time I was finished (although, to be fair my hair was freshly washed).

With that in mind, I would recommend it as a travel companion for my fellow fine-haired friends.

However, those with longer, thicker locks may find it too tedious of a process and that they’re better suited to a bigger barrel.

All in all, both are cleverly designed hair tools that offer my routine something I didn't know it needed: legs.

Got some more time for your tresses? Catch up on these new haircare Beauty IQ articles:

• High Maintenance Beauty Habits So You Can Remain Low Maintenance on the Daily

• Spritz and Slay: Elevate Your Party Look with These 5 Hair Sprays

• I Just Bleached My Virgin Hair. Here’s the Products I’m Using to Keep It Soft and Healthy