The only time I have frizz problems is when I use the tiny rollers because the curl is too tight. My hair is shoulder length and very straight so I usually use the medium and large rollers and make spiral curls. I absolutely love my Caruso. As far as holding up, mine have held up great. I bought my first on in like 1989. I was only 18 and didn't have a credit card so my mom ordered it for me off of TV. I still have it and it still works. I bought 2 more at Target a few years later (smaller travel sized ones) because they were on clearance for $5 and those still work great too. I would say that it takes me about 5 minutes to roll my hair and another one minute to take out the rollers and style it. I usually dry my hair first and put the rollers in, then let them cool/dry while I do my makeup. The only thing you have to be careful of is to not get the rollers too steamy because the steam won't evaporate as fast and will leave your hair wet. If I'm in a hurry, I roll then hit the rollers with my hair dryer to hurry up the process a bit. After I got my first Caruso my friend was so amazed that she made me try them on her hair. We used the large size on her hair and were amazed at the results. She has thick hair that is all one length and down to her waist and when I took the rollers out she had spiral curls that were shiny, springy, and curled her hair all the way up to her middle back. It was gorgeous. One other word of wisdom: when the rollers are in place, your head is HUGE, so don't try to get dressed or anything (unless you have zippers or buttons down the front) while they're on your head.

@georgect - I'd be willing to bet the ranch that Elux iron is made by Rowenta. @dragonesse - The B&D Digital Advantage D2030, linked below, is a great iron for the money and has served me as well or better than any Rowenta I have ever owned. And I iron. A lot. I have tailored jackets with this iron and swear by it. Amazon.com sells it too, although the 20% BB&B coupon might be a better deal, so price shop. I am not all that keen on Rowenta irons anymore, as very few models are made in Europe anymore. The ones made in Mexico seem to not hold up or last long. 20 years ago, I had a TOL Rowenta and the water tank leaked, like everyone else's. After that, I refused to spend $$$ and only bought the $50 Rowenta models at JoAnn's when on sale or with a 40% coupon. They've been great irons, too. The Rowenta steam generator iron puts out an amazing amount of steam, but the iron itself doesn't get very hot. I'm not in love with mine. I'll take my B&D #D2030 any day, as it does well in the steam department. As for ironing boards, the Reliable brand is very good but overpriced for a family that does not iron very much. I cannot speak for the other brands at BB&B, as I have not seen them in person and the online ratings are not encouraging. Polder is a good brand, if you can find one. Here is a link that might be useful: B&D Digital Advantage D2030 steam iron

Where do these parents come from? To leave an iron with 3 years olds and then not even seem to realize your mistake and go on to tell funny crayon stories about it??? A three year old scribbling on walls may be funny, but them being left alone and able to burn crayons on an iron is just child neglect. Aside from burning themselves, they could have also set the place on fire trying to burn things other than crayons.

I used to make them every year, or rather I'd make my son stand at the stove and fry them while I made cookies! They were so beautiful stackedup on a glass platter drifted with powdered sugar. Since I no longer have a kitchen slave I've only made them once or twice. They really are only at their best that day, although stored in an airtight tin in a coll place they are fine for maybe 2 days. (That's why you need a kitchen slave since they are last minute.) My grandma's iron is double handles which also helps the pile grow faster. (Looks EXACTLY like this one.) I REALLY suggest getting the double if you want to make them. I fry mine in my wok, takes less oil. Here is a link that might be useful: Double Rosette Iron