I have truly found a magic wand. That's right - a hair straightener that actually straightens
my hair without just poufing it out! It's a miracle, I tell you!! And here it is:

The
Remington T-Studio Collection 2 1/4" Digital Flatiron. I would definitely recommend this product. And FYI - it's cheaper at Target (or I wouldn't have bought it in the first place). It managed to turn this frizzy poufy (scary) mess:

into this sleek and straight style:

Now, I know my natural wavy/curly/frizzy hair doesn't look like it would really be that much of a struggle, but believe me - it is. Ask Kerri, she's witnessed hairdressers having difficulties with it. I've had hairdressers tell me that I have difficult hair (they don't tend to believe me when I warn them). I guess the strong personality has seeped from my brain into my hair.
I have gone into work with straight hair for the past 2 days, and have gotten a lot of compliments. (Now, I'm going to take that positively, instead of twisting it to mean my usual 'do is crap...) I love how smooth and soft my straightened hair feels, but at the same time, I'm not used to how it looks at all. I guess mainly I am noticing how long my face is...And just how much forehead I have!
Anyway, I'll probably keep straightening it until I get lazy and the novelty wears off. Or until it gets really hot out and I don't want that kind of heat near my head. Or until I get all self-righteous and annoyed at myself for fighting nature.