Four decades ago, CHI changed hairstyling forever when Founder Dr. Farouk Shami introduced the first-ever professional ceramic flat iron. Now, the brand is marking that milestone with the CHI Ruby Anniversary LAVA Tool Collection, a limited-edition drop of three curling and styling irons built to honor both where the brand started and where it’s headed.
A Legacy Four Decades In The Making
Since 1986, CHI has been a fixture in professional styling — but it was Dr. Shami’s creation of the first ceramic hairstyling iron in the 2000s that really cemented the brand’s place in beauty history, setting a standard the industry still leans on today. That innovation eventually evolved into CHI’s patented LAVA Advanced Technology, a fusion of CHI Ceramic and volcanic lava designed to deliver consistent heat and healthier styling results — and it’s the foundation for this entire anniversary collection.
Inside the Collection
Finished in a deep ruby red and engraved with Dr. Shami’s signature, this collection is as much a piece of beauty history as it is a working tool. Each iron comes packaged in a special-edition velvet box with exclusive accessories, making it a genuine collector’s item for longtime CHI loyalists and pros alike.
CHI LAVA Ruby Anniversary Edition 1 Inch Hairstyling Iron
This 1 inch iron sells for $100.00 with LAVA mineral-infused plates to fight frizz and boost shine, with a 30-second heat-up, preset 392°F temperature, 5x color lock protection, dual voltage, and a 1-hour auto shut-off.
CHI LAVA Ruby Anniversary Edition 1.5 Inch Digital Hairstyling Iron
This 1.5 inch iron sells for $131.00 with floating plates, a rapid ceramic heater, dual voltage, temps up to 410°F, and a 360° swivel cord round out this digital styler.
CHI LAVA Ruby Anniversary Edition 1.25 Inch Curling Iron
This 1.25 inch iron sells for $120.00 with a volcanic lava-infused barrel that creates everything from volume to defined curls, with five adjustable heat settings (250°F–410°F) and cool-tip finger grips for easy handling.
A Bigger Celebration Ahead
The Ruby Anniversary Collection is just one part of Farouk Systems’ larger 40th anniversary celebration. The festivities continue at the CHI Cancun Conference 2026, running September 18th–21st at the Moon Palace Resort in Cancun, Mexico. This year’s event will be hosted by Madison Brodsky, with four days of education, connection, and celebration for both the CHI and BioSilk brands.
Attendees can expect classes from top stylists and salon owners, including Anna Manukyan on financial planning for stylists, Anna Cantu on modern editorial styling techniques, Julian Macias on luxury lightening, and Cynthia Diersen & Rocky Vitelli on advanced cut and color techniques. The conference wraps with a gala and stage show spotlighting global hair and fashion trends from the USA, Canada, Mexico, the Middle East, Europe, and the Baltics, with a guest appearance from Farouk Systems’ Global President of Marketing, Shows and Education, Mego Ayvazian.
Registration for CHI Cancun Conference 2026 is open here.
Forty years after curating the professional ceramic flat iron, CHI isn’t just looking back — they’re proving the innovation that built the brand is still evolving, one ruby-red iron at a time. Find more information about the anniversary collection at chi.com and register for their Cancun Conference here!
