I had the CHI system done & it was awesome. I have (or had) naturally kinky curly hair & it would frizz in the least bit of humidity...with CHI you don't have to worry about the humidity...I did still have to blow dry it & used a flat iron to smooth it out but it would last for 3 days if I wanted it to, it also holds curling iron curls real good. It's like getting your hair colored...ie. you just get the roots done every 6-12 mths or so. I've had mine done 2x's in the past 2 years & now I can't get my hair to go naturally curly again so beware!!
It took nearly 5 hours to do my hair because I have so much and thankfully I live in a po-dunk town with an awesome stylist who only charged me $150 including full sized shampoo, conditioner, & the silk!!! I DO NOT like the shampoo & the conditioner isn't the greatest either. The silk is awesome...it leaves your hair feeling like, well, silk. You just put it on before &/or after blow drying.
CHI straightening doesn't leave your hair dry & brittle either. If you have a stylist that knows what their doing & you use the right products you won't have any problems. I do have major breakage from highlighting/coloring my hair blonde & using the dryer & iron & have found the new Paul Mitchell shampoo/conditioner Super Strong (I think) to be great!!