Curls are undeniably trendy right now, and you can find literally thousands of styling tools available for purchase anywhere from your local drugstore to professional salon distributors. Even narrowing down the choice to specifically curling irons, the possibilities are numerous. It can easily get overwhelming (and pricey) trying to figure out which size, style, and material is right for you.
When I’m unsure about where to start with a new beauty product, I always default to goods from well-known and respected companies because I know that I can trust the quality of their merchandise.
Conair is one of the best-known and well-respected beauty product companies in the industry. They have been around since 1959 and offer a range of affordable and durable curling irons that are sure to give you years of gorgeous styling. So, if you are on the lookout for a new tool to give your hair game a twist, check out the following reviews of Conair curling irons to find out which one is right for you.
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Conair Curling Iron - Comparison Table
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Conair Curling Iron - Reviews
Conair’s classic tool, this iron gives you gorgeous and reliable curls that will make your friends wonder how you afford so many visits to the salon.
Overview:
- Available in the following barrel sizes: ¾ inch, ⅝ inch, and 1 inch
- The barrel is anodized aluminum
- Automatic curl release
- Cool Tip
- Ergonomic handle
- Ready dot
Pros
Cons
Advanced heat technology powers high temperatures that quickly style your locks with no danger of hot spots. Plus, the titanium surfaces creates a smooth glide that will not snag, tear, or tangle.
Overview:
- Available in the following barrel sizes; 1 inch, 1 ¼ inches, and 1 ½ inches
- Smooth glide titanium surface
- 30 heat settings, up to 400 degrees
- Cool Tip
- Auto shut off
- Limited 5-year warranty
Pros
Cons
This styler gives you options. With one tool, you have the option to create silky straight hair, loose waves, or voluminous curls.
Overview:
- Available in 1-inch barrel size
- Features extra-long floating titanium ceramic coated plates
- 30-second heat up
- The tool has two inner plates that heat up to 400 degrees and an outer barrel that heats up to 265 degrees
- Includes an ion generator to condition cuticles and prevent frizz and flyaways
- Features 5 LED-indicated heat settings
- Auto off
Pros
Cons
The tourmaline ceramic barrel of this iron automatically rotates, wrapping your strands with practically no effort on your part. Just section off a piece of hair, clamp, and watch the magic happen!
Overview:
- Bi-directional automatic rotating clamp
- Available in a 1-inch barrel size
- Tourmaline ceramic technology
- 30-second heat up
- Auto shut off
- Heats up to 400 degrees
Pros
Cons
This iron does double duty, curling your hair as it dries it. Nano Tourmaline ceramic technology emits natural ions that combat frizz to keep your hair healthy and shiny.
Overview:
- Available in a 1 ¼ inch barrel
- Heats up to 400 degrees for optimum styling power
- Tourmaline ceramic surface is extra-smooth
- Five precision LED light settings for temperature control
- Auto off
- Limited 5-year warranty
Pros
Cons
Make your hair shine like the sun with this curling iron. The nano tourmaline ceramic technology emits natural ions that combat frizz to keep your hair healthy and shiny. Plus, your curls will last all day long.
Overview:
- Available in the following barrel sizes: ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1 ½ inches
- It uses far-infrared technology to produce a type of heat that is gentle on your hair and helps it to retain moisture.
- Nanotechnology eliminates hot spots for an evenly-heated barrel
- 30-second heat up
- Five LED-indicated heat settings, from 285 to 400 degrees
- Auto off
Pros
Cons
This iron doubles up on the level of ceramic infused in its barrel to offer even heating and twice as much curl control.
Overview:
- Available in the following barrel sizes: ¾ inch, 1 inch, 1 ¼ inches, and 1 ½ inches
- 30 heat settings, up to 375 degrees
- Turbo Heat burst
- Cool Tip
- Auto off
- Dual voltage
- Limited 2-year warranty
Pros
Cons
If you want your curling iron hot and you want it now, then choose the Instant Heat. This salon-quality tool utilizes multi-layer technology that combines elements of chromium, nickel, copper, and steel to produce professional, long-lasting results in a snap.
Overview:
- Available in the following barrel sizes: ¾ inch, ½ inch, 1 inch, 1 ¼ inches, and 1 ½ inches
- 25 heat settings
- Smart Technology stabilizes the temperature along the barrel to prevent hot spots
- Turbo Heat delivers an extra 36 degrees burst of heat when you need to seal that curl quickly and securely
- Auto off
- Limited 2-year warranty
Pros
Cons
This futuristic-looking ceramic iron gives you high definition, consistent curls full of volume and shine.
Overview:
- Available in a ¾ inch barrel
- Heats up to 350 degrees
- 25 heat settings
- Turbo Heat delivers an extra 36 degrees burst of heat when you need to seal that curl quickly and securely
- Limited 2-year warranty
Pros
Cons
This tiny little iron is a dream for anyone who travels frequently, is short on storage or counter space, or who has short hair in need of a bit of styling. It is also perfect for people with bangs who want to give them a lift.
Overview:
- Barrel size is 1 inch
- 30-second heat up
- Ceramic technology protects hair from damage and heats evenly
- Cool Tip
- 1-year warranty
Pros
Cons
Conair Curling Iron - Buyers Guide
As you can see, Conair makes a lot of different curling irons. Each one has its own special attributes and will appeal to different people for different reasons. In order to assist you in selecting the tool with the functions and frills best suited to your hair and your needs, we have developed this buying guide. Here we will explain what works best for each hair type and styling comfort level to every reader a head full of gorgeous curls.
Barrel Size
Your hair type, length, and the type of look you want will indicate the barrel size you need. In general, the longer your hair, the wider (and, in some cases, longer) your barrel should be.
This makes sense for two reasons. For one, people with shorter hair physically have less of it available to curl and thus will have a difficult time wrapping their hair around a wide barrel to achieve a defined curl. Second, a wider barrel for ladies with long locks enables more of the hair to come into contact with the barrel and thus transfers more heat and better style retention.
The one caveat to this is if you have very fine hair. Fine hair can get heat damaged quickly and will not retain its curl for long if you style it with too large of a barrel. Most stylists advise sticking with a barrel of one inch or smaller to minimize these styling complications.
Lastly, your preferred look will also determine the barrel size. If you are a fan of tight ringlets or uniform, defined curls, you will want to select a barrel that is smaller. Conversely, if you seek loose, beachy waves, then a nice, chunky barrel is right for you. And for those who are either new to the curling game or are simply bad at making decisions, a nice 1-inch barrel is a solid choice to start out with. You can always go up or down from there, but the 1-inch size provides solid, middle-of-the-road curls for the broadest range of hair types and lengths.
Material
These days, curling irons come in a wide variety of materials, and Conair offers options in just about all of them. Here's a quick overview of what each type of material does:
Aluminum is one of the original metals used in curling irons. It conducts heat well but does not boast some of the fancier properties of the materials that follow below. It is also prone to uneven heat distribution along the barrel, meaning that you run the risk of burns or having to wrap the same strand multiple times in order to achieve a curl. Plus, aluminum can become susceptible to heat fractures over time.
Ceramic is a non-metallic, inorganic material that is the most popular for use in curling irons and electric hair stylers, in general. Ceramic creates an incredibly smooth surface that will not pull or snag.
It emits negatively charged ions that retain your hair's moisture and oils, thus preventing breakage. It also heats up quickly and evenly and can handle rapid changes in temperature, making it ideal for irons that offer adjustable heat settings.
Tourmaline is a crystal boron silicate mineral that acts very similarly to ceramic. It is the newest material to appear on the electric styling tools market. Like ceramic, it also emits negative ions that smooth and protect hair, but research has shown it to produce up to six times as many ions as ceramic. This makes it a much more powerful option for maintaining hair health as you style.
Titanium is the power hitter of the bunch. It is incredibly strong but also lightweight, making it a durable option for people who plan to use their irons frequently. It heats rapidly and maintains that heat evenly for long durations, making it a safe bet for thick-haired ladies. It also creates a smooth surface that won't damage your strands. Unlike its tourmaline and ceramic counterparts, titanium does not have frizz-fighting capabilities, so some people may need to use heat protectant products to keep flyaways at bay.
Nanoparticles are minute particles made from various materials that get emitted when heated. They help to smooth hair, reduce static, and prevent frizz.
One additional point to note when considering materials: beware of irons that are only coated or plated with your chosen material. Many companies will advertise that their tools are made of one or a combination of the above materials when they really only have a top coat under a base of other, cheaper metals. This coating will eventually chip and peel with use, resulting in damage to your hair and a waste of money in the long term.
The best options are ones that are entirely made of one or a combination of the above materials, although such construction significantly increases the price point.
Heat Level
Understanding what type of hair you have and how much heat it can handle will go a long way toward creating success with your styling routine. All heat styling damages hair in some way over time, so the lower the temperature setting you can use while still achieving long-lasting curls, the better.
In general, fine- and color-treated hair require lower temperatures, often in the 300-400 degree range. Normal hair can handle temperatures around 400 degrees, and thick/coarse manes will want high heat. Keep in mind, though, that temperatures above 450 degrees will very likely damage even the thickest of hair and should be avoided.
Additionally, opting for an iron that has variable heat settings will provide the most versatility. Not only will you be able to continue to use the same tool if you dye your hair or alter it in some other way that affects how it handles heat, but adjustable heat settings also mean that the same tool can be shared among several people in the same household. Plus, ladies with finer or thinner hair will want an iron that they can adjust the temperature level on as they test out just how much heat their delicate hair can handle.
Extras
As you have seen from the above reviews, Conair offers more than just the standard curling iron options. And there are many more options on the market than the ten we chose to review! So don't forget to consider the special extras that the company has to offer when making a purchasing decision. You might discover that that rotating clip or wet/dry function makes a huge difference in your beauty routine and totally merits the investment.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, there is no “right” or “wrong” choice when it comes to selecting a curling iron. The best you can do is read up on each product, consider your needs and price range, and take the plunge to try one. Don't underestimate the power of reviews; they provide an important window to the reality of how people have fared with these devices. But, also keep in mind the unfortunate truth that many people in this world don't bother to take the time to read instructions or seek out tutorials and instead rush to write damning opinions that are not completely fair.
Whatever tool you do decide on, make sure to give it a few practice tries and perhaps even watch some online tutorials before forming a decision. With luck, you'll be successful on the first try and come out of the experience with Hollywood-worthy tresses. But if you don't, remember that practice makes perfect If curling one's hair were truly effortless, then we'd all have dive styles 24/7! Oh, and don't skimp on the heat treatment products; they can be a life-changer when you are dealing with heat styling.