Hair comes in various shapes, colors, and sizes. Some people have long, straight, blonde hair, while others have short, curly, brown hair. Some people have a natural shine, and others don’t. There are also variations in hair thickness, but the point is that no matter what kind of hair you have, you can straighten or curl it to your heart’s content. Before you do that, though, you should get informed on what type of curling iron is best for your hair.
Where did curls originate?
Curly hair has a long history dating back to Ancient Greece, and for millennia, various hair types have been styled into curls and waves. One ancient method used wet clay to form curls. Another technique involved quince seeds soaked in water. This would produce a thick, gelatinous substance that could be used for hairstyling.
Curling tongs and irons were also used. In these ancient periods, curls were used to emphasize beauty and social status, so the upper class were expected to use them. As time wandered on, curls become more popular. They moved from being a simpler identifier of wealth to a sort of expression used by all social classes.
While metal tongs and irons were used before the invention of electricity, the heat was tough to control. Burnt hair was a common occurrence for women of this era. Then, after the accessibility of electric power, the curling tongs became more comfortable to use and have stayed virtually the same over the years.
Between the middle of the 20th century and now, a lot of designs and sizes of curling tongs have been invented. The one that’s best for you will depend on the type of curl you want as well as the kind of hair you have.
What kind of curl do you want?
First, you should consider what type of curl you are looking for. Do you want waves? Coils? What about loose curls, wavy curls, or formal curls? You may need to do some experimenting to find the exact type of curl that works for you. Then, you need to use a different kind of iron for each curl. Some curling irons work for more than one type, so keep an eye out for those!
Best Rated Curling Irons
So now that you’ve decided on what kind of style you’re looking for, here is a list of the best curling irons on the market at the moment.
1. Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron; 1-inch Curling Iron
This curling iron barrel measures 1 inch. It can be heated up to 375°F (190°C). Apart from that, it has 30 different heat settings, allowing it to be used on all types of hair: fair, thick, coarse, or fragile. This particular iron is ceramic, so it produces high and consistent heat. In a rush? Don't worry; this curling iron heats up in no time.
2. Dyson Airwrap
The Dyson Airwrap is incredibly popular. It incorporates an air vortex to attract and wrap your hair gently around the iron. The air helps to give volume to your curls, and it also limits the iron to 302°F (150°C).
This curling iron can also dry and straighten your hair since it comes with many accessories, three different sized barrels, one round volumizing brush, two firm smoothing brushes, and a pre-styling dryer. This makes it an excellent option for all types of hairstyles. It does land a bit on the expensive side, but you will save a lot more in the long run by avoiding trips to the salon.
3. T3 Whirl Trio Convertible Styling Wand
This is a fantastic curling wand suitable for all types of hair, from perfectly straight to extremely coiled. This wand heats up in no time. It has five heat settings ranging from 260°F (126.6°C) to 410°F (210°C). If you ever forget to unplug it, there’s no need to worry.
It comes with an automatic one-hour shut off timer. It also has a professional nine-foot 360° swivel cord and has a cool tip for easy handling. With this wand, you can create long-lasting and shining curls.
4. CHI Air Spin N Curl
A wonderful curling iron, this particular model comes with a digital temperature readout. It has five different temperature settings, from 370°F (187°C) at the lowest setting, up to 410°F (210°C) on the highest. A cleaning tool is included for free as well.
The best part of this curling iron is how curls are formed. To start, you’ll take a lock of your hair and place it in the curling chamber. The hair will be drawn into the curling chamber. Once it's curled, the iron will stop spinning.
When this process is complete, the iron will beep four times to indicate that the curl has been formed. Then, you simply remove your hair from the curler and presto! Your curls are done! You don’t have to be an expert at curling your hair, as this iron does a lot of the work for you.
5. Bio Ionic Curl Expert Pro Curling Iron 1″
This iron comes with a bioceramic heater, which gives you consistent heat. Natural materials from volcanic rocks are infused into the barrel. These minerals emit negatively charged ions that conduct water molecules in your hair, hydrating and condition your hair so that it has a brilliant shine. It also comes with an automatic 1-hour shut off timer.
The temperature is adjustable, with a maximum temperature of 430°F (221°C). This makes it useful for all kinds of hair. It also comes with a nine-foot swirl cord and a reasonable price.
6. Bed Head Wave Artist Deep Waver for Beachy Waves Generation II
Here’s an iron that can give you that natural, wavy look. It is effortless to use and comes in a beautiful and modern purple color. This iron has worldwide dual voltage so that you can take it with you to any part of the world. It gives your hair a perfect shine, leaves you free of frizz, and gives you long-lasting results. It can heat up to 400°F (204.4°C).
Another great feature is that it comes with instant heat recovery, so you don’t have to waste time waiting for it to reach the ideal temperature; it’ll only take a few seconds! This is a perfect iron for starters since it is straightforward to use. It also comes at a reasonable price.
7. Babyliss Pro Nano Titanium 1-¼” Curling Iron
This is one of the cheapest curling irons on this list. Even though it is not expensive, it’s just as good as the rest and, best of all, it’s very easy to use. It comes in a beautiful shade of light blue and silver.
This iron will give you textured curls and naturally wavy hair with its 1¼-inch barrel. The best part of this iron is that it comes with around 50 different heat settings. Like the best curling irons, it can reach up to 450°F (232°C), and it has no problem maintaining those heat levels. It comes with a Turbo heat button that instantly helps reach the right temperature.
Choose the Look You Love
Remember that the most important thing is to choose the kind of curl or wave that you think best suits you. There’s never a need to feel pressured into matching a specific look or emulating a particular hairstyle. Find the curls and waves that you enjoy through experimentation, and then pick up the curling iron that can give you what you need!
Related Questions
Do I have to prep my hair in any way before I use a curling iron?
Yes. Before using the curling iron, you must first untangle your hair. Brushing it until it is free of knots will be enough. After that, you should apply a thermal heat spray. These sprays are to protect your hair from the high heat of the iron.
Are curling irons easy to use?
Yes, very easy. You have to separate your hair, take a small lock and curl it around the barrel, wait a few seconds, and then uncurl your hair from the barrel. Some irons curl your hair automatically and advise you when the curl is formed, so if you're a bit nervous or don't know how to use manual irons, these can help you.