The curling iron defines the individual locks and gets curls and ringlets without styling. The effect is temporary and disappears with washing or a simple brush for the most docile hair. Depending on our needs, we can move towards curling irons rather than another.
If our goal is to use the appliance frequently, choosing a professional curling iron made with the best materials to maintain the hair’s health is good. However, if we want to try a particular hairstyle once, we can try simple curling and basic functions.
How to choose a curling iron: Types and Characteristics
To choose the best curling iron for our style, let’s see the different types and characteristics that distinguish them.
Cylindrical curling iron: The traditional cylindrical curler is presented with a handle and a cylinder to roll the strands. We can choose various models depending on the diameter ranging from 13 mm to 30 mm. The irons with a smaller diameter are suitable for obtaining thick and tight curls or defining short hair locks.
The irons with an average diameter between 20 and 25 mm instead create soft curls and perfect medium-long foliage. Instead, a diameter over 25 mm creates wavy locks, even these suitable for medium-long foliage. Lately, we can find curling irons with an oval section to create more natural waves.
Conical curling iron: The conical curling iron differs from the first type to be wider at the base and narrower at the tip. This accessory aims to obtain locks with soft curls that shrink towards the ends, a beautiful effect to be obtained, especially in very long hair. It is necessary to roll up the lock starting from the widest base to the cone’s end to use the conical iron.
Automatic curling iron: This type of curling iron is of the last generation and is suitable for those who do not have many manual skills. Using traditional curlers is not difficult, but you need to practice curls with a natural effect. So instead, the lock is inserted into the appliance with this method, which automatically wraps it.
In this way, the curls will all be similar to each other. The advantage of using an automatic curling iron is that you can get curls of different diameters depending on the settings. However, this type of iron is not suitable for use on short hair.
Steam function: The steam function, present only in automatic curling irons, allows steam to curl the hair. The advantage is that the structure of the hair remains hydrated compared to the method of simple heat. In this way, the curls are softer and lighter, and the hair is not damaged. In addition, the curling irons of this type have a small tank to insert the water.
The hedgehog’s direction: The locks should not be curled in the same direction to achieve a natural style. You need to wrap some strands in one direction or the opposite direction to get messy curls with a natural look with the manual curlers. This function can be set in automatic curling irons and allows curling to the right, left, or alternate direction.
Corrugating plates: The undulating plates are halfway between the classic plate and the curling iron. These are two or three cylinders close together that close on a base giving untidy and light waves. They are used to create the ” beach style, ” or California Style, very popular these years. The effect is wet hair dried in the sun, just on the beach, perfect for medium to long hair.
Materials: The irons curl the hair thanks to the heat. If excessive, this can damage the hair irreparably. Therefore, in recent years, the materials used to make these devices have been specifically designed to protect the hair structure from overheating.
One of these is ceramics, capable of distributing the heat evenly and gently slipping the strands without tearing. Sometimes the ceramic is associated with other materials such as titanium, hypoallergenic and ultra-resistant, or the tourmaline, which, thanks to the ions, obtains an anti-frizz effect and makes the hair shiny and silky.
Temperature: The best curling iron should give the possibility to select the temperature. This fact must be appropriate to the structure of the hair. Stronger hair needs a higher temperature, generally around 430°F, because the curls are defined and last long. On the contrary, it could seriously damage thin and delicate hair, so it should be processed at lower temperatures between 250 and 356°F.
[divider style="solid" top="10" bottom="10"]The best curling iron to buy
We selected the 10 best curling iron for value for money, considering the most prestigious brands, Conair, BaBylissPRO, and Remington, in a price range between $15 and $150. Below is the ranking of the 10 best curling iron with their respective characteristics.
- Lightweight, 5.5" ceramic barrel
- 1" barrel width
- 3 Heat Settings: Low — 290°F (150°C), Medium — 350°F (180°C), High — 410°F...
- Ceramic Curling Iron: Designed to create flowy, loose curls, this 1.25 inch curling iron...
- Versatile Function: This curling iron boasts 30 heat settings with instant heat up to 375...
- Easy Operation: This double ceramic curling iron offers the best in heat and damage...
- The Healthiest Way to Style Your Hair: Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron combines...
- Advanced Hair Curling Iron: NanoIonic MX technology also helps micronize water molecules...
- Versatile & Quick Styling: The 1.25" curling iron helps create large soft curls and waves....
- EASY CLAMP, INSTANT WAVE: Say goodbye to hours of practice and hello to stunning daily...
- NO EXPOSED BARREL, NO BURNS: Embrace the full-wrap insulation design of our TYMO wave...
- VOLUMINOUS ALL DAY: A 1.25-inch barrel of increased size results in beach waves that are...
- 1” BARREL TRIPLE-COATED IN CERAMIC INFUSED WITH COCONUT OIL: Styles flawless, loose...
- CERAMIC TOURMALINE IONIC TECHNOLOGY: Reduces static and frizz for a silky finish
- SMOOTHSTAY: Heat-sensing technology maintains even heat for faster styling with less...
- Beginner Friendly: Clamp Curling Iron helps you easily create defined curls.
- Long-Lasting Results: Heats up quickly and holds heat evenly. That means faster styling...
- Versatile Styling: Whether you choose to use as a traditional curling iron or wrap hair...
- CURL OR STRAIGHTEN WITH ONE EASY GLIDE - The flat iron curling iron in one is designed for...
- PROFESSIONAL SALON RESULTS AT HOME - Featuring 360° airflow technology and 88 ionic cool...
- BUILT FOR SAFE & EFFORTLESS STYLING - Luxurious tourmaline ceramic coating provides even...
- Get Different Gorgeous Curls with 5 in 1 Curling Iron Set: The upgraded version of...
- Create Blowout Look: The 1.5 inch thermal round brush (Does Not Blow Air) is engineered...
- Instant Heating & 2 Temp Settings: This wand curling iron adopts PTC heat technology,...
- Lightweight, 5.5" ceramic barrel
- 1" barrel width
- 3 Heat Settings: Low — 290°F (150°C), Medium — 350°F (180°C), High — 410°F...
- [Versatile Styling]: ANIEKIN 5-in-1 Curling Iron Set includes 4different sizes of...
- 【Instant Heat, Saves Time】 This hair curling iron adopts Ptc heat technology, so it...
- [Ceramic Barrel]: Curling iron with interchangeable handle design. You can easily change...
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