A curly iron is equivalent to the fairy godmother’s wand as it has the same ability to completely transform one’s look. The curling iron is a girl’s best friend and can be found on the dressing table of everyone who has a bit of Blake lively in them. The secret to every head-turning perfect cascading curl you see on the red carpet is as a result of the best curling iron in the market.
The best curling iron is one that is easy to maneuver, heats up quickly to curl hair fast, and has a temperature that can get high enough to set curls without damaging the hair and the best part? Is absolutely affordable! There are so many options to choose from in the market that it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the details. Selecting the best curling irons is dependent on certain requirements such as; hair texture, length, types of curl you want to achieve, size, and price. We’ve prepared this buying guide to help you make the best choice.
What do I need to know before buying a curling iron?
Identify your hair goals
What do you need a curling iron for? What hairstyle are you trying to achieve? Are you going for big curls, medium curls, or small curls? Whatever hairstyle you're going with will determine the type of curling iron you buy.
Choose a curling iron that is suitable for your hair type
Your hair texture plays a huge role in determining what curling iron would deliver the best results for your hair. Some hair type has a coarse texture and would require higher heat, while others may fall in the finer and thinner hair category and would require a lower heat to avoid hair damage.
Natural hair textures require curling iron that has a range of 376 degrees to 420 degrees. A straighter hair texture or one that has been given recent chemical treatment requires a lower heat setting that is 350 degrees and below.
Get the right barrel size
The type of your curls you want to achieve depends largely on the barrel size of your curling iron. With so many curling iron sizes to choose from, how then do you know which one is best for your hair? The general rule of thumb in this situation is that; the smaller the barrel size, the tighter the curls it produces, and a larger barrel size would produce more bouncy and loose curls. Shorter barrels are suitable for shorter hair, while larger barrels can be used on medium to long hair.
Pay attention to your hair density
What material is the curling iron made of?
Curling irons are made of different types of material, and each of them is best suited to different types of hair. Materials such as; ceramic, metal or brush, etc. The ceramic curling iron is best suited for hair that has been damaged by chemicals. The ceramic curling iron helps in providing moisture into the hair. Metal irons are great for using steam to increase the volume and body of thin air. However, they can be quite harsh on delicate or chemical-damaged air.
Tourmaline curling irons are also great for damaged hair. It produces negative ions that are capable of penetrating the hair and scalp without any damage. Tourmaline curling iron releases a bit of steam when in use, leaving the hair with a smooth shine factor.
Brush curling irons, on the other hand, are best suited for thin hair. They help the hair look thicker and also improve the volume and body of light hair texture. When buying a curling iron, ensure that you choose a material that matches your hair type to avoid damaging your hair.
Temperature control
The best curling iron is one that has adjustable temperature settings. They are different types of curling irons with various models and degrees of temperatures. Some may be too hot or not hot enough for your hair type. Curling iron with adjustable settings will give you appropriate control to set the heat required to help you achieve the style you're going for.
What are the types of curling iron?
Bubble curling iron
This curling iron is mostly for beginners who have never curled their hair before. It has creases between the bubbles that clearly indicate here to wrap your hair. It is great for both long and short hair. With this curling iron, you can achieve tight and bouncy curls.
Clamp curling iron
This type of curling iron is an old-fashioned style and can be seen in the vanity of most women. As the name implies, it has a clamp that curls your hair by rolling up slowly and at moderate heat. With this type of clamp, however, it is difficult to curl the hair closer to the scalp because of the wand size.
Tapered curling iron
This type of curling iron has a wide base that gets narrow towards the top. The tapered curling iron can be used to create different types of curls, either tight or loose. You can create a large volume of curls using the wider base or a tighter, smaller curl using the narrow tip.
Other types of curling iron include the clip less wand, double barrel wand, three barrel wand, spiral wand, amongst others.
How much does a curling iron cost?
The price of a curling iron depends on the size, model, and usage. The basic curling iron has a price range of $15 - $25, while fancier ones have a price tag of $30 and above.s
FAQs
Q: Which curling iron is best for short hair?
A: If you have short hair and you're looking to make a curly hairstyle, you should use a small barrel-sized curling iron. It gives volume to your hair and produces tighter curls.
Q: Do I clean my curling iron?
A: Heat it up for one minute, then mix rubbing alcohol and baking soda together. With a toothbrush, scrub clean. Rinse and ensure that it is adequately dried before trying to use it.
Q: Can curling iron damage my hair?
A: Yes, it can if not used properly. Use the curling iron when it is at moderate heat to prevent your hair from getting damaged due to excess heat.