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Choosing the right tool can mean the difference between a good hair day and a hat day.
Credit:Southern Living
Choose the wrong barrel size, and youll get the wrong results.
Anna Sullivan is an event and celebrity hair stylist located in Dallas.
The bigger the barrel, the looser the curl or wave.
Credit: Hot Tools
This curling iron was easy to use and comfortably rested in the palm of our hands.
Plus, the large digital display makes it easy to read the temperature setting.
The 9-foot swivel cord also made using it a breeze and kept us less tethered to our outlet.
The Hot Tools Pro Artist Digital Curling Iron was simple to use and fit comfortably in our hands.Credit: Southern Living
The pulse technology ensured that the iron stayed hot during use.
Overall, the easy-to-adjust temperature tweaks and long-lasting curls make this mid-priced iron a salon-quality pick.
The curls from this iron lasted a couple of hours, but not all day.
We found this system a little confusing, requiring some trial and error to find the right temperature.
The curls created by this iron were soft and silky and stayed for days.
It did heat up rather quickly, and the iron felt lightweight in hand.
Plus, it comes with an auto shut-off function for peace of mind.
The ghd Curve Classic has a 365F standard heat setting that works well on thick hair.
With its current size, you could easily burn your fingers while curling your hair.
The iron heated up extremely fast and was so lightweight it made using it a breeze.
This tool gives nice bouncy curls that last all day, even for those with thick hair.
The curls lasted a long time, but the battery not so much.
Abackup battery is sold separatelyif youd like to extend your styling time.
While we did enjoy this curling iron, we do wish that there were more temperature options.
The 0.75-inch size is ideal for short hair.
It also features a TurboHeat button that instantly increases the temperature for hard-to-curl sections.
The 8-foot fabric swivel cord is strong and wasnt easily tangled.
The cord is also long at 9 feet, so it doesnt get in the way while you work.
Credit: Amazon
It will also help you to reach those hard-to-curl areas.
The curls from this iron lasted for hours and stayed bouncy and beautiful.
Additional features include universal voltage and a one-hour automatic shut-off.
The Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron heated up in just 30 seconds, and the clamp smoothly glided through hair without snagging.Credit: Southern Living
Thats why we love this Conair curling iron for beginners.
If you prefer a tighter curl, its also available in a 1-inch version.
This set comes with a 0.5-inch wand barrel, a 1.25-inch wand barrel, and a 1.5-inch clip barrel.
She uses a 1.5-inch barrel for a classic blow-out look.
Changing the temperature on this tool is a bit tricky, but it does heat up rather quickly.
Unlike some other clamps, this one doesnt cause slippage or tugging.
There are also a ton of features on this tool.
The tight twist feature allows you to lock the barrels in place.
The rapid heat IQ feature allows for advanced heat precision and the ion generatorprevents frizz.
Its meant to be used on damp hair for one-step blow drying and curling.
There is a 360-vented barrel, so you get a blowout as you curl your hair.
The bottom has a wheel where you might adjust the configs and turn it on and off.
There are four temperature options, which makes it simple for beginners.
The curling iron heated up quickly and the cord was a nice length.
The clamp holds hair nicely, and there was no slippage.
If you love the look of a blowout but want to add curls, this product is for you.
Plus, it heats up in seconds and allows for precise temperature control.
If you havefine or fragile hair, a ceramic curling iron is one youll want to use.
Titanium heats up very quickly, making it excellent for those with coarse, hard-to-curl hair.
More classic curling irons include clamps, while wands typically only have the barrel to wrap the hair around.
A clamp can help hold your hair in place and produce a nice smooth curl.
People with fine hair will want to avoid using a very hot temperature so they dont burn their hair.
For thin, fragile, damaged, or color-treated hair, start at 280F, Sullivan says.
Thick and textured hair typically needs to use a higher setting for curls to stay.
Credit: InStyler
Thick, coarse hair might need more heat for curls to hold and can handle higher temperatures like 380-400F.
Remember, its always important touse heat protectants before using heat on your hair.
What is the difference between a curling iron and a curling wand?
The InStyler Cerasilk Curling Iron heats up quickly and comes with an auto shut-off function for peace of mind.Credit: Southern Living
Acurling ironis a heated hair tool that has a clamp attached to the barrel.
A curling iron is best for when you want a more polished and sleek curl.
Acurling wandis a hair tool that is used by wrapping the hair around the barrel.
A curling wand is perfect for getting undone,more voluminous curls or waves.
Credit: Amazon
The ghd Classic Curl 1-Inch Curling Iron has a spring-activated hair clamp that held hair without slippage.Credit: Southern Living
Credit: Harry Josh
The Harry Josh Ceramic Curling Wand heated up well and created defined, beachy waves on various hair types.Credit: Southern Living
Credit: Amazon
This Babyliss model offers four barrel sizes, allowing you to create anything from tight curls to loose waves, depending on the size you choose.Credit: Southern Living
Credit: Amazon
The Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron securely held long sections of hair without pulling them too tight or leaving clamp marks.Credit: Southern Living
Credit: Amazon
The Conair InfinitiPro Digital Curling Iron lets you remove the clamp and use it as a wand, providing a great opportunity for beginners to try out various curling techniques.Credit: Southern Living
Credit: T3
The T3 Switch Kit Curl Trio lets you switch between a 0.5-inch wand barrel, a 1.25-inch wand barrel, and a 1.5-inch clip barrel.Credit: Southern Living
Credit: Revlon
With four temperature options, the Revlon One-Step Blowout Styler user-friendly for beginners. The clamp grips hair securely without any slippage.Credit: Southern Living
In our lab tests, we tested each curling iron on hair types 1 through 4, assessing the longevity of the curls by checking them after one hour, six hours, and overnight.Credit:Southern Living
Drybar’s The 3-Day Bender comes with rotating clamp, so you don’t have to turn your wrist as much as you curl. However, there was a bit of a learning curve involved in using this method, and it may not be everyone.Credit: Southern Living/Jhett Thompson
