Weindependently evaluateall of our recommendations.
If you press links we provide, we may receive compensation.
Styling your short hair just got a whole lot easier.
Credit:Southern Living / Jhett Thompson
FromDolly Partons iconic hairstyleto Elvis Presleys pompadour, Southerners always double-check they have the perfect hairstyle.
Curling ironsremain the preferred tool among Southern women for achieving everything from beachy waves to big, bouncy curls.
But if you have short hair,achieving salon-worthy curls at homecan be a bit more of a challenge.
Credit: Amazon
Maria McCool is a hair stylist and the founder of the hair care brand, Calista.
This iron heated up quickly but didnt cause any damage to our hair.
For short hair, use the 0.75-inch barrel to easily create ringlets or defined curls.
Credit:Southern Living / Jhett Thompson
While we loved using this curling iron, we would have preferred an electronic temperature dial.
This setting would make it much easier to adjust the iron to different temperatures.
Keep in mind that this curling iron has to be turned off manually, too.
Credit: Amazon
As soon as we picked up the curling iron, we noticed how lightweight it was.
And, although it has a thin handle, we were able to keep a secure grip on it.
Plus it never slipped out of our hands or tugged on our short hair.
Credit:Southern Living / Jhett Thompson
Even better, this curling iron comes with a digital display screen.
With this feature, theres no guesswork involved when changing it from one temperature to the next.
Instead of having to manually curl your hair, the iron gently self-wraps the hair.
Credit: Sephora
Even with the self-wrap feature, our hair never felt like it was being pulled on or tangled up.
Whether you use the hot or cold feature, this curling iron quickly adjusts to the desired temperature.
Be mindful that this curling iron makes a lot of noise.
Credit: Amazon
When we curled our short hair with the 1-inch barrel, our curls had a tight, formal look.
And, with the rubber material, we were able to easily grip this iron by the handle.
And even if you forget to unplug the iron, it automatically turns off after a period of time.
Credit:Southern Living / Jhett Thompson
Theres only one temperature available (365F, which is great for short hair).
We found that this heat setting was safe to use on fine, wavy, and naturally curly hair.
Using the unique tip, those with shorter hair can create loose, wavy curls.
Credit: Amazon
For those with short hair, the 0.75 barrel helps you to create ringlets and defined curls.
Our best budget option was theInfinitiPro by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Ironbecause it reduces frizz and heats up quickly.
This iron also comes with five different heat parameters.
Credit:Southern Living / Jhett Thompson
If the temperature is too low, then you wont be able to properly curl your hair.
On the other hand, if the temperature is too high, the curling iron can damage your hair.
Most of the time, the correct temperature is going to come down to your hair pop in.
In our lab tests, we used each curling iron to curl hair types 1, 2, 3, and 4.Credit:Southern Living / Jhett Thompson
For those with medium-textured hair, she recommends adjusting it to 350F to 380F.
If you have coarse or curl-resistant hair, McCool says to adjust the curling iron to 380F to 400F.
For short hair, its recommended that you use a smaller barrel size.
Depending on the desired curl pattern, you could snag the best option for you.
For example, for tighter curls, opt for 1-inch and below barrels.
Anything bigger will create loose waves.
Ceramic curling irons work well with fine, delicate, and even damaged hair.
These types of curling irons also heat up evenly and provide your hair with a smooth finish.
But compared to other types, they are less durable and tend to feel heavier.
While titanium curling irons can work with all hair types, they work best with thick or coarse hair.
These types of irons are durable, lightweight, and heat up much quicker.
On the downside, since they heat up faster, they can easily damage fine or sensitive hair.
If you have frizzy hair, you may want to consider a tourmaline curling iron.
These irons reduce frizz and static and are suitable for all hair types and textures.
Note that tourmaline curling irons are much more expensive and are difficult to find.
A clamp rod is better suited for individuals who want long-lasting curls.
Regarding relaxed waves and tousled curls, youre going to want to go with a tapered rod.
Additionally, some curling irons are cordless and can be charged when placed on a rechargeable base.
When curling your hair, its best to ensure that you have recently washed your hair.
Before curling your hair, we recommend using aheat-protectant spray.
This key in of spray will prevent breakage and damage to your hair as you curl it.
McCool also says that you should never curl your hair down or towards your face.
Rather, always curl it back and away from your face.
