14 Best Curling Irons of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

Table Of Content

• Best For Hair Moisturization: BIO IONIC Stylewinder Rotating Styling Iron
• Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Strong Hold
• Top 5 Best Hair Curlers 2023

If you want an affordable and easy-to-use curling wand, this top-rated Conair one is for you. It heats up in 30 seconds, has five temperature settings that are suitable for all hair types, and curls hair without kinks. What’s particularly notable about this wand is that it has a conical tapered barrel from 1 inch to 1½ inches, which makes it great for short hair because it adds volume in all the right places (aka at the top of the head). Luckily, the ghd Creative Curl Taper Curling Wand can deliver defined, voluminous waves for all hair types in a cinch.

Best For Hair Moisturization: BIO IONIC Stylewinder Rotating Styling Iron

This wand is pretty easy to use and creates beachy, tousled waves without much effort. It creates loose waves that stay in place all day, and also adds a smoothing and shine factor to your strands as well. One issue we found with this wand is that it’s a little bit on the shorter side, so if you have really long hair, you might not be able to curl your hair all the way up to your roots.

Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray Strong Hold

The 12 Best Rotating Curling Irons of 2024, Tested and Reviewed - PEOPLE

The 12 Best Rotating Curling Irons of 2024, Tested and Reviewed.

Posted: Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]

Best of all, it seemed to create more volume than we’re normally able to achieve with a curling iron, which we were pleasantly surprised by. So if you’re looking for mermaid-esque waves, this is a really good option for you. Caitlyn Martyn is an experienced beauty writer and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has been a staff writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers makeup, skincare, hair care, and more. She has tried several rotating curling irons, including some on this list from brands like Beachwaver and T3, to name a few.

Top 5 Best Hair Curlers 2023

Plus, it has a negative ion technology that makes curls shiny and defined. On top of that, this wand evenly distributes heat throughout, so each strand is perfectly curled. For best results, spray hair with a heat protectant before using this tool. If your hair is very frizzy, we suggest coating your strands in a light oil (like the Moroccanoil Treatment) after you’re done styling. This tool is a very good investment for the price, too, as it will last you for years. Overtime, though, the on/off button can get jammed making it a bit annoying to turn it on.

Have you ever tried to nail the loose waves look with your round curling iron, only to find that you’ve ended up with Shirley Temple curls? Thankfully, that won’t happen with the ghd Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand. Dana Fountain, owner of Pin Me Up and a beauty content creator in Chicago, recommends this oval-shaped curling wand to both her clients and professional stylists, too. “The ghd Classic Wave is meant for waves more than curls, and many people try to achieve waves with all sorts of curling wands and irons,” says Fountain.

BaBylissPro Curling Wand

They also had to heat up quickly, and have automatic shut off for peace of mind when not being used for varying periods of time. This Hot Tools curling wand will give you all that and more, thanks to the 1¼-inch tapered barrel that creates voluminous, bouncy waves. The barrel itself features a unique styling surface that is made with gold, which allows for even heat distribution throughout the wand.

If you have straight hair like I do, it’s fun to spruce it up every once in a while with some curls or waves. I’ve tried all the no-heat methods like braiding my hair, wrapping it around socks (look it up) and sleeping in rollers, but all of these require washing it and letting it set for eight hours — there’s not always time for that! Ready to go on your hairspray shopping journey with the help of a trusty expert who'll point you in the right direction?

Best Temperature Control Range: Conair Instant Heat Styling Brush

You can typically find these certifications on the packaging—the curling irons we tested had certifications from MET Laboratories, Intertek’s Electrical Testing Laboratories (ETL) or TÜV Rheinland. The longevity of the style is determined by the products used, not the curling iron size. She uses 1-inch barrels for above-the-shoulder-length hair, 1.25-inch to 1.5-inch barrels for medium length hair, and 2-inch barrels on hair that’s lower than a bra hook.

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Its ceramic ionic technology imparts a healthy, salon-like shine to your hair after every use. It comes with a Curl Direction Control that rotates left and right to achieve both inner and outer-facing curls with ease. The distance between the handle and iron ensures that you don’t accidentally burn your hand, which makes it easier to work with short and shoulder length hair.

If it means you're able to swap out your hair dryer, flat iron and curling tools for one item, though, we think it's justifiable. You can also opt for sets that target different hair types and textures, including long or short barrel sets, and attachments for kinky hair. Though we haven't tested this one in-Lab, the brand claims it heats up in 30 seconds, and we love that it has a swivel cord and adjustable temperature settings. It weighs in at just over 6 ounces, which makes it perfectly portable too. Keep in mind the shorter barrel is best-suited for short hair, though it'll work on any length with a bit more effort.

The wand is lightweight and has a cool-tip end to keep you from burning your neck and forehead (we’ve all been there). It has a well-placed kickstand that prevents the hot iron from teetering or tipping onto your vanity. After straightening, her hair has trouble holding a curl without significant help.

Henry also advised against “an overly heavy curler as you will need to hold it up for around seconds per section”. With a huge array of products on the market, from wands to tongs, hunting for hair tools can be a minefield for the uninformed shopper. For tight and defined spirals, the thinnest barrel in the ghd collection should be your go-to.

The extra-long 16-inch barrel on this one-inch wand makes it perfect for even super-long hair that has a tendency to wrap around itself on traditionally-sized curling wands and irons. Our Lab experts were wowed by the quick heat-up time and found the wand easy to maneuver and the controls intuitive to use (even without looking at them). The longer-than-average length of this wand takes some getting used to, so be particularly careful when using it at first. After sifting through the results, we uncovered the 14 best rotating curling irons. Parker says a wand creates “more beachy” waves than the defined look you’ll get with a curling iron. Marquette, an expert in hairstyles across the decades, says contemporary hairstyles are “more carefree and undone”—a style curling wands are known to achieve.

14 best hair sprays for all-day hold Tested & Reviewed, 2024

Table Of Content

• Best Cordless
• How to find the best hairspray:
• Hot Tools Pro Artist Digital Curling Iron
• The 18 Best Curling Irons, According to Celebrity Hairstylists and Vogue Editors

If you’ve never had a curling iron in your hair arsenal — or worse, have had one in your lineup but have been left unsatisfied — there is a lot to consider before investing, especially for these notoriously tricky tools. You’ll need to consider your natural hair type, the health of your hair, and (of course) the look you’re trying to achieve. Not to mention, the perfect curling iron needs to be a snap to use (no one has time for an extended learning curve). With so many different curling irons on the market, combing through all your options is no easy task —  so we did it for you. The barrel size of your curling iron affects the size and shape of the curl.

Best Cordless

Courtney also recommended looking for a tool “that has a piece at the end of the iron that you can grab onto”, She told us how this “gives you way more control and way less of a chance for accidents to occur”. You may also want to consider your hair type when choosing which hair curlers to go for. If you regularly dye or bleach your hair, opt for a pair that use a lower temperature, as this will minimise damage. This iron is on the larger side with a one and a quarter inch wide barrel perfect for mid-length to longer styles. However, you can still use it as a wand wrapping hair around the barrel, if you’re used to that technique.

How to find the best hairspray:

We would prefer for it to be slightly longer so that we could space the curls out a bit more. Because we had to tightly wind up our hair, the resulting curls were more corkscrew-y than we wanted them to be. However, after a few hours, the tight curls began to loosen, making way for more natural-looking curls. While we did have to watch a tutorial video to get the curling process right, it was a breeze to assemble.

Hot Tools Pro Artist Digital Curling Iron

It took me about 20 minutes to do my hair because I’m not used to curling, but with a bit of practice, I could probably get it done in 10 minutes. I can’t wait to play with it more and perfect my technique, I’m sure I’ll be a pro in no time (i).” To know more about how to use the INFINITI PRO By Conair Curl Secret, have a look at this video for the tester’s experience. Gone are the days when women would section their hair in curling rolls and go to bed, to achieve ringlets in the morning. The beauty industry has evolved, and thanks to technology, we now have curling machines or automatic hair curlers.

HerStyler Baby Curls Mini Curling Iron

‘So many compliments’: $99 hair curler we rate - news.com.au

‘So many compliments’: $99 hair curler we rate.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Pressman notes that these wands are made for professional use in the salon, so they are built to last. While we love the length of this barrel, which is 6.5 inches, we don’t love that it only comes with one heat setting. If you have really fine hair, you might not want to use this curling iron, as it heats to 430 degrees and you can’t lower the temperature. According to Maine, curling rods are “great for tight, spiral curls.” Headbands, he adds, “create loose, beachy waves,” while rollers—depending on their size— can create curls that range from tight to big and bouncy. Meanwhile, wave formers, “give you a more defined wave pattern, and work wonders on most hair types,” he says.

The 18 Best Curling Irons, According to Celebrity Hairstylists and Vogue Editors

The Chi is incredibly easy to use once you practice with one or two strands of hair, it feels very durable, and the mechanism it uses keeps you from burning yourself. I enjoyed using this iron, but some with short or medium-length hair may find it bulky or unnecessary for achieving their desired style. On the other hand, if you have long hair that makes it difficult to get an even, tight curl from root to tip, this extra-long curling iron could be your solution. Despite creating beautiful curls, the Dyson is not our overall winner because it has a steeper learning curve than other products to achieve the same results and you have less control over the style and placement of the curls it creates. It also takes longer than I—and I’m sure others—would like to spend on their hair.

Some irons may have the added bonus of an automatic shut off, which means you never have to worry if you remembered to turn off your curling iron before running out the door. If you have fine hair and are worried about heat damage, you may opt for a product that allows you to choose a lower temperature, but I liked the fuss-free nature of this and wouldn’t hesitate to use it again. The wand was easy to wield and wrap my hair around, and the result was spiral curls that I finger-combed for my desired tousled, curly waves. I enjoyed the glossiness of the barrels, which are undeniably beautiful in white with rose gold trim. In terms of mechanics, the GHD has a single power button, which you have to hold down for a good two seconds, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally turning it off mid-style.

InStyler Cerasilk Curling Iron

Without hairspray, fancy updos wouldn't hold up all day, curling-iron curls would lose their shape, and breezy beach waves would fall flat. Let's face it—hairspray quite literally holds any hairstyle together, making it the ultimate must-have in your hair tool kit (in addition to, ya know, a quality hair brush and some good deep conditioner). If the hair curlers have any advanced features, such as cordless battery life or quick-heat settings, then we'll try these out to test if they work and if they're worth you spending extra money on. We were most impressed with the Pro+ setting at 185°C for styling without heat damage to your hair. The 25mm – 38mm tapered barrel means you can create a variety of medium and large-sized waves and curls. The size of the barrel was actually too large for my mid-length bob, but it would be perfect for long hair.

But some of these smaller barrels have given me tight, ringlet-like curls, and these have a tendency to end up frizzy and dull. In terms of the curls it produces, you can experiment with both barrel sizes to achieve different looks. Plus, thanks to the 1¼ -inch barrel, you can achieve a variety of curl styles (like loose waves, ribbon curls, and more), no matter what length your hair is. On top of that, it has two different rotating speeds, so you can adjust it according to your preference.

Although many designs are available, the most common one is the barrel curler. The wand heats up when connected to power and curls the strand of hair wound around it. This, in turn, leaves you with those soft, loose waves that everyone has been raving about. With high regards from hairstylists and beauty editors alike, this tool earned the top spot for its range of barrel sizes, adjustable heat settings, and oh-so-convenient swivel cord. The gold coating helps even out heat distribution for perfectly symmetrical curls from root to tip.

The wand has five lights that each indicate a heat setting, though I wasn’t sure how many degrees each one reaches, and the instructions don’t clarify other than to say that the maximum temperature is 410°F. I chose the second setting closest to the top because I typically choose the second or third highest heat range and watched the lights cascade upward until they reached my chosen (but unknown) temperature. Lastly, I recruited four co-workers to help me evaluate the curling irons.

Because curling irons are made from different materials and offer different features, knowing your hair type will help you choose an iron that will work well with your hair and incur less damage. Farjo says you’ll want to consider how heat is distributed by the curling iron, the maximum temperature it can reach (does it have a temperature range?), and the surface materials. It’s also important to look for safety features, such as automatic shutoff; a cold tip, so you don’t burn your fingers; a warranty; and electrical safety certifications. In terms of shapes and designs, curling irons come in quite a few options.