ARKIVE Headcare founder, Adam Reed, prefers using one flat temperature for all hair, regardless of its texture or type — 365 degrees, which he says is the best universal styling temperature. “365 degrees is the most respectful temperature to any hair type,” he says. If we could change one thing about this nearly perfect curling iron, it would be the awkward button placement. Our only gripe was that you have to hold and twist the barrel itself to remove it and swap it out for another.
Dyson Airwrap
We found that even after curling irons have been turned off, they can take up to 20 minutes to cool down. Be sure to warn anyone in your vicinity that might come near the curling iron that it’s still hot and they shouldn’t touch it. Store the curling iron only after it has completely cooled, to avoid setting anything that might be stored near it on fire. “The barrel size determines the size and tightness of the curl,” Parker says.
Ion Golden Titanium Curling Iron
Smaller barrel sizes will yield tight, corkscrew curls, while larger ones result in looser, bouncy curls. Ceramic curling irons are best for people with fine, delicate, or damaged hair, according to Annamarie Parker, a senior instructor at Arrojo Cosmetology in New York City. Choose a curling iron that allows you regulate its temperature, as opposed to one with a simple on/off switch, says Foster. This is important because your hair density helps determine the appropriate temperature setting, according to Jagling.
Best Overall: Dyson Airwrap
A Beauty Editor Reviews the T3 Whirl Trio Convertible Styling Wand - Who What Wear
A Beauty Editor Reviews the T3 Whirl Trio Convertible Styling Wand.
Posted: Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
We conducted hours of research on the best curling irons for short hair, evaluating them on design type and barrel size, as their heat settings and how temperature range. We took into consideration all hair types and textures, and how easy the tool is to use. After considering dozens of different brands, we landed on the following best in show. Get your curls on with this compact and handy tourmaline-infused ceramic barrel wand.
We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors — in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon — is essential to reaching that goal. There's no denying that the Dyson Airwrap Multistyler ($600) is pricey, but there's also no other styling tool that gives you this many curl options for so many different hair textures and styles. You can purchase the multi-styler upfront with the full set of attachments, or you can also buy each brush individually to ensure you get an attachment that's best for you and your individual hair needs. Plus, it's POPSUGAR editor-approved — read our Dyson Airwrap review to learn more. The average age of pediatric injuries in children under the age of 11 resulting from curling irons was about 2½ years old, according to a 2019 study. Most of the injuries happened when the child touched the iron while it was within reach.
Best Clipped Curling Iron: Babyliss Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
I was able to adapt and work around this design flaw, and while it didn’t feel like I was at risk for a burn, it just didn’t feel as comfortable as I would’ve liked. I was impressed with the high-quality feel and sleek design (which rivals that of my T3 SinglePass luxury pick), even with its affordable price point. The bright white handle has a velvety soft finish, which feels comfortable in hand and looks like a million bucks on your bathroom counter. It also has a sleek digital display panel that’s hidden behind a rose-gold mirrored cover. When the curling iron is off, it looks like a design element, but when it’s on, the digital display shines through the panel to reveal a fully functioning temperature gauge. As like short fine hair, medium-fine hair is also very easy to curl and it generally requires a barrel of 1 Inch.
Best interchangeable: Drybar Mixologist Interchangeable Styling Iron
It automatically turns the iron off after a certain period, such as 30 or 60 minutes, to eliminate the risk of a fire hazard. Unfortunately, the cord can get in the way as you’re styling your hair and moving from one side of your head to the other. Opt for a curling iron with a swivel cord, so you don’t have to worry about pulling out the plug when moving the iron around your head. If you’re new to curling, it’s definitely easier to use an iron with a clamp.
Best for Curl Variety: Lyealion Interchangeable Hair Curling Wand
For individuals with fine hair, there are fewer layers to protect the strands, so you should use less heat when styling. Tara Simich, founder of Mermade Hair, recommends lower heat (250F - 300F) for fine hair, as each section will shape much quicker than the same section of denser/thicker hair. “Normal hair is best styled with medium heat of 350F, while thick hair can be styled with 375 F-450F. The thicker the hair, the more heat is needed to penetrate and create shape and curl in the hair,” she adds. Those with long hair should eagerly consider this Bio Ionic iron, which features a barrel two inches longer than traditional models. What’s more, this design can facilitate styling the back of your head too.
What to look for in a quality curling iron for fine hair
At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any curling irons from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at and we will evaluate the product ASAP. To ensure we thoroughly analyzed the performance of each device, we tested each curling iron across many metrics. We started in our NYC-based Lab and used each iron to curl hair types 1–4, and evaluated the curls’ longevity by checking in at the one-hour mark, six-hour mark, and then overnight to see how well each held the curl. Although the Shark looked intimidating, we got the hang of it quickly and were styling our hair like pros within minutes.
This is a great thing for people with fine to medium hair, but it does mean that it’s not the most effective for type four strands because this hair type requires higher temperatures when styling. Our team of InStyle editors rigorously tested the 14 buzziest and most popular curling irons out there. We used the tool across every hair type in our New York City-based Lab, as well as in our own natural hair for two weeks. We also considered the way our hair looked overall after each styling session.
The nano-sized ceramic particles in this iron create a smooth, shiny, and snag-free surface, allowing an effortless glide over your hair. You can easily switch between heat settings by using the rheostat temperature control dial and its proprietary Pulse Technology ensures that the iron heats up quickly and stays hot as well. Even us beauty editors struggle with the deceptively simple-looking tools. Most of the time, the end result looks nothing like it does after the salon.
Tourmaline is a semi-precious gemstone that heats evenly and won’t pull at your hair. While natural volume can be the cause of some serious hair envy, styling can be time consuming and arduous, even at a shorter length. The bendable barrel stretches to a 90-degree angle, allowing easy access at the back of your head. This wand ensures you will never get stuck noticing a stray straight piece after you left the house ever again. This does have a higher heat range than many on the list, so definitely don't skip a heat protectant. Made with a titanium barrel, this curling iron releases negative ions that penetrate the hair, nourishing it from the inside out.
There isn’t a specific barrel size that works best for fine hair, though, because barrel size is more closely tied to the length of your hair. Okay, within the curling iron realm, this oddly shaped, pearl-inspired wand from NuMe has already become somewhat of a legend. And while it may work beautifully on hair of any length, it's especially great for those with a shorter chop. Made with tourmaline, the unique pearl shape claims to encourage bouncy texture and full-bodied waves and curls. It's also wonderful for every kind of texture, from ultra-thick to baby-fine. $600 is a lot to shell out for a hair tool, but if that is in your budget, this may be the last hair tool you ever buy.
Sneha has also prepared a buying guide to help you make an informed choice. A. You want to be sure that your curls are locked in place, but you don’t want to leave your hair on the curling iron any longer than necessary. For fine hair, that typically means you should leave your hair wrapped around the iron for 8 to 10 seconds. As its name suggests, this 1-inch wonder is coated with 24-carat gold for fast, even heating. "I like the Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Marcel Iron," says Hershberger. "It's lightweight, creates a great curl, and can hold a steady temperature at 310 F that won't damage the hair."
These feature the same Coanda airflow technology as the Dyson Airwrap, which instantly wraps hair around the barrel of the curler. Since it utilizes high-speed air instead of high temperatures (like traditional curling wands), hair is exposed to less heat damage, if any at all. And, even though it doesn’t use high heat, it’s still able to create bouncy, long-lasting curls thanks to its cool shot feature, which helps set and define hair. Many curling irons today advertise technologies designed to prevent heat damage, enhance your style, and even improve the health of your hair. And while they may feel and look the same to the naked eye, each performs differently and serves various hair types, according to Reslan.
