Choosing a curling iron for my hair

Waves or a storm of curls?
Whatever hairstyling effect you want to achieve, a curling iron is the appliance that will help you create a new hairstyle and transform your look.
The curling iron is a styling tool that allows you to give your hair a quick makeover.
The curling iron works by applying heat and pressure to straight strands of hair to give you gorgeous curls.

So you don’t need to use rollers to achieve a curly look.
The most important part of the curling iron is the heating element, a round handle that is usually fitted with a clamp.
This holds strands of hair in place and makes styling easier.

You’ll be amazed at how quickly and easily you can curl your hair with a curling iron.
A few years ago, buying a curling iron was a matter of choosing the right diameter.
Today, it’s much more complicated.
There are many different types of iron.
Each type gives different results and is used in slightly different ways.

How a curling iron works

Once you’ve preheated the iron to the right temperature, you can start styling it, i.e. wrapping individual strands around it.
After a short while, gently roll the strand out of the curling iron to achieve the desired effect.
Remember not to hold your hair too long on the heated curling iron to avoid damaging it.

There are also automatic curling irons on the market.
These work in a slightly different way.
When you choose to use an automatic curling iron, you simply separate your hair into strands, then insert each strand individually into the appliance’s opening.
At the touch of a button, the strands are automatically pulled and wound onto a roller.
When the signal sounds, simply remove the strand from the curling iron and enjoy an instant change of style.

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Which curling iron to choose?

The type of curling iron you choose depends mainly on the styling effect you want to achieve.
The most popular models are those that create soft waves or small curls.
The principle is quite simple: if you want bouncy curls, choose a model with a smaller roller diameter.
If you’re looking for light, voluminous, thick curls and waves, a curling iron with a thicker head is the way to go.

If you want irregular curls

Thicker at the roots and tighter at the ends, opt for a conical curling iron.
With this type of curling iron, the rollers on which you wind the hair strands have an irregular diameter, as they are thicker at the handle and narrower at the end.
Before you decide to buy a curling iron, consider the diameter of the head, the type of appliance and the material it’s made from.

Curling iron: Types of appliances

There are many types of styling appliances on the market today.
The traditional curling iron is just one option.
The latest models come with extra features that not only help you create a beautiful hairstyle, but also protect your hair.

• The most popular types of curling iron are as follows:

Traditional, they produce curls of equal thickness across the entire hair surface.
Traditional models are generally equipped with a clamp that separates and holds the strand to be styled.

Instead of being smooth like traditional curling tongs, the ends of these irons have grooves that resemble a spiral.
With these irons, you can achieve precise, tiny curls.

Tapered is the type of curling iron that lets you create natural-looking curls of uneven thickness.
All thanks to the “cone-shaped” roller on which you roll the hair strands.

Multifunctional curling irons that let you style your hair the way you want.
All thanks to interchangeable tips.
Depending on the accessory you choose, you can create loose curls, lightly curl the ends of your hair or create small, bouncy curls.

Automatic curling iron, a practical option that saves you from having to curl your hair yourself and worry about accidental burns.
Simply place a strand of hair in the curling iron’s chamber for curls in no time.
When making your choice, pay particular attention to the material of the heating element and the size of the roller.

Wave curling irons are appliances with which you can create a light, voluminous wave effect.
All thanks to their specific construction.
Unlike curling irons, wave curling irons are generally equipped with three rollers that are heated by heat, allowing you to shape strands and create a natural, light-curling effect.

Hair curler: Types of coating

Before you decide to buy a curling iron, check what material it’s made of.
This is a very important point, as the type of material is one of the most decisive factors in a curling iron’s performance.
The head of a curling iron, or the shaft on which the hair strands are wound, can be covered with different types of coating.

• Here are some of the most common types:

Metal curling irons are becoming increasingly rare, as they can damage hair.
A metal-coated curling iron should not be used frequently to avoid drying out and weakening your hair.

Ceramic iron, currently one of the most popular and common coatings on curling tongs.
It has the advantage of heating evenly, thus avoiding the risk of hot spots, which can lead to localized damage to the wicks.

The advantage of tourmaline is that it protects hair from static electricity.
This is thanks to the negative ions that close the hair cuticles.
Do you know what tourmaline is?
It’s a mineral that comes from the mountains.
It has many valuable properties.
Tourmaline curling irons heat quickly and evenly.
Tourmaline promotes ionization and prevents hair from becoming static.

With keratin, it conditions the hair and protects it from damage.
Under the effect of heat, the nutrients are activated and take care of your hair.
It is often combined with a ceramic coating.

Made of titanium, it’s resistant to damage and ensures great durability.
It also has a much faster heat-up time.

Features and design

• Here are the important features you should also consider before buying a curling iron:

Power: this is an important parameter that determines how quickly the appliance is ready for use.
The higher the wattage, the faster the curling head heats up and you can start styling your hair.

Heating time is another important factor that is directly linked to the power of the appliance.
The fast heat-up time of curling rollers is particularly useful if you want a smooth, fast styling experience.

Temperature range, a good curling iron has a wide temperature range.
This is an important feature to consider, as it allows you to heat the curling iron’s rollers to the right temperature for your hair type and condition.

You can set the temperature using the knobs or dials.
Many models also feature a built-in LED display, so you can keep track of head temperature.

Automatic shut-off, if you don’t want to leave the house wondering if you’ve unplugged your curling iron, buy a model with an automatic shut-off.
Even if you leave it on at high temperature for that length of time, it will switch off automatically after a set time.

Temperature lock: this function makes the appliance even more comfortable to use.
Thanks to the temperature lock, you don’t have to worry about accidentally pressing the control knob to change the current setting.

Adjusting the direction of hair curls is a feature often found on automatic curling irons.
The 3-way styling system gives you the option of curling the strands towards your face or turning the curls outwards.
On top of this, an alternating curl option is also available.
This allows you to style your hair in many different ways.

• Team of hair health specialists

The shape and construction of a curling iron, the design of your curling iron is important so that you can style your hair smoothly.
A long cable, handy shape and light weight are important features that make it comfortable to use.

We pay a lot of attention to the rollers, but unfortunately we often forget that the housing itself is also important.
If you want to curl your hair quickly and easily, make sure the iron you choose has an ergonomic handle.
Make sure the handle is made of non-slip material.
This is very important and, above all, increases comfort and safety.
Extra grooves make the iron feel even more secure in your hand.
Choose a curling iron with an ergonomic, non-slip handle that won’t overheat.

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The rotating power cord connection lets you maneuver the unit freely.
The cord won’t tangle, and you can move the curling iron freely to curl each strand of hair.
A non-heating handle and tip also guarantee better styling results and safety.
This means you can easily hold the device in any position without fear of burning yourself.

Another practical addition is the curling iron’s handle-mounted stand.
Simply tilt it so you can safely store your heating appliance.
In some kits, curling irons come with a heat-resistant mat on which you can place the curling iron.

Additional features

• If you’re looking for a styling appliance that packs a punch, check out the other extra features it should have:

Curling and caring for your hair, if you use your curling iron often, it’s best to get a device that not only lets you style, but also protects and cares for your hair.
Some models feature a coating enriched with keratin and conditioning oils to enhance the appearance of strands.
This gives you extra shine and softness when you curl your hair.

Curling iron case, your curling iron often comes with a heat-resistant case.
This practical accessory lets you safely store and transport the appliance, even when the curling head is still hot.

Ionization function, a curling iron with an ionization function prevents your hair from becoming static.
Negative ions close hair cuticles and prevent frizz.
Strands remain smooth and their appearance is greatly improved.

Protective glove, a protective glove is an accessory that increases safety when styling with a heated appliance.
Thanks to its thermo-protective properties, it protects against burns and makes work more comfortable.

Many manufacturers include special heat-protection gloves with their irons.
You can always buy the glove yourself.
Simply place the two-fingered glove over your thumb and forefinger.
These are the fingers with which you hold the curling iron while you curl.
Gloves are also available for the whole hand.

Curling iron or hairdryer?

If you’re wondering which appliance is best for getting soft curls, it’s simple.
A curling iron is best if you want to add volume to your hair and make it curl slightly.
The air passing through the holes in the head will dry your strands and help you shape your hairstyle.
A curling iron is a device for creating bouncy curls or lush waves.

Also read: how do I choose a flat iron for my hair?

Curling irons and their temperature settings

It’s a good idea to adjust the temperature range of your iron according to your hair type.
If you have porous, fine or fragile hair, choose a curling iron with a lower temperature setting, e.g. 150°C.

Do you have fine, porous hair? The curling iron needs to heat to a higher temperature.
Thick, strong hair curls at around 200°C.
Remember that you shouldn’t use your iron every day.
Heat is bad for your hair and can damage it.

Protection counts

Let’s face it, curling your hair isn’t 100% safe.
Every time you use heat to style your hair, you risk damaging it.
It’s important to prevent problems before they happen.
If you want to keep your hair in good condition, you should only use ionic curling tongs.

You may be wondering what all the fuss is about and why?
Heat causes hair cuticles to open up.
As a result, strands look unhealthy, dull and rough, and are difficult to style.
All this happens if you use curling tongs without ionization.
Fortunately, more and more ionized curling tongs are available on the market.