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Despite how easy the Shark was to operate, it was a bit annoying having to switch out barrels to change the direction of our curl. That said, this only takes a few seconds, and Shark clearly distinguishes between the two — there is a very clear “L” and “R” on the corresponding attachments. Masha Tea founder Maria Geyman was an air-drying devotee until several years ago, when her stylist Sera Sloane recommended getting a curling wand to touch up just a handful of sections on the top for special occasions. “This was when my grandmother was still alive. We went to the Marshalls by her apartment in South Brooklyn,” Geyman recalls of her entrée into hot tools, with a “super basic Absolute Heat Pro Ion Series.” While the clipless curling wand, which she still uses once or twice a month, has since been discontinued, the BaByliss curling wand makes for a more-than-adequate substitute. The lightweight model features a titanium barrel for even heat distribution, and its ionic technology purportedly helps to minimize frizz. Most hot tools will break when used with a power converter abroad, but because this tool offers dual voltage, we were able to safely style our hair while traveling outside of the country.
Why We Like It: CHI’s Spin & Curl is certainly one of the most unique tools you can use to curl your hair, especially for those who have trouble manipulating clip barrels or wands. The rotating curler effortlessly draws hair into a chamber, then uses ceramic heat technology to precisely curl the hair. T3 and waves are pretty much synonymous at this point. The brand’s curling tools help all hair types achieve effortless waves and curls in minutes. This 1.25-inch barrel gets the job done with just a single pass—no touch-ups required. Capable of creating loose waves with all-day hold—something of a personal miracle—the Airwrap has become a go-to for my type 2C curls, which have no discernible wave pattern and typically frizz up under a diffuser. The tool circumvents this by harnessing the Coanda effect, an aerodynamic phenomenon by which fast-moving air will closely follow the shape of a nearby surface—in this case, drawing in the hair around a rotating barrel. While the initial usage required a bit of trial and error, as I’d never before used a curling wand, the movement and volume it delivers has made it an everyday device—a revelation for me, who otherwise relied on a wash-and-go style. Even with the hefty price tag on the Dyson Airwrap Styler, it's one of the top products on the market for fine hair. Rather than extreme heat, the styler uses air to simultaneously dry and style hair. And though it may go against all of the hair care rules you were taught, the brand actually recommends that you style your hair while wet to cut down on heated styling. What's more, is that the tool comes with six — yes six — interchangeable attachments, including 1.2- and 1.6-inch curling wands, so you have the optimal tool for every type of curl at your fingertips.As a person with fine hair, one video comes to mind when I think about using a curling iron: The infamous clip of a girl who meticulously walks viewers through her curling routine, until a chunk of hair burns off. I still have nightmares about it, but the thought of that video alone emphasizes the importance of finding a curling iron that won't completely fry fine hair. Product Specs: This waver uses tourmaline ceramic technology to style hair up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit across three heat settings.
Why We Like It: Laura Polko, the pro behind Emma Chamberlain’s 2022 Met Gala hair, notes the recently launched T3 Edge is great to curl curtain or traditional bangs. While this heated brush certainly offers uses beyond curling, thanks to its heated edges and ceramic surface, she believes this is a versatile styler to even reach close to your hairline and scalp. “Then you can wrap sections around the brush as you turn, creating a wave. You can also use it to turn ends under or flip out.” Gold is an excellent conductor of heat, which means this curling iron doesn't just add some enviable sparkle to your styling routine. It also will provide perfectly even heat distribution. The results are consistent curls, free of frizz and long-lasting. And you thought gold was just for your jewelry box! The only downside of this tool is the temperature gauge — there are almost too many options to choose from and we’re still not exactly sure what some of the settings do (we’re talking to you, Boost mode). That said, we loved the results that we got from this tool, and the price is hard to beat. You may think that ceramic and metal barrels curl your hair the same, but Hurtado explains that each material affects hair in different ways. "For fine hair, you want to look for a curling iron that has a ceramic barrel," she says. "This material heats evenly and doesn't tug on your hair." Metal barrels are prone to heat unevenly and can be rough on your hair. While some metal barrels have a ceramic coating, a full ceramic plate is better for hair health, she adds. The most important thing to do when styling your hair with a curling iron is to keep things moving to avoid heat damage. “Do not leave the iron on your hair for too long,” warns Reed. “If I’m doing a wave or a curl, I’m always moving the tool underneath the hair to evenly distribute the heat and make sure one section isn’t being overheated.”Ultimately, though, “a curling iron versus a curling wand is a personal preference — some people just like one more than the other,” says Reed. Why We Like It: “This one is a go-to because it always gets the job done and lasts forever,” says Courtney. “I’m sure I still have one from more than 10 years ago, and it works better now than it did when I first bought it.” Sims prefers this Hot Tools model, too: “I love Marcel irons because they allow me to create curls and texture with an effortless flip of the wrist. The barrel rotates easily while creating your desired finish.” If that’s not enough, pro stylist Sal Salcedo describes this as his “undisputed go-to iron.” He tells Vogue, “through the years, this brand has proven to be consistently reliable, providing me with the right heat I need to curl or wave multiple hairstyles without issues,” as well as speed and flow for perfect waves and curls. Why We Like It: Celebrity hairstylist Nikkia Nelson also likes the BaBylissPRO curling irons, calling the temperature settings “phenomenal” in delivering an amazing curl. It’s made with a titanium barrel to heat the hair from within, creating everything from loose waves to tight curls. Why We Like It: The enviable tousled waves of your dreams are enabled by Bed Head’s deep waver. Through its deep barrel design powered by tourmaline ceramic technology, this sculpts fine to coarse hair types. Begin at the root and work your way down the hair shaft in one-inch sections, holding in each section for just a few seconds, to achieve the look. Review: “I’ve been using this set for years now, and I love how it comes with a range of barrel sizes that give different looks. To touch up face-framing curls that are being uncooperative, I use the smallest one to blend in with my natural texture (which is a 3B/3C curl type). But when I’m going for a ’70s-inspired moment, I’ll size up and brush it out a bit to channel Donna Summer.” — Erin Parker, contributor
None of Hot Tools' curling irons is dual voltage. This wattage means users won't be able to enjoy them outside of the United States or North America without using a transformer. Heat Settings All of Hot Tools' curling irons offer users a wide range of heat settings, from 280 to 430 degrees Celsius. This range leaves you free to choose your styling tool based on the material of the barrel and the full range of Hot Tools curling iron sizes. You won't feel restricted to the irons that offer a specific temperature range.Unlike most curling irons, this one does all the work for you. All you have to do is simply place each strand of hair through the barrel and once turned on it’ll spiral each piece to leave you with a bouncy, voluminous twirl.
No matter how many safety features are put in place on a curling iron, you still need to keep an eye on the temperature — especially with fine hair. Extremely high, direct heat can be very damaging and even singe off your hair. When it comes to fine hair, Celebrity Hairstylist and Co-Founder of Trademark Beauty, Joseph Maine, suggests using an iron with customizable heat settings because "typically, fine hair does not need high heat." Though many irons are programmed to reach 400 degrees or more, he recommends setting your iron between 340 to 380 degrees. While we’ve used a lot of curling irons that snagged our fine strands in the past, the smooth barrels and an unfussy clamp (with a comfortable grip) on this one allowed our curls to gently roll off when we were done. Our finished look actually lasted four days with this tool — a downright miracle for our hair. We attribute the longevity in part to the helpful temperature guide, which taught us that we’ve been curling our hair with too much heat.
Curling irons can damage hair if you use them incorrectly, which is why it's important to read the instructions before use. You should also keep the heat setting in mind, as well as how long you're holding each individual section on the iron. Hurtado says to only curl dry hair as curling wet hair is a recipe for disaster (and you can practically hear the damage you are inflicting as it sizzles). "Make sure to prep your hair with heat protection to avoid heat damage," she adds. "If it's your first time using a curling iron, I recommend starting off with a low temperature setting so you can get used to maneuvering the iron." How do you protect fine hair from heat damage? This titanium choice acts as both a curling wand and a marcel wand, giving you plenty of control over your look. It offers four heat settings between 300°F and 450°F, meaning any hair texture is fair game. But the best part is its super-lightweight design, which won’t leave you exhausted or strained mid-curl. Product Specs: This curling iron uses a titanium barrel with heat from 250 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. With the emphasis on functionality, you can tell that Hot Tools is serious when they say 'built by professionals, for professionals.' Power and Wattage
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