The best curling irons are versatile enough to produce a number of unique up dos and down dos—from Shirley Temple–style ringlets to flowy beach waves. Beyond the size of your curling iron (which can size up from a skinny wand to a thicker barrel, depending on how tight or flowing you want your curls to look) and the style of the hot tool (i.e., whether you want to use a curling wand or traditional iron with a clamp), hairstylist and Ulta Beauty Pro Team member Danielle Keasling tells SELF that you have to think about your hair type itself.
“Before styling any hair type, I recommend assessing information like the elasticity and density of your hair, as well as its ability to hold a curl,” she explains. “Your product choices will play a factor in the longevity of your style as well, but for hair types that drop curls quickly, I suggest using a smaller-size curling iron to start.”
For looser, more relaxed hairstyles, experts recommend looking for a curling iron with a larger barrel for a shorter amount of time. “As a general rule, if I’m using an iron as a wand and doing a wrapping technique, then I’ll go with a one-inch barrel,” says celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein. “I control the amount of wave seen in my clients’ hair based on the length of time I hold sections of it around the curling iron. If a section has gotten a little too wavy, I typically shake it out with my fingers, then tussle the piece while giving it a quick blast with the blow-dryer.”
Although the size of the barrel can play a role in how well your curls will hold, other factors can also come into play, like how you wrap your hair to preserve a style, the amount of time you hold a hot tool in your hair, and external weather conditions. And while it may be tempting to add new curls to your hair every day once it starts to lose its bounce, professionals advise being mindful of using too much heat too.
Oribe educator Adam Livermore tells SELF that it’s okay to curl your hair a couple of times a week if you’re limiting the number of hot tools used per styling session, incorporating a heat protectant, and making sure you’re not cranking the heat up on your curling iron. To help your curly look last even longer, stylists suggest finishing with a light hairspray to set the curl and securing it with hairpins and a satin bonnet or scarf before bed to avoid frizz.
For a short list of the best curling irons available for peak hair volume and body, we talked to hair professionals to find out which ones are actually worth buying. Here, 11 must-have curling irons that hairstylists stand by and keep in their kits, from brands like Hot Tools and Dyson.
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