Those of us who weren’t born with big, bouncy, Julia Roberts-circa-1990 ringlets have always been grateful for the invention of the curling iron. These tools have helped anyone with poker-straight hair achieve the type of curls we’ve always coveted, from mermaid waves to Old Hollywood-style curls and everything in between. But not all curling irons are made the same, and with a sizable array of options out there, it’s helpful to know which kind (brand and style) is best suited to your specific hair type as well as the kind of look you’re going for.
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The first thing to do? Find the appropriate heat setting for your hair type. “Using excessive heat can cause your curls to drop faster since your hair is being overheated and can often lose its shape as it drops,” explains celebrity hairstylist Josh Liu, who has worked with Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato, and is a brand ambassador for T3. “Using the appropriate temperature for your specific hair type, density and texture, will help your curls stay shiny, more voluminous and last longer.”
- Angela C. Stevens, Angela C. Stevens is a celebrity hairstylist, author, entrepreneur, and Cantu Beauty brand ambassador.
- Jamila Powell, Jamila Powell is the founder of Naturally Drenched and owner of Maggie Rose Salon.
- Josh Liu, Josh Liu is a celebrity hairstylist who’s worked with Ariana Grande and Demi Lovato, and is a brand ambassador for T3.
A good rule of thumb, he says, is using the highest heat settings for medium-thick coarse hair, medium heat settings for fine-thick/medium hair, and the lowest heat settings for thin/fine hair. For colored and processed hair, “stay within the medium or low heat settings (or bump one notch or so) depending on hair type.”
Another helpful tip from Liu is to always curl your hair away from your face as it helps frame your curls around it, which is flattering for all face shapes. To keep them staying bouncy and long-lasting, Liu suggests spraying dry shampoo along with a light or medium hold hairspray, then brushing it through before you curl your hair: “Don’t brush your curls out right away; curl your entire hair and let the curls cool down before shaking/brushing them out.”
The best curling irons for all hair types
Keep reading for 18 of the best curling irons, according to hair type and desired style, plus more tips from hair experts to help you get your curl on.
Best curling iron for natural hair
Natural and textured hair do best with curling irons that have multiple heat and curling settings in order to avoid breakage, tangles, and dryness, according to celebrity hairstylist and Cantu Beauty brand ambassador, Angela C. Stevens. The Harry Josh Pro Tools 3-in-1 Ceramic Curling Iron is another tool made with nano-ceramic and tourmaline and has adjustable heat settings. “Another tip is, the size of your curling iron should correspond to your desired curl pattern (for looser curl patterns use a larger barrel; for tighter patterns use a smaller barrel),” Stevens explains. She also suggests using a deep conditioner prior to applying heat, as well as a heat protectant like Cantu Thermal Shield Heat Protectant to maintain moisture.
Jamila Powell, founder of Naturally Drenched and owner of Maggie Rose Salon stresses to not overdo it when it comes to using tools on natural hair. “You don’t want to damage your hair with a blow dryer or iron that’s too hot, the wrong flat iron plates, or a hot brush that will snag and tear your curls,” she explains. “Once curls are permanently straightened from heat, it is usually impossible to restore the curl. So you want to use as much tension as possible to stretch the hair before applying higher heat temperatures, and minimize how many passes you use when straightening your hair out with a flat iron.”