Best Curling Irons

You should only curl your hair when it’s dry. Apply heat protection to protect it from potential damage caused by heat. Divide your hair into sections, working from the bottom layers first.

If your iron has a clamp, clamp it at the ends of your hair and roll it up all the way to the roots.

If you’re using a wand, you start at the roots and then wrap the section around the barrel. Hold the hair wrapped around the barrel for about 10-20 seconds. Repeat across all sections and then finish off with hairspray so your curls stay nice and bouncy all day!

There are loads of styles, models and types of curling irons. The three most common types of curling tools are:

• Curling iron - This is the traditional model that comes with a clasp that creates polished ringlets. A curling iron should be used with the cord facing down.
• Curling wand - Without a clasp, the wand gives you a more natural look. You can find wands in many different shapes; straight, tapered and inverted. To correctly use a wand the chord should be facing up when in use.
• Automatic curling iron - This iron spins by itself, removing the need to know how to curl your hair. This makes the process easier, but gives you less control over the types of curls you get.

When talking about the size of a curling iron, it’s referring to the size of the barrel, the cylindrical part that heats up. Some curling irons have interchangeable barrels, giving you the flexibility to style your hair in a range of styles.

• 10mm: Ideal for short cuts and gives fine or thin hair volume. However, if your hair is very thick and has natural kinks, this size isn’t optimal.
• 19mm: Great for tight spiral curls and ringlets. This size works well for naturally kinky, thick and curly hair.
• 25mm: This size is known as the ‘universal curling iron’ as it works for all lengths. If you want beach waves – this is the size for you.
• 32mm: If you’re after loose spirals, rather than defined curls, while still maintaining a styled look this size is spot on.
• 38mm: This size gives you long, bouncy spirals and is a good fit for someone with quite long hair.

There are different ways to help your hair stay healthy when using straighteners.

• Always use heat protection spray or serum – creating a barrier against damage and protecting your colour.
• Use a curling iron with adjustable temperature – it might cost a bit more, but looking after your hair is often worth the price.
• Avoid curling the same area twice – This limits the damage done to your hair.
• Air dry your hair as often as possible – Try heatless hairstyles as often as you can to give your hair a chance to repair.
• Give your hair extra TLC – Hair masks are a brilliant way to boost your hair’s health, especially if your curling iron is a part of your daily routine.

The texture of your hair, your budget and your desired style will dictate which curling iron is best for you. There are models for different types of hair, varying materials and functions. We tested different curling irons to find out which one is best in test.