Choosing the Best Curling Iron

In recent years, a curling iron has become one of those things that every girl must have. Unfortunately, the sudden popularity and the spike in demand also sparked the proliferation of many different types and brands of curling irons in the market.

Different Heating Elements and What They Mean for Your Hair

If you're planning to buy a curling iron, here are some of the options you will come across:

1. Generic ones - A lot of women, especially those who don't know a lot about irons yet and especially those who are on a budget, make the mistake of buying the first iron they see. Unfortunately, the most common type in the market are generic products that do not have protective coating. These irons may effectively curl your hair, but may leave it damaged especially with frequent use. Personally, this is the first type of iron I used, since I didn't know anything about curling irons the first time I bought one. It left my hair dry and frizzy, and I had to wait until I could cut the damaged portions off.

2. Ceramic-coated - This is the most misleading type of curling iron and is therefore the type you most have to beware of. Many manufacturers label their products as "ceramic" irons, but the truth is that they use non-ceramic barrels and simply put a single layer of ceramic on them.

3. Ceramic - Ceramic curling irons are the most ideal because these are safe to use due to the even heat distribution of the barrel. The ceramic barrel, which is composed of several layers of ceramic, helps prevent hot spots, which are very damaging to specific sections of the hair.

4. Tourmaline-ceramic - Tourmaline-ceramic curling irons are widely known as the best option; they do cost a bit more though, which is why many women still opt for plain ceramic ones. Tourmaline-ceramic irons not just help to protect hair from heat damage; they also help make the curls softer and silkier. After my tragic experience with a generic iron, I went and splurged on a tourmaline-ceramic iron. It did cost me a lot, but I still use it now, two years after I bought it, and it always gives me silky curls. The best part is it does not damage my hair at all. The extra cost was definitely worth it.

Conventional vs. Clipless Curling Irons: Which One Suits You Best?

Aside from the heating element itself, curling irons also differ in design.

1. Conventional design. The conventional curling iron design has 4 main features: a curling barrel, a clip, a safety stand, and a cool tip. Make sure the safety features such as the safety stand and the cool tip are present in the curling iron you buy as some generic products don't come with a safety stand or a cool tip.

2. Clipless curling iron. The clip, however, is optional, as there are some irons that do not have it. These clip less irons, also known as curling wands, feature just the heating barrel. Without the clip, you cannot pin the hair to the barrel as you curl it, which means you're going to have to twist the strand around the heated barrel. Some professional hairstylists prefer this design because of its versatility. For curling wands, try Babyliss' and Remington's offers.

Some Brands You Can Trust

And of course, aside from the type and design, you also have to consider the brand. There are several brands of curling irons available as most beauty brands have their contenders in the market.

International brand Revlon is known for their Perfect Heat series, which features tourmaline-ceramic irons that provide even heating to reduce frizz in your curled mane.

Famed hair styling brand Vidal Sassoon is also known for their iPink series and has conventional tourmaline-ceramic irons as well as small portable options.

And of course, there's Babyliss, a favourite among hair styling and curling fanatics and professional hair stylists alike.

Other brands that are very popular among reviewers and online buyers include Conair and Remington.

Final Considerations

There you go. Aside from your budget and availability concerns, the factors above are the main things you have to consider when choosing a curling iron. However, don't rely on budget alone; it is best to research a product before you buy since a lot of products, especially the cheaper ones, can cause damage to your hair. My personal recommendation would be to save up for a real investment, a trusty curling iron that will take care of your hair and will serve you a long time, instead of buying a cheap iron that you'll eventually need to replace. If you choose correctly, your iron is going to be your styling partner for a long time and will become an important part of your hair regimen.