Frequently Asked Questions
What to look for in a curling iron
Size, size, and size. According to Columbus-based hairstylist Mia Santiago, “Smaller barrels create tighter curls whereas bigger barrels create looser, almost blowout-level curls.” Another key component is being able to control and customize your heat settings. Santiago says that “safe” heat settings are 360 degrees Fahrenheit and below, so keep that in mind if you want to avoid unnecessary heat damage. (Don’t we all?)
In terms of shapes and designs, curling irons come in quite a few options. Curling wands have no clamps and rely on the user’s ability to wrap around and hold their hair in place, which is why most wands come packaged with a heat-resistant glove (to avoid close-contact injuries). Curling irons with spring-loaded clamps are probably the most common type and allow you to create a variety of curls depending on how you feed the hair, twist/roll the wand, open/close the clamp, and release.
Automatic curling irons are relatively user-friendly (please read the instructions) and have small springboard clamps that wrap the hair for you. Then, there’s the Marcel iron, which has a manually controlled clamp that Santiago says is mostly for professionals, as it has a manual handle that’s not as user-friendly to the masses. “However, it allows for a smoother transition while curling,” she notes.
How to use a curling iron
No matter what kind of curling iron you choose, the pro advice for long-lasting curls remains the same: Curl from the roots down. “The ends of your hair are more delicate and don’t need nearly as much heat to curl,” Dallas-based hairstylist Kirsten Patterson told Allure. If you’re going for glam waves, you’ll want to curl in the same direction throughout, while you should curl sections in alternate directions for beachy waves.
Another smart tip from Patterson: Never use hairspray before curling—only after. “Hairspray and heat from the curling iron can dry your hair out, so it’s important to only use hairspray once you’re finished styling,” Patterson adds. Instead, use a heat-protectant spray before.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for any review, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While some can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and concerns, many are created with specific consumers and their needs in mind. When reviewing tools, we also take into account testers’ experience levels. For instance, an innovative new blow-dryer may feature industry-leading technology, but if the only people who find it intuitive to use are professional hairstylists, we have to consider this when determining whether it is worthy of a recommendation.
For our review of the best curling irons, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hairstylists—who all have different hair types and want an easy-to-use tool that achieves loose waves, tight curls, and everything in between without damaging hair. Testers considered performance across three primary categories: efficacy, safety and ease of use, value. For more on what’s involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
Now, watch your favorite celebrities spill secrets after sipping the truth serum:
