Our Curling Iron Top Picks
If you don't have at least one curling iron in your hairstyling arsenal, you're missing out on an easy-to-master tool that can guarantee you'll never get stuck in a hair rut again. Take your straight hair to Beyoncè-like barrel waves or your curly tresses to Blake Lively tousled, or add texture and volume to baby-fine strands. Just plug in and get creative!
Click on a category to see comparisons of our top picks.
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Spiral curls need to make a comeback, and the Conair Infiniti may just be the tool to make that happen. With a ceramic wand that heats up in just 30 seconds (to temps up to 400 degrees depending on setting), you'll get ultra-shiny spirals in no time. | There's no clip! Using a heat-resistant three-finger glove, simply wrap hair around the spiral iron and then release. Kink-free curls await you. | Applying a silicone-based serum before using the curling iron provides a protective barrier and prevents heat damage. |
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It's one of Conair's best-selling curling irons, and no wonder. The ceramic heating wand gets hot in 30 seconds, and it uses tourmaline technology to reduce frizz and static for natural-looking healthy curls. | No traditional curling iron clamp here. Simply wrap your hair around the wand and you'll get super-fast kink-free curls. | Working with diagonal sections of hair helps you get closer to the scalp for small, bouncy curls. |
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It promises less frizz and more shine than traditional curling irons. Its ceramic wand heats up super fast (30 seconds or less), and its myriad heat settings let you control how hot things get. | It's clampless, which means no kinks. Use the heat-resistant glove on the hand not holding the iron to help guide hair around the wand. | After curling, apply pomade or a silicone-based styling product, working it through your hair gently. Then, finger comb your hair to separate curls. |
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The larger—1 3/4"—barrel makes this the right ft for hair that's shoulder length or longer. | The cool-touch tip gives you a sure-handed grip, which is especially helpful when you're styling long tresses. | After you curl a section of hair, pin it to your scalp with a bobby pin or clip to keep your curls intact and out of your way as you continue styling. |
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The tapered shape of the barrel and the cool-touch tip help this barrel glide through your hair for effortless styling. | There's crushed tourmaline—a semi-precious gemstone—in the barrel. That means this iron works fast, efficiently and evenly to create smooth, shiny curls. | Keep the barrel clean: Run a smooth dry cloth over it when it's still warm (but not hot) to remove dust or product buildup. |
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The 11/4" barrel boosts volume in mid-length to long hair, creating the look of a hot-roller set with a lot less effort. | With a durable, heavy-duty heating element, this iron will have a hassle-free long life even with daily use. | Start with a lower temperature (about 300 degrees). If that doesn't give you the hold you want, move on to hotter settings, hiking temps about 25 degrees at a time. |
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The 2" barrel will make quick work of curling hair that's shoulder length or longer. | If you don't want to be locked into a single look, this versatile iron is the one to try. You can achieve both a beachy look and defined polished curls. | Start working from the middle of the hair shaft, rolling toward the scalp. Then open the clip a bit and feed in your ends. |
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The customized temperature settings—controlled with the touch of a button—means you can use exactly the amount of heat you need, no more or less. | Frizz-fighting ions smooth out any roughness in the hair shaft, like paving over potholes in the road. | Begin curling your hair at the nape, taking sections that are no wider than the width of the barrel. |
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An ingenious control allows you to change the size of the wave so you can achieve a variety of looks with a single tool. | Lightweight with the same mechanics of a flat iron, this is a great, user-friendly iron for the novice curler. | Apply a light holding spray before curling; then work with horizontal sections of hair, rolling up to about an inch from your scalp. |
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Creates natural, "born with it" looking waves. The "S" pattern is super sexy. | Heats up in just six seconds, then lets you work with large sections of hair at a time for super-quick results. | For the most authentic beachy look, start with day-old hair rather than freshly shampooed locks. |
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New to curling irons? The spring barrel is a cinch to use; just press the clip and the iron opens up. | The patented pulse technology delivers micro waves of heat for steady, consistent temperature. | If you just want to add volume to your straight locks, put this waver to work as a root lifter; use it close to the scalp area throughout your head. Skip the ends. |
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The barrels are narrower than those of other 3-barrel irons, creating a tighter curl pattern that's like a child's naturally wavy hair. | The ergonomic soft-grip handle makes this iron comfortable to use, especially if you're curling your whole head. | Make sure your hair is absolutely dry before you start using your curling iron (otherwise you'll end up with limp, ill-formed curls that will wilt before lunchtime). |
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This multitasker straightens, curls and adds body, effortlessly producing straight-from-the-salon polished results. | A rotating cylinder feeds your hair into four rows of bristles, so you get the benefit of round-brush styling hair without the work. | Starting with clean, product-free hair, place the barrel in the direction you want to go, and move slowly from roots to tips. |
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This two-in-one tool cuts your styling time in half, straightening and adding waves at the same time. | The curved edge lets you add curls and waves with the flick of your wrist. | To flip ends out, make a scooping "C" motion with your wrist as you reach your ends, flicking toward your head to flip ends under and away from your head. |
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A great tamer for curly or frizzy hair, this easy-to-use iron gives professional looking results with no technique (beyond brushing your hair) necessary! | Extra-high heat settings and a gold-plated barrel surface turn even hard-to-manage textures silky smooth. | To achieve the best-possible dazzling results, choose a shampoo and conditioner especially formulated for your hair texture. |
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You can dry and curl hair simultaneously. The spin brush uses ionic technology to add volume, curl and shine to all hair types by rotating in both directions. | Tangle-free antistatic bristles mean you can use this brush from root to tip to create curls without worrying about messy tangles. | Don't grasp the ends of your hair. Just pinch them together as you wrap your hair around the stick. That way you protect your fingertips and feed your tresses with a seamless movement. |
TopStyler
Reg. $99.95
Color Sustain 4-Piece Ritual Kit
Reg. $39
Salon Technician Colorcare Travel Faves Kit
Reg. $43
Holiday Teal Platinum Swirl 1" Flat Iron
Reg. $149.95
"Hair clip-meets-clam shell-meets-hot plate. You've never seen a styler quite like this. It comes with 10 large "C-Shells," for beefier curls and five regular C-Shells for regular-sized spirals. Unlike curling irons, which release the hair while hot, TopStyler C-Shells hold curls in place until cool, so they set and stay throughout the day."
—Jennifer Tzeses, a New York City-based writer who lends beauty and style savvy to magazines like Martha Stewart Living, Woman's Day and Everyday with Rachael Ray
"This kit contains a secret 500-year-old beauty ingredient that helps seal in your gorgeous salon color for 40 washes! This genius quartet—shampoo, conditioner, protective cream and damage-reverse treatment—will save you money and time, so you'll have more of both (which means more shopping, of course)."
—Shelley Levitt, a beauty blogger, skincare geek and onetime chronicler of celeb glamour for People and Self
"Preserve your gorgeous color on the go with mini Fekkai musts of protective shampoo, conditioner, anti-fade glaze, invisible hold hairspray and a comb—perfect to maintain that salon-fresh, post-highlights feel. Keep this little pouch in your overnight bag at all times! "
—Brooke Showell, a skincare and makeup maven who's written for Self and Martha Stewart Weddings
"Come Christmas, I will cover everything that holds still in festive décor. Now, that obsession can carry over to my flat iron with the Ultra CHI holiday collection. From teal to red, silver to sparkles, you'll find a wide selection of gift-worthy (or covet-worthy) hair tools, all with CHI's signature ceramic plates that add holiday shine to your style."
—Amanda Myers, a former health and lifestyles reporter, now freelance writer and blogger, based in Phoenix
