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Applying heat to our hair can be a scary thing, but there comes a time when the risk is worth the look.
There are times when we all want to change up our look by adding a few curls.
I’ve been there, but it always comes down to finding the best curling irons.
Whether it was a few years ago when my hair was relaxed or now while my hair is natural, time is always spent looking for the best.
And we’ve found them for you.
Whether you have natural or relaxed hair, here are the best curling irons for you to try.
Contents
Best Curling Irons For Natural Hair
BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
One of the best curling iron to use for those with natural hair is the BaByliss PRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron.
There are a few benefits that might have you reaching towards this curling iron as well.
“Nano Titanium” is something you might see in a few curling irons.
It’s often used because as a heat conductor, it allows the heat to remain stable while you’re using the iron.
This particular iron also has infrared technology that helps the heat quickly penetrate the hair.
BaByliss PRO also boasts a sol-gel technology.
This is said to make the barrel both stronger and smoother which is great so it never snags while trying to glide your hair around the iron.
Even so, that’s not the best thing about this curling iron.
Most curling irons only provide you with about 5 or 6 heat settings.
This often leaves you in a weird limbo about whether you’re going to use too low heat for longer or too high heat for shorter.
The BaByliss PRO iron has fifty heat settings.
That’s what makes it one of the most impressive curling irons on this list.
Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Marcel Iron
Hot Tools might be one of the most popular hair tools companies and that’s why this list would be incomplete without their 24K Gold Marcel Iron.
This curling iron has something they call Pulse Technology.
Apparently, when we curl our hair, the curling wand starts to cool on its own even while it’s on.
What this technology does is keep the iron hot.
This curling wand also provides a soft touch handle that gives a comfortable grip, but what really sets this iron apart from the rest is its Touch Guard protector.
While it might look odd from the outside, once you understand its purpose, it makes sense.
That second bar that you see next to the handle is meant to protect you.
There’s no telling how many times I’ve burned (or almost) my neck when trying to curl my hair.
This bar is meant to both keep the iron from your face and also warn you for when you’re cutting it too close.
Let’s just say that with this feature alone, Hot Tools shows why they’re a customer favorite.
Infiniti Pro By Conair Nano Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron
Last, but certainly not least, is the Conair InfinitiPro Nano Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron.
This is where we see a combination of tourmaline and ceramic infused plates and how well they can benefit the hair.
The technology behind these two emits ions that help reduce frizz and create smooth, shiny hair.
More features include that this iron can reach up to 400 degrees and only takes 30 seconds to do so.
While it only has 5 heat settings which makes it harder to control how much heat you’re applying, the infrared technology does help make it gentler on hair.
Drybar The 3-Day Bender 1″ Barrel Digital Curling Iron
Drybar is a popular hair company which is why their 3-Day Bender Digital Curling Iron landed them on this list.
This product can get you both waves or curls depending on how you use it.
It also has quite a few benefits.
One, it uses ionic technology.
This is just a fancy way to say that it helps prevent frizz and gives tons of shine.
This curling iron is also infused with infrared technology which helps the hair remain healthy.
Other great things about this curling iron is that one, it heats up very quickly only needing one minute to get the job done.
Two, the digital control allows you to control the temperature.
Three, one of the scariest things about curling irons is the paranoid feeling you have when you’re not sure you turned it off.Fortunately, this Drybar curling iron has an automatic shut off after 60 minutes.
Remington Silk Ceramic Elliptical Waving Wand
Remington is another popular brand known for their hot tools which is why their Silk Ceramic Elliptical Waving Wand earned them a spot on this list.
There are a number of features this wand has that could help push you in its direction.
Because of its ceramic coating, it will help create smoother and longer lasting curls.
This particular curling wand has a tapered end which helps make the curls look more natural while also helping to wrap the hair around the barrel more easily.
While it doesn’t have the 50 heat setting like the BaByliss PRO iron, Remington boasts its quick heat up time.
With its highest temperature being 410 degrees Fahrenheit, it only takes 30 seconds to reach it.
Lastly, all of us have probably burned our hands while trying to style our hair with heat.
Fortunately enough for all of us, this particular Remington curler comes with a heat protective glove.
Conair Instant Heat ¾” Curling Iron
If you’re looking for beautiful curls that are going to last, you might want to try the Conair Instant Heat ¾“ Curler.
The technology behind the barrel allows for it to heat up quickly and evenly.
While many barrels seem to pale in comparison, the Conair curling iron has an impressive 25 heat settings.
Another reason you might be interested in this iron is that it sets itself apart when compared to numerous other curling irons.
While most use one type of metal, this tool combines chromium, nickel, copper, and steel – all great materials for shiny hair and long-lasting curls.
If you’re leaning towards this curling iron, here are a few other benefits that might push you over the edge.
One, it only takes 30 seconds for this iron to heat up.
Two, it comes with a grooved handle in order to keep your grip secure while styling.
Lastly, it has dual voltage.
One of the most annoying things is travelling internationally only to find out that you can’t use your hot tools.
Because of the dual voltage, this Conair curling iron makes it ideal for using at home and while you’re abroad.
Best Curling Irons For Relaxed Hair
Bio Ionic Curl Expert Pro
We all know that once our natural hair has been blow dried or relaxed, it is actually longer.
Because of this, you might want a longer curling barrel like the Bio Ionic Curl Expert Pro.
It can especially be helpful when you’re trying to curl hair at the back of your head.
This barrel is 2” inches longer than the average barrel and has a combination of technologies that help it lock in moisture, seal the cuticle, and help the curls last longer.
The Bio Ionic curler also includes multiple heat settings which is great for protecting processed hair and also has the automatic shut-off feature after 1 hour.
T3 Bodywaver
This wouldn’t be a complete list without the T3 Bodywaver Styling Iron.
First and foremost, this product is said to be infused with the brand’s own “SinglePass” Technology.
This means that you should be able to get the look you want in literally one pass (or curl) around the barrel.
Although it only has five heat settings, it ranges from an impressive 260 to 410 degrees.
Very popular among users, this curling iron from T3 has won the Total Beauty Award.
Hot Tools 2” Ceramic Tourmaline Curling Iron
If you have relaxed hair, the Hot Tools Ceramic Tourmaline Curling Iron is a good iron to look into.
Like many of the products on this list, it’s a great heat conductor which is going to distribute heat throughout the iron evenly.
While this iron can reach up to 430 degrees Fahrenheit, one great thing about it is that it stays hot.
For those of us who have tried many curling irons, you know that sometimes the temperature can just change on its own.
While the dial might read something different, it definitely feels significantly lower.
This curling iron is going to get hot and stay hot.
Remington Pro Pearl Ceramic Conical Curling Wand
Another favorite, we had to include is the Remington Pro Pearl Ceramic Conical Curling Wand.
This product definitely sets itself apart from the rest.
It actually has real crushed pearls that have been infused into the plate.
When it comes to hair care products, pearl infused metals are said to help smooth the hair while also preventing frizz.
And that’s not all about this product that makes it worth trying.
We’ve all had those times where we accidentally press the up or down arrow on our curling irons which changes the heat temperature.
This Remington curling wand has a temperature lock that keeps it at your desired level.
Homitt 2 in 1 Hair Straightener and Curler
Last on the list, we have the Hommit 2 in 1 Hair Straightener and Curler.
As you can see, the design of this product is what earns it a spot on this list.
While you can open up the plates to use this as a straightener, the roundness of the tool also makes it perfect for curling hair.
Not only does this curling iron feature temperature lock, but it heats up in 15 seconds and includes an automatic shut-off as well.
And finally, the ceramic plates are going to help smooth out hair while locking in moisture and reducing frizz.
Should You Use A Titanium Or Tourmaline Curling Iron?
Doesn’t life always seem like it’s giving us two choices that we can never decide between?
When it comes to hair tools, the discussion is often whether you should use titanium or tourmaline hair tools.
If you thought I was going to make the decision easier, I’m not – at least, not completely.
The thing is, both are great options, but here are the benefits of each for when it’s time for you to decide which one to go with.
A pro about both of these is that they heat up quickly.
Even so, titanium has a slight upper hand over tourmaline in this regard.
While they both heat up quickly, titanium heats up more evenly which would allow the entire plate to heat up at once.
Tourmaline has its own benefit over titanium.
Because the material produces negative ions and when combined with infrared rays, it can penetrate the hair without causing damage.
And while no damage seems like the ultimate benefit, tourmaline plates wear out faster than titanium plates which don’t corrode.
Lastly, if you have fine hair, you’d be fine with using either titanium or tourmaline curling irons, but if you’re someone who has thick hair, then a titanium curling iron might work better for you.
Is There A Big Difference Between Curling Wands and Curling Irons?
When it comes time to pick out a curling tool for our hair, we’re often left debating whether we should go with a curling wand or iron.
If you’re looking for a major difference between them, you’re not going to find it.
The major difference is that curling irons have a clasp whereas curling wands don’t.
If you’re nervous about holding your hands near the hot metal of the tool, then a curling iron would mostly remove this worry.
Another difference you’ll find is that all curling irons are the same size across the barrel.
This is compared to some curling wands that are tapered at their ends.
Other than that, both curling wands and irons are going to act the same.
Most people believe that the tool affects the way the curl comes out, but it’s really the way you manipulate the hair.
Whether you’re coming out with ringlets, softer spirals, or loose waves has more to do with how the hair is placed on the curling iron or wand versus the tool itself.
The Proper Way To Prep Black Hair For Curling
If you have natural hair, then your hair probably already has natural curls and coils.
Even so, we all like to switch up the look of our curls and that can easily be done with a curling iron.
Even so, there are a few steps that one must do in order to properly prepare their hair for curling.
First, you want to start off with clean hair.
When there’s a lot of product buildup in your hair, it actually makes it harder for the curls to hold.
Instead, wash your hair beforehand and be sure to use a great moisturizer to help keep your hair healthy.
Second, you’re going to want to make sure that you properly dry your hair.
For the best results, you should blow dry your hair so that the curls form better.
Cold air is always better, but if you’re going to blow dry it with heat, be sure to use a heat protectant.
And you want to make sure your hair is completely dry.
One of the easiest ways to damage hair is putting heat on it while it’s still wet.
Make sure you’re starting the process with clean, dry hair and you’re set to start your curls.
What Temperature Is Safe When Curling Black Hair?
This is one of the biggest questions when dealing with natural hair.
How much heat is too much?
Well, you know how most curling irons come with a max of 450 degrees Fahrenheit?
Do NOT use that amount of heat.
What you’ll hear from most hair experts is that the optimal amount of heat is 300 degrees.
If you have extremely fine or thin hair, it’s best to keep your hair tools at around 200 degrees.
If you have thicker hair, you can adjust it up to 300 degrees.
And as someone with natural hair, I know that this maximum temperature seems like nothing, but it’s all about your process!
If you’re using 300 degrees to curl your hair, make sure you pin it so that they last longer.
High levels of heat can melt the hair follicles and make them weaker leading to heat damage and breakage.
We don’t want that.
No matter the level of heat, always use a heat protectant, but always be mindful of how much heat you’re applying.
Best Curling Irons For Black Hair Conclusion
We all like to switch up our look.
Whether you have relaxed hair or 4C coils, using a curling iron can help us achieve a different look of curls.
Any of the curling irons on this list will help do that.
Just remember to properly prep and protect your hair, and you’ll have beautiful curls to show off.
