Curling Iron Top 5

Which curling iron do hairdressers use? Test and compare the best curling irons in our hair salon. (NEW!)

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Curling iron test

The key to perfect beach waves or curls is to use a Curling iron. We have tested the best curling irons for you in our hairdresser. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to find the best curling iron for you.

That's why we've tested in our salon to find the curling irons that are actually worth your money. Our hairdressers and stylists rate hair styling tools from Straightener, round brushes up to Föhns.

One size does not always fit all. There are three things to consider when buying a quality curling iron. First, look at the heat settings. Second, look for features that make styling easier, like cord length and swivel function. Third, test the clamp and see how much tension there is - the more tension, the more it can balance and hold the hair in place while styling.

If you have textured hair, you should also consider the material. Titanium, ceramic and tourmaline curling irons are the best choices. With these tips, we've cleared the clutter to show you our test winners for perfect curls.

Best curling iron: The top 5 curling irons

1st place: GHD Curve Classic Tong

In 1st place is the Ghd Classic. This is a professional curling iron that we also use in our hair salon. It is an all-rounder and especially suitable for long-lasting beach waves and natural curls.

These curling tongs with a large barrel have a ceramic coating that ensures the waves look smooth and shiny. It has a width of 32 mm. So if you want loose but polished looking curls, it's worth investing in. Yes, it's expensive, but these curling tongs have been designed with the user experience in mind.

It has a cool-touch tip so you don't burn your fingers, a super-long cord, and it automatically turns off if left unattended for 30 minutes or more.

Temperature: When heated to 185 ° C, the hair is curled without damaging the strands.

Perseverance: Loose waves tend to fall out much faster than tighter curls, especially if - like me - your hair is straight. That being said, my waves stayed in tact all day and evening.

We also use this curling iron in our hair salon ARBUTI.

Soft curls
Long lasting curls
Automatic sleep mode
Suitable for all hair lengths
Incredibly many tutorials on youtube with this curling iron
Rotatable cable for comfortable styling
Many hairdressers use this curling iron

AMAZON

2nd place: Remington Curling iron

The PROluxe cone-shaped curling iron from Remington is in our #2 spot. This is ideal for loose waves (25-38mm) and features OPTIheat technology, a specially developed heat technology that delivers targeted heat to give professional and long-lasting styling results.

It also features a Grip-Tech ceramic coating for non-slip and easy styling. The "Pro +" setting allows you to set the perfect temperature (185° C) for gentle styling and the integrated digital display shows 11 variable temperature settings from 120-210 °C. This curling iron is a good alternative for quick-cheap home use.

30 seconds heating time
3 metre cable in salon length
Digital display
Storage bag
Key lock, automatic safety shutdown

AMAZON

3rd place: Braun Satin Hair 7 Curling iron

Braun Satin Hair with Iontec - For perfectly defined curls and smooth, shiny hair that feels as silky as it looks. In our curling iron test, this one also proved what it can do in its price range.

Braun's Satinstyler achieves professional hairdressing temperatures in less than 60 seconds. Plus, thanks to its microprocessor, it's adjustable from 125°C to 185°C in 5°C increments to suit every hair type, giving you even greater styling flexibility.

This curling iron maintains its temperature throughout use to ensure perfect styling conditions for all curls. The unique ceramic protection bar distributes heat evenly throughout the hair for gentle but effective shaping and a smooth, silky texture.

Ceramic coating to protect the sensitive ends of the hair
Precise curling iron temperature control
IONTEC: Tames frizz and static build-up

AMAZON

4th place: BaByliss Pro 180 Curling iron

The BaByliss curling iron with 38mm diameter. Do you have medium to long hair and dream of soft waves and volume? Then the curling iron from BaByliss with a diameter of 38mm is just right for you.

It conjures up delicate waves and curls instantly and reliably. Without much effort and in no time at all, you'll achieve a tempting result with breathtaking volume. In less than 60 seconds, the curling iron heats up to the maximum temperature of 180°C and is immediately ready for use.

Curling Iron Soft Wave Effect
Swivel cable
10 temperature levels

AMAZON

5th place: Carrera

This one also makes it into the best curling iron list. Between all our curling irons, the Carrera is also an absolute buy recommendation. With a ceramic coating, the heat of the curling iron is perfectly distributed on the hair, allowing you to style your hair gently.

The temperature setting in 10 degree increments from 120°C to 210°C can be easily monitored via the digital LED display. With the intermediate size of 26 mm, you can create natural curls just as easily as beach waves or voluminous waves. The heat-insulated tip and the protective silicone strip offer safety for your hands and hair.

Digital control
High quality ceramics
Ideal diameter

AMAZON

All curling irons featured on Arbuti are independently selected by our sylists.

Which curling iron is suitable for me?

When buying a new curling iron, you should look for a few factors and features to make sure you find the right curling iron for your hair type (and needs!). Consider the following before you buy one:

Barrel size: If you want relaxed beach waves, go for a larger barrel (1 1⁄4 inch and up). The smaller the barrel, the tighter the curl.

Material: There is much debate about whether ceramic or titanium is better for heat styling tools. "We have found that both ceramic and titanium curling tongs are good conductors of heat," says Sabina Wizemann, senior chemist at GH Beauty Lab.

Adjustable heat settings: A curling iron with adjustable temperature is important. Lower temperatures are great for fine hair for thinning hair on the face, while higher temperatures are suitable for coarse or difficult-to-curl hair.

Automatic switch-off: Our testers love curling irons with automatic shut-off. You never have to worry about unplugging your curling iron as it switches off for you.

Curling iron application

A curling iron can create a lot of versatile looks. It all comes down to technique and choosing the right barrel type. For soft, tousled waves that say "I just spent a day at the beach", you need a barrel with a diameter of at least 1 inch.

Use a larger barrel or curling iron with a diameter of more than 1 inch to achieve runway quality waves (big, loose and voluminous).

Don't be afraid to be a trendsetter while waves are on trend. Those tight curls and big hair of the 80s can be brought back to life with a smaller barrel.

If you have natural hair that tends to have those tight curls anyway, help it along. Some looks are truly timeless and flirty curls are no exception.

A high-quality curling iron is a must to achieve an equally high-quality hairstyle, but again, it's all about technique. Below are some useful tips to help you curl like a pro.

You should always use a heat protectant on your hair before using heat styling tools. This will protect it from heat damage, minimise breakage and keep your hair looking and feeling healthy. Read our guide to the best sprays you can get here.
Keep the temperature of your curling iron at 400 degrees or less to avoid heat damage. Depending on your hair type, you run the risk of burning your hair if you go much higher.
Curling your hair to frame your face in the direction away from your face creates a more natural look.
If you have short hair and the tip of the barrel points downwards, you can curl your hair more effectively with the curling iron.
Do you have long hair to curl but in a hurry? After drying, put it in a high ponytail, divide it into sections, curl and let your hair down for voluminous and wavy hair.
Generally, the smaller the barrel of your curling iron, the smaller and tighter your curls will be. The larger the barrel, the larger and looser the curls will be.

Hairdressers use a curling iron every day

If anyone should share an in-depth test and curling iron experience with you, it's us hairdressers. We use curling irons every day.

When it comes to curling irons, size (and shape) is really important. Different curlers do different things, so the type of tool you need really depends on what size or shape you're curling for. There are small barrels for tighter curls, large barrels for looser curls and tapered, click-free, motorised and interchangeable wands for just about every curl in between.

There are also swirled barrels that show you what your curls look like before you press the power button. It's certainly a lot to navigate, but that, beauty freaks, is why you have us. No matter what type of curl you're looking for or what your budget is, there's a Curling iron for you. Trust us - we've looked and luckily we've rounded up some of the best curling irons at a range of prices that pretty much anyone can find something to suit.

What is a curling iron?

You can simply say that a curling iron is a heated wand that is used to curl a person's hair into curls.

Those who curl their hair for styling need to know every detail about a curling iron because: This is the only magical device that can give hair curls. The curling iron is the only appliance you look for when it is time to curl your hair. This appliance has a specially heated unit that curls the hair and gives it perfect definition. The barrel section does the main curling. Details about the barrel are described later.

Different types of curling iron work for different hair types. The powerful curling iron will never fail to curl any type of hair. No matter how fine or how thick and unruly your hair is, a curling iron will always meet your expectations.

Best curl with the best curling iron

The best curling irons are versatile enough to create a range of unique up and down dos - from Shirley Temple-style curls to flowing beach waves . About the size of your curling wand (which can range from a thin wand to a thicker barrel, depending on how tight or flowy you want your curls to look) and the style of hot tool (ie whether you want to use a) curling iron or traditional iron with clip).

"Before styling a hair type, I recommend assessing information such as your hair's elasticity and density, as well as its ability to hold a curl. "Your product choice also plays a role in the longevity of your style. However, for hair types where curls fall off quickly, I recommend using a smaller curling iron first."

For looser, more relaxed hairstyles, experts recommend looking for a curling iron with a larger barrel for a shorter time. "If I'm using a straightener as a wand and I'm using a curling technique, I'll usually use a 1-inch barrel," says celebrity hairstylist Ebru. "I control the amount of waves seen in my client's hair based on the amount of time I hold sections of it around the curling iron. If a section has gotten a little too wavy, I usually shake it out with my fingers and stir the piece while I curl it with the Hairdryer quickly burst.

" Although the size of the barrel can play a role in how well your curls hold, other factors can also come into play, such as how you wrap your hair to maintain a style, how long you hold a hot tool in your hair. and external weather conditions. And while it can be tempting to add new curls to your hair every day once it loses its bounce, professionals advise using too much heat as well.

For a short list of the best curling irons available for maximum hair volume and body, we spoke to hair professionals to find out which ones are actually worth buying. Above are the 5 must-have curling irons from brands like GHD that hairdressers keep on hand and in their kits.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Is a curling iron harmful to your hair?

Curling irons can cause hair breakage. Although these heat styling tools can give you the look you want, it can affect the health of your hair and lead to breakage, damage and dehydration. If you love your hair, you should be careful which one you buy. We have tested and compared the 5 best curling irons.

Can you use a curling iron every day?

A curling iron or straightener can help give your hair the ideal texture for any look you want. Unfortunately, daily use of your locks can cause serious damage. However, if you can't give up your favourite heated styling iron, there are ways to minimise the damage.

What is better for curly hair titanium or ceramic?

One of the main advantages of titanium is that it is naturally durable and lightweight, so straightening is more comfortable and your iron will last much longer. Choose the ceramic if your hair is easy to straighten. Otherwise, titanium is a better choice for those with long, thick, stubborn hair. Here are the best in the test.

Why doesn't my hair hold curls?

You are turning your curling iron too high. If you curl the hair with extreme heat, e.g. over 400 degrees, you can actually cause the cuticle, the outer layer of the hair to slam and flatten to the point where it refuses to hold a bend.