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It runs on a chargeable battery—so when it’s not in use, you just plug it in and let it charge back up. Both of the testers who tried this one in the lab agreed that reading the directions was necessary to understand how to use it. But, once you get the hang of it, the tool produces “perfect ringlets” every time.
Best Overall: Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Marcel Curling Iron
Those with long hair know the struggle of trying to fit the entire length of your strands onto a standard curling iron—it’s awkward and it often creates funky-looking results. We were so impressed by this tool that’s two inches longer than the average curling iron because it makes wrapping your hair around the barrel in one shot super easy. It features a clamp that secures the hair just right without creating unflattering creases, and it also has six heat settings to suit different hair types.
Best overall: Dyson AirWrap Multi-Styler Complete

Those with color-treated hair should look to the GHD Classic Curl—a model designed to intensify hair color and create curls that last. The ceramic iron uses the brand’s Tri-zone technology which celebrity hairstylist Graham Nation says “makes the hair easy to manipulate without overheating the hair” and maintains it across the entire barrel. (Plus, no extreme heat!) This was also pro hairstylist Clayton Hawkins’s pick to create romantic Botticelli-inspired waves on Maddie Ziegler in their installment of Hairdos.
Bio Ionic Long Barrel Styler Pro Curling Iron
Made with a titanium barrel, this curling iron releases negative ions that penetrate the hair, nourishing it from the inside out. These negative ions also seal hair follicles and lock in moisture, ultimately taming and lessening frizz. Aside from the fact that it dramatically reduces static and frizz, we also love that the iron has a handful of great features that make it ideal for anyone to use, from beginners to pros. The only thing we will point out is that this device comes with two different curling barrels that can only curl hair in one direction (one curls hair to the left and the other curls hair to the right). This means you will have to swap out the barrel if you want to switch the direction of your curls. However, it’s really easy to change between attachments, so this shouldn’t be too much of a hassle.
Best for Beach Waves
The heat-up time on this iron wasn’t jaw-dropping (at just over two minutes), but its ease of use certainly was. It is very easy to use and maneuver, extremely lightweight, and allows for a lot of flexibility and different ways to curl the hair. It creates really beautiful, smooth curls that last pretty well—those with thin to medium hair saw the most long-lasting results.
Amazon's Best-Selling Curling Wand That 'Delivers Salon-Quality' Blowouts at Home Is on Sale - Real Simple
Amazon's Best-Selling Curling Wand That 'Delivers Salon-Quality' Blowouts at Home Is on Sale.
Posted: Wed, 24 Apr 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
What to Look for in Curling Irons
Keep in mind the shorter barrel is best-suited for short hair, though it'll work on any length with a bit more effort. For a tool your stylist would use during your routine blowout appointment, consider the Drybar The Wrap Party Styling Wand. Not only does the professional wand feature a no-slip barrel, but it also uses technology to reduce frizz and boost shine. 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.
The 12 Best Rotating Curling Irons of 2024, Tested and Reviewed - PEOPLE
The 12 Best Rotating Curling Irons of 2024, Tested and Reviewed.
Posted: Fri, 02 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Luckily, my thick hair holds styles for a long time so I’m left with sleek beachy waves for days after using this hot tool. I’ve never experienced heat damage using this iron.” The styler uses the brand’s airflow technology to attract and wrap the hair around the barrel to curl, wave, smooth, and dry without extreme heat—much like the coveted blow-dryer. The styler recently received a high-tech upgrade, with its next generation providing increased customization and enhanced results. As for features that add to the value, we were really impressed with the digital temperature dial that’s simple to use and makes seeing what temperature you have the iron on easy. The barrel is pretty long which is great for those with long hair, plus, the tool is lightweight and has a soft-touch finish that prevents it from slipping out of your hands.
Created by hairstylist Sarah Potempa, this time-saving, automated curling iron is the only one GH Beauty Director April Franzino uses. "It rotates away from your face, taking the guesswork out of curling hair," she says. "All you have to do is clamp a section of hair at the bottom, press the button and watch as it winds around the curler. Hold for a few seconds, release and you have a perfect loose curl." This cutting-edge hair tool is ultra-versatile, and allows users to switch between different attachments based on what kind of hairstyle they want to achieve.
Hot Tools Pro Artist Gold 3-Barrel Hair Waver

Sure, heatless curling hacks on TikTok are entertaining and fun to experiment with, but nothing will help you achieve the perfect curl every time like a really great curling iron. Be it loose waves or tight ringlets that you’re after, there’s a curling iron out there that will help you master the look. The best options are made with high-quality materials, feature ergonomic designs, have multiple heat settings, and are easy to use, but finding one that ticks all of these boxes while giving you the results you crave isn’t easy. The only true difference between curling irons and curling wands is that an iron has a clamp to hold your hair in place while you style.
Additionally, most rotating curling irons feature clamps that are able to securely hold the hair while the barrel rotates. Plus, thanks to the 1¼ -inch barrel, you can achieve a variety of curl styles (like loose waves, ribbon curls, and more), no matter what length your hair is. On top of that, it has two different rotating speeds, so you can adjust it according to your preference. Although we love this tool, it’s worth noting that it’s not totally intuitive to use unless you read the manual. Due to the different barrel sizes and heat settings, this curling iron can be used on all hair types. Emily Orofino is a beauty writer, editor, and consultant with more than a decade of experience in the industry.
That said, this only takes a few seconds, and Shark clearly distinguishes between the two — there is a very clear “L” and “R” on the corresponding attachments. Us Weekly has affiliate partnerships so we may receive compensation for some links to products and services. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Catherine Hufton is a London-based lifestyle journalist and has been a contributing writer and editor for Byrdie since 2022. She digs deep into all things fashion and beauty to find the very best shopping must-haves—from the most effective collagen serums to the best drugstore makeup essentials.
You’ll also find that wands come in more shapes than curling irons do, such as conical and bubble, says DiGregorio. The one-two punch of a unique shape, plus a lack of clamp makes it simpler to achieve beachy waves or undone look — putting less tension on the hair with your fingers will make for a looser curl. After sifting through the results, we uncovered the 14 best rotating curling irons. This curling iron has 30 (!) heat settings to choose from, making this an ideal iron for all hair types and styling preferences. These days, you can find curling irons that do so much more than just leave you with Shirley Temple-esque ringlets.