How do you choose a curling iron?
Choose a curling iron
With a curling iron, you can create a hairdo with curls or waves. Before you buy a curling iron, it's important to ask yourself the following questions:
- Which diameter is suitable for your desired result?
- What type of curls do you want to create?
- Do you want basic heat protection or extra heat protection?
- Do you want a curling iron with or without a clamp?
- Do you want to create curls extra easily?
- Do you want to care for your hair directly?
Which diameter is suitable for your desired result?
Up to 14mm
With these diameters, you can create small curls for every hair length. The smaller the diameter, the smaller the curl. If you're looking for a curling iron for short hair, these diameters are especially suitable. That's because if you want to create curls, you hair has to go all the way around the curling wand. This is more difficult if you choose a larger diameter.
14 to 19mm
You can create average to large curls with a diameter from 14 to 19mm. These curling irons are the most suitable for half-long hair, because the hair easily fits all the way around the curling wand. Do you have short hair to above your shoulders? You can create wavy hair with this diameter.
25mm and larger
Are you looking for a curling iron for large curls? Choose a diameter from 25mm and larger. You can create large curls in long hair with this. The shorter your hair, the less obvious the curl is. In short to half-long hair, you can create waves in your hair with these diameters.
What type of curls do you want to create?
The type of curl you create with a curling iron depends on the curling wand. Do you want smooth curls all the same size? Choose a straight curling iron. You can create small compact curls with a thin chopstick curling iron. The larger the diameter of the curling wand, the larger the curl. If you want a natural hairdo, you use the conic curling iron. This curling wand creates curls that start loose and end tight. You can create a more wavy effect with a waffle hair iron or bubble curling iron.
Do you want basic heat protection or extra heat protection?
Basic protection
A curling iron with a ceramic coating is sufficient if you don't create curls on a daily basis. The ceramic coating protects your hair from the heat, but wears faster than a curling iron with a completely ceramic curling wand. Due to this, your hair is protected less properly from the heat and it damages sooner. And you'll have to replace these curling irons sooner with regular use than completely ceramic curling irons, because of the shorter lifespan.
Extra heat protection
Do you use your curling iron on a daily basis? Your hair needs more protection. A curling iron with a completely ceramic or titanium curling wand is the most suitable choice for you. The wands made of these materials distribute the heat evenly over your hair. Thanks to this, you prevent your hair from overheating and damage. These curling wands also barely wear, so you can enjoy them for years. One disadvantage is that these curling irons are relatively more expensive than curling irons with a ceramic coating.
Do you want a curling iron with or without a clamp?
With clamp
A curling iron with hair clamp holds your hair during curling. You clamp the end of a hair strand and spin it around the iron. The advantage of a curling iron with clamp is that you can protect your hands from the heat, because you get your hands anywhere near the curling wand. A disadvantage is that you get a kink in your hair when you don't adjust the spinning direction to the way you clamp your hair.
Without clamp
As the name suggests, a curling iron without clamp only has a curling wand. You grab a hair strand with your hand and spin it around the curling wand. The disadvantage is that you have a bigger risk to burn your hand than with a curling iron with clamp. That's why most curling irons include a heatproof glove to protect your hands. The advantage of an iron without clamp is that you don't get a kink in your hair.
Do you want to create curls extra easily?
For the best user-friendliness, you choose an automatic curling iron. The only thing you have to do with this curling iron, is divide your hair and put each strand in the curling iron. The curling iron sucks it in, curls it, and then lets go again. Useful, because you won't burn your hands and you can easily create the perfect curl. For this curling iron applies, choose a completely ceramic model for the best heat protection.
Do you want to care for your hair right away?
The heat of the curling iron can cause heat damage to your hair, which makes it look dull and frizzy. You can keep your hair healthy and prevent heat damage with hair care products. Before you get started with the curling iron, you can distribute serum over your hair. That way, you can protect your hair, care for them, and create a nice gloss.
