Anyone with mermaid-esque tresses will tell you what a pain it can be to curl them. It’s pretty difficult to strike that sweet balance between a limp lock and an overcooked coil, as most curling irons are geared towards hair of average length. So what’s a long-haired, curly-headed diva to do? Fortunately, there are curling irons made just for Lady Godiva lookalikes, and today we’re going to take a peek at some of our top picks.
- Factors to Consider When Buying a Curling Iron for Long Hair
- Top 10 Best Curling Irons for Long Hair 2024
- 1. Best Overall Pick: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
- 2. Best Premium Pick: InStyler MAX 2-Way Rotating Iron
- 3. Best Budget Pick: Conair Instant Heat Curling Iron
- 4. Best Curling Iron Set: Xtava 5-in-1 Curling Iron and Wand Set
- 5. Best Tourmaline-Ceramic Curling Iron: INFINITIPRO Nano Tourmaline Curling Iron
- 6. Best Spinning Curling Iron: CHI Spin N Curl
- 7. Best Multi-Barrelled Curling Iron: MODVICA 3-Barrel Ceramic Hair Crimper
- 8. Best Extras on a Curling Iron: Furiden 2-in-1 Hair Straightener and Curler
- 9. Best Curling Iron for Thin Hair: Revlon Perfect Heat 1-Inch Ceramic Curling Iron
- 10. Best Curling Iron for Thick Hair: Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron
- Guide to Buying the Best Curling Irons for Long Hair
- Can I Curl Long Hair Without Heat?
- What Is Hair Oil and Why Should I Use It on Long, Curly Hair?
- What Size Curling Iron Is Best for Long Hair?
- Should I Get a Curling Iron or a Curling Wand?
- How Do I Clean My Curling Iron?
- How Can I Avoid Unwanted Hair Crimpage?
- Can I Curl My Hair When It’s Wet?
- What’s the Best Way to Curl My Hair?
- My Hair Is Color-Treated – Can I Still Curl It?
- My Curls Seem to Fall out Easily – What Gives?
- Before You Go A – Curlin’…
Factors to Consider When Buying a Curling Iron for Long Hair
Because long hair has more surface area, you’ll need to take a few factors into consideration when shopping around for a curling iron that suits it. Investing in a curling iron that’s geared more towards shorter hair lengths could make for a potentially frizzy disaster, which is most definitely the last thing you want.
Material
Curling irons are commonly made from a few different materials, like ceramic, tourmaline, and titanium, to name a few. Each one touts unique advantages, and some consumers discover that they prefer one over others. Read on to learn more about the different kinds of materials curling irons are made from and the different benefits each of them offer.
Ceramic
Ceramic curling irons are pretty common–they’re some of the most popular models out there. This is because ceramic minimizes frizz and static and heats evenly across the barrel, thereby greatly reducing the risk of damage to your hair. Because they’re so gentle, they’re ideal for thin to normal hair. Ceramic curling irons are also less likely to collect dust and other debris on their surfaces, making them a breeze to clean.
But just how do ceramic curling irons produce these frizz-free curls? It’s all in their negative ion technology. Ceramic curling irons emit negatively-charged ions to curl hair, which don’t dry hair out or strip them of their natural oils. Since the hair stays lubricated as it sets into curls, the hair cuticle is less likely to split or suffer any damage. These negative ions also act as a smoothing agent, which help lock in moisture even more.
Titanium
Titanium curling irons heat up quickly and evenly distribute heat across their barrels, much like their ceramic cousins. Your hair is much less likely to snag as you release it from the curling iron, too; titanium surfaces are polished for a tangle-free curling experience.
They also help hair retain moisture in order to produce some serious shine. Their biggest claim to fame, though, is how well they work on fine, hard-to-curl hair. If your hair is on the thinner side, then a titanium curling iron will be your best bet.
Tourmaline
These curling irons work well on all hair types. Their one-two punch of negative ion technology and far-infrared heat produce shiny, frizz-free curls, as the former smooths the hair cuticle and locks moisture in, while the latter breaks down chemical bonds in the hair to give it its new shape.
Gold
If you’ve got ultra-thick, coarse hair, then a gold curling iron will get you the longest-lasting curls. These curling irons can retain high heat levels over an extended period, which is exactly what your locks need to stay curly. We love the Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron. However, it doesn’t balance heat as evenly across the barrel as its counterparts, which could translate to unexpected hot spots that overheat your hair a little.
Barrel Size
When it comes to curling your average head of long hair, opt for a barrel size no thinner than 1¼ inches thick. The smaller the barrel size, the less room there is to wrap the hair around and properly heat it. Similarly, a larger barrel size gives your hair more surface area to work with, thereby increasing your chances of getting perfectly-heated curls for thicker hair.
However, not all barrel sizes produce the same type of curls, nor is every consumer hoping to get the same type of curls. Below is a list of typical curling iron barrel sizes you’ll across and the kinds of curls they produce:
- 1¼-Inch – Not only are these barrel sizes good for producing tighter ringlets, they’re better suited to thinner, finer hair. 1¼-inch barrel sizes will produce looser waves on thicker-haired heads, though, since thicker hair simply requires more heat to curl tightly. Fortunately, our best overall pick, the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron will get you those Shirley Temple curls in no time.
- 1½-Inch – This is the ideal barrel size for long hair, and also the most versatile barrel size for hair of different thicknesses. Not only do these barrels have enough surface area to evenly heat long hair, they aren’t so big that they only produce loose waves. Granted, the curls you’ll get with this barrel size will be a bit bigger and looser, but they’ll still be curls. We love the Conair Instant Heat Curling Iron.
- 2-Inch – Unless you have exceptionally thick, coarse hair, 2-inch barrels will give you relaxed, beachy waves. The general rule of thumb is the thicker your hair is, the bigger of a barrel size you’ll need to effectively curl it. However, finer hair or hair of average thickness can opt for a 2-inch barrel if they only want some waves. Our favorite 2-incher is the Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron.
Heat Settings
The more sophisticated a curling iron, the more heat settings it’ll have. Lower-end models may only offer one or two, whereas higher-end models can offer up to 20 or more, like the BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron, which comes with 50 adjustable heat settings. If your hair is fine or damaged, though, then you’ll absolutely want to invest in a curling iron with multiple heat settings, as these could save your silky strands.
Now that you have a better idea of what to look for in a curling iron for long hair, let’s dive into our top ten picks. Under each listing you’ll find our rating, an Amazon link to the product, and some quick facts about each one so you can quickly understand which types of hair they’re best for.
Top 10 Best Curling Irons for Long Hair 2024
1. Best Overall Pick: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: 1¼-inch
- Material: Titanium-ceramic
- Heat Settings: 50–up to 450°F
- Extras: Eight-foot, tangle-free swivel cord, turbo heating
- Best For: All hair types
This curling iron tops our list for its versatility, if nothing else. Not only does it offer a whopping 50 adjustable heat settings, it works on hair types of all kinds, no matter if it’s thin and color-treated or thick and stick-straight. This is because of its nano-titanium technology and far-infrared heat which evenly heats the barrel. What’s more, its negative ion technology ensures that your curls will come out smooth, shiny, and frizz-free, making this curling iron a dream for finer hair.
It also heats up in a jif; simply press the turbo heat button to heat it up in under a minute. This curling iron comes with an eight foot-long, tangle-free swivel cord as well, so you can move about as you curl your hair The only bad thing we have to say about it is that it comes with neither dual voltage nor automatic shutoff.
Pros
- Nano-titanium technology emits negative ions to smooth hair and lock in moisture
- Far-infrared heat evenly heats the barrel
- 50 adjustable heat settings make it perfect for hair of all types and textures
- Turbo heat button for instant heating
Cons
- No dual voltage or automatic shutoff features
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: 1¼-inch
- Material: Tourmaline-ceramic
- Heat Settings: Four–285°F, 315°F, 385°F, and 425°F
- Extras: Ionic bristles, six-foot swivel cord, automatic shutoff
- Best For: All hair types
If you’re looking for salon-grade curls on a (relative!) drugstore budget, look no further than this 2-in-1 hair straightener and curling iron. Its tourmaline-ceramic, two-way rotating barrel retains heat over an extended period, boosts volume and body, and produces more evenly-heated curls. What’s more, the ionic bristles work similarly to negative ion technology in other curling irons: it smooths hair and gives you shiny, frizz-free tresses.
With four heat settings that heat the barrel up in 30 seconds, it’s great for hair that’s more vulnerable to damage, like thin or color-treated hair. Don’t worry about forgetting to turn it off as you rush out the door, either–its automatic shutoff ensures that you won’t burn a hole through your bathroom counter.
However, the bristles can fall out over time with a lot of use, and it doesn’t have dual voltage. What’s more, it’s also more geared towards experienced curling iron users given its sophisticated design, so curling iron novices should look elsewhere–we recommend the Furiden 2-In-1 Hair Straightener and Curler.
Pros
- Two-way, rotating ceramic-tourmaline barrel produces voluminous, evenly-heated curls
- Ionic bristles keep hair frizz-free
- Four heat settings make it great for all types of hair thicknesses
Cons
- Bristles can fall out with frequent use
- Not very beginner-friendly
- No dual voltage
3. Best Budget Pick: Conair Instant Heat Curling Iron
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: 1½-inch
- Material: Chromium, nickel, and copper
- Heat Settings: 25–up to 400ºF
- Extras: Turbo heating, non-slip grip handle, auto shutoff, dual voltage
- Best For: Thick, textured hair
Conair has built a solid reputation for themselves thanks to their reliable, high-quality hair products–and this curling iron proves it. For under 15 dollars, you’ll get a top-notch curling iron that comes with 25 different heat settings, turbo heating, and an automatic shutoff feature. Its slightly larger barrel makes it great for heads with thick, textured hair as well, but it works reasonably well on thinner hair, too.
However, its chromium, nickel, and copper material doesn’t emit negative ions, so you may need to use a product to ensure smooth, frizz-free curls. For a curling iron that delivers smooth, shiny curls on thicker hair, try the INFINITIPRO by Conair Nano Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron. The resting kickstand also tends to get pretty hot and snags on hair easily, so you’ll have to be extra mindful of that when releasing your curls from the barrel.
Pros
- Great value for under 15 bucks
- 25 different heat settings
- Turbo heating and auto shutoff
- Slightly larger barrel is great for thick, textured hair
Cons
- No negative ion technology
- Resting kickstand is hot to touch and can snag hair when releasing it from barrel
4. Best Curling Iron Set: Xtava 5-in-1 Curling Iron and Wand Set
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: Five–⅓-¾-inch clampless, tapered wand barrel, ¾-1-inch clampless, tapered wand barrel, ¾-1-inch tapered barrel with clamp, 1-inch barrel with clamp, 1¼-inch barrel with clamp
- Material: Tourmaline-ceramic
- Heat Settings: Nine–up to 410ºF
- Extras: Auto-shutoff, dual voltage, turbo heating, eight-foot swivel cord, zip travel case, heat protection glove
- Best For: Thin, fine hair
When people see a set like this, their first question might be what it all has to offer. However, the better question is what doesn’t it have to offer? Between five different barrels (two of which are tapered curling wand barrels) ranging between ¾ and 1¼ inches in thickness and a host of features like auto shutoff, turbo heating, and dual voltage, you can take this curling iron set anywhere you choose–it even comes with a handy travel zip case.
These tourmaline-ceramic barrels all feature negative ion technology, so you’ll get smooth, shiny tresses with whichever barrel you choose. Nine adjustable temperature settings make it great for most types of hair, but the thinner barrels and lower temperature settings suit thin, vulnerable hair perfectly.
Our only gripe is that this model isn’t great for heads with thicker hair since the barrels are relatively thin. Aside from that, though, its value as a curling iron set is extremely high.
Pros
- Five barrels ranging in style and thickness--smaller sizes make it great for thin hair
- Nine adjustable temperature settings
- Lots of extra features and goodies: auto shutoff, turbo heating, dual voltage, eight-foot swivel cord, zip travel case, and heat protection glove
- Tourmaline-ceramic body with negative ion technology delivers shiny, frizz-free curls
Cons
- Thinner barrels won’t work as well on thick-haired heads
5. Best Tourmaline-Ceramic Curling Iron: INFINITIPRO Nano Tourmaline Curling Iron
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: 1¼-inch
- Material: Tourmaline-ceramic
- Heat Settings: Four–310°F, 330°F, 360°F, 400°F
- Extras: Turbo heating, LED temperature display, auto shutoff, protective heat shield
- Best For: Normal to thick hair
Conair strikes once again, but this time with a fast-heating, tourmaline-ceramic curling iron that keeps thick, hard-to-tame hair free of frizz. We’re choosing this curling iron as the best ceramic-tourmaline model since it comes with turbo heating, auto-shutoff, an LED temperature display, and four high-heat settings that will produce luscious curls on normal to thick hair–now that’s a lot of bonuses!
However, its higher temperature settings means finer-haired heads should steer clear, as it’ll more than likely fry your tender tresses. If you’re looking for a model that’s easier on thin hair, go with the Revlon Perfect Heat 1-Inch Ceramic Curling Iron. What’s more, it doesn’t come with dual voltage, so don’t even think about taking it with you on your next tropical getaway.
Pros
- Four high temperature settings make it great for normal to thick hair
- Lots of extra goodies: turbo heating, auto shutoff, and an LED temperature display
- Negative ion technology for smooth, frizz-free curls
Cons
- High temperature settings aren’t good for finer, more vulnerable hair
- No dual voltage
6. Best Spinning Curling Iron: CHI Spin N Curl
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: 1-inch
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat Settings: Three–370ºF, 390ºF, 410ºF
- Extras: LED temperature and direction display, auto shutoff, dual voltage
- Best For: Thin to normal hair
We love this spinning curling iron for its convenience. Not only do you not have to worry about burning your fingers since it does the spinning and curling for you, but it’s tangle-free, too, so you can rest easy knowing your locks won’t get snagged in there. It also heats up to 370ºF in 40 seconds or so, so you can add this to your fast-paced morning routine if need be.
The LED temperature and direction display also tell you how hot you have it and which way it’s spinning, which is important for achieving certain curls. It comes with dual voltage and auto-shutoff as well, making it one of the safest models on our list.
However, it seems to suffer from a Goldilocks problem: the 1-inch spinning chamber is too small for larger chunks of thick hair, yet the temperature settings are too hot for most thinner-haired heads. This is why the CHI Spin N Curl is better suited to normal hair, as it can withstand the heat and fit in the spinning chamber as well.
Pros
- Fast heating time--up to 370ºF in 40 seconds
- Tangle-free spinning chamber makes curling hair easy
- Ceramic barrel emits negative ions to produce smooth and shiny curls
- Useful features like dual voltage, auto shutoff, and an LED temperature and direction display
Cons
- Temperature settings are too high for most thin hair
- Spinning chamber is too small to effectively curl thick hair
7. Best Multi-Barrelled Curling Iron: MODVICA 3-Barrel Ceramic Hair Crimper
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: 1¼-inch
- Material: Tourmaline-ceramic
- Heat Settings: Two–356ºF and 410ºF
- Extras: Dual voltage
- Best For: Normal to thick hair
While this model isn’t a curling iron, per se, it’s wonderful for creating loose, beachy waves. The triple barrel heats up fast and works wonders on both normal hair and thick hair that typically doesn’t curl well, thanks to its 1¼-inch barrels and high temperature settings. The barrels are made of a tourmaline-ceramic blend which seals moisture in the hair and keeps your tresses smooth and shiny.
Unfortunately, though, it doesn’t come with a lot of extra goodies, like turbo heating or auto-shutoff, nor are the high temperature settings great for thin hair. Still, it heats up pretty quickly and even has dual voltage, meaning you can take it with you around the world.
Pros
- Great for giving normal to thick hair beachy waves
- Heats up quickly
- Ceramic-tourmaline barrel locks in moisture and produces smooth and silky waves
- Triple barrel makes for a speedy curling time
Cons
- Not a lot of extra features--no turbo heating or auto shutoff
- Temperature settings are not great for thin hair
8. Best Extras on a Curling Iron: Furiden 2-in-1 Hair Straightener and Curler
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: 1-inch
- Material: Titanium
- Heat Settings: 20–up to 450ºF
- Extras: Dual voltage, turbo heating, auto shutoff, 360º swivel cord, LCD temperature display, safety and travel lock, free hairbrush
- Best For: Thin to normal hair
This 2-in-1 hair straightener and curling iron is simple in design and easy to use; simply clamp down on the lock of hair in question and twist it around the barrel to curl it, or drag it down the lock to straighten it. With 20 adjustable heat settings and a 1-inch barrel, it’s perfect for thin to normal hair. What’s more, the titanium barrel preserves the integrity of your tresses by locking in moisture and keeping snags to a minimum as you unclamp your curls.
What we love the most, though, are all the extras it offers: dual voltage, turbo heating, 60-minute auto-shutoff, a 360º swivel cord, an LCD temperature display, a safety and travel lock, and even a free hairbrush.
We just wish it worked a little better on thick, tough-to-curl hair, which you’d think would be the case given its 15-seconds-or-less heating time. For a 2-in-1 hair straightener and curling iron that works better on thick hair, try out our premium pick: InStyler MAX 2-Way Rotating Iron.
Pros
- Fast heating time--max heat in 15 seconds or less
- Tons of extra features: dual voltage, turbo heating, 60-minute auto shutoff, a 360º swivel cord, LCD temperature display, a safety and travel lock, free hairbrush
- Titanium barrel for smooth, shiny, and tangle-free curls
- 2-in-1 hair straightener and curling iron
- 20 temperature settings make it great for finer, color-treated, or damaged hair
Cons
- Not great on coarse, thick hair
9. Best Curling Iron for Thin Hair: Revlon Perfect Heat 1-Inch Ceramic Curling Iron
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: 1-inch
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat Settings: 20–up to 400ºF
- Extras: Auto shutoff, dual voltage, tangle-free swivel cord
- Best For: Thin, delicate hair
For thin-haired heads, finding a curling iron that won’t fry your locks can be tough. However, this model in particular brings together 20 adjustable heat settings and a ceramic 1-inch barrel to cater to more vulnerable manes. Like plenty of other models on this list, it comes with dual voltage, auto shutoff, and a tangle-free swivel cord for increased mobility.
But what makes it great for thin hair doesn’t suit it to thicker hair. Its clamp is also relatively weaker than other curling irons mentioned here, which could prove frustrating in the long run. What’s more, figuring out what temperature setting you’re on might also be a little tricky, too, as this curling iron doesn’t come with an LCD or LED temperature display.
Pros
- 1-inch barrel and 20 adjustable heat settings make it ideal for thinner, more delicate hair
- Extras like dual voltage, auto shutoff, and a tangle-free swivel cord
- Ceramic barrel locks in moisture and produces shiny, bouncy curls
Cons
- Doesn’t work so well on thicker hair
- Clamp doesn’t hold very well
- No LED or LCD temperature display
10. Best Curling Iron for Thick Hair: Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron
Editor’s Rating:
Quick Facts
- Barrel Size: 2-inch
- Material: Gold
- Heat Settings: Seven–up to 430ºF
- Extras: None
- Best For: Coarse, ultra-thick hair
Thick, wild-maned folks can attest to how difficult it is to get their hair to hold a curl. Either the heat isn’t sufficient enough to curl their hair or the barrel is too small to wrap all their hair around it. Fortunately, this gold, 2-inch barrelled curling iron solves both of those problems: with a max temperature of 430ºF and a 2-inch barrel, you can finally tame your unruly tresses into the bouncy curls of your dreams.
Keep in mind, though, that this curling iron is really only suitable for coarse, ultra-thick hair. Thinner hair will fry in the heat, nor will the barrel produce long-lasting curls on it. Additionally, this curling iron doesn’t come with any extra features, making it pretty plain compared to the others on this list.
Pros
- Gold, 2-inch barrel and max heat of 430ºF make it excellent for curling coarse, ultra-thick hair
Cons
- No extras like dual voltage, auto shutoff, or LCD/LED temperature display
- Temperature settings and barrel size are too extreme for any hair type
Guide to Buying the Best Curling Irons for Long Hair
Curling iron novices may feel a bit clueless when it comes to figuring out how to use one. But we’re here to talk about some common issues you’ll face as well as some frequently-asked questions surrounding curling iron care and usage.
Can I Curl Long Hair Without Heat?
If you’re too lazy to devote extra time to curling your hair in the morning, then you’ll be happy to know there’s an old-fashioned, heat-free alternative: pinning up your hair and letting it set overnight.
To start, comb your hair into several different sections and braid them–just don’t make them too tight. Once your entire head is braided, twist these braids up into little balls (similar to Bantu knots) and fasten them snugly to your head with pins. Not only will you have beautiful waves by morning, but the twisting mechanism protects hair from drying out or other damage.
What Is Hair Oil and Why Should I Use It on Long, Curly Hair?
Think of your hair as a million little roads. On straight hair, oil produced by the scalp can easily make its way down the hair shaft to deliver much-needed moisture. In contrast, oil has a much harder time traveling down curly hair shafts since there are many more twists and turns.
Thankfully, hair oil exists to solve this problem. There are plenty of oils you can use to keep your spiral locks nice and moisturized: jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil, and Jamaican castor oil. However, you can also use argan oil, almond oil, or avocado oil if that’s all you’ve got on hand.
The benefits of hair oil massages on curly hair are manifold. You can use it pre-shampoo to help retain hair moisture, as a deep conditioner to help restore your hair’s natural lipid layer, or even as a way to stimulate hair growth by increasing the circulation in your scalp. In short, a hair oil massage one to two times a week is ideal for curly locks, and it’s one of the best ways you can maintain shiny and healthy waves for a few days.
What Size Curling Iron Is Best for Long Hair?
While it’s true that a barrel size of 1¼-inch or bigger will be the most effective on long hair, the thickness of your hair is also a big player in terms of determining what size curling iron you should use. Fine hair can use smaller barrels of one inch or so; with less surface area to cover, you won’t need as big of a barrel. For thin hair, we recommend the Revlon Perfect Heat 1-Inch Ceramic Curling Iron.
In a similar vein, exceptionally thick tresses will need barrels that can thoroughly heat and curl them–usually a two-inch barrel can get the job done here. Our pick for thick is the Hot Tools Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron.
Should I Get a Curling Iron or a Curling Wand?
The biggest differences between curling irons and curling wands are the clasps you’ll find on curling irons and the tapered barrels that characterize curling wands. If you’re looking for more well-defined curls or pronounced waves, go with a curling iron. If you’re more on the market for loose, tousled waves, then a curling wand will be your best bet.
Fortunately, the Xtava 5-In-1 Professional Curling Iron and Wand Set offers both so that you don’t have to choose!
How Do I Clean My Curling Iron?
Curling irons tend to get gunky over time–especially if you use products like heat protection spray every time you do your ‘do. To clean your curling iron, briefly heat it to soften and loosen the residue on there. After that, turn it off and wait a minute or so; you don’t want to burn yourself mid-clean! Once it’s cool enough, take a slightly damp cloth and gently rub the barrel. This should wipe off the buildup there with no problem.
How Can I Avoid Unwanted Hair Crimpage?
Unless you’re Lizzie McGuire in the year 2001, you probably aren’t looking to crimp your hair anytime soon. Unfortunately, accidental crimpage happens from time to time when using a curling iron, as that clamp can work a little too well.
There are two ways you can dodge this. One way is to remove the clamp from your curling iron altogether; while it does put you at a greater risk of burning yourself, you won’t have any unsightly creases to show for it. Another method is to clamp down on your hair as close to the ends as possible. The hair is naturally thinner at the ends, so any crimping will be much less pronounced there.
If you’re after more of a crimped look, though, then you’ll be happy to know that the MODVICA 3-Barrel Ceramic Hair Crimper will get you that Y2K look in no time.
Can I Curl My Hair When It’s Wet?
Technically yes, but you’ll end up with a seriously fried head of hair if you do. The same goes for damaged hair – try to curl it as little as possible so that you won’t damage it even more. Always make sure your hair is completely dry before curling it, too, as wet hair is much more prone to damage than dry hair. Also, try not to curl a piece of hair for longer than 15 seconds at a time – especially if you have thin or damaged hair. The less heat you need to curl your hair, the better.
What’s the Best Way to Curl My Hair?
It depends on the kind of curl you want. As you may have guessed, different curling techniques produce different curls:
- Tight, Ringlet-Like Curls – To get neat little ringlets, curl smaller locks of hair at a time. Conversely, larger sections of hair will produce more voluminous, beachy waves. Just make sure to set enough time aside if you choose to go this route–curling hair into ringlets can be quite time-consuming, especially if you have thick hair.
- Spiral Curls – If you want a three-dimensional, spiral curl, twist each lock of hair before wrapping it around the barrel and clamping down.
- Sexy, Tousled Curls – For those beachy, romance novel cover curls, alternate the direction in which you curl each lock of hair. Get them with the CHI Spin N Curl, whose spinning chamber automatically alternates directions.
- Longer-Lasting Curls – You can help your curls last longer by curling your hair as close to the root as possible. However, you can weigh down your hair if you don’t do this right. To add volume to hair curled closer to the root, clip each lock as close to the root as possible after curling. This will boost volume as each lock cools down and sets into place.
My Hair Is Color-Treated – Can I Still Curl It?
You can, but you have to be extra careful about how much heat you use. Color-treated hair is especially vulnerable since its hair cuticles have been opened by the chemicals in hair dye, therefore making it much more vulnerable to damage. This is why you should use the lowest heat setting on color-treated hair when curling, as anything higher will frizz it into oblivion.
Some of our picks cater specifically to more delicate tresses, like the Revlon Perfect Heat 1-Inch Ceramic Curling Iron.
My Curls Seem to Fall out Easily – What Gives?
There are a few reasons why your hair might not be holding onto those hard-earned curls. Perhaps you’re not using any product to prime your locks for curling, or maybe you’re simply not using enough heat.
One of our favorite products for prepping pre-curl hair is the White Sands Liquid Texture Firm Hold, if for no other reason than its versatility. It’s a heat protectant, flexible firm-hold hairspray, and volumizing curl enhancer all in one, making it a perfect styling tool to add to your hair care arsenal. For best results, spray onto slightly damp hair and style away.
But even though it’s wise to err on the side of caution when it comes to curling hair, you’ll still need an adequate amount of heat to get those luscious curls. One solution is to hold your hair in place for several seconds against the iron after you release the clamp; this will help set the hair as it cools down.
Before You Go A – Curlin’…
Curling long hair can be tricky, especially if you’re not quite sure what you’re doing. Between the risk of frying your hair, using the right pre-curl products, and choosing the right barrel size for your hair type, the whole process can be a bit overwhelming. However, we hope our comprehensive guide to the best curling irons for long hair will lead you to the one you’re looking for.