What We Love: Beyond the price, we loved how smooth it made our hair and the even, consistent curl pattern it created. It’s rare to find a curling iron that delivers a solid curl across all hair textures regardless of the size of the barrel, but this one from Hot Tools did just that. We tried three different sized barrels — 0.75-inch, 1.25-inch, and 1.5-inch — and we found that each one delivered on their styling promises (beachy waves for larger sizes, tighter curls for smaller). Not only did our curls look great immediately after styling, but they also held their shape for the rest of the day, and even sometimes the next morning.

Effortless curls are just minutes away when you have this affordable beauty tool. Complete with a ceramic tourmaline barrel that reduces heat damage, seals in moisture, and lessens frizz, this rotating curl iron is all you need to achieve a curly hairstyle. When curling short hair, you have limited real estate to get the perfect ringlet, and irons with long barrels aren’t the easiest to maneuver. But because this BaByliss tool has a short wand and a gentle, yet effective clamp, it was super simple for us to form smooth, glorious curls, leaving our shoulder-length hair free of any harsh bends or creases that we sometimes get from other irons. ARKIVE Headcare founder, Adam Reed, prefers using one flat temperature for all hair, regardless of its texture or type —365 degrees, which he says is the best universal styling temperature. “365 degrees is the most respectful temperature to any hair type,” he says. “It’ll warm any hair type enough to mold it into the curl you want — if you go above that you risk higher damage, and if you go below that the curls will fall.” Conveniently, ghd Classic Curl 1-Inch Curling Iron is set at this precise temperature. The bottom line: It’s important to protect your hair from high temperatures. To do so, be sure you are not curling your hair at a temperature that’s too hot. Additionally, use a heat protectant any time you use a hot tool. The Nume rotates in both directions making it seamless to get styles that curl towards or away from your face on both sides of your head. The tool is surprisingly lightweight and easy to manuver. The three barrel sizes allowed us to achieve different styles of curls and our hair felt soft and shiny when we were done. We did think the tool had a learning curve and was not instinctual to use. It also is difficult to get volume at the roots.

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. Each includes a ceramic curling iron designed to create full, healthy waves and curl volume. The higher ceramic content creates more heat and long-lasting curls It takes about three minutes for the tool to heat up, which is longer than it takes most curling irons. If you have ultra-fine or damaged hair, you will want to select a curling iron that offers a low styling temperature. “Excessive heat will damage the cuticle further,” warns New York-based hairstylist Alwyn DiGregorio. “Lower temps with smaller sections will work just as well as higher temps and bigger sections.”

What We Don't Love: Those with finer hair may find that their hair slips out of the iron during use. Ultimately, though, “a curling iron versus a curling wand is a personal preference — some people just like one more than the other,” says Reed.

Analysis and Test Results

While we’ve used a lot of curling irons that snagged our fine strands in the past, the smooth barrels and an unfussy clamp (with a comfortable grip) on this one allowed our curls to gently roll off when we were done. Our finished look actually lasted four days with this tool — a downright miracle for our hair. We attribute the longevity in part to the helpful temperature guide, which taught us that we’ve been curling our hair with too much heat. Affordable Prices - Conair curling irons are affordable and accessible to any beauty enthusiast on a budget. With professional quality, Conair curling irons provide premium value at a reasonable price Temperature aside, we liked the clamp’s nice, strong grip that didn’t yank at our hair, but kept it firmly in place as we styled, while the barrel was smooth enough to slide our finished curls right off. There are a few features and considerations you'll want to look for to ensure you're choosing the right curling iron for your hair type and goals. Here's what to keep in mind as you get started with shopping: Conair's premium products and services have attracted a steady, loyal customer base for decades. The brand's trustworthy, innovative, and consistent products continue to satisfy returning customers and attract new clients. Its curling irons are no exception.