Standing in the aisle of a store looking at the vast number of curling irons can prove daunting. How to know which ones won't break, won't damage hair and will work the fastest? We've done the work for you, researching the best curling irons on the market. You'll find the pricey curling irons the pros love and the more affordable curling irons that won't break or break your bank.
1. Curling Irons -- The Pro Favorite: Hot Tools Brand Curling Irons, the "Marcel"
Another "best beauty buy" pick from InStyle magazine for several years straight, these quick-heating, golden-barreled irons are the professional's favorite. Each iron comes with a temperature gauge allowing you to turn up the heat for coarser hair, turned down for finer hair. $28-$38.
2. The Curling Iron that Will Last a Lifetime -- Rusk Spring Curling Iron
Rusk makes some of the best spring curling irons around. Pick from a number of barrel sizes for less than $100.
3. Best Iron for Waves: Conair Ceramic Tools 1-1/2" Spring Curl
You can create soft, sexy waves with a 1 1/4-inch curling iron. This ceramic iron emits ions, eliminates frizz, has 25 heat settings & well, all you need to know is it's perfect for creating waves. Ceramic curling irons are relatively new, they work faster because they help heat penetrate your hair shaft more quickly & evenly.
4. Best Curling Iron for Curly Curls: Revlon Perfect Heat 3/4 Styling Iron
For tight ringlets, you'll want a barrel that's on the small side. We love this 3/4-inch iron for its 30 heat settings, the fact that it takes just a minute to warm up & that it creates the perfect, tightest curls (we especially love this iron on short hair).
5. Best Corkscrew Curls: Conair Instant Heat Spiral Styler
Who knew there were special irons for corkscrew curls? This "spiral styler" works on short and long hair, has 25 heat settings and features a Turbo Heat button that is touted to lock in curls. With a pricetag under $20, we're sold.
