A Buying Guide for Hair Curlers

Mark Preston

We always wish to have the complete opposite type of hair to that which we were born with. If you were born with straight hair, no doubt you wish that you had lovely curly hair once in a while. When you are feeling that way, you’ll want to ensure you have a pair of high-quality hair curlers on hand to give you the luscious curls you’ve always dreamed of. However, no two pairs of hair curlers are exactly the same. Keep reading as we share with you everything you need to consider when purchasing a new pair of hair curlers.

The Barrel Width

When it comes to hair curlers, one of your first considerations should be the barrel width. Depending on how big you want each curl to be, you’ll want to look for hair curlers with a wide or narrow barrel. A larger barrel will give you looser curls, which can look great on long hair. If you have shorter hair or are looking to create tight curls closer to your head, a slimmer barrel will be your best bet. Some devices do have interchangeable heads, which can offer more flexibility when it comes to the type of curls you are creating. Of course, you can also just hold your hair in the barrel for longer to make your curls a little tighter.

Barrel Material

As with the plates of hair straighteners, the barrels are made from different materials. Ceramic is usually the most common material, and it offers a long-lasting solution when purchasing a pair of hair curlers. Titanium is a more modern material option that is often used today but can sometimes be a little pricier than ceramic curlers. Other options include crystal powder tourmaline ceramic or mineral infused ceramic, which offer an even more upgraded solution. Whichever material you choose, you’ll want to ensure that the curling wand is fully covered in this material to avoid any issues or damage to your hair.

Heat Settings

Multiple heat settings are needed when it comes to purchasing a hair curler. If you have fine hair or short hair, you’ll need to mainly use the lowest setting to avoid any damage to your hair. We always recommend that you use a heat protectant spray every time you use hair curlers. The more often you opt to use a heated styling tool, the more likely you’ll be to create long-lasting damage to your hair. The hotter settings are ideal for anyone with thick hair or long hair, whose hair may struggle otherwise to retain the curls you’ve created. A medium setting is ideal for looser curls with thick hair or quick touch-ups during the day. Most hair curlers will also have a display on the wand, which makes it easy to know what setting your curlers are on and to adjust the setting as needed.

Price

As you can imagine, hair curlers come in a wide range of price points. Regardless of your budget, you’ll find a good option on the market, however, we recommend investing a little bit more in this purchase if you have thick hair which struggles to retain curls. Many of the cheaper models will make your hair fall out within just an hour or two, so you will have wasted all of your time and effort curling your hair. On top of that, look at the warranty that may be included with the purchase to get a good idea about the quality of the device you are purchasing. Look for a device with at least a one-year guarantee for the best protection. At certain times of the year, such as before Christmas, you’ll often find that there are regular offers on hair curlers, so keep an eye out for these to try and get a device for a lower price.

Portability

Do you travel regularly? If so, we recommend finding a set of curlers that will be easy to travel with. In fact, if you don’t fancy taking hair curlers that have a cord that won’t be able to connect to the plug when you are abroad, look for portable curlers. Some of these rely on gas cartridges, so you can use these anywhere, but you will also need to check if you can take these on the plane if you are travelling this way. Make sure your curlers can easily roll up into a storage bag, which many of the best devices come with. This will help to make travelling and keeping your hair looking great every day a much easier task.

As with any electronic device, there’s so much to consider when purchasing new hair curlers. Curly hair never goes out of style, and you’ll find there are so many different ways to style your curls. Once you’ve curled your hair, you can then wear your hair up or down, depending on your mood. We always recommend that you protect your hair each time before curling it, especially if this is something you are planning to do regularly. You’ll soon find that heated devices can damage your hair in the long run, which is something we all want to avoid. Whichever curlers you buy this year, you are sure to feel confident and beautiful after styling your hair in this way for your next party or event.