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With so many options to choose from, finding the perfect curling iron can be a difficult task. It becomes all the more challenging if you’re searching for a curling iron that is relatively damage-free. That’s where materials, features, and price all come into play when choosing the best selection for you and your hair needs. Luckily, StyleCaster spoke with four different hair experts who shared their favoritehair curling options for minimal damage.
Best Curling Irons That Don’t Damage Hair at a Glance
- Best Overall: Hot Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron/Wand, $56
- Best Splurge: GHD Classic Curl 1.25’’ Curling Iron, $209
- Best Budget: WavyTalk 5 in 1 Curling Iron, $46
- Best Wand: , $118
- Best for Beginners: BabyLiss Pro Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron, $60
- Best Thermal Brush: WavyTalk Thermal Brush, $46
What to Look for in a Curling Iron That Won’t Damage Hair
Getting a hair curler with adjustable settings is key to ensuring less hair damage, shares trichologist, cosmetologist, and V&Co. Beauty Brand Ambassador, Sophia Emmanuel. “This will allow you to adjust the heat according to the texture of your hair or if your hair is chemically treated,” says Emmanuel. “Irons with an on-and-off switch cannot have their heat controlled, and you risk scorching your hair if the iron heats up too hot for your hair texture.”
Another feature Emmanuel recommends for selecting a damage-free hair curler is an automatic shutoff. This feature prevents the risk of overheating your curling device and burning your hair in the process.
Lastly, when it comes to materials, she notes that ceramic and tourmaline-plated curling irons are some of the best for damage-free styling. “You should use ceramic or tourmaline barrels for curling irons or plates for flat irons,” says Emmanuel. “They distribute heat evenly and do not get as hot as titanium material.”
What to Avoid in a Curling Iron if You Don’t Want Excessive Hair Damage
Emmanuel makes it clear that using curling devices made purely for salon use might not be safe for non-professionals. For example, staying away from titanium-plated irons might be smart as they “are best for in-salon use on smoothing treatments, because they get hotter than ceramic and tourmaline irons, which helps process smoothing treatments.”
Along with avoiding professional-grade tools, making sure you’re not using poor-quality or metal-plated curling irons is key to avoiding damage on your strands. As Emmanuel also adds, “It is important not to skip using [heat protectant], as it puts a protective coating on your hair to prevent damage.”
Do All Curling Irons Damage Hair?
Though it may seem like all curling devices damage the hair in some way, Emmanuel disagrees. She points more towards improper use being the biggest issue when it comes to hair damage from curling irons. She explains that curling your hair when it’s unclean or has heavy products in it largely increases the chances of heat damage. “Product build-up and sebum (the natural oil from your scalp) can react to the heat from the curling iron and literally fry your hair. This can lead to damage and hair breakage, especially along the ends of your hair.”
Overusing curling irons can also promote heat damage. She explains that repeated use of curling irons disrupts disulfide bonds in your hair, which are usually only broken down by chemical relaxers. “Disulfide bonds are responsible for our hair’s strength and elasticity,” says Emmanuel. “When these bonds break, your hair is weaker and more susceptible to breakage. She considers repeated use to be using a curling iron more than three days a week.
Shop the best curling irons that will wreak minimal havoc on your locks down below.
BabyLiss Pro Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
BabyLiss Pro Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
Buy Now On Amazon $60
Buy Now at ulta $60
Buy Now at walmart $39
This lightweight curling iron from Babyliss Pro is a favorite of Emmanuel’s, who loves that “the curling iron heats up quickly, is durable and easy to use, because it has a spring barrel.” But take warning that due to having a heat setting that goes up to 450°F, it’s important to select an appropriate heat setting for your specific hair type.
Material: Titanium/ceramic barrel
Barrel size(s): 4″/ 1″ / 1-1/4″ / 1-1/2″
Hair types: For all hair types
Heat settings: Goes up to 450°F
Best for what kind of hair styling: Defined curls and wavesPros
- Multiple barrel sizes
- Heats up quickly
Cons
- High heat settings, so users should be careful
Enzo Milano Analog Clipless Ceramic Curling Iron
Enzo Milano Analog Clipless Ceramic Curling Iron
$65Buy Now at Amazon
$72Buy Now at walmart
Another tried and true curling iron that Emmanuel recommends is the Enzo 1 inch Ceramic Curling Iron. It features a ceramic tribostatic technology that helps the iron evenly distribute heat through the wand, resulting in flawless curls and a less chance of heat damage.
“This iron is great for creating natural looking beach waves on different lengths of hair. The clipless feature allows for a smoother, loser wave,” shares Emmanuel. The only con of this hair tool, she notes, is that it requires a little more effort to wrap your hair around the barrel and a heat resistant glove is needed to prevent burning your hand.
Material: Ceramic
Barrel size(s): 1/4 inch, 1 inch,1-1/4 inches
Hair types: For all hair types
Heat settings: Goes up to 380ºF
Best for what kind of hair styling: Natural looking waves, beach waves, loose curls, tousled styles.Pros
- Multiple barrel sizes
- ceramic tribostatic technology for even heat distribution
Cons
- No clamp, so takes more effort to curl hair
Alure Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand
Alure Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand
On Sale 30% off
$28Buy Now at Amazon
$27Buy Now at walmart
The Allure Barrel Curling Wand is a standout curling iron for those with longer hair lengths (plus it also heats up in just60 seconds). “This iron works best for defined waves. You can use larger sections to create your waves which reduces style time,” shares Emmanuel. She also enjoys the LCD screen on the iron that lets you control the heat temperature as this helps with minimizing any heat damage concerns. But some of the cons include it being bulky,which can make it hard for some to hold for long periods.
Material: Ceramic
Barrel size(s): 1 inch
Hair types: For all hair types
Heat settings: Goes up to 410°F
Best for what kind of hair styling: Well defined waves on long hairPros
- LCD screen for controlling heat temperature
- Reduced styling time due to large barrel
Cons
- Can only create one type of curl
- Only one barrel size
Hot Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron/Wand
Hot Tools 24K Gold Curling Iron/Wand
On Sale 20% off
$56Buy Now at Amazon
$25Buy Now at target
$65Buy Now at walmart
This curling iron is loved by many hair professionals (like Stanwell) due to its 24K gold styling surface which creates even heat distribution. “I do love Hot Tools’ Curling Iron,” says Stanwell. “I find when I am using it and I’m wrapping the hair the whole way around, it is evenly heated.”
Material: 24K gold coating
Barrel size(s): ½ inches , ⅝ inches , ¾ inches, 1 inch , 1 ¼ inches , 1 ½”inches , and 2” inches.
Hair types: For all hair types
Heat settings: up to430˚F
Best for what kind of hair styling: Great for a variety of curl styles like tight curls, bouncy curls or tousled curlsPros
- Multiple barrel sizes
- 24K gold styling surface for even heat distribution
Cons
- Reviewers note the clamp can be fickle
GHD Classic Curl 1.25’’ Curling Iron
GHD Classic Curl 1.25’’ Curling Iron
$209Buy Now at Amazon
$209Buy Now at sephora
$209Buy Now at nordstrom
$159Buy Now at target
Another favorite of Stanwell’s is the GHD Classic Curl 1.25’’Curling Iron, which features Ultra-zoneTM technology that maintains a hair safe 365°F through each strand. Stanwell also enjoys other selections from GHD, “I actually love [GHD’s] straightener and it can also curl hair beautifully.”
Material: Ceramic
Barrel size(s): 1.25 inches and 1 inch.
Hair types: For all hair types
Heat settings: preset at 365°F.
Best for what kind of hair styling: Full bodiedcurls and loose wavesPros
- Two barrel sizes
- Ultra-zoneTM technology for preventing heat damage
Cons
- Pricey
Wavytalk 1 1/2 inch Thermal Brush
Wavytalk 1 1/2 inch Thermal Brush
On Sale 12% off
$46Buy Now at Amazon
$46Buy Now at walmart
Celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons, who has worked with the Kardashians and Bella Hadid, says the WayTalk Thermal Brush is one of his favorite styling tools. Although it’s not a traditional curling iron, this brush adds natural curls and waves to your hair. “The Thermal Brush is great for either adding fresh waves and volume to your blow out, or to transform straight flat hair into bouncy beautiful waves,” shares Fitzsimons.
Material: Ceramic
Barrel size(s): 1 1/2 inch
Hair types: For all hair types.
Heat settings: Two heating settings, 350℉ or 410℉
Best for what kind of hair styling: Natural looking waves and curlsPros
- Only one barrel size
- Good for blowout styling
Cons
- Won’t create super tight curls
WavyTalk 5 in 1 Curling Iron
WavyTalk 5 in 1 Curling Iron
On Sale 15% off
$46Buy Now at Amazon
$46Buy Now at walmart
If your looking for an all around curling iron, Fitzsimons recommends the WavyTalk 5 in1 Curling Iron. It comes with a total of 5 interchangeable curling heads that can help you achieve a variety of styles with only one device. “The 5 in 1 has literal endless possibilities,” says Fitzsimons. “You can have any curl you desire, from glamorous waves to boho chic waves to ringlet curls”
Material: Ceramic
Barrel size(s):, 1 inch bubble barrel curling wand, 0.5 inch small curling wand, 0.5-1 inch tapered barrel curling wand, 1.25 inch curling wand, 1.49 inch curling brush
Hair types: For all hair types
Heat settings: The curling wands heat up to 392-410℉ and the curling brush heats up to 356℉
Best for what kind of hair styling: a variety of styles, like boho waves and ringlet curlsPros
- Comes with 5 interchangeable heads
- Affordable for how much you get
Cons
- Reviewers note it may not work best on thick & naturally curly hair
Drybar The 3-Day Bender Rotating Curling Iron
Drybar The 3-Day Bender Rotating Curling Iron
$149Buy Now at Amazon
$149Buy Now at sephora
$149Buy Now at ulta
$127Buy Now at nordstrom
This curling iron is a favorite of hairstylist Bryce Scarlett, who has styled the hair of Margot Robbie, Brie Larson, and Kaia Gerber. Scarlett loves that it produces some of the most consistent and long-lasting curls. “It caters to different hair types and textures, offering versatility for various looks,” he adds. Though take note, it might take a little bit of time to get used to the rotating feature.
Material: Ceramic
Barrel size(s): 1.25″ and 1
Hair types: For all hair types
Heat settings: up to 440°F
Best for what kind of hair styling:Uniform and long-lasting curlsPros
- Rotates so you’ll do less work
- Provides long-lasting curls
Cons
- Pricey
Drybar The Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand
Drybar The Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand
On Sale 30% off
$118Buy Now On Amazon
$169Buy Now at sephora
$144Buy Now at nordstrom
If you’re looking for a curling iron that makes styling quicker, the Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand by Drybar is the way to go. “This wand offers the flexibility to create various curl types, from loose waves to tighter curls, thanks to its tapered design and lack of a clamp,” says Bryce Scarlett. However, Scarlett advises being cautious since the wand doesn’t have a clamp. Luckily, the wand’s Infrared Technology ensures a gentler heating process by warming your hair from the inside out.
Material: Ceramic
Barrel size(s): 1″
Hair types: For all hair types
Heat settings: heats up to 450°F
Best for what kind of hair styling:Loose waves to tighter curlsPros
- Creates various types of curls
- Infrared Technology
Cons
- Pricey
- Only one barrel size
T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Lux Set
T3 Volumizing Hot Rollers Lux Set
$140Buy Now On Amazon
$140Buy Now at sephora
$119Buy Now at nordstrom
Hot rollers are the perfect fusion of old school rollers and a curling iron, and are great for anyone looking for a less heat-heavy curling remedy. Emmanuel dotes on these hot rollers due to their velvet covered barrels, which protect against heat damage, alongside the crease free clips that come with theset to help create the perfect curl. The only caveat about these hot rollers is their size, since they’re not the easiest thing to travel with.
Material: Ceramic
Barrel size(s): 1 ¾” & 1 ½” inches
Hair types: For all hair types
Heat settings: 2 heat settings
Best for what kind of hair styling: Lifted roots, voluminous styles.Pros
- Two barrel sizes
- Creates more lift & volume
- Crease-free clips
Cons
- Not travel-friendly
- May take longer to use than traditional curling iron
