Name	Features	Price Point	Visit
GHD Air	2100 W AC motor, ghd Ionic technology, Variable power, Cool shot, Ergonomic design, 3m power cable	Mid-Range	VIEW PRICE HERE!
BaByliss 5541CU	2200 W power, 3 heat & 2 speed settings, Cold shot, Heat- balancing ionic technology, Ultra slim concentrator, 5 year guarantee	Affordable	VIEW PRICE HERE!
Nicky Clarke NHD093	2500W Ultra High Wattage, 2 Speed / 3 Heat Setting + Cool shot, Ionic Function, Salon Concentrator, Hinged end cap	Affordable	VIEW PRICE HERE!

Buyers Guide To Hair Products

Hair Dryers

When it comes to hair dryers a lot of us assume that one size fits all, I.e. that it doesn’t matter which hair dryer we buy because they all do the same job. If that’s what you’re thinking when buying a hair dryer you may simply go for the cheapest model or a well known brand without paying much attention to the features, but what that means is that you might end up with a hair dryer which just does not suit your hair and/or lifestyle and you won’t get as much out of it.

Finding the perfect hair dryer for you doesn’t have to be complicated and it doesn’t have to cost a lot either. What you do need to do is spend a moment thinking about what kind of hair you have (I.e. frizzy, find, curly etc.) and then spend another moment thinking about how you want to use your hair dryer (whether your planning on travelling a lot and want to take your hair dryer with you, if you need a lightweight model, if you want multiple style options, or if you just want a budget dryer which does the job without any unnecessary frills) and then pick a hair dryer which fits your needs.

We understand that you might not know where to start and you’ll want to make the best possible choice as quickly as possible. With that in mind we have created this detailed buyers guide to hair dryers so you’ll be an expert in no time.

The Basics

Before we go onto all the different types of hair dryers and which ones work best with what sorts of hair take a moment to go over some basic features and lifestyle choices which will effect your decision.

Budget

Before you start looking at hair dryers the obvious but important first step is to work out your budget and the maximum you wish to spend. You can buy a hair dryer for £5 or even less but do keep in mind that these hair dryers may not be the best quality, they may break easily and they might not give you many options. It is also a good idea to set a budget even if you’re not looking for a cheap model both to ensure you don’t over spend.

Power

Hair dryers with a higher wattage number will be able to produce heat faster and will therefore take less time to dry your hair. This is especially important for those of you who have tight schedules and/or thick hair because speed the whole process up, but it’s also important for everyone because the longer it takes to dry your hair increases your risk of damages. A hair dryer which runs on 1800 watts should work for most people but there are affordable hair dryers which offer 2,000 watts or above. Some professional quality hair dryers may even have a wattage of but they tend to be more expensive.

Noise

Different hair dryers are going to have various noise levels ranging from the fairly quiet to the insanely loud. The noisiness of your hair dryer might not be a big issue for you but if it is it’s important to check how loud your hair dryer is going to be before you buy it. Quieter hair dryers will probably list it as one of their features but even if they don’t the reviews will probably give you a pretty good indication.

Weight

If you’re planning on travelling with your hair dryer you’ll obviously want something which is lightweight and won’t slow you down, but a heavy hair dryer can be a real pain even if it never leaves the house. If you use your hair dryer for long periods of time because you like to try different hair styles or because your hair takes longer to dry then it’s important that you can hold the hair dryer comfortably for extended periods of time, so unless you’re super strong you’ll need to think about investing in a lighter hair dryer.

Adjustable Heat Settings

Different hair styles respond best to different heat settings so it’s important to choose a hair dryer which can be customised to your needs. The higher heat options are best suited for people with coarse or thick hair because it’ll help it dry quicker (although remember to never, ever over dry your hair or concentrate too much heat on one spot so you can avoid heat damage) whereas lower settings are an absolute necessity if you have fine or damaged hair. Some hair dryers also offer a ‘cool shot’ setting which can be used when your hair is almost dry as it will apply the finishing touches without overheating your hair.

Adjustable Speed Settings

Any decent hair dryer should at least offer two speed settings. These will normally consist of a fast setting and the popular blow-dry setting but some models may offer more options and unfortunately some cheap designs may only offer a high setting with no option to blow-dry your hair.

Accessories

There are certain accessories which may come with your hair dryer which can help you create the style you want. A nozzle is always good for smoothing straight hair because it helps you control the air flow and focus it on specific sections for a complete finish, whereas a diffuser is ideal for curly hair because it spreads the air out so it will dry more of your hair at the same time and will also dry your hair without messing up your curls.

Warranty

If you’re on a budget and you just want a cheap and functional hair dryer than you’re probably not that fussed about a warrantee, but if you’re looking to invest in a salon quality model which costs a couple of hundred pounds you’re going to want to make sure that hair dryer will last.

Warrantees are a good way of ensuring a products quality because a long warranty shows that the manufacturers have enough faith that their product will last that they are willing to pay if it breaks within a certain time frame. Of course if it does break you’ll also have the warrantee to protect you so if you’re looking to invest in any expensive product it’s a pretty good idea to make sure you’re covered.

Now that covered the basics let’s delve into the more technical stuff so you know exactly what to look for in your next hairdryer.

Ionic Hair Dryers

Ionic hair dryers release negatively charged particles which interact with the H20 particles in wet hair and breaks them up into smaller pieces. This process will speed up the hair drying process and is thus likely to cause less damage to your hair as you won’t have to use the hair dryer for as long . Many salons use ionic hair dryers to give you that extra sleek finish and buying your own personal ionic hair dryer could do wonders for the quality, strength and general shininess of your hair, but keep in mind that ionic hair dryers tend to be quite pricey.

Ceramic

Ceramic hair dryers evenly distribute mild heat to gently dry your hair and avoid damages. Ceramic materials have been popular throughout history and have been used for many different purposes due to their strong composition and versatility.

Infrared

Hair dryers which use infrared electromagnetic rays to heat your hair quickly and evenly by heating your hair from the inside which help you avoid overheating the outer exterior of your hair. They are also designed to avoid overheating and drying out your scalp.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a precious stone which is famous for its infrared and Ion emitting abilities. The internal parts of tourmaline hairdryers dryers have been infused with tourmaline so these hair dryers can use infrared and ionic technologies to gently dry your hair without damaging it.

Tourmaline based hair dryers actually share a lot of the same benefits as ionic hair dryers because they both use negative Ions to break down water molecules and dry the hair faster, but they also use infrared heat in a similar fashion to ceramic hair dryers which lets it penetrate the hair and dry it from the inside which also results in less damages. In many ways tourmaline hairdryers dryers offer you the best of both worlds and prices can range from ridiculously expensive to surprisingly affordable.

Ceramic and tourmaline hair dryers are best suited for the following hair types.

Frizzy hair
Damaged hair
Curly hair
All hair types.

Ionic hair dryers are best suited for the following hair types.

Frizzy hair
Damaged hair
Thick hair
Coarse hair.

Some hair dryers may offer a mixture of ionic and tourmaline technologies which can offer multiple benefits, whereas others may offer one or none of the above. It’s good idea to invest in a product which is going to give you long lasting benefits and which has been designed with a strong, durable body which won’t just break in a couple of weeks. Always check product reviews to get a better idea of how the hair dryer works in real terms and don’t just opt for the cheapest option if it’s not going to give you the results you need.

Hair Straighteners

Hair straighteners are a great way to tame frizzy, curly and/or unruly hair in order to achieve a smooth, sleek and straight hair style. Some people use their hair straighteners every single day and others only bring them out for special occasions but however much you’re planning to use it it’s a good idea to invest in a good quality product which is less likely to cause damage your hair.

Hair straighteners are similar to hair dryers in that they can be made out of various materials, they can offer different features and they may harness different technologies depending on the individual brand, plus different hair straighteners are best suited for different hair types. If you’re not sure what you should be looking for or what the different options are you’ve come to the right place so sit back, relax and enjoy our buyers guide to hair straighteners.

The Basics

Before we delve into the more complicated stuff let’s look at some of the basic features you should be thinking about when buying a hair straightener.

Hair Type

Before you choose a hair straightener it’s important to not only think about how good that individual product or brand is but also if it is the right product for you. People with different hair types will need different features and a hair straightener which works for one person may not give the same results to someone else. Before going any further take a minute to think about the type of hair you have I.e. thick, thin, straight, wavy, curly etc. When you look at hair products try to choose something that is designed for your type of hair rather than opting for the most famous brand of the best marketing.

Cost

Your budget and how much you’re willing to spend is one of the biggest factors which you’ll have to think about when buying a flat iron (hair straighteners). Hair straighteners can range from under £20 to over £200 and as is normally the case the better quality hair straighteners which use protective materials and offer a wider range of style options probably wont be dirt cheap.

You have to think about how much you’re planning on using your hair straighteners. A budget model is fine for occasional use and so if you’re only planning on straightening your hair for special occasions and you want to save money then a budget buy will do the job. If however you’re planning to use your hair straighteners every day or you have fine or damaged hair then it’s a good idea to spend a bit more for a top quality product. Higher quality hair straighteners also tend to last longer so that initial investment might end up saving you money in the long run.

Plate Size

Not all hair straighteners are the same size and it’s important to choose the right width for your hair. People with fine, straight hair will need a smaller plate to avoid overheating and damaging the hair whilst people with thick hair will need a larger plate to achieve quick and successful resukts. It also depends on how long your hair actually is as people with more hair will need a slightly larger plate.

People with fine hair should look at plates which measure between 1 to 1.5 inches.
People with short, normal hair should invest in a plate which is around 1 to 1.3 inches.
Those of you with medium length normal hair should look at plates which are between 1 to 1.5 inches.
People with long, normal hair will get the best results from a plate which measures 1.25 to 2 inches.

Naturally people with which hair will require a larger width so the following measurements are best suited for coarse or thick hair.

Those of you with short, thick hair will benefit the most from 1.25 inch plates.
People with medium, thick hair should look at plates which range between 1.5 to 2 inches.
Finally anyone with long, thick hair should think about getting plates which measure between 1.5 to 3 inches long.

The Time it Takes to Heat Up

This refers to the length of time between switching your hair straighteners on and when they are hot enough to use. Better quality hair straighteners tend to hear up more quickly than more basic models.

Warranty

If you are only looking for a cheap, budget hair straightener than you’re probably not that concerned about the warranty but if you’re looking to invest in an expensive product you’ll want to make sure you’re covered in the event of any problems. Its worth buying a hair straightener which offers a one year warranty at least so you know the manufacturer expects their product to last and you’ll be covered against accidental and manufactured damages for the next 12 months, but some hair straighteners may offer 2,5 or even 10 years.

Heat Settings

Most recent hair straighteners should have a few best settings to choose from so you can pick the heat which will give you the best results. People with extra curly and/or thick hair should opt for a temperature of at least 180 degrees (some can go as high as 230 degrees C) because not only will you see faster results but you’ll also cause less damage to your hair and you’ll get much straighter hair in general. Those with thinner hair, treated hair or coloured hair may be better off with a lower setting to lessen the risk of damage.

Round Edges

It may sound a bit weird but some people don’t actually use their hair straighteners to straighten their hair! Loads of people including hair dressers use would rather use a hair straightener to create curls and waves instead of actual curling tongs.

It’s not the easiest thing in the world but once you’ve mastered it you may find you actually prefer it and if you think about it not only will you end up with a versatile curling/straightening hybrid but you’ll also save money on curling products! If you would like to use your hair straighteners to curl your hair then choosing a product with a round edges can make your life a whole lot easier.

Now that we’ve covered the basics we can move into the different types of materials hair straighteners can be made out of and what benefits these materials can offer.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a popular choice for hair products because it helps distribute heat evenly across your hair and ceramic products tend to hear up quite quickly. If you’re interested in a ceramic hair dryer remember to make sure that the actual plates are ceramic and not just ceramic coated as coating is likely to wear off.

Tourmaline

Some brands apply a crushed up mineral called tourmaline to the plates of the hair dryer in order to reap all the benefits of this gem. Tourmaline produces negative ions which are ideal for hair straighteners because the negative ions keep the moisture in your hair to prevent it drying out so you can achieve a smooth, silky and shiny look without the help of expensive hair care products. Another great thing about tourmaline is that it can straighten your hair at a lower temperature so you can have the same results without frying your hair in the process.

Titanium

Titanium is another negative ion conductor which can help lock in moisture and eradicate frizz to the extent that some people believe it’s even better than tourmaline. Another good thing about titanium is that it is a lightweight alternative to ceramic straighteners which can give you great results without tiring out your arms.

Silicone

Some manufacturers add strips of silicone to their plates to help speed up the hair straightening process. Silicone helps the plates glide smoothly and easily along the hair so you can straighten more hair in less time and you don’t have to worry about the plates getting stuck and frying bits of your hair in the process. Most plates which use silicone will be ceramic.

The perfect hair straightener for you won’t necessarily be the biggest brand of the model your friend uses. The perfect hair straightener should meet your budget, have the right place width for your hair, be designed to suit your hair type and include the materials (I.e. ceramic, iconic, titanium and/or silicone) that you want.

Hair Curlers

Curly hair is a great look that many people with frizzy, straight or just slightly wavy hair really want to emulate. There are loads of different looks that you can create with hair curlers including tight ringlets, loose waves, big hair and pretty much any curly style you want.

As with most styling products one style does not fit all and there are loads of different brands, features, sizes, types and styles to choose from. If you’re not sure how to pick the best hair cutler for your needs read on for our comprehensive buyers guide!

Price

As with most products price and budget are two of the biggest considerations. You can buy high end, professional quality hair curlers for a higher price or if you’re on a tight budget you can buy cheaper, more basic models. The problem with hair curlers is that a lot if cheaper models may be made out if metal which isn’t very good at protecting against heat damage and they may not offer many style options or heat settings. Always check the reviews before buying a product and remember that paying slightly more for a long lasting product could very well save you money in the long run as they don’t need to be replaced as often.

Barrel Size

Curling irons will come with different barrel sizes and the size of the barrel will determine what kinds of curls you can create.

Small Barrels

Smaller barrels are ideal for creating tight curls. They are popular with people who already have naturally curly hair and just want to add some extra definition to their pre- existing curls, but they are also great for people with thin or flat hair as a smaller barrel will create longer lasting and more defined curls and due to their size they also work well with short hair. These curlers are likely to measure around 0.75 inches or smaller and are good at creating spiral curls, kinks and perm looks.

Medium Barrels

Medium barrels not very surprisingly create medium sized curls and work with all hair types. This size is great for creating corkscrew or vintage style hair. These barrels may be around ¾ to 1 inch in size. The 1 inch barrel is considered to be the easiest and most varied sizes which can create most popular looks and works with most hair lengths.

Larger Barrels

Larger barrels are best at creating loose eaves, big hair and beach hair. The larger the barrel typically means the looser the curl and larger barrels will have better results with longer hair. These hair curlers will normally measure around 1 to 2 inches. A barrel which is around 1 ¼ inches in size is one of the most popular options for people with long hair as they are great for creating uniform curls.

Heat Settings

The heat setting which works best for your hair will depend on what type of hair you have. Thicker hair will need a higher temperature in order to achieve long lasting curls but the same temperature could cause a lot of damage when applied to thinner hair. In general thinner hair need only go up to 175-185 degrees whereas thicker hair is better with 300-345 degree temperatures. It is not advisable to go to 400 degrees or above.

A lot of hair Curlers will let you adjust the temperature so you can choose based on the type of hair you have. If you are curling a lot of hair in one go you will also require a higher temperature than if you are curling small sections at a time.

Curling Wand vs Curling Iron

There are quite a few different ways to curl your hair but when you think of a hair curler you probably either have a curling iron or a curling Wand in mind.

Curling Iron

Curling Iron cone with a clamp which holds the hair in place as you curl so you don’t have to worry about burning your fingers. These types of hair curlers are very popular because they are so easy to use and they also offer a large variety of barrel sizes. The downside is that the clamp tends to leave a crease in the hair and these types of curlers aren’t that great at getting to the roots of your hair and so may offer less volume.

Curling Wand

Curling wands don’t come with a clamp so you have to curl the hair around the end and hold it in place yourself. This means you are at a greater risk of burning your fingers but wands do reduce the chance of split ends, they can get closer to the roots and so can give your hair more volume, and they don’t leave a crease in your hair like curling irons do.

Shapes

Curling wands come in a variety of shapes and sizes and all these options can give you different advantages.

Cone Shaped

These types of hair curlers will have a smaller end and a thicker base or a smaller base and a thicker end. They can be used to make loads of different hair styles and can create curls of various shapes and sizes.

Straight Barrels

This type of shape is normally found on curling irons and is popular because they offer an easy way to create uniform curls, coils and ringlets.

Spiral Barrels

These types of hair curlers have ridges to help guide your into the right place for easier, quicker results.

Pearl Barrels

These hair curlers have little pearls or balls dotted along the barrel in order to give your hair a natural look. If you want to look like you have naturally curly hair rather than perfectly curled locks then this is the cutler for you.

Double or Triple Barrels

These curlers have two or three extra barrels so you can curl more of your hair at the same time. These barrels look a bit like fingers, they give you figure of eight style waves and they are great for people with long hair.

Hair Straighteners

Some people use hair straighteners to curl their hair so if you already have a hair straightener you could save some money by using it as a curler as well.

Material

Hair curlers can be made out of one or more of the following materials.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a popular material for hair products because it heats up quickly and evenly distributes heat across your hair so you can an even result. Ceramic is especially ideal for people with frizzy hair because it is good at taming it and creating a smooth, sleek finish.

Tourmaline

Tourmaline is a naturally occurring gem stone which can be crushed up and applied to the barrel of a (normally ceramic) curling iron to increase the curlers efficiency and benefits. Tourmaline can produce negative irons which can lock in moisture and curl your hair at a lower temperature, and it keeps the surface of the barrel smooth so it can easily glide along your hair without creating unwanted kinks.

Titanium

Titanium is another popular hair curling material because it heats up quickly and can evenly distribute heat across your hair, it releases negative ions in a similar fashion to tourmaline and therefore it can help keep your hair shiny and hydrated, and titanium has anti corrosion properties which can stop the appliance from rusting.

Gold

Gold isn’t actually as popular for hair products as the other items on this list and they may not do as good a job of reducing frizz but they can hear up quickly, maintain shiny hair and give you long lasting curls.

Hair Rollers

Hair rollers may seem a bit old fashioned these days but they are still an easy and often cheap way of creating curls or adding volume to your hair. However surprising it may sound there are actually loads of different types of hair rollers to choose from. If you are interested in buying yourself some hair rollers then read this guide first to get a good idea of what your options are.

Size

The size of the roller will determine the size of the curl and rollers come in various sizes which you can choose depending on how big or small you want your curls to be. You will normally buy your rollers in sets and some sets may be all the same size whereas others may offer various shapes which you can pick and choose from. If you have a specific curl size in mind and you know you don’t want to deviate from that size then you should be fine with uniform rollers, but if you want to play around with your style and have several then make sure you are buying different sized rollers so you have more choice.

Heated

Some rollers may be either electrically or steam heated so that they can create longer lasting curls. Steam rollers will have to heat up before use but you can start using hot rollers straight away and both can achieve long lasting, easy results as long as you only use them on dry hair.

Ceramic Hot Rollers

You can buy rollers which contain ceramic materials which can help reduce frizz and protect the hair from overheating. Ceramic is a very popular and affordable material which is commonly used in hair products because it heats up quickly, spreads heat evenly and is less damaging for fragile or thin hair.

Wax Rollers

Wax rollers are ideal for stubborn hair which normally refuses to curl because they can maintain their best for a lot longer and can create strong, long lasting curls.

Sponge Rollers

Sponge rollers are powered by steam and can heat up really quickly. This makes them ideal for people who are in a rush or just don’t want to wear their curlers for too long.

Unheated

Manual hair rollers come in various types and can offer various styles as well as curling wet or dry hair.

Plastic Mesh Rollers

These rollers are made out of mesh material and can be used on wet hair to create smooth, long lasting curls.

Foam Rollers

These rollers are ideal for curling your hair overnight as they are soft and comfortable enough to lie on. They are designed for dry hair.

Velcro Rollers

Velcro rollers don’t require any clips to keep them in place and they are designed to give your curls extra volume. These rollers can be used on damp as well as dry hair so they can be used on freshly washed, air dried hair.

Magnetic Rollers

Magnetic rollers are designed for wet hair so you can pop them straight in after a bath or shower and leave them to curl your hair overnight. They are great for adding extra volume and creating smooth, long lasting curls.

Hair Brush

Most people own a hair brush of some sort (at least those people who have any hair to speak of) but did you know that there are loads of different types of hair brushes? From miniature travel brushes to electric anti frizz models there is guaranteed to be something that works for you so if you want to get the most out of your next hair brush read on for our detailed buyers guide!

Everyday Hairbrush

These are the brushes you’ll buy for regular, everyday use. It’s a good idea to get an ergonomic handle and nylon bristles so brushing your hair is as comfortable as possible.

De-Frizzing Brush

These types of brushes normally have a square paddle and are commonly used when blow drying the hair to minimise the risk of frizz. People with longer hair will get more results out of these brushes whereas those with short and/or layered hair may end up disappointed.

Volumising Brush

These brushes are normally used during blow drying to add volume and curls to the hair. They are normally round barrel brushes and they work the same as hair curlers in that the larger the barrel the larger and looser the curls will be whilst smaller barrel brushes are designed for tighter curls and shorter hair.

De-Tangling Brush

These are similar to regular hair brushes except that they are designed to glide effortlessly through the hair and be effective with even the messiest, knottiest hair.

Travel Brush

You can buy tiny travel sized hair brushes if you’re extra short on space. These brushes aren’t really recommended for long term use but they can certainly do the job for a short vacation.

Natural Brush

These hair brushes normally have a plastic or wooden body and soft, natural bristles which are often made out of boar (see below). These brushes are gentle, soft and they are great for sensitive hair and can help release your hairs natural oils for a shinier, healthier look.

Round brush

There are loads of different types of round brushes it they are all designed to help add volume to your hair. They can be a great addition to your beauty regime as they are great at creating curls, body and different styles. Some of these brushes may also have a ceramic, metal, ionic or tourmaline body so they can increase the benefits of your hair dryer.

Ceramic

Ceramic brushes have a ceramic coated body and are typically used during blow drying. Thais material can help the hair dryer evenly distribute its best to give you even and shiny hair with minimal frizz.

Thermal

Thermal brushes hold onto heat and can enhance the blow drying process without you having your turn up the deposit settings on your hair dryer. These brushes can minimise best damage and speed up the drying process.

Vented

These types of hair brushes have holes in the body which allows hot air to flow through the brush when you combine it with a hair dryer. This can speed up the drying process and leave you with less heat damage.

Paddle

These types of brushes have a wide, flat body which helps you smooth your hair and straighten it in the proceeds. For best results use a paddle brush before straightening your hair to save time.

Bristles

We don’t really tend to pay much attention to our hairbrushes bristles or what they are made out of but it can make a real difference to your hair.

Boar

Boar bristles are made out of the hair of a boar (yes really) and are often combined with nylon to make strong hair brush bristles. Boar is natural, soft and can make your hair extra shiny but they can be a bit weak on their own.

Nylon

The term nylon in this case can refer to a range of similar materials including plastic, nylon and rubber and so the quality, comfort and strength can vary greatly from brush to brush. Make sure to check reviews and see exactly what type of material the bristles are made out of before buying.

The End

You have now come to the end of this buyers guide so congratulations for making it this far. Hopefully you’re feeling much more knowledgeable about hair products and confident that you can now go out and make the right choice. One last thing we need to mention is the hair care sprays, serums and other products which can help protect your hair against the heat from your hair dryer, curlers and straighteners.

Even if you decide to invest in a state of the art tourmaline infused ionic product which has loads of heat reducing properties the bottom line is that you are still applying high temperatures to your hair which can result in brittle, damaged and generally unattractive hair. It’s a good idea to invest in a good heat protection spray and some quality nourishing shampoo so your hair can stay shin and healthy for the rest of its life.

Buyers guide to Curling Irons

The curling iron is your perfect companion in the hair department as you can create so many looks with it. Below is a guide to what you should look out for when you are looking to buy a set of curling irons.

Below are some things to consider when shopping around for a set of curling irons.

Barrel Size

This is one of the most important things you will need to consider when you are shopping around for a new curling iron. The barrel size is the width of the metal part of the curling iron that you wrap your hair around to create a curly/wavy look.

The smallest width of a barrel is .5 to .75 inches in width and these would best suit someone with short hair. For a medium length hair a 1 inch barrel width will create tight curls . If you are after something that create loose beachy waves, then go for a barrel with measuring 1.25 to 2 inches wide.

For those of us lucky to have long hair and also cursed with how long it takes to do anything with it, you need to only really consider a barrel that is 1.25 to 2 inches wide. If you want a tighter curl pick a smaller barrel and if you want looser waves, pick a larger barrel.

Ceramic

Ceramic was invented for the frizzy haired girl. This type of curling iron can significantly help you create and manage your curls a lot more manageable. This type of curling iron is coated with a type of clay that creates a frizz-free finish. When you use anything ceramic (curling irons or hairdryer) you gain the benefits of negative ions, which help neutralize the static. The ceramic also seals the hair strands to make it less likely to frizz. Ceramic curling ions also heat up quickly and evenly, which makes it less likely for the hair to burn and become damaged.

Curling wand

These type of curling ions are great if you suffer from a crease or kink in your curls. These have been designed so that they don’t have the traditional feature of curling ions with a clamp to hold the hair in place. For this type of curling iron you need to hold the hair in place with your own hands, which can take some getting used to. This type of curling iron does take time to use but a lot of people do prefer the look of the curves and waves when you can perfect this method of curling. It’s possible and quite common to burn your fingers, so a lot of curling wands do come with gloves.

Clamp

These type of curling irons are really easy and simple to use making them a good option for a first buyer. They are great if you do struggle with curling your hair as they come with a clamp to hold the hair in place. There is a lever that in theory you use with your thumb to release making it really easy to use. There is a downside to this kind of curling iron in that it can leave marks on the hair because of the clamp, but if you master the technique of curling, these type of marks on the hair are not visible.

Tapered

These type of curling irons can give you really soft curls and have been designed for this exact type of curl. The barrel of a tapered curling iron is wider at the base and it gets narrower as you reach the tip.

Touramline

These are the top of the line curling irons if you want to a curly/wavy hair style at home. These curling irons are plated with a ceramic material. This type of ceramic material can produce six times as many ions as a ceramic curling iron. This means that this type of curling iron offers the best in frizz reduction. These curling irons heat up quickly and offer an even heating which protects the hair and creates regular curls.

Curl Chamber

This is the latest technology in trying to produce curls easily and stay in shape for longer. The hair is automatically drawn into the chamber and often you are advised by the sound of an alarm when the hair should be removed. This does take a little bit of getting used to at first, but once you have mastered it, it’s a quick and very effective method of creating long lasting curls. Most come with settings that you can change the type of curl, whether it’s a tight or loose curl.