Last Updated on January 30, 2025 by Caesar

Curls have long been a highly sought-after hairstyle for women. Of course, achieving elegant waves, bouncy ringlets, and tight spirals takes time and effort. A couple hundred years ago, it was no easy feat. Ladies had to braid their hair while it was wet and take care not to muss it while they slept or carefully wrap sections of wet hair around rags and wait hours for them to dry to get curls. Some even resorted to rolling their hair around metal rods that had been heated over a fire. Many ended up with singed locks and serious burns more so than curls.
Things are quite a bit simpler today. At this point, we have a number of alternatives to those old labor-intensive, minimally effective, and potentially dangerous routines. Standard curlers, hot rollers, and heated brushes are a few of the common options. Curling irons are also highly popular, and more models are on the market now than ever before. With so many choices available from ProStylingTools, choosing one can be difficult. This guide will make it easier.
Curling Iron Heating Elements
First, let’s take a look at the different heating elements you might find in curling irons. Today’s curling irons all work on basically the same principles, but the type of heating element one has can make a significant difference in how evenly it heats, how well it styles, and how gentle it is on your hair. There are three main types of heating elements right now, and each one has its own benefits.
Ceramic
Ceramic heating elements give you even heat distribution, and they emit negative ions to help reduce frizz and static. They can leave your hair looking smooth and shiny. Ceramic curling irons also aid in retaining your hair’s natural moisture, which prevents dryness and brittleness. They’re recommended for people with fine or damaged hair.
Titanium
Titanium curling irons tend to get hotter than some other options, and they hold heat efficiently. Most have different settings that allow you to control their temperatures, but it’s still important to be careful with them to avoid damaging your hair. Titanium heating elements are a good option for thick and course hair or hair that just doesn’t seem to curl well with other types of curling irons.
Tourmaline
Like ceramic, tourmaline heating elements emit negative ions. Experts say they do so more effectively than ceramic. Tourmaline curling irons work well on all hair types. Since they generate gentler heat, they may not cause as much damage to your hair. They’re particularly nice for people who have naturally frizzy or curly hair but want to achieve a smoother, sleeker look.
These are general guidelines to follow when you’re trying to decide which heating element would best suit your needs. Keep in mind that not everyone’s hair responds the same way to different materials and heat levels. Each of these options is a good choice and can work for different types of hair.
Barrel Sizes
Barrel size is another important point to think about. The smallest barrels, which range from 3/8 of an inch to 1 inch, are perfect for creating tight, defined curls. Barrels from 1 inch to 1.5 inches are highly versatile. They can be used to create bigger, bouncier curls in medium-length hair and looser waves in longer hair. With a 1.5 to 2-inch barrel, you’ll get loose, flowing waves. Barrels measuring 2 inches or larger will give you volume and soft waves, but they’re not designed for defined curls.
Choosing the Right Curling Iron for You
When you’re choosing a curling iron, the type of heating element and the barrel size are a couple of the most important factors to think about. Different heating elements produce different types of heat, and the diameter of the barrel affects the types of curls you’ll get. Remember that you don’t have to limit yourself to a single curling iron; there’s no harm in having a full collection to suit different moods and occasions.