Curling Irons: Reviews

The Hot Tools Professional curling iron, available in six sizes, is top-rated in reviews for holding heat consistently and heating up quickly; the barrels are coated with 24-karat gold, an excellent conductor of heat.… Users say the Hot Tools iron is easy to control, and because of the consistent heat, curls come out consistent in quality, and are long lasting. One caveat is that this curling iron has no auto shut-off feature, so you'll have to be sure to unplug it or turn it off after use. Barrels range in size from three-eighths of an inch (for tight curls) to 2 inches (for big, loose curls).

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Reviewers say ceramic-coated curling irons, such as the Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron, cause less damage to hair than traditional curling irons, making them ideal for those who use them often or have chemically… treated hair. The big difference between this iron and the Hot Tools Professional is that the Conair curling iron includes an auto shut-off feature -- a plus if you have a house of forgetful teenagers. Owners say that the Conair curling iron heats up quickly and curls well, but some complain that the power switch is poorly positioned. Conair's Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron is available in five sizes, ranging from three-fourths of an inch to 1 1/2 inches.

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If you only curl your hair occasionally, a basic chrome-barrel curling iron will probably meet your needs. The Conair Instant Heat Curling Iron gets good reviews from users who say that it heats up quickly and does a… great job of curling hair. The Instant Heat Curling Iron has 25 adjustable temperature settings, dual voltage and a tangle-free swivel cord. It's available in five sizes, ranging from a half-inch to 1 1/2 inches. It also has an auto shut-off feature.

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Reviewers recommend the Enzo Milano Clipless Curling Iron for anyone who can't stand the crimp marks often left by spring-handled curling irons. Instead of using a clamp to hold hair in place, users keep hair in place… with their fingers, using a Kevlar glove for heat protection. Reviewers at Amazon.com say that it takes some getting used to, but that once you have the hang of it, the Enzo Milano is fast and easy to use. Experts admit that it's expensive but insist that the resulting natural curls are worth the price. The curling iron has a ceramic core, is available in a variety of shapes and sizes.

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The Conair ThermaCell Cordless Curling Iron makes touch-ups easy while on the run. It uses replaceable butane cartridges (*Est. $5 for two) to heat the chrome barrel, which users say makes it ideal for road trips or the… gym. It's important to note, however, that because butane is a flammable substance, you cannot travel with it on an airplane. The ThermaCell curling iron has a five-eighths-inch barrel but is compact enough to carry in a purse or backpack. It comes with a carrying case, a brush attachment and one butane cartridge, which users say lasts for months.

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