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Curling Irons: Ratings of Sources
Total of 16 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Amazon.com
As of Aug. 2009
Curling Irons
by Contributors to Amazon.com
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Hundreds of curling irons and other hairstyling tools are sold by Amazon.com, several of which are rated and reviewed by dozens of consumers. Conair curling irons are reviewed most often. Hot Tools… Professional Spring curling irons also get good reviews overall, though each size is only reviewed a few times. Revlon Perfect Heat curling irons, on the other hand, receive low ratings. Since no magazine or website does a great job comparing curling irons, we found these user ratings to be the best starting point for sorting through the options.

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2. InStyle
April 2009
Best Beauty Buys 2009
by Editors of InStyle
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment InStyle editors test products and interview hundreds of beauty pros for their annual beauty awards. This year's list of winners includes 149 makeup, hair, skin care and nail products. One curling iron and two flat irons make the list of best hair tools, but testing criteria are not explained, and non-winning products are not mentioned.
3. Folica.com
Not Dated
Best of Folica 2009 -- Best Curling Irons
by Editors of Folica.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Top hair products as reviewed by Folica.com customers are listed in each of eight categories for Folica's annual customer choice awards. Eight curling irons are listed, though some of them are only reviewed… a few times. Interestingly, some products, such as the Helen of Troy Professional Curling Brush and the Hot Tools Professional 3 Gold Barrel Waver, get higher ratings based on more reviews than those that are featured in Folica's annual list.

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4. Real Simple
May 2008
The Hair Tool How-To Manual
by Megan O'Neill
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Real Simple magazine describes how curling irons, hair dryers and flat irons are made and how they work. Each tool includes buying tips as well as suggestions for proper use. The FHI Heat Ceramic Digital Curling Iron is recommended, but no details are given as to why. Products are not rated or compared in this article.
5. Good Housekeeping
March 2006
Great New Hair Helpers
by Editors of Good Housekeeping
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The Good Housekeeping Research Institute tests three hair tools, including a hair dryer, a curling iron and a flat iron. Although all three are said to perform well, the testing criteria are not explained, and it isn't clear if the products were compared with others in their category.
6. Pursebuzz.com
Dec. 24, 2008
Curling Iron Sizes 411
by Editors of Pursebuzz.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This informative video discusses different barrel sizes and demonstrates the curls that you can create with each of them. The demonstrator explains that a three-fourths-inch- and 1 1/4-inch-barrel curling… iron are the only sizes needed to create a variety of curls. Hot Tools gold curling irons are used for most of the video, but a T3 Tourmaline curling iron is used for comparison purposes in the 1-inch-barrel demonstration. The demonstrator concludes that Hot Tools performs as well as T3 but for a fraction of the cost. It appears that the demonstrator, however, works for a company that sells Hot Tools products.

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7. Cosmopolitan
June 9, 2009
Finally! An Idiot-Proof Curling Iron
by Andrea Lavinthal
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Andrea Lavinthal, beauty blogger for Cosmopolitan magazine, recommends the Enzo Milano Clipless Curling Iron because it is easier to use than other curling irons she has tried. Because it is clipless, it doesn't leave crimp marks that are common with traditional curling irons. It also comes with a heat-resistant glove to protect fingers.
8. Shine.Yahoo.com
March 21, 2009
Curling Irons that Won't Damage Hair
by Editors of Marie Claire magazine
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Editors of Marie Claire magazine maintain a blog on Shine. In this post, they recommend tourmaline and ceramic curling irons to protect hair from excessive heat damage. Both technologies are explained, and some tips are given for further protection. Three curling irons are suggested, but nothing further is said about any of them, and there's no testing or comparison.
9. Drugstore.com
As of Aug. 2009
Hair Appliances
by Contributors to Drugstore.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Flat irons are reviewed more often than curling irons at Drugstore.com, but most of the nearly 150 products listed for sale in both categories are not reviewed at all. Heated styling brushes from Conair get the highest ratings. Flat irons from HairArt, Conair, Remington and CHI get good reviews as well.
10. MakeupAlley.com
As of Aug. 2009
Hairstyling Tools
by Contributors to MakeupAlley.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment There aren't nearly as many reviews posted for curling irons at MakeupAlley.com as there are at Folica.com and Amazon.com, but most of the reviews posted here are in sync with other review sources. The Conair Instant Heat Hairsetter is reviewed most often and receives high ratings. The Hot Tools Ceramic Titanium Curling Iron gets good reviews as well.
11. Target.com
As of Aug. 2009
Curling Irons
by Contributors to Target.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Most of the curling irons posted for sale at Target.com are not reviewed more than one or two times, but a couple of products are reviewed more than 30 times. Interestingly, the reviews give a better idea… of what doesn't work than what does. The Revlon Perfect Heat 2-in-1 Ceramic Curler and Straightener, for example, gets poor reviews from nearly every reviewer posting comments. The Vidal Sassoon Gold Series Professional 3-Barrel Waver gets an average rating.

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12. TotalBeauty.com
As of Aug. 2009
Curling Irons
by Contributors to TotalBeauty.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment There are more than 100 curling irons posted for review at TotalBeauty.com, but most only receive a few reviews, if any. Conair Instant Heat curling irons are reviewed most often, with above-average ratings for every size. The Vidal Sassoon VS132 1 1/2-inch and Conair Satin Finish Ceramic Curling Iron also do well in reviews.
13. Style-Hair-Magazine.com
Not Dated
Curling Iron: Which One Do You Need?
by Editors of Style-Hair-Magazine.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment According to this informative article, there are several factors that differentiate one curling iron from the next. Barrel sizes, handle types, construction materials and barrel shapes are all discussed. Specific brands are not rated or compared, but the Enzo Milano collection is said to be the "best, by far" of Milano curling irons.
14. Harper's Bazaar
March 2008
Get the Hair You Want
by Caitlin Gaffey
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This article explains the techniques behind several popular hairstyles. The FHI Heat Ceramic Curling Iron in 1-inch or 1 1/2-inch sizes is recommended for "deconstructed" curls. Nothing more is said about the curling iron, however, and no other curling irons are mentioned.
15. Ebony
Oct. 2007
Best Tressed
by Christine James
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This article lists seven flat irons and seven curling irons that are supposed to be the "latest and greatest" styling tools, but nothing further is said about any of the products listed. Products are not rated, and it isn't clear what criteria were used in the selection process.
16. Hairfinder.com
Not Dated
A What's What Guide to Curling Irons
by "Stacy"
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The history and progression of the curling iron is briefly discussed in this article. Various features of modern curling irons are described, and a buyer's guide is included, but specific brands are not mentioned.

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