- A curling iron is an electrical cylindrical device with an attached hinged clamp that uses heat to form hair into curls. Dry hair is usually clamped at the end, then wrapped around the heated metal or ceramic rod and held in place until the hair molds to the proper shape. Smaller size curling iron barrels create tighter curls, while large diameter barrels create loose curls or waves. Curling irons can be used to create curly styles out of naturally straight hair, or to change the shape of naturally curly or wavy hair. Modern curling irons also use ions and infrared heat to reduce frizz and give hair a smoother appearance.
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Curling iron manufacturers offer a wide array of choices in size, color, style and technology. Common barrel sizes are 3/4 inch, 1 inch, and 1 ½ inch to create different size curls. Different barrel shapes create traditional curls, angular shapes or ringlets. Use double or triple barrel irons for wavy styles or combination waves and curls. Combination models are fitted with brushes, detanglers or hair drying elements to give users multiple styling tools with one device.
Like blow dryer coils, curling irons can be made of metal, ceramic or tourmaline. Ceramic distributes heat faster and more evenly, lessening damage to hair. Crushed tourmaline added to the heating surface emits more negative ions, which both manufacturers and users claim causes less static and frizz, leaving hair smoother and shinier than conventional irons. Look for models that use infrared heat to penetrate the hair shaft core, allowing for total manipulation of each hair strand and better style results.
Curling irons can be as simple as small travel irons with one or two settings, and as complex as digital models that offer 30 or more individual heat settings, automatic shut-offs and temperature memory. Less expensive models are made with coatings that wear easily, while higher-priced retail and professional series curling irons have several layers of hard baked ceramic that prove more durable and long-wearing. -
Use a curling iron to create curls, waves or add volume. Small barrel curling irons will create perfect curls for short hair, or layers of narrow ringlets for long hair. Try a mid-range or large barrel curling iron to create all over waves, or sexy loose curls at the ends of long tresses. Clamp hair at the root, twist and roll to smooth the crown--hold it to heat and add height.
Try a ceramic or tourmaline curling iron for quick curl touch-ups, to reduce frizz and add shine. Roll the curling iron towards the nape for inward curls that frame the face. Use a large barrel iron to smooth hair and then slowly twist at the end for flip styles. -
For fine hair, look for irons with lower temperature settings to avoid burning and damaged ends. Ceramic and tourmaline styles help eliminate static and fly-aways. Choose irons with a smoother surface to avoid snagging and breaking hair.
Users with coarse, frizz-prone hair should shop for higher temperature irons. Look for models with blast buttons that give an extra surge of heat to lock in curls. Negative ion and infrared heat irons seal in moisture, reduce frizz and add shine.
Curling a full head of long, thick hair can take a substantial amount of time, so search for irons that heat within a minute and have high enough temperatures to set the curl immediately. -
Curling iron use can be traced all the way back to ancient Babylonians and Egyptians and nobles in classical Greece. Early irons were simple metal tongs heated over an open flame, making temperature control tricky and no doubt leading to many singeing accidents. Hundreds of years later, curling tongs remained much the same, being heated on hot wood or coal stoves.
The actual inventor of the modern curling iron remains something of a mystery. Hiram Maxim, inventor of the Maxim machine gun and hundreds of other patents, filed a patent for a improved curling iron in 1866. Most sources agree that around 1870, Maurice Lentheric and Marcel Grateau used hot air drying and a set of curling tongs to create Marcel waves. These tongs could be used to curl or straighten hair. Sets of irons from this era came with stands and were meant to be heated over an oil flame.
In 1959, the French company BaByliss (now owned by Conair) invented and produced the first electric curling iron. Since then, the iron has continually been improved and modified, with each advancement providing more even heating, less hair damage,and longer-lasting curl. -
Electric curling irons should never be dropped in water, or used while standing in or coming into contact with tub or sink water. Follow all manufacturer's instructions to avoid burning and damaging hair. Keep iron away from face, hands and scalp to avoid burns. Keep heated portion of iron from coming in contact with any surface to prevent burning or discoloration. Look for models with heat resistant covers that can be placed on the iron immediately after shutting off.
Irons with a rough contact surface can damage and break hair. Watch for wear of protective coating, as exposed metal underneath can heat hair excessively and cause damage. Replace iron immediately when this wearing occurs.
