What Is a Curling Iron Made of?
If you read advertisements for curling irons, you will find a lot of references to "titanium technology," "diamond standards" and "tourmaline technology." Based on these descriptions, it sounds like curling irons might be made of precious metals and gems. However, the reality is much simpler. Nearly all curling irons are made based on the same design, but they differ in the ways that the barrels conduct heat. You should select your curling iron composition based on the look you want to achieve. Does this Spark an idea?
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Function
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Curling irons are designed to use heat to style hair. Despite their name, they are used for straightening as often as for curling. The type of metal that makes up the barrel of the curling iron has a major impact on what look the curling iron will be best suited for achieving, as well as the type of hair that it works best on.
Features
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Curling iron handles are nearly always made of plastic. They may be structured in a variety of ways for easy use, but their composition is largely the same. However, the barrels are more complicated. They all contain a heating coil of some type to warm the metal, but depending on what type of curling iron you are working with--spiral, wide barrel or flat iron--the coil may be arranged very differently inside the apparatus. The goal is to distribute even heat all along the barrel of the curling iron.
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Types
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The major differences in curling iron composition come when you are dealing with the metal of the barrel itself. Ceramic barrels allow hair to slide easily along the barrel to enable you to create a variety of different styles; most plates and barrels are at least partly ceramic. Tourmaline, a beautiful gemstone in some forms, can also be used in its raw composition to make ceramic plates hotter and better for working with damp or even wet hair. Titanium barrels are also extremely popular because they are very lightweight and relatively inexpensive.
Considerations
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When you purchase a curling iron, keep your hair styling goals in mind. Most types of curling irons are designed to create loose, flowing, natural looks. If you want to create pin curls or tight spiral curls, low-tech is actually better. A plain old teflon or aluminum curling iron will be best for these looks, or you can even opt for really low tech and use sponge-curlers and a lot of mousse.
Misconceptions
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Many people think that all curling irons are basically the same; after all, they all look the same, heat up and create curly hairstyles. However, this is not true. While the basic look of curling irons is largely identical and usually the heating elements inside them are also very similar, the differences in the barrel composition can have a major impact on your hair.
Warning
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Never leave any curling iron or other heated styling device within reach of young children. These appliances get very hot and can cause serious burns and, in rare cases, even death if they fall into an inexperienced youngster's hands. Always unplug curling irons and stow them safely out of reach when you are not using them.
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