TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.0*
Why it's great: Faithful users say that this brand's design makes it easy to use. "I've had the Marcel Grip for over 20 years and I would never switch back," one reader says. "This particular model is one of the better curling irons out there and far outweighs any of the spring clip release types."
Other reviewers love the bounce this curling iron gives their curls. "This curling iron works great with my straight hair and even gives me really pretty, big, fat, loose curls that last all day," one reviewer gushes. "It's worth every penny!"
Why it's great: With its buttercup yellow detailing, this is easily one of the most stylish styling wands in town. And it's got more than just looks going for it, of course. The reverse-tapered barrel is perfect for executing loose waves and with all the heat settings it works well on a variety of hair types. How does holding sleek, beachy waves for days at a time sound to you?
There are four things you should look for in a curling iron: One, does it get hot enough to adequately curl your hair? Two, is it the right size barrel for the curls you want to create (smaller barrels mean tighter curls, looser barrels mean bigger curls)? Three, is it easy to hold and use? And four, is it a high enough quality iron to last you a long time?
Obviously, it's difficult to know which irons will meet these criteria without road-testing each one. Luckily, TotalBeauty.com readers have tried them all and reported back to us on which ones lived up to their expectations and which ones fell flat — along with their hair. Read on to see which curling iron brands dominates TotalBeauty.com readers' bathroom counters, plus a few tried-and-true editors' picks.
