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?
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.4*
Why it's great: "These gold curling irons really are the best," one user gushes. "They heat up so fast, create great curls and last forever." Other reviewers rave about this curling iron's ability to hold a curl, even on the slickest of strands.
Users also love the long lifespan of the tool and claim that after having it for "years and years, it still works." Moreover, users are fans of the fact that this curling iron "is great for any type of hair" and that "it distributes heat evenly and it doesn't damage hair too much."
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.6*
Why it's great: Even with the hefty price, readers say this curling wand is worth every penny. "Naturally, I was extremely hesitant to pay $130 for a curling iron," one user admits. "This thing literally takes 10 to 15 minutes to style my entire head, and the results are better than if you were to use traditional curling irons, flat irons, heated curlers, dry curlers, etc. This gives you the best hair of your life. It makes your hair shiny too!"
Users with naturally straight hair are particularly impressed with this product. "I have poker straight hair and have never been able to hold a curl," says one user. "My friend told me that the Bombshell curl would last. I used hers and wow, bouncy curls all day. I am now an owner of my very own Bombshell curling iron."
TotalBeauty.com average member rating: 8.7*
Why it's great: Readers say you don't need to drop big bucks to get a quality curling iron, and this one ranks high on their list. "The Conair curling iron is an oldie but a goodie," says one reader. "This delivers the curls you want and fast."
Users gush that the curling iron "heats up fast" and "seems to give the most perfect curls." Another favorite feature? The iron has a timer you can set, so it automatically turns off. Plus, readers say it's versatile. "I actually straighten my hair with this curling iron, and it works very well," says one user. "But it's good at curling too! It's well worth its reasonable price."
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.
