Rotating Curling Irons Are the Genius Hair Tool Everyone Needs ASAP
Creating bouncy curls and romantic waves just got a whole lot easier.
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Confession time: I'm a beauty editor who's never quite nailed styling my hair with traditional curling irons. However, there's a relatively new innovation that has slowly taken over TikTok and finally helped me (and will help beginners and experts alike) achieve salon-worthy curls at home: rotating curling irons. These game-changing hot tools are ideal for anyone who could use some assistance when styling their hair. As the name implies, these rotating curling irons wind hair up the barrel to create the perfect bouncy curls and waves with minimal effort.
Best Rotating Curling Irons
What to Consider
Technologies
Through my research, I've found that most rotating curling irons at reader favorite shops — like Amazon, Sephora, Ulta, and Walmart, to name a few — boast an automatic rotation. It's an incredible feature because with a push of a button the barrel will seamlessly curl the hair for users.
There are also curling irons with a manual rotation, which is just as effective as automatic. However, it may take a few tries before users get used to twirling these irons.
Barrel Size
Before ordering a rotating curling iron, consider the size of the barrel. This will be determined by hair length and the desired hairstyle.
- Use barrels that are 1 inch or less for someone who has shorter hair or wants tighter curls.
- Opt for barrels that are 1.25 inches or more for someone who has longer hair or prefers loose curls.
Number of Barrels
Speaking of barrels, Beachwaver, a brand at the forefront of the rotating curling iron game, recently launched its next generation of rotating curling irons: the Multi Barrel Beachwaver. It includes three interchangeable barrels in different sizes and silhouettes, which I'll touch on in a bit.
Material
According to hairstylist Raven Hurtado of Maxine Salon in Chicago, it’s good to know about the material of the barrel. Here's a quick guide to the different materials that are best suited for various hair textures and densities.
- Ceramic rotating curling irons are ideal for fine or thin hair.
- Titanium rotating curling irons are best for thick, curly, or coarse hair.
- Tourmaline rotating curling irons are compatible with both thin and thick hair.
Temperature
Some heat tools only have an off and on button, so Hurtado advises opting for a rotating curling iron that has adjustable heat, so users can have ultimate control of the heat.
- 340 degrees to 370 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for fine or color-treated hair.
- 350 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit is beneficial for medium to coarse hair.
How We Chose
I have experience using several of these hot tools, while some earned snaps from Hurtado. As for the others, I considered the key specs mentioned earlier, including the number of barrels, material, and temperature of each rotating curling iron. Since I’m obsessed with the simplicity of automatic rotating curling irons, most items on this list boast that capability for the most effortless styling.
With a better understanding of how rotating curling irons can seriously upgrade someone’s hairstyling game, here are 10 impressive options that sport enticing features across various price points and boast hundreds of glowing reviews.
Nicole Saunders is the beauty editor at Best Products with over seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing lifestyle content. She specializes in breaking down complicated topics, like high-frequency wands and microcurrent devices, into easy-to-understand guides. She takes great pride in heavily researching and testing featured beauty products, — such as hairdryers and foundations — on our site, and spotlights her all-time seasonal favorites in her quarterly column Best New Beauty. And she tests quite literally thousands of launches for our Beauty Awards package.
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