Right now, tons of people are forfeiting their damage-inducing flat irons and embracing their naturally curly hair. That being said, some people opt for a sort of hybrid lifestyle concerning hot tools. That's where the best curling irons for naturally curly hair come in.
If you look up "how to curl your hair" on YouTube, most tutorials are going to start with hair that's already been straightened. Yeah, you could break out the blow dryer and flat iron before you even really start to style, or you could learn how to use a curling iron on already curly hair. Not only does this cut down on heat exposure and prevent loads of damage, but you're also going to get a more natural look.
Curling already-curled hair can give you added volume and help define your curl pattern. The best irons for this are likely going to be on the smaller side; that's because wider barrels give you looser waves, and if your hair is curly, these likely won't blend with your natural pattern. Other features that help are tapered barrels for added bounce and tourmaline ceramic materials for damage-control. Here are some of the best options available to help you embrace those spirals.
1This Curling Wand With A Cult-Following On Amazon
xtava Twirl Curling Wand, $30, Amazon
The xtava Twirl curling wand has over 800 reviews, and the vast majority of them cannot stop raving about this thing. The ceramic- and tourmaline-coated barrel goes from an inch to half an inch for optimal bounce, and it even lets you choose between 22 different temperatures.
2This Easy-To-Use Design For Curls That Blend
Conair Infiniti Pro Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand, $16, Amazon
Because of its tourmaline technology, tapered barrel, and clamp-free design, this Conair Infiniti Pro has a simple design that works exceptionally well on naturally curly hair. It protects from heat damage (so your curls stay safe), and it has five heat settings. One reviewer says that all prior irons have "gotten caught, the curl was weird, and I just really did not like the result, until this... Blended perfect with my natural curls, but added volume to the overall look."
3This Curling Iron With Tourmaline-Infused Plates
PARWIN BEAUTY Tourmaline Infused Curling Wand, $40, Amazon
The PARWIN BEAUTY wand has an insane 4.9-star rating because it heats up quickly and effortlessly curls any texture of hair. The plates are infused with tourmaline to create a shiny, defined curl, and it comes with a free heat glove for easy handling. " The wand works great!" says one reviewer. "I have long, thick curly hair. The curls/waves are very pretty and last for up to 2 days."
4This Steam Curler That Gives Your Whole Head A Makeover
Homitt Ceramic Hair Curler, $47, Amazon
If you're looking to curl your full head (without blow-drying first) the Homitt ceramic hair curler can help. It automatically pulls your strands into the chamber and curls them with a spray steam function that fights frizz and holds the look all day. "My hair is super curly/frizzy if I don't control it. I have tried all types of curling irons, hair curlers, straightening irons in an effort to curl my hair," says one reviewer. "First use and I was so amazed!"
5This Wand With An Ultra-Thin Tapered Barrel
Herstyler Baby Curls Mini Curling Iron, $17, Amazon
"I saw this curling iron being used on a popular fashion YouTube channel by a girl with curly hair, and I knew I had to have one to help me with my issues," wrote one reviewer about the Herstyler Baby Curls curling iron. It has an extremely small ion-infused barrel, it's lightweight and portable for easy travel.
6This Curling Iron With Multi-Layer Technology For Long-Lasting Results
Conair Instant Heat Curling Iron, $14, Amazon
If you have super tight curls and you're just looking for a touch-up, the Conair Instant Heat curling iron is an easy and affordable option. The half-inch barrel combines the elements of chromium, nickel, copper, and steel to keep your curls in place all day, and reviewers say, "Makes small curls, to match my naturally curly hair, in the spots that my curls are lacking."
7This One Gets Hot, So It's Ideal For Course, Long Hair
Bed Head Curlipops Tapered Curling Wand, $20, Amazon
Because this Bed Head Curlipops Tapered wand gets particularly hot, it's ideal for thicker hair. The slightly tapered barrel gives you bounce while the ceramic barrel protects your hair. Curly-haired reviewers say they use it to fix bed head, reduce frizz on humid days, or define unruly strands. It even comes with a free styling glove to optimize control.
8This Curling Iron With Bristles And Smart Heat Technology That Reviewers Call "The Enforcer"
Conair Instant Heat Hot Curl Brush, $7, Amazon
The secret to the Conair Instant Heat hot brush (besides the convenient bristles that keep hair in place while curling) is the smart technology for stabilized heat. This keeps the temperature steady to ensure a quick, neat style for every curl. It also comes in a choice of 3/4th inch or 1 and 1/4th, and reviewers say it's great for quick fixes: "I have chin-to-shoulder length naturally curly hair that doesn't always like to curl the way I want it to. The Conair brush is my 'enforcer.'"
Bustle may receive a portion of sales from products purchased from this article, which was created independently from Bustle's editorial and sales departments.