For girls, hair care takes a lot of time and effort. For styling, it is preferable to use a hair curler. It makes it possible to make a gorgeous hairstyle at home without wasting time and without going to the hairdresser. Girls no longer need to walk for hours with curlers or use folk methods to achieve the desired result. Various hair curlers are on sale.
Which curling iron is better – metal or ceramic?
The effect on the hair structure depends on the materials used to make the plates. Previously, only metal models were presented, but ceramics gradually gained popularity. It differs in features and performance, and also affects the safety of hair during styling.
There are two main types of materials:
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ceramics;
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metal.
This changes both the final cost and the quality of the installation itself. Stylists recommend paying attention to this first.
Metal curling irons
These products are considered cheap and affordable, but metal plates are dangerous for the hair structure. When heated strongly, positive ions are generated, causing the hair scales to open and release moisture.
Advantages
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durability of use;
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affordable cost.
disadvantages
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dry hair.
If you often use curling irons with metal plates, the hair becomes dry and brittle. In addition, if you act carelessly, then the hair simply burns to the metal. Such devices are inexpensive, they are chosen for infrequent styling.
Ceramic curling irons
Ceramic is a safe material, so brands use it exclusively in new curling irons. When heated, such plates distribute heat evenly, so the hair remains safe. However, this material is not durable and durable like metal. If the instrument is used incorrectly, then within a year the ceramic coating may deteriorate greatly.
Advantages
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uniform and high-quality styling;
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safety for hair during long-term use.
disadvantages
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high cost compared to metal products;
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damage due to improper use.
Ceramics is a choice for every girl. Hair is simply styled and does not burn. When using, you need to handle the device carefully, because otherwise the plates will simply deteriorate.
On the market, there are often models with titanium-ceramic plates, a mixture of ceramic and tourmaline, glass ceramics, etc. These are progressive materials, but their advantages and disadvantages are approximately the same. Many brands only use these names to advertise devices.
What power and temperature should be?
In addition to the materials from which the curling iron plates are made, attention is paid directly to the technical characteristics. They ensure paving quality and work safety. First of all, this is influenced by the power of the hair curler. This indicator affects the critical temperature and the heating rate of the plates. In other words, the power determines how quickly the device will be ready for use and to what temperature it will heat up.
Consider the following stylist tips when choosing power:
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for home use as a styler, a power of 25 – 50 W is suitable;
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for thick and unruly hair, as well as for styling in conditions of lack of time, it is worth taking a powerful 60 – 120 W model.
For most girls, a household curling iron with a power of 40-50 watts is enough. She copes well with responsibilities. But owners of thick hair, as well as those who are often late, should take professional styling devices. Their power starts from 50 W. The market value of such models is higher, but they do the job better.
The temperature regime plays an equally important role in achieving the desired result. When styling the hair, set the desired temperature, then the curling will be obtained much faster, and the damage to the hair will be minimized. All modern curling irons, with the exception of budget models, are equipped with a thermostat.
The consumer is offered several operating modes:
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minimum temperature from +60 to + 80 ° C – intended for thin and sensitive hair;
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average temperature from +100 to + 150 ° C – intended for curling soft curls of normal sensitivity;
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high temperature from +150 to + 200 ° C – intended for coarse and unruly hair.
Temperatures above + 200 ° C are maintained only by professional hair curlers. These modes are intended for professional styling. It is better not to use them at home, and treat them with extreme caution. With such strong heating, there is a risk of burnout curls.
The optimal temperature regime for most girls is from +80 to + 150 ° C. It is suitable for medium coarse hair that does not suffer from excessive breakage. When choosing a curling iron, pay attention not to the extreme limits, but to the stability of work in the middle temperature range.
In addition, remember the properties of the material from which the plates are made. Hair easily burns to metal, so turn down the temperature on these curling irons. Unmanageable hair still requires a high temperature, so it is better to use ceramic curling irons.
What are the attachments?
Any curling iron has high demands on the part of girls. It should be a complete tool for creating everyday and evening hairstyles. This task is easily solved by interchangeable nozzles. If you want to experiment with hairstyles, then choose a wide range of attachments.
More often, manufacturers offer the following types of nozzles complete with curling irons:
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cylindrical rollers of various sizes;
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triangular nozzles;
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spiral nozzles;
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rounded brushes designed to create volume;
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flat plates for straightening.
Most often, girls use the last two varieties. Flat brush heads are designed to straighten curls, while rounded brush heads add volume to your hair. But if you want to open up a field for experiments, choose devices with a large number of attachments, or buy a separate universal kit.
What else do you need to consider before buying?
The choice of a curling iron is the key to a beautiful everyday hairstyle. But some girls take such a device to create styling for special occasions. Depending on this, a specific model is selected. Technical characteristics affect the specific attitude to the curling iron.
Pay attention to the following aspects:
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the temperature range that the device supports;
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device power;
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material for making plates and special coatings to improve its properties;
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the number of styling attachments supplied in the kit.
For most girls, a budget curling iron is suitable, the power of which does not exceed 30-40 watts. It is used to easily style healthy and brittle hair. For frequent use – at least 2-3 times a week – it is better to choose a high-quality model with ceramic plates. The power of such a device is at least 40-50 W, because in this case the plates will quickly heat up.
When choosing, it is important to consider the condition of the hair. For thin and weakened curls, you cannot buy a metal curling iron that warms up above 150 ° C. Such styling will permanently damage the weak hair structure. You need to be careful with this, because problems arise with frequent use of the curling iron.
One of the conditions is the presence of a temperature controller, because thanks to this, the optimal mode is selected. You should also pay attention to the complete set of each curling iron, because additional attachments will expand the possibilities for styling. It is not necessary to take too large a set of attachments if you do not plan to experiment with a hairstyle.
In the next article, our experts will tell you how to choose a women's epilator.
Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.