Is it possible to have short hair and still get a curling iron that works wonders? While it may seem like an impossible feat, our experience suggests otherwise. There are curling irons for short hair, which can give your hair some killer curls. You don’t have to spend months growing your hair out to get the curls you deserve.
In this post, we’ll show you which curling irons work best. As you’ll see, there’s a curling iron for every situation. Carry on reading or jump straight to our number #1 pick here.
First Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Curling Irons for short hair
- First Here’s How We’ve Determined the Best Curling Irons for short hair
- #1: Hoson Tourmaline Ceramic Iron (Best Value – All-Purpose)
- #2: Revlon Salon (Best Machine)
- #3: Revlon Iron Ball (Best For Loose Curls)
- #4: Conair Instant Heat (Best Low Cost)
- #5: Helen of Troy Curling Brush (Best curling brush)
- What About the Cheapies? Our Best Products Under $X
- #1 Best Under $15: HeatMaster Chrome
- #2 Best Under $12: InfinityPro
- #3 Best Under $10: Three Pack
- # 4 Best Under $7: Conair Instant Heat
- Verdict: Your Best Curling Iron for short hair
First, we made sure that every curling wand we selected was indeed for short hair. Reviews helped out, especially if they had pictures. We also looked at different types of curler wand and what specific purpose they served. Features were important as well.
From what the barrel is made out of to temperature control, it’s important to know these things if you want to pick an iron. Finally, we tried to choose from a variety of specific needs, such as what the best type of curling iron for loose curls was. These are just some ways we picked the five curling wands. Now, without further ado, let’s get into them.
#1: Hoson Tourmaline Ceramic Iron (Best Value – All-Purpose)
Let’s begin this list with the curling iron that is probably the most well-rounded. The price isn’t too expensive, but it’s not a budget curling iron, either. Also, this curling iron seems specifically designed for short hair, which we do appreciate.
The curling iron uses a tourmaline ceramic barrel. This means that it keeps moisture and avoids static. This is especially good if you have fine hair, but it’s good for all hair types as well. Besides this, the barrel size makes it great for hair of all sizes.
The curling iron heats up well, too. For temperatures about 225, it heats up in a minute. There are some curling irons that do it faster, but this is decent enough. One heat setting feature of a ceramic barrel curler is that it heats up evenly, meaning it won’t damage your hair.
Its heat settings continue showing off through its temperature control. This curling iron has an LCD display, which gives you accurate readings that are precise. Speaking of heat, safety measures are something you need to think about when buying a curling iron. This curling iron does have a wand tip that prevents scalding.
Finally, this curling iron has some features you’d expect from a modern curling wand. It shuts off automatically after an hour and has dual voltage. Dual voltage means you can bring the curling iron with you as you travel internationally.
It’s one of the best curling irons for short hair, but what do the reviews say? This curling has received positive reviews. People of all hair types seem to love this curling wand, with plenty of photos to prove that it works. Its ease of use, its long barrel, and how easy it is to control make it one of the best curling irons.
There are some negative reviews. Some have had defective units that didn’t work or got a little too hot, but this is always a possibility with any of the hot tools you purchase. Customer support seems good as well since most negative reviews had a response to them.
Overall, this is a great little curling iron. Not only is it affordable, but it has everything you need to get you started. We say to try it out and see if it works for you. You have nothing to lose, and curls to gain.
#2: Revlon Salon (Best Machine)
With hair curlers, most people can get by around the $20 range, but if you’re able to spend a little more, this curling iron is worth the extra price.
There are a couple of reasons why you may choose this curling wand over the others. For one thing, it has the most precise heat settings. Not only does the LCD monitor tell you the exact temperature, but you have exact heat setting control.
Another reason why this curling iron works well is that it heats up fast. Some irons take time to heat up, and while good things come to those who wait, many people cannot wait for their curling iron to get hot enough. We are all in a hurry, after all. Luckily, this beauty goes fast.
Finally, this curling iron looks great. It has that sleek salon look, which isn’t a feature, but we appreciate it all the same.
Reviews of this curling wand have been positive. People of all hair types have said that it heats up instantly and it gives them the hair they’ve been wanting. There are some negative reviews, mostly about defective units, but these are in the minority.
Overall, it’s a great, quality curler. You can buy curlers that are much more expensive, but with a curling iron you’re going to be using for home use, you don’t need to pay much. This one is the right balance between luxury and affordability.
#3: Revlon Iron Ball (Best For Loose Curls)
If you need a curling wand that can give you some beautiful, loose curls, this curling iron is for you. One reason why you may get this curling iron over the others is because of its barrel. It’s ball-shaped, specifically to help create looser more relaxed curls, even in shorter hair.
Besides that, it has all the features you’d expect from a quality curling iron. It has a heat setting for every situation, and it has a cool tip that prevents you from burning. Another little add-on that’s nice is that it comes with a heat-resistant glove. Hot tools require hot gloves, after all.
Reviews of this wand have been positive, with many people showing off their wavy curls. Negative reviews mostly come from people getting duds in the mail, but that will always happen in some capacity.
Overall, it’s a great curler, especially if you have trouble with your hair getting loose but effective curls. Try it out and see how well it works.
#4: Conair Instant Heat (Best Low Cost)
The beauty of a curling iron is that you don’t have to pay too much to get some good curls. This curler’s price can vary depending on what size you buy, but the price across the board is overall affordable. This curling iron isn’t anything fancy, but if you’re looking for tight curls for your short hair, this hair curler does the trick.
This iron heats up in only 30 seconds and has a variety of heat settings to choose from, which is quite impressive considering the price. Besides that, it has all the basic features you’d expect from a modern curl wand, such as dual voltage, auto shut-off, and more. This is an iron you’d buy if you need a quality curl wand and don’t have much money to spend or have to buy one for travel.
Reviews have been positive, with most people saying it’s good for the money and that it works for short hair. Besides people getting defective products, one criticism is that it doesn’t work well for long hair, so keep that in mind if you have multiple households or want to grow out your hair some time.
Whether you’re on a budget or need a cheap backup for your regular curler, this one has you covered.
#5: Helen of Troy Curling Brush (Best curling brush)
Finally, we have this. This isn’t a curling wand, but a curling brush. If you’re a little out of the loop with what that is, a curling brush is for damp hair. It’s a curling wand and a hairdryer in one, giving your short hair beautiful curls when it’s damp.
This brush has a handle that is contoured for use, and it has a couple of heat settings. A brush doesn’t have the same features as a curling iron, but many people find that it is still quite useful.
Also, this product does have a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try out different hairstyles for your short hair and see if this product is for you.
Reviews have been extremely possible, with many saying it’s one of the best curling brushes out there. It’s easy to use, worked well for most hairstyles, and was overall a good product. There were some negative reviews, mostly about defective units or the teeth falling out, but these were in the minority. With a huge guarantee, you can buy this with some peace of mind.
We say to try both a brush and a curler, as each one has its own use. Try it today and see how it works.
What About the Cheapies? Our Best Products Under $X
Here are some of the best curling irons in the cheap range. If you don’t have much money for your hair curls, we say these are worth the purchase.
#1 Best Under $15: HeatMaster Chrome
This is one of those curling irons that has a short barrel, making it great for short hair. It doesn’t have too many special features, but it’s ergonomic and has decent reviews. You can find it at some Sally Beauty stores, or you can get it online. Either way, you have a great curling iron for short hair.
#2 Best Under $12: InfinityPro
This is a curling iron that is cheap, but it has everything you need. Besides having a nice ceramic barrel that evenly distributes heat, its size is perfect for all types of hair. It’s great for those looser curls, too. Reviews of this curling iron have been mostly positive, and you can find it in most target stores.
#3 Best Under $10: Three Pack
These are some of the greatest curling irons if you need more than one and you’re on a budget. They have a barrel that is 3/4th inch, making them great for short hair. Great for a multi-person household, or if you need a curling iron for the road.
# 4 Best Under $7: Conair Instant Heat
This is a curling wand that is very cheap and is available at Target and other similar stores. It covers every basic need, from having a barrel size that’s good for most hair lengths to its auto-shutoff feature. It has positive reviews as well. This is one of those curling irons that is perfect for travel.
What about for short fine hair?
If you have short, fine hair, we recommend a smaller barrel that is made from tourmaline ceramic. This type of barrel heats up evenly so it won’t damage your fine hair. In addition, you want to use a lower heat setting whenever you are working on your curls so you don’t burn them.
What size curling iron is best for short hair?
With short hair, it all depends on the type of barrel you have. The smaller barrel you have, the better it is to handle. Anything above 1 inch will give your hair a curl that won’t hold, so go under that. Some people pick a mini curling iron to get their curls.
Honestly, it depends on how short your hair is and what type of curls you want for your hair. We say to ask a hair professional if you are unsure which curling wand you need.
What’s the best way to curl short hair?
Luckily, you can get some great curls even with short hair. It can be a little hard at first, but with a little practice, you can curl with ease. In fact, you can curl your hair using quite a few devices.
If you’re using a flatiron, you can get some great curls by alternating directions with every piece you get.
For a curling iron, you should keep an inch from a barrel if you want to have natural ends. With a curling iron, you do want to make sure that you use an iron that has a short barrel, or else you may run into hair that is not curly enough.
For a wand, you can press your hair, then use a wand to make your strands pop out. They can end up looking quite bouncy, especially if you use a wide-toothed comb. It can be a little bit of a challenge, but you can do it.
Also, it is possible to curl without any heat. Some people may not want to use heat because they have hair that is fine. It involves a lot of twisting, and you should be able to do it by watching some YouTube tutorials. One tip you can try is to use scrunchies and avoid any elastics. These can create dents, which are never fun for anyone’s hair.
With that said, the most efficient way is still through a curler, so purchase one and get curling.
Verdict: Your Best Curling Iron for short hair
Phew. Let’s summarize the curling irons.
If you want the top overall, pick the Hoson Tourmaline Ceramic. It has a unique shape to give your hair the best curls possible, it comes with an LCD with precise heat control, and it’s a great price as well. Overall, we say this is is a good value.
If you want something a little fancier, the Revlon Salon has your back. This will make your hair feel like it’s at a salon, giving you the best curls every time. It looks great, has a cool tip, performs great… what more is there to say?
The Revlon Iron Ball is a great curling iron if you want curls that are loose. Its ball-shaped barrel gives you curls that may be a little loose, but they stay.
The Conair Instant Heat is a cheap one, but it performs great. If you don’t have much money, you take what you can get, and luckily, this is a good one. Its heat works wonders for your hair, and it has everything you’d expect from a decent quality curling iron.
Finally, we have the Helen of Troy Curling Brush. If you like to curl your hair while you brush, we recommend this one. While it doesn’t have as much heat as a standard iron, it’s still a nifty little device.
And there you have it. These are some of the best curling irons if you have short hair. We love our short-haired friends, and we hope this list has made you want to get out an iron and curl to your heart’s content. Try out these irons today and see how well they do for you and your lovely hair.