The 5 Best Curling Irons For Fine Hair That Won’t Damage Strands (2024)

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Jessica Timmons

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Encouraging fine hair to hold a curl is famously tricky, and the best curling irons for fine hair are designed with appropriate heat settings (read: low) to get the job done. “People with fine hair need to be very careful when working with a curling iron,” says Sharron Doram, celebrity colorist. “The most important thing is not to overexpose the hair to heat.” Our top pick for fine hair, the T3 SinglePass Curling Iron, features nine heat settings and has a ceramic barrel for fast, efficient styling and lasting results.

Before making a purchase, consider the heat settings, materials, barrel size and price. All of our experts recommend a ceramic barrel for fine hair, as this material distributes heat more evenly and prevents hot spots that may damage strands. Below are the best curling irons for fine hair, along with shopping advice from a variety of experts.

Best Curling Iron Overall For Fine Hair

A Top Pick With Precise Heat Control And One-Pass Styling

MOST POPULAR

T3 SinglePass Ceramic Curling Iron

Plate material:CeraGloss ceramic |Barrel sizes:1 inch, 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches | Temperature:260 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit |Heat-up time:90 seconds | Weight:10.6 ounces |Cord length:8 feet |Warranty:2 years

The Forbes Vetted team dubbed the T3 SinglePass our top luxury pick in our roundup of the best curling irons, and the latest model manages to improve on the original. It has nine settings for precise heat control and an extra-long ceramic barrel that allows for a range of styling techniques. An updated clip design gives the iron a super smooth glide and minimizes the potential for clamp marks, which can be an issue with fine hair. This model has the brand’s trademarked CeraGloss ceramic barrel to ensure even heat with no hot or cold spots for fast, one-pass styling. That minimizes heat exposure and helps ensure lasting curls, even on fine hair.

Best Value Curling Iron For Fine Hair

An Affordable Tool With Double The Ceramic Coating

Conair Double Ceramic 1-Inch Curling Iron

Plate material:Ceramic |Barrel sizes:0.5 inch, 0.75 inch, 1 inch, 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches |Temperature:260 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit |Heat-up time:Instant | Weight:15.2 ounces |Cord length:5 feet |Warranty:2 years

This classic curling iron from Conair has double the ceramic content for more even heat distribution, faster styling, anti-frizz control and longer-lasting curls, according to the brand. It has 30 heat settings, including a max temperature of 375 degrees and a Turbo Heat feature that adds a burst of extra heat-up by 27 degrees. Other bells and whistles include instant heat-up, a cool tip to make styling easier and recessed buttons so you don’t accidentally turn it off while you’re using it. The best part? It’s priced around $20, which is a fraction of the cost of others on our list.

Best Curling Iron For Short, Fine Hair

A Versatile Iron For Styling Curls And Waves On Short Hair

Kristin Ess Ceramic Curling Iron

Plate material:Ceramic |Barrel sizes:1 inch, 1.25 inches |Temperature:325 degrees to 425 degrees Fahrenheit |Heat-up time:60 seconds |Weight:2 pounds | Cord length:9 feet |Warranty:2 years

Use this versatile curling iron to style beachy waves and curls on shorter hairstyles, including pixies, lobs and bobs. The ceramic barrel helps retain moisture and closes the hair cuticle for smooth, shiny strands. Plus, it makes it easy to slide the iron through ends without snagging fine hair or leaving lines. The tool has a digital display with four temperature presets (325, 365, 400 and 425 degrees Fahrenheit), an automatic shut-off feature and negative ion technology for frizz-free styling. Keep in mind that this option is a bit heavier than others on our list.

Best Curling Iron For Long, Fine Hair

A Lightweight, Rotating Pick That's Easy To Use

Beachwaver B1 Rotating Curling Iron

Plate material:Ceramic |Barrel sizes:0.75 inch, 1 inch, 1.5 inches | Temperature: 290 to 410 degrees Fahrenheit |Heat-up time:45 seconds |Weight:16 ounces | Cord length:8 feet |Warranty:1 year

The Beachwaver B1 is a rotating curling iron, which means it does most of the work for you—a particularly helpful feature if you have long hair. Two arrow buttons rotate the barrel in either direction for easy styling, while a signature beveled, one-inch clamp ensures smooth curling and no kinks or dents as you curl. The ceramic iron has three heat settings to suit different hair types: high (410 degrees), medium (350 degrees) and low (290 degrees). It’s also lightweight, which gives your arms a break while you work through all that hair.

Best Curling Wand For Fine Hair

A Tapered, Oval Barrel That Won't Scorch Delicate Strands

GHD Classic Wave Hair Curling Wand

Plate material:Ceramic |Barrel size:1.5 inches |Temperature:365 degrees Fahrenheit |Heat-up time:25 seconds |Weight:14.4 ounces |Cord length:6 feet | Warranty:2 years

This curling wand skips the temperature dial completely. Instead, it’s designed to heat up to 365 degrees Fahrenheit for what the brand calls optimal styling—hot enough to style without causing damage, even for fine strands. The 1.5-inch ceramic barrel has an oval shape for a loose, modern wave and a protective cool tip that makes it easier to twist strands around the barrel. The iron comes with a safety stand and a protective glove, too.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

At Forbes Vetted, we’ve researched and written dozens of haircare stories. The author of this piece Jessica Timmons is a regular contributor with over a decade of experience covering beauty and lifestyle topics. As someone who spent years straightening and then painstakingly adding waves to her own long, fine hair, she tested two of the curling irons on this list. The story was overseen by deputy editor Jane Sung, who has led coverage on a wide variety of haircare topics including the best conditioners for dry hair and the top hair straighteners, according to rigorous testing.

In addition, Timmons gathered key insight and guidance from five industry professionals: Kimberly Gueldner, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Voël Hair Studio; Sharron Doram, celebrity colorist and owner at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon; Christina Hayes, senior hair designer at Hainsworth & Company Salon in Arizona; Jen Ju, director of brand and product marketing at T3; and Sarah Potempa, celebrity hairstylist and founder of The Beachwaver Co.

How We Chose The Best Curling Irons For Fine Hair

To select the best curling irons for fine hair, we started with brands we know and love and then looked for features that specifically benefit fine hair. We prioritized ceramic curling irons over titanium and looked for options with a range of heating settings. We also kept barrel size in mind to ensure we had options for both long and short hair. Our experts chimed in with recommendations based on their own experiences, while customer reviews were examined for standout product traits. As everyone’s budget looks a little different, we included both affordable and luxury options.

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The 5 Best Curling Irons For Fine Hair That Won’t Damage Strands (2024)

FAQs

The 5 Best Curling Irons For Fine Hair That Won’t Damage Strands? ›

Overall, our favorite curling iron for fine hair is the TYMO Cues Curling Iron. The tool comes with three interchangeable barrels—in . 5, 1, and 1.5 inches—as well as three heat settings and an automatic shut-off feature.

What is the least damaging curling iron for fine, thin hair? ›

Overall, our favorite curling iron for fine hair is the TYMO Cues Curling Iron. The tool comes with three interchangeable barrels—in . 5, 1, and 1.5 inches—as well as three heat settings and an automatic shut-off feature.

How do you curl fine hair without damaging it? ›

How to curl hair without damage: 7 tips
  1. Use a curling wand or iron with tourmaline plates. ...
  2. Look for a hair styling tool with adjustable heat settings. ...
  3. Always use a thermal heat protectant. ...
  4. Start working on a clean base. ...
  5. Don't over-curl your hair. ...
  6. Section your hair. ...
  7. Keep your curling wand clean.

What type of curling iron is healthiest for hair? ›

“Ceramic creates an even heat distribution and is the best option for more fragile or chemically treated hair because it doesn't reach temperatures as high as the other materials do,” she says. For those with coarse or textured hair types, Reslan recommends using a tourmaline curling iron.

Is ceramic or tourmaline curling iron better for fine hair? ›

Fine or damaged hair may benefit from a ceramic hair tool with lower heat settings, while thick or coarse hair may require a tourmaline hair tool with higher heat settings. Desired Style: Think about the style you want to achieve. If you prefer sleek and smooth styles, a ceramic hair tool may be more suitable.

What curling iron causes the least damage to hair? ›

One is a titanium curling iron and the other is ceramic curling iron," says Nunzio Saviano, a stylist and owner Nunzio Saviano Salon. Saviano says they both are less likely to damage the hair if used properly because they distribute heat evenly, which is better when creating a long lasting curl or wave formation.

What curling iron doesn t cause heat damage? ›

Bio Ionic Long Barrel Curling Iron

Not only is this iron 2″ longer for those of us with long hair, but it uses NanoIonic MX and Ionic Moisturizing Heat so your ends don't get fried (Ceramic Mineral Complex and Far Infrared Heat). Great if you chemically treat your hair since color treated hair tends to be drier.

What do you put on fine hair before curling? ›

So before you take a curling iron to your mane, start with a lightweight styling lotion to give your hair some texture. It's also a good idea to use a heat-protecting product so you don't fry your strands.

What to put on hair before curling iron? ›

Then, spritz all over with a heat protectant—essentially a primer for your hair. Finally, it may seem backwards, but you can also apply hairspray before curling, a trick that not only adds yet another barrier between the iron and your hair, but also helps the curls last longer.

What's the least damaging hair tool? ›

Ceramic flat irons are the least damaging option for hair. Tourmaline flat irons emit negative ions to reduce frizz and static. Titanium flat irons heat up quickly and evenly for efficient styling. Ionic flat irons use negative ions to smooth hair and reduce heat damage.

What curling iron do most salons use? ›

T3 SinglePass Curl 1.25" Ceramic Long Barrel Curling and Wave Iron. T3 makes some of our favorite curling irons because they have extra long barrels and leave hair very shiny with curls that seem to last all day, says Michael Dueñas, a celebrity hairstylist, groomer and photographer.

Is ceramic or titanium better for curling fine hair? ›

Ceramic curling irons are also favored because of their smooth surface which means you'll have a cleaner iron for longer (hello product gunk), and less snagging as you style. The benefits of a ceramic curling iron really shine for those who have fine hair or previously damaged hair types.

What size curling iron is best for fine hair? ›

3/4 inch. Transform your hair texture to create glamorous Hollywood waves using a ¾-inch curling iron barrel. This curling iron size is great for those with thin or thick hair. It also works best if you have shoulder-length hair to create perfectly polished curls.

Which is less damaging to hair, titanium or ceramic? ›

Ceramic one will take more time to heat up and will require more passes to straighten the hair, but it will be less damaging than a titanium one. What else to consider? If you have an option to choose a tourmaline-infused titanium flat iron, you should definitely go with this one!

Which curling iron is best for fine, thin hair? ›

All of our experts recommend a ceramic barrel for fine hair, as this material distributes heat more evenly and prevents hot spots that may damage strands.

How do you get fine thin hair to hold a curl? ›

Work in sections. Even if your hair is thin, working in sections ensures that you'll reach the roots on the back of your head and will give your curls a more consistent style. Use alligator clips to divide hair into three or four sections and save the top half of the hair for last. Use the proper heat setting.

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