The 5 Best Curling Irons For Fine Hair, According To Experts
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 while minimizing damage. “People with fine hair need to be very careful when working with a curling iron,” says celebrity colorist Sharron Doram. “The most important thing is not to overexpose the hair to heat.” Our top pick for fine hair, the T3 SinglePass X Curling Iron, features nine heat settings and has a ceramic barrel for fast, efficient styling and lasting results.
The best curling irons for fine hair provide damage-free 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.
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 has tested some of the curling irons on this list.
- The story has been overseen by deputy editor Jane Sung, who leads 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.
What To Consider In A Curling Iron For Fine Hair
“People with fine hair need to be very careful when working with a curling iron,” says Dorram. This means using lower temperatures and opting for barrels made with certain materials. Here’s what else to keep in mind.
Heat Settings
Dorram says that fine hair is more responsive than thick hair, which means it’s important to find an iron with multiple settings. “Look for irons where you can adjust and control the heat setting by degrees, versus only on/off or low, medium and high,” says Hayes. “This gives you much more control over exactly how much heat your hair is being exposed to.”
For fine hair, always start with low heat. “Those with fine hair do not need to turn up the heat to the highest heat setting,” says Ju. Keeping the temperature on the lower end won’t just protect your strands—it may encourage a better curl. “If the iron is too hot, it can actually have the opposite effect and prevent the hair from being able to hold shape, making it more limp because it can’t handle such high heat,” says Hayes.
Materials
All of our experts recommend a ceramic barrel for fine hair. “Ceramic plates distribute the heat more evenly than titanium, so there are no ‘hot spots’ on the iron that could cause more heat to be applied on one spot of your hair than others,” says Hayes. “This minimizes potential damage and produces a more even curl.” Titanium barrels can sustain higher temperatures for longer, she adds, but it’s not something that fine hair needs. Ceramic barrels have another benefit, too. They help smooth the hair by closing the cuticle and minimizing frizz for a glossy finish.
Barrel Size
Barrel size determines curl size, so the bigger the barrel, the looser and larger the wave. But hair length and texture can also steer you toward a bigger or smaller barrel. “Those with fine hair may struggle with their curls not holding the shape or lasting as long,” says Hayes, so you might want to opt for a smaller barrel size. “If you start with a tighter curl, knowing that it may fall and loosen fairly quickly, then you are more likely to end up with the desired result of that perfect wave,” she says.