Cone curling irons
An important event or going on a date, but there is no way to go to the hairdresser? You can make a beautiful and high-quality perm not only in a beauty salon. A cone curling iron will help you cope with this task at home.
How is it different from the regular model?
A cone-shaped hair curler has the appearance of an elongated cone, tapering in diameter towards the tip. Its main difference from other curling irons is that it does not have a clip, which prevents the appearance of a crease on the curl. Therefore, for the first time you will have to practice on your own, since you will have to hold both the curling iron itself and the tip of the curl. When working with it, you must wear a special thermal glove to protect your hands from burns. This model allows you not to spoil the hair and create neat and even curls on the hair. This curling iron belongs to professional models, because it will be difficult for an inexperienced user to make perfectly curled curls.
A device of this model has recently appeared on the market and is a kind of analogue of a curling iron with a clip in the form of a carrot."Carrot" usually has a metallic coating, which can seriously damage the hair.
Advantages and disadvantages of cone-shaped models
Many professional masters recommend just such a model of curling iron for many reasons:
- Thanks to the high-quality coating and the streamlined shape of the heating element, winding the strand is very easy and simple. At any time during the process, you can quickly and easily remove the curl from the curling iron.
- Due to the lack of a conventional clip, the curl is obtained without creases at the tip, thereby looking more natural and neat.
- The conical shape allows you to give the strands of hair a natural look, due to the fact that the finished curls have a rounded shape that decreases in diameter towards the end.
- Ceramic curling iron quickly and evenly heats up over the entire surface. The heat of the heating element is distributed equally along the entire length of the hair, thereby not disturbing its structure and integrity once again.
- With proper use of the device, the process itself will not take much time and will please with its excellent result.
- With the help of a cone curling iron, you can create voluminous curls from the very roots.
- Most models have a special temperature controller, which will not harm the hair. But in any case, as experienced experts advise, it is better to use a thermal protective spray or foam for additional protection.
The disadvantages of the curling iron are only that you need to get used to using it.
The process will always involve two hands. One hand holds the device itself, and the second - a strand with a special glove. Some models have an insulated tip, where you can safely press the end of the strand without fear of getting burned.
main parameters
If you want to curl your hair yourself and not spend money on a perm or going to a beauty salon, then purchasing your own cone curling iron is a great solution. The choice should be taken seriously, as the health and beauty of the hair depends on it.
The first thing you should pay attention to is the material from which the device is made.
The handle should be rubberized or have a high-quality and non-slip coating for ease of use. As for the heating cone itself, experienced craftsmen do not advise taking a curling iron with a metal working surface, it greatly harms the hair and there is a high risk of burning the hair. It is better to choose a Teflon, ceramic or glass-ceramic curling iron, since the listed materials are gentle on the hair and do not dry out the curls.
It will be important to find out customer reviews on a particular model of the brand. Often, sellers in stores are not always honest, so before buying, you should read on the Internet about various models and their characteristics. You can also clarify the necessary information in a regular hairdresser, in addition, you can also see with your own eyes the necessary model of the curling iron, which will be tested on the spot.
The size of the cone must be selected according to the length of the hair. You should go from the opposite: the shorter the hair, the wider the diameter of the cone and vice versa. It is better to buy a curling iron with interchangeable nozzles of different widths, so it is easier to find the right diameter for curls so that they look harmonious and attractive. Do not forget about the kit itself.It should include the device itself, a protective glove (there are sets where the glove is only for 2 and 3 fingers), a rug or a special stand for the curling iron, if neither is available, then most likely there is a special loop on the case itself for suspension.
In the absence of a heat-protective glove, the curling iron must have an insulated tip that does not heat up during operation of the device. The selected model must have a thermostat.
Each woman has a different structure and thickness of hair, so the temperature of exposure to them should also be different. It is advisable to immediately check the operation and speed of heating the curling iron in the store. A big plus is the presence of the ionization function, which will protect the hair from overdrying. Negative ions neutralize static electricity on the hair, and make them shiny and healthy looking.
It is worth paying attention to the power cord. It is necessary to check its isolation, since a bad winding can melt and shock during the process of creating a hairstyle. The length of the wire should be at least 1-1.5 meters, otherwise you will have to stand and wind up next to the outlet, which is not very convenient.
A great addition would be a program to automatically turn off the power if it is not used for 30 minutes or more. It happens that in the process of preparing a hairstyle for an important event in a hurry, you can forget to turn off the curling iron from the power supply. This can lead to damage to the device itself or even to a fire in the room, so it is better to buy cone models with auto-off or a sound signal.
Material
To date, a wide variety of coatings for cone curling irons have been invented so that they do not injure and do not burn hair in vain:
- The oldest and most harmful coating is metal. When heated, this coating emits positively charged ions. Under high temperature and their influence, the scales on the hair rise, as a result of which moisture and skin protective fat evaporate. As a result, the hair becomes very dry and damaged.
- Metal is different for metal. Curling iron has distinctive properties titanium coated. It is perfect for brittle and thin hair, quickly heats up to operating temperature and is resistant to mechanical damage. A high-quality titanium curling iron will serve its owner for quite a long time.
- Teflon coating Much better than regular metal. Thanks to him, the curl evenly warms up and does not burn to the coating. With frequent use, such a pad will last about a year, since Teflon tends to wear off and thin. It is difficult to determine the remaining layer of coating by appearance, so it is better not to use old curling devices.
- One of the most hair-friendly coatings for curling irons is ceramic. It acts in the opposite way to metal: it retains internal moisture inside the layers of the hair, clogs the scales and gives a well-groomed and healthy look to the hair. A ceramic curling iron will last much longer if the heating part consists entirely of ceramics.
- tourmaline coating today is one of the most modern and most harmless to hair. As you know, tourmaline belongs to semi-precious stones, so such a curling iron will be more expensive than usual. This mineral is crushed into dust and the device is covered with it.When heated, tourmaline creates a weak magnetic field, as a result of which negatively charged ions are formed, which have a positive effect on the hair as a whole. The tourmaline layer is not erased and has a long service life.
- glass ceramics is also the safest hair styling material. The surface is very smooth and even in its structure, due to which the strand moves easily along the entire length of the nozzle, facilitating the winding of the curl around the heated surface. Unfortunately, such cone curling irons are hard to find in ordinary stores, because they belong to the class of professional equipment for hairdressers and stylists.
- To increase the period of use and reduce the damage to the hair, manufacturers make hybrids, where other substances are deposited on the titanium layer. You can find titanium-ceramic curling irons, as well as titanium-tourmaline. Such devices are somewhat more expensive, but the price justifies the investment. But there is another way to make hair curling irons mixed in structure, for example, anodizing. In this case, the aluminum rod is subjected to anodic oxidation, as a result of which the surface becomes resistant to chemical and mechanical influences, and also does not harm the hair, like a conventional metal coating.
- An unusual coating is Sol-Gel. This is a unique process for making a curling iron, when the ceramic coating is melted and combined with titanium microparticles. The result is an excellent quality device that gently affects the hair without damaging its structure.
- Also in stores you can find cone-shaped curling irons with silver nanoparticles. Hair curled with it will improve health, become more manageable and shiny.
Diameter
The beauty and naturalness of a twisted curl will depend on the proportionality of the length of the hair and the diameter of the curling iron. The thicker the device, the larger the curls will turn out. Allocate the following graph paper:
- 10 mm is the smallest size for a cone curling iron. Allows you to make finely twisted curls.
- 16 mm - this diameter contributes to the creation of small coils that closely resemble natural curls.
- 19 mm - basically this width is used to create "retro waves" on the head.
- 25 and 32 mm - curls are medium in size, have a "soft" and romantic look.
- 38 mm - thanks to this size, the curl rings are quite large. Thanks to this, you can make a good root volume.
- 50 mm and 45 mm - the heating cone is thick and in fact large diameter waves come out. Suitable exclusively for long hair, since on short hair it will only be possible to round the ends of the curls.
Temperature regime
As a rule, all curling irons operate in the power range from 20 to 50 watts. The larger the diameter of the working surface of the cone, the more power is required for its uniform heating. On average, the curling iron heats up from 100 to 240 degrees. The temperature must be selected depending on the thickness and health of the hair. Sick and weak hair that has been damaged by paint or other brightening agents is better not to curl, as there is a risk of making them even weaker and sicker.
The temperature for curling should be selected based on the following range:
- If the hair is thin and brittle by nature, then it is better to set the temperature no higher than 140 - 150 degrees.
- For normal and healthy hair, a temperature regime of 160 - 180 degrees is suitable.
- Owners of naturally dark, thick and coarse hair, you can not be afraid to set 190 - 200 degrees.
Additional functions
Curling irons from different manufacturers have different additional features that increase ease of use and speed up the curling process. One of the nice additions is the ability to lock the control panel. This prevents accidental temperature changes while working with the curling iron. Also one of the new features is the memorization of the previously selected temperature. In addition, interchangeable nozzles can be attached to the kit. They can be in the form of a tapering triangle with sharp ribs, resulting in broken rounded curls or in the form of equidistant balls with a decreasing diameter towards the tip of the curling iron. There are nozzles with a "ladder" that make the effect of corrugation on the hair.
There are models with wider functionality. You can find models of conical curling irons, where there are nozzles not only for curling hair, but also for straightening it.
How to use?
To make a beautiful hairstyle, it is best to follow the general instructions so that the result is really outstanding and beautiful. Before styling, dirty hair should be washed with regular shampoo. If the hair is clean and was washed a day ago, then you should not wash it again. It is better not to dry wet curls with a hairdryer, it is necessary to let them dry on their own, since subsequent procedures will, to some extent, harm the hair. After the hair is completely dry, it should be combed with high quality and divided into 2 parts: upper and lower, so it will be easier and more convenient to make curls.
Next, you need to separate a small strand, about 1 cm in diameter. This thickness is the most optimal for obtaining the most natural curls.Do not forget about hair protection products. It can be a special thermal protective spray, foam or emulsion. After applying the product, it is necessary to comb the strand again. Then, you need to wind the curl on the triangular cone of the curling iron, starting from the wide part of the device, so that the tip ends at the narrow part. Thus, the root volume will turn out.
It is necessary to ensure that the winding hair does not overlap with the previous layer, otherwise the curls will not grab well and will not last long.
It is not necessary to heat the future curl for a long time, 6-10 seconds is enough. Thus, the hair will not dry out, and the result will only please. After heating, you should not immediately dissolve the curls, you can sprinkle hairspray on them and let them cool. After a few minutes, the curls can be released and combed again with a comb with large teeth. At the end of the process, already curly hair can be lifted at the roots with light movements of the fingers, slightly “beating” them.
It is important to understand that whatever the curling iron, with or without a protective coating, a protective agent is applied or not, in any case this procedure will not benefit the hair. It is better not to abuse the curling iron and use no more than 2 times a week, then the hair will not be so much injured and dry out. But if you still have to wind your hair almost every day, then you should not forget about masks and hair balms. So you can restore the hair a little and prevent its splitting and breaking from dryness.
How to care for a curling iron
The most important thing after using the curling iron is to remember to turn it off and unplug the power plug from the mains to avoid fires.After the device has cooled down a bit, it is necessary to wipe off the remaining hair styling products with a damp cloth or towel, as stains can burn to the coating and ruin the work surface. It won't do your hair any good. If hairspray or foam still left stubborn stains, then in no case should you rub the surface with a sponge with an abrasive surface. These stains are best removed with products containing alcohol.
Hairstyle options for different hair lengths
Styling and curling hair of various lengths takes a different amount of time and approach. On short hair, making curls is much faster, since the shorter the length, the faster the curl will form. Too short hair should not be curled. The optimal length starts from 25 cm from the roots:
- Before spinning short curls, you should first divide the entire mass of hair into 3 tiers: upper, middle and lower. You need to start work from the top level, namely from the top. It is necessary to curl almost from the very roots, then you get the volume of a natural look. For neat curls on short hair, it is better to use a curling iron with a diameter of 19 - 25 mm.
- For medium length hair any diameter is suitable, except for 50 mm, since it is difficult to wind even long curls on such a curling iron. Before the procedure, the strands should also be distinguished: the back of the head, right and left. Work should begin with the back upper rows and gradually approach the lower strands. The result is smooth and romantic curls.
At this length, you can make selective winding, the hairstyle will be very original and non-standard.The main thing is that the curls should be about the same length as the main body of hair, otherwise, heavily curled curls will “knock out” of the overall texture of the hairstyle.
- Shoulder hair and longer give more space for work and imagination. When working with this length, the hair must be divided into 4 segments: upper, back, right and left zone. It's best to start from the back. Long strands are best wound from the middle of the length. A large volume on the hair will not work, because under the weight of the curl, the curls will unravel and straighten. Therefore, you can make the effect of a light wave or "retro wave". For this, cone diameters of 25 - 32 mm are suitable. With wavy hair, you can do all kinds of hairstyles, for example, stab with a beautiful hairpin from one side or collect your hair in a bun and make a voluminous tail.
Rating of the best manufacturers
Today, there are many companies that produce professional curling irons and curling irons for home use. Of course, for your own use, you always want a high-quality and reliable device. But how do you know what category a cone curling iron belongs to?
As a rule, a highly professional curling iron will have a coating either with tourmaline, or glass-ceramic, or with silver ions. In this regard, heating will be carried out quickly and evenly. Temperature regimes will be at least 20-25. The wire for mains power should be 1.5 to 2 meters long with circular rotation so that it does not get tangled during operation.
The most popular and consumer-proven brands of conical flats include the company's models: BaByliss, Remington, Rowenta, Phillips, Valera and Siber.
The most expensive models are Valera and BaByliss, they belong to the category of luxury or professional equipment for hairdressers.Pricing policy varies from 3500 to 5000 rubles. These manufacturers make a high-quality coating, thanks to which you can quickly and easily make curly curls, and the hair does not cause much harm. For their production, a titanium coating treated with tourmaline particles is used. Such curling irons are distinguished by their original design and ergonomic shape. In household appliance stores, these models are difficult to find, so they can be ordered through the online store.
Conical curling irons from brands Remington, Rowenta and Phillips belong to the semi-professional category. They are easy to find in specialized stores. The pricing policy is quite acceptable. You can buy a quality curling iron from 1500 to 4000 rubles. The rest of the firms produce a variety of goods of general availability. As a rule, the price for the goods is small, from 700 rubles.
Reviews
Before buying a cone curling iron, it is best to read reviews about the model you like, since only the direct user can point out the positive and negative sides of the device.
Most consumers of BaByliss cone plates note its high-quality titanium coating.
Also in the product line there are various diameters of the heating element, which allows you to choose the most suitable option for your own hair. Users note the presence of 25 temperature modes and a rather long cord. The package includes a special mat on which you can put a hot curling iron, and there is also a three-finger protective glove, which is not very convenient. In general, buyers are satisfied with this brand, but for good quality, as a rule, you have to pay a pretty tidy sum.
The Phillips brand (model BHB872) also speaks positively. They note the excellent design and comfortable handle.Also, such a curling iron has a special timer that helps to process the hair for the same time and not to overdo it. Temperature conditions start from 120 degrees to 200; step - 10 degrees, this allows you to set the ideal temperature for the structure of different hair. This curling iron has a thoughtful button locking system so that during operation you do not accidentally touch them with your finger and do not change the temperature.
An additional function is included - hair ionization, which makes curls more shiny and well-groomed.
Remington curling irons (model CI96W1) are also highly valued by consumers. They note high-quality ceramic coating, the presence of a digital display, a large selection of temperature conditions. The device heats up quickly and evenly, an insulated tip is provided. Pleasantly pleased with the power cord. It rotates 360 degrees and is 3 meters long. The small size and light weight allows you to take the curling iron with you anywhere. Another advantage of this curling iron is a large working surface, which allows you to wind long enough hair. There are no drawbacks to this device, however, it is advised to purchase a better protective glove, since it does not fully protect the palm from a hot surface.
Owners of Dewal flat irons (model 03-1019) also note the high-quality titanium coating with tourmaline. This curling iron has an excellent function - it remembers the previously selected mode. The handle is covered with rubberized plastic, which makes it comfortable and convenient to use.
However, there is a small minus - there is no indicator of readiness for work, it is not entirely clear at what point the curling iron has already heated up to the desired temperature, and therefore there is no protection against overheating.
For tips from a professional in creating curls with a conical curling iron, see the next video.