The Best Size Curling Iron For Short Hair

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If you have short hair, you know that it can be a bit of a challenge to find the right curling iron size for your hair length. Most curling iron size barrels are too large for short hair. So then, really, what is the best size curling iron for short hair? This blog post will discuss the best size curling iron for shoulder-length hair, collarbone hair length, and chin-length hair. We will also talk about the best hot tools brands for short hair. After you are done reading this blog post, you will finally be able to pick the right curling iron and curling iron size for your hair short hair!

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What are the different types of curling iron barrel sizes?

There are three categories that a curling iron barrel can fall into. The first being small, the second being medium, and the third being large.

A small curling iron has a diameter that is one inch, or that has a smaller barrel that is less than one inch. This type of curling iron will give shorter hair a tighter curl or defined waves, depending on the curling method you use.

Next, the medium-size barrel has a diameter of one and one-fourth inches to one and a half inches. When using a barrel that ranges in between this size on short hair, you will achieve beach waves, loose waves, or loose curls.

Lastly, the larger barrel size is a curling iron that is two inches in diameter. This larger-sized curling iron will give your shorter hair a very loose wave or a bend at the ends of your hair. 

What size barrel should I use for my short hair?

Curling irons come in different sizes, and the size of the curling iron that you should use depends on your hair length. If you have shoulder-length hair, collarbone hair length, and chin-length hair, the perfect curling iron size for all three shorter hair lengths is a curling iron with a barrel size that has is one-inch or smaller.

A one-inch barrel curling iron is the best size curling iron for short hair because it will give you thous tousled waves or a tighter curl.

Also, when using a one-inch curling iron on shorter hair types, the hair can wrap around the curling iron barrel multiple times, giving your hair strands a more s-shaped effect. You will achieve tight curls with a smaller curling iron size that falls below a one-inch curling iron.

What size curling iron makes what size curls?

The chart below is a great guide to save for later. This curling iron size guide for short hair shows you what size curling iron to use depending on the length of your short hair. You also will notice that in this guide, we give you higher-end options and budget-friendly curling iron options.

How do I know what size curling iron I need?

If you are still unsure what size curling iron is best for your shorter hair length, here is a quick guide.

For short hair that falls at your chin level or shorter, you will want to use a small-barreled curling iron or any other curling iron that has a diameter of less than one- inch.

If your hair length falls just below your shoulders or at your collarbone, you will want to use a one-inch curling iron. Using a one-inch curling iron on shoulder-length hair will ensure that your curls last longer. Also, with a one-inch curling iron, you will be able to create perfect beachy waves vs loose beachy waves that will fall out of your hair faster.

Lastly, if your hair falls past your shoulders, this can also be considered as medium length hair! If your hair is this length, you will want to use a medium-sized curling iron. A medium-sized curling iron has a diameter between one and one-fourth inches to one and a half inches. These size curling irons will give anyone with this hair length bouncy curls or looser curls.

What to look for in a curling iron for short hair

When looking for the best curling iron size for short hair, there are a few things you want to consider.

The first is the material of the barrel. You want to make sure that the material of the barrel you are picking is right for your hair type.

A curling iron barrel can be made out of three types of materials. The three materials are ceramic, tourmaline, and titanium. These materials will give the hair different results, and one material can cost more than another.

Ceramic vs Toutmaline vs Titanium

Ceramic curling irons are best for those who have fine hair. This material does not get as hot as titanium causing less heat damage to finer hair. Also, ceramic curling irons are more affordable than tourmaline and titanium. However, if you have medium to coarse hair, you should avoid ceramic curling irons. They will not get hot enough for your hair type to achieve an even long-lasting curl.

Tourmaline is a material that is great for medium hair or coarse hair. You will find that this material heats up much faster than a ceramic curling iron. Also, your hair will be frizz-free and shiny with a tourmaline curling iron.

Titanium: material heats up faster than the other two materials. This material is good for all medium or coarse hair. But it will work best on coarse hair. If you decide to use a titanium curling iron on your medium hair, you should adjust the temperature settings to ensure you don't cause heat damage to your hair. Also, the material allows for the curling iron to glide through your hair easily, providing you with an even smooth curl. Titanium material is known to make the hair extremely shiny and make the hair frizz-free.

Now that we have gone over the different barrel materials let's talk about the different adjustable heat settings a curling iron can have.

You want to ensure that the curling iron you pick has adjustable heat settings. This is important because different hair types require different temperatures. For example, if you have thin hair or damaged hair, you will want to lower the heat setting on your curling iron to at least 330 - 300 °F. If you have thick hair that is on the healthy side, you can set your curling iron temperature to 330-400 °F. Going any higher than 400 °F can cause damage to the hair.

When looking for a curling iron, the last thing you want to consider is the price. Curling irons can range from less than $20 to over $100. The curling iron cost will depend on the brand, material, and features.

There are so many curling irons on the market that you can genuinely find a curling iron to meet your needs and budget. To ensure that you choose the best curling iron for your hair type, check out the selection of the best curling iron selection down below.

5 of the best size curling irons for short hair

Best Over All: GHD Classic 1 Inch Curling Iron

About the iron: The GHD curling iron automatically heats up to 365°F. It comes in two sizes. 1 inch is the first size and 1.25 inches is the second size. This curling iron is also an automatic sleep mode which is perfect if you also forget whether or not you turn off your curling iron. Lastly, GHD's amazing technology is known to make your curls last all day and reduce your hair from getting extremely damaged.

Temperature range: Go's up to 365°F. The temperature does not go up or down only stays at 365ºF.

Pros: Longer-lasting curls, less heat damage, sleep mood, and automatic shut-off feature.

Cons: It does not have different heat temperature settings.

Best Ceramic: Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron

About the iron: This iron is a ceramic curling iron with 30 heat settings. It comes in many different sizes ranging from 3/4 inches to 2 inches. This is one of the best options if you are on a budget it's a super affordable price.

Temperature range: goes up to 400°F

Pros: Has adjustable heat settings, is affordable, comes in many different barrel sizes.

Cons: Curls might not last as long.

Best Budget: BaBylissPRO Ceramix Xtreme Ceramic Curling Iron

About the iron: Babyliss Pro curling irons are great long, last curling irons. The ceramic curling iron shown above is a more affordable curling iron compared to other higher-end curling iron brands. This iron has 30 different heat settings, provides even heat distribution, and has dual voltage for travel.

Temperature range: goes up to 430 °F

Pros: Has many different heat settings, comes in all different sizes, even distribution of heat, and is a great curling iron for anyone who travels a lot.

Cons: the curling iron barrel is on the short side if you have long hair it can be hard to get all your hair around this curling iron.

Best Splurge: T3 Twirl Trio Interchangeable Clip Curling Iron Set

About the iron: This T3 curling iron is different a higher-end curling iron. However, what makes this iron worth its's price point is the fact that you get three curling irons in one. This iron lets you interchange the curling iron barrel from three different barrel sizes. Also, this iron will create frizz-free, shiny curls that last all day due to the custom blend of ceramic coating that covers the iron.

Temperature range: Five adjustable heat settings. The temperature ranges from 260-410°F

Pros: comes with three different interchangeable curling iron heads, has five different heat settings and will give you frizz-free curls.

Cons: Pricer curling iron

Best Rotating Rod: beachwaver® pro 1 dual voltage rotating curling iron

About the iron: The beach waver is a unique curling iron that is perfect for anyone that has a hard time mastering curling their hair with a curling iron clamp. This curling iron is a tourmaline ceramic barrel that rotates in the direction you want your curls to go in. All you have to do is place your hair on the curling iron and then the hair tool will do the rest of the work for you!

Temperature range: from 310°F - 450°F

Pros: Adjustable heat settings, 30 min auto-shutoff, tourmaline ceramic, and dual voltage.

Cons: price point

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