Using one of the best hair curlers in South Africa can make all the difference. With the right tool, it’s so easy to create gorgeous beachy waves and curls (corkscrew or bouncy) at home.
What to consider when choosing a hair curler
When deciding on the best hair curler for your needs, consider your budget and your hair goals.
If you create curls regularly, it’s worth investing in a high-quality hair curler. This will give you consistently sensational curls while protecting your hair from heat damage. An example is a curler from Olivia Garden, Gamma Più or, at a lower price point, Silver Bullet.
Also consider the following factors.
Hair type and length
For thick, coarser hair types, higher heat settings and wider plates are best. For fine or delicate hair, opt for a curler that will prevent snagging and hair breakage, with options for lower heat settings.
Desired curl type
Generally, the smaller the barrel size, the tighter the curl you’ll achieve. The larger the barrel, the looser or softer the curl.
If you’re looking for the best curling iron for short hair, choose a hair curler with a smaller barrel. This makes it easier to curl shorter hair and to create volume.
Hair curler materials
Each material has different pros and cons, or is most suitable for particular hair types.
- Ceramic curling irons heat up very fast, give a consistent temperature throughout the barrel and are suitable for all hair types.
- Tourmaline curlersrelease negative ions that smooth your hair’s cuticle, eliminate frizz and make hair smooth and shiny. They achieve a professional result at lower temperatures and are the best hair curler for fine hair.
- Titanium heats up quickly, evenly and can achieve the highest temperatures. Titanium curlers can curl even the coarsest, thickest hair, quickly and evenly.
Always apply a heat protector before using a hair curler. This will protect your hair from heat damage and can improve your results. A styling product for curls can also be useful, helping curls stay put for longer.
Favourite hair curlers available in South Africa
Here’s the list of the best hair curlers, to give you salon-perfect curls at home every day.
Best Hair Curler Overall
The Revolution brings you the latest curling-tong technology to create curls evenly, easily and without effort. How? An automatic rotating 25 mm barrel does all the work for you. No more struggling and tugging with uneven results.
You secure a hair section in place, press left or right button to rotate the ceramic barrel clockwise or anticlockwise. The polished gold barrel rotates at a constant speed to prevent any pulling or pain. A reset button releases the hair. Simple.
The Revolution has variable styling temperatures from 80°C to 210°C, fast heat-up and heat recovery, a temperature lock and is suitable for all hair lengths and thicknesses.
Pros:
Best Wave Maker
Choose exactly what size wave you want. The adjustable wave maker for all hair types and conditions.
Simply twist the control knob at end of the waver to increase or decrease the size of the waves it will create. Feel like switching it up? Instantly change your wave size to your heart’s content.
Perfect for those cute and tight waves, or big and bouncy waves. Its 60 heat up time to operating temperature will get you making waves in no time.
Pros:
Best Hair Curling Iron for Long Hair
The patented conical Rainbow Korner XL Curling Iron offers a unique and easy way to create a wide range of curls without stress. It’s perfect for longer hair to achieve editorial-fresh waves and curls. It’s the best tool to curl straight hair.
The extra-long conical tapered barrel ranges in width from 16 mm at the base to 32 mm at the end. It’s designed to leave volume towards the roots and softer waves towards the ends.
The no-clamp curling iron is polished with the Gamma+ proprietary anti-static Rainbow finish to leave curls smoother and fuller while reducing frizz and holding styles up to 50% longer.
Innovative fast-heating and consistent temperature-control technology is placed within the unique round heating cylinder at the top of the iron to allow a longer, freer wand size for more natural and comfortable results. There are four different temperature settings (170, 190, 210 and 230°C) to suit every hair type and texture.
This is the best hair waver iron for climate-challenged hair styling, ranging from summer humidity to winter dryness.
Pros:
Best Hair Curler for Beachy Waves
The oval shape of the Jaguar Cosy Curl professional curling iron makes it easy for you to style natural curls, glamorous Hollywood waves and undone looks at home. A protective cool tip makes it simple to hold the hair while styling.
The ceramic/tourmaline-coated oval-shaped aluminium heating wand has a diameter of 26 x 40 mm and heats up to 100°C within 60 seconds and 200°C in three minutes making salon-beautiful curls fast and easy.
The temperature settings range from 120°C to 200°C in three stages for fine, medium or thicker hair. An LED display makes the temperature easy to read. Hollywood glam was never so simple.
Pros:
Best Flat Iron for Curling Hair
This high-performance professional straightening iron with Olivia Garden’s renowned Ceramic + Ion™ technology is dual function. As well as straightening hair, it curls with ease.
The professional straightening irons feature ceramic and ionic 3D floating plates that are longer and wider than most, so styling is easy and fast. A rounded body edge makes it easy to create flips, curls, twists and spirals. The ceramic heat is gentle but has instant heat up to 235°C, plus temperature recovery.
Even the frizziest hair can be turned into bouncy, voluminous curls or waves. Added extras include a gold mat/pouch, a long swivel cord, cool tips and a thumb rest that makes it easy to apply pressure.
Pros:
For a limited time, purchase a Ceramic + Ion and receive an Olivia Garden goodie box FREE. The goodie box includes:
- Teal Medium – Thick Hair OG Brush
- CarboSilk Pin Tail Wide & Cutting Long Combs
- Double Sectioning Clips, 4/Pack.
Best Hair Curler for Ringlet Curls
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Gamma Più Iron Bubble Rainbow Curler, 200°CR1,499.00 – R1,581.45
You’ll have such fun using the Iron Bubble Rainbow Curler to create ringlet curls. The bubble technology design limits damage by spreading heat around the surface area more efficiently and greatly reduces the chances of damaging or burning hair.
The anti-static finish reduces the electrostatic effect on hair and the enhanced ionic technology seals in natural oils to improve the hair’s appearance and feel.
The hair curler is really lightweight at just 230 g, has a rotating cord for ease of use, an ergonomic handle and cool top end.
It’s really pretty, simple to use and produces gorgeous ringlet curls.
Pros:
Best 2-in-1 Hair Straightener and Curler
This sleek and elegant 2-in-1 brush creates smooth, straight tresses or bouncy, luscious curls with no effort at all. Simply brush your hair straight or set curls with its easy brushing action.
Grooves on the back of the brush remain cool for effortless control when setting the perfect curl. This also prevents skin contact with the hot bristles.
The latest technology from Silver Bullet is ideal if you don’t want to subject your hair to high temperatures from curling tongs or straightener plates. It’s ideal for all types, particularly thick and unruly hair that’s perfectly suited to its maximum temperature of 200°C.
Pros: