In the ever-evolving realm of hair styling, the quest for the ideal curling iron without heat damage often resembles a search for the Holy Grail. But fear not–I’ve discovered a true gem: clampless, cone barrel curling irons.
This ingenious tool effortlessly crafts uneven, loose waves—think beachy vibes and natural curls instead of the hollywood wave akin to 40s Veronica Lake—without the fuss of traditional clamps. Say farewell to those overly uniform, tightly wound curls that scream “salon.”
This effortless style is great for wrapping hair from the top of your head to the bottom so your ends don’t get fried. If you experience a lot of breakage when heat styling, I absolutely recommend this type of iron. Clampless means that the drier ends of my hair barely touch the heat and my hair is healthier for it.
If you aren’t sure how high of heat you should heat your own personal hair, I thought Kayley did an awesome video on the topic! Always remember if you can’t get the results you’re looking for in one to two passes, you probably are frying your hair, so it may be better to bump up the heat to get results in one pass (the best temperature for curling iron).
The lowest amount of heat you need to get the curl you want in one pass is the best temperature for your hair.
Or protect your hair from heat using this chart below for a baseline:
If you haven’t gone clampless before, then you probably have done the frustrating process of trying to use both hands to manage the curling iron while brushing, holding the section of hair and applying product. Maybe if you’re an octopus……
Not only was this a full work out of the forearms, but I’d find myself often ending up with too tight curls and then having to wait for them to relax. So this styling technique had to be reserved for the days when you had hours to get ready for a special occasion.
Without the clamp getting in the way, this styler process easily achieves glamorous curls even on a regular weekday morning. If you aren’t quite ready for clamp-less but want to test the waters, you could also try a marcel curling iron style (like the irons most stylists use), which still has the clamp, but not the spring so you can have more control, like this one.
On the never ending quest to have quick, easy tools to style your hair that won’t set off your fire alarm, I have landed on these top brands for my favorite curling irons on the market.
T3 Micro Whirl Trio
For premium clipless styling tools with ceramic technology at a moderate price, for sure check out the T3 Micro. Though it is a moderate price, you’re actually getting three barrels with the one curling iron, making it around $100 per iron and a total space saver since you can travel and pocket-size it by taking the barrel off the base (does that count as four irons?).
I can get a great curl with a single pass and way faster, less damaging than other curling irons. It’s also one of my stylist’s favorite brands since it provides five adjustable heat settings (260°F – 410°F) to optimum heat level for any hair type. I love it because it’s super smoothing for my optimal 300 degrees. I’ve been able to skip the flat iron straightener on my curly hair using this awesome wand.
Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand InfinitiPro
For a more affordable curling wand at a drug-store price of just $19.49, Conair Infiniti Pro makes a great cone iron. It has a cone barrel version that is perfect for loose curls and modest budgets. This wand has a one inch barrel with a tourmaline ceramic coating using negative ions to help reduce frizz and gives a loose barrel curls. Just make sure you use a heat protectant!
Since you can bump up the heat to over 400 degrees, it can be awfully tempting to use this to get rid of frizz rather than relying on product for that job–this iron does not manage frizz without the help of product or high heat.
GHD Curve® Creative Curl Wand
A very well-respected brand and also a fav for my celebrity hair stylist in Beverly Hills. Reason why: it has a heat temp of 365 degrees, which GHD touts as the perfect temperature for the perfect curl. From first hand experience with their regular curling irons, I have to agree.
Though I personally still use a heat protectant with this iron since I have very fine hair, my curls are big, bouncy, and frizz-free with GHD…though probably slightly too hot for my personal hair type. They make 2 wand styles, each sold separately: one is a cone style (which means it gets narrow like a cone) and one is a basic clampless (basically a normal curling iron but without the clamp). No size or heat options but otherwise very comparable to T3.
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.
If you can’t stand the idea of not having your clamp to lock in your locks with a spring curling iron, this is the iron for you–just try not to max out the 430 degrees temperature settings if you can help it.
Remember: The goal is the least amount of heat that maintains your curl with one pass. It automatically shuts off after an hour (love an auto shut off!), has a 9 foot swivel cord, and comes in 2 barrel sizes for your perfect curls, waves, and processed hair.
Kristin Ess Soft Wave Pivoting Wand
This one goes from 325 degrees to 425 degrees in no time flat. Kristin Ess says, You want volume? Use a wand. You want polished, long lasting curls? Use a clamp curling iron.
TheKristin Ess Soft Wave Pivoting Wand Curling Iron is quite unique since it has a rotating handle that allows you to have extra comfort and control while curling your hair. While I wouldn’t recommend this one for fine hair since it has a titanium barrel, it heats quickly and evenly which can be very effective for super coarse hair. If you are nervous about how the iron will distribute heat and have thick hair, then titanium curling irons will be a great match for you.
DryBar The Wrap Party Styling Wand
While I don’t recommend high heat wands for fine hair, this list would not be complete unless I included one iron for coarse hair. Because let’s face it, if you have coarse hair you’re laughing at me for thinking you can get a curl without 450 degree heat. This Party Styling Wand is for you. You’re welcome. 😉
If you’ve never tried DryBar, I would put their Dry Shampoo on my deserted island list. Typically I don’t get their invisible one, but they were sold out of the regular.
FHI Heat Stylus Thermal Styling Brush
For thick hair, I want to mention my other favorite hot tool, the FHI Heat Stylus Thermal Styling Brush. Since they get really hot it’s not good for fine hair that is more sensitive to heat damage, but for a more full, coarse hair type (my sister loves this tool!), this is a magic curling brush that offers on the go, smooth results.
Temperature control button from 250 Degree F to 400 Degrees. I think this is the only one on this list that is dual voltage as well, but double check my work since it’s listed as ‘universal.’
Dyson Airwrap Styler
My personal favorite ever since I learned you can go straight from towel-dried locks to a flawless blowout in about 30 minutes or less. My hair has never been so shiny and salon-styled for so many days. If you frequent a blowout bar, or wish you did, this is the tool for you.
If you want to invest in the best possible option for high tech tools, according to the beauty editor Elle.com magazine, look no further than the Dyson Airwrap Styler. Although this is not cheap, it is well worth it for at home styling. This is amazing, advanced technology using the power of airflow rather than high heat. It’s literally the answer to many hair styling issues all “wrapped” in a 1.2 inch barrel.
The Dyson air blow dries while curling with low heat therefore you don’t even have to dry your hair first. This means less damage to the hair and eliminating a few steps along the way. At $500 price point it is a major purchase BUT hey, it’s still cheaper than having a full time stylist on staff right? This wand is known for its mega bombshell volume.
A note: There is still heat. For my fine baby hair it still caused some split ends, so make sure you use a heat protectant still and make sure not to use the highest setting. Also, always work in some oil afterwards. My solution has been a drop of castor oil (just 1 drop!) to seal my tips with Olaplex Bonding Oilto stop split before they start.
Buying the Dyson, will also save money in the long run as you will spend less on trying to repair the damage caused by other wands and products. The Dyson comes with a wide variety of attachments which adds to the value and has a fabulous carrying case that will travel well.
Let me know your favorite curling tool for least heat damage is!
