I’ve been the beneficiary of a few hair compliments lately (thank you!), but I do feel obliged to point out that, left to its wild, unchecked state, my natural locks look a little something like this…
And this…
At one time I estimated that I’d spent approximately one quarter of my life growing out botched haircuts.
Why so much time?
Because my hair! — it’s so moody! It’s the frizzy, slightly-wavy-but-not-curly and hella heavy mop on top of my head, man, and it’s moody like Tabs on Monday morning.
It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I figured out some reliable ways to regularly wrangle it into submission.
Finding a stylist who knew what to do with my mop, and could show me how to do it myself, made the biggest difference.
Her name was Alis Peralta, and she works over at A-Line Salon out here in Corte Madera, California. Getting some good styling tools, like the $17 Revlon Perfect Heat Tourmaline Ceramic 1 1/2″ Styling Iron, helped, too.
The look? Big curls!
This is the weapon I wield when I want big, loose curls — curls like the kind where my hair walks into the room first, ya know? Farrah Fawcett-caliber curls.
The big barrel works great for medium and longer hair styles, having enough room to spiral a full curl.
This iron dips its toe into big wave territory, if you know what I mean, and as the day wears on, and the curls relax ever so slightly, they get even bigger and looser, which I love.
Stats
Boom! The tourmaline ceramic barrel. This bad boy has one, and Revlon says it contains mineral conditioning crystals that eliminate frizz for silky, smooth curls.
It also has 30 (!) heat settings, although really, I only use the highest one; an automatic shut-off; a heat-resistant storage cover; a swivel cord at the bottom to prevent annoying tangling and a 30-second heat-up time.
Long-lasting results
I like the results I get from this iron and have used it about twice a week for going on two years. Coupled with the right styling products, the curls last from 2-4 days.
Dream upgrades
There’s always room for improvement, though, right? Like I wish it had a better…
- Kickstand. This one’s a pain because it gets in the way when I’m curling. If I could (do it without breaking something important), I’d remove it.
- On/Off button. They’re placed too far down the handle! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been curling and realized that I accidentally turned it off.
- Coating. I’m not completely sold on the tourmaline thing here. I’ve used non-tourmaline irons before, and I don’t notice a big of difference in terms of frizz-fighting power. In this one’s case, the coating has also started to wear off in patches.
The final verdict
While I think it has some room for improvement, it’s only $17! Seriously, it’s fantastic for the price.
It’s one of the more affordable curling irons out there, and I love its big, bouncy, long-lasting curls.
PRICE: $17
AVAILABILITY: At drugstores, Target, Ulta and online
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
If I was in the market for a curling iron I would look into that one! My hair is kind of similar to yours – thick, with a tendency to wave, but straightens or curls fairly easily and holds with the right products. I have found haircut wise, my hair does best when it’s long with long layers and some thinning midshaft to ends. I have dabbled with shorter hair and short layers, and it was very hard to pull back and very hard to manage. Longer hair for me is definitely wash and go, as I can pull it back in a French braid or bun to let it dry and I’m out the door in 5 minutes. I don’t like to let it get super long anymore as it can be hard to manage then, too. My perfect length is right around bra band length, or right at the bottom of both scapulas (shoulder bones).
Hi Katherine,
I am with you. I’ve had short hair through the years and it’s never, every easy for me. Long hair seems to be lower maintenance when it has the tendency to get unruly. 🙂
Thank you for that post, Karen. I feel like it was dedicated to me, lol. I am surprised you’re using a $17 iron, I thought it was something more expensive. I’m going to search for it next time I am at Ulta or on Amazon 🙂 Anyways, your pictures look beautiful as always.
It kinda was! Thank you for reminding me to give this iron a shout-out. 🙂
I hope you had a nice day today. Did you do anything fun?
Thank you! I hope I will figure out how to make those curls. I think I will buy the Revlon Infinity Tourmaline curling iron, it has really good reviews and for $22 I think it’s worth the risk.
Today (now yesterday) was my day off but I stayed at home and relaxed, went to zumba class and then walked 4 miles with a bunch of friends. It was very nice!
Yay! Let me know how that one works. I’m always in the market for new curling irons. (Which reminds me, I need to dig out my deep waver!)
Glad to hear you had a nice relaxing day off. A 4-mile walk is great! Good job. 🙂
I would love to go for a walk, but my allergies are nuts right now.
Are you working today?
I actually did a little research and actually the Hot Tools curling iron has hands down the best reviews so I am leaning towards that one. I have a Hot Tools tapered curling wand and it works great but it’s good for smaller curls (which I don’t mind for special events, it just takes a long time since my hair is super thick).
I hope to go for another walk tonight after work (yes, I am working-every day till next Wed). I don’t know if I told you but I started Weight Watchers 2 weeks ago and so far I am very proud of myself.
Wow, that’s really affordable! I don’t have long enough hair, but my daughter does! I’ll have to check this on out for her.
LOL at your pics of your younger hair haha. My hair is getting CURLIER now that I’ve been going grey I swear to god. It’s so weird.
Hi Tracy,
Oh wow! Are you adjusting your products to your new curly hair?
That teen angst picture is a gem! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Hi Carina,
LOL, thanks! All I have to say is thank goodness there was no digital photography back then.
Happy Thursday!
truly its fantastic fr the price!! 🙂
Yup!
It seems like a small thing but that swivel cord feature was such a great thing for curling irons. Remember the old days when you had to pay as much attention to not getting wrapped in the cord as you did to trying to wrap your hair around the barrel? Painful! I never use an iron any more because I’m convinced I’m already going to be bald from blow drying every day and coloring every 4 weeks. Sigh.
Hi Kim,
Yes! It really is one of those small little touches that make a HUGE difference.
Um…did you ever use an actual iron on your hair? I’m totally guilty of this.
I know a LOT of people who used the actual iron but, no. I always wanted to add curl, not straighten, plus my hair is medium/thin so it probably would have singed in like 2 seconds. HAHA! I had a regular curling iron, a snazzy curling brush (remember those gems?) and the piece de resistance was an iron with interchangeable barrels. One was standard, one was triangular and one was “spiral”. Ah, memories! 🙂
You should do more posts about hair! I really loved reading this! I’m currently *trying* to not use heat on my hair. I really want it to grow. I can do it…
I should!
I don’t own a curling iron (or a flat iron… I own a blow dryer spin brush, but that’s it) but this one might be needed! I love the look of big loose curls/waves.
Hi Chelsea,
Sweet! They also make it in a few different sizes. If your hair is shorter than mine, you may want to go with a smaller barrel.
I also like to prep my hair with hairspray before and after I curl. It helps to hold the shape!
thanks for the post Karen, I was wondering how you were getting those fabulous curls! Would never have guessed it either! I also have a Revlon curling iron like this and I love it! My one has a different stand tho, its kind of built in and plastic so it doesn’t get in the way, its hard to explain but I like it. Altho its still in good shape I saw a clampless one on sale at ulta and figured I would give it a go. Haven’t used it yet but I’m really excited to try it. It’s the High Roller 1-1/4 Inch Styling Wand by Bed Head. Hope it’s easier to use than the clamping one 🙂
Oooh, let me know how that clampless one works out for you! What’s the size of the barrel?
1-1/4 Inch 🙂
That’s a good size. I know a lot of ladies like it for beachy waves. I tried a clampless one once and almost burnt myself! I think I’m too used to the design of the clamps.
p.s. what’s on your lips today 🙂 I like it! colorful but not too bright!
Hi Yelena,
I’m wearing MAC Impassioned Lipstick. It’s a must-have pink for summer! 🙂
Karen, I have the EXACT same type of hair! No one knows how to deal with it. If I weren’t on the east coast I would be at your stylist’s door asap!
Hi Kristy,
OH girl, I FEEL YOUR PAIN. Did you suffer through bad triangle haircuts too?
LOL, yes, it was triangles for years!
Hey Karen! Like you, I have the dreaded thick sorta wavy mop of half-Asian hair (wooooo hapas, but seriously though ughhh). How do you get your hair to hold curl so well? My hair looks hella fly for about half an hour, and then I come back from a night out and it’s just plain ole sad
The teen angst picture doesn’t even look like you haha. This post made me realize how photogenic you are, I wish I could be the same!
You have beautiful hair! 🙂 Do you use the curling iron on a lower setting, or use heat protectant spray? I am trying to grow out my hair, so trying to NOT abuse it but it looks so much better heat styled! 🙂
jasminebloombeauty.com
I JUST got a 1 1\2 curling iron, I believe exactly one above, and i have NO idea how to use it. Each time I try to test it out it becomes kinky. Could you do a tutorial on how to use a 1 1\2 iron?