What size curling iron do I need for thick hair?

By Leah Williams •  Updated: 06/11/22

We all know it’s sometimes a pain to style thick hair!

Choosing the perfect curling iron for achieving bouncy curls can be challenging. You can just pick a random curling iron to style that thick straight hair of yours!

If you’ve been wondering lately about this question “what size curling iron do I need for thick hair?”, Lucky Curl is here to give you answers!

If you’re blessed with thicker hair, you should go for the 1.5-inch barrel depending on the kind of curls that you’re going for. With this curling iron size, you can achieve loose or tight curls effortlessly depending on your sectioning. 

Allow me to explain further!

Tips on How to Curl Like a Pro Using the Right Size Curling Iron

Pick the right curling iron size.

If you want to achieve the perfect style while curling your thick mane, you should learn how to choose the right size curling iron.

Choosing the right curling wand depends on your hair type, hair length, and the kind of curls that you want to achieve.

In this case, if you have thicker hair, the 1.5-inch barrel is most suitable. For loose curls or beachy waves, go for a barrel size that is one to two inches in diameter; and for smaller and tighter ringlets, choose a .75 or a one-inch curling wand.

Heat matters!

As I keep saying, you need a curling iron with multiple heat settings to quickly adjust its temperature and avoid burnt hair.

For thick or coarse hair, you can go for 200 to 300 degrees heat depending on how your strands respond to heat.

While curling your hair, you should notice the results and adjust the temperature accordingly to avoid too much heat.

Get to know your curling iron.

Curling irons come in different types and sizes – getting to know your heat styling tool could be your hair curling saving grace.

Ceramic and tourmaline curling irons are highly recommended by professionals as they’re good for most hair types, whether you have medium or shoulder-length hair.

Also, notice the barrel size – the smaller the barrel, the tighter the curls, the larger the barrel, and the more waves it creates. The 2-inch curling iron is good for achieving loose curls with the beach wave effect while the 1.5-inch barrel is excellent for making well-defined curls.

Prep your hair.

Even though you’ve come up with the right size curling iron if your hair isn’t well-prepped, you can never achieve those perfect curly locks.

In that sense, prep your hair before anything else!

In Summary

To achieve the perfect curls, you have to pick the right curling iron size and the best curling iron!

Generally speaking, the 1.5-inch size curling iron is suitable for thick or coarse hair depending on the kind of curls that you’re aiming for.

As you know by now, choosing the right size curling iron largely depends on a few factors such as hair type, hair length, and the curling style that you want to create.

If you want to achieve voluminous curls, check out our recommendations for the best curling irons for big curls.

Leah Williams

Leah Williams is the founder of Lucky Curl and has been in the hair care and styling industry for the last 15 years. Since then, she has developed incredible expertise and a deep understanding of how to treat and style the most difficult hair types and is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the readers of Lucky Curl.

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