A deep look at Babyliss’ classic spring iron with its extraordinary porcelain ceramic material that brings the extra touch of gentleness to fine strands
4.3 out of 5
Model name/number: BP75SUC (3/4″) / BP100SUC (1″) / BP125SUC (1 1/4″)
Price: $50
Shape: traditional spring iron
Available sizes: 0.75”, 1”, 1.25”
Best for: all hair types and lengths
What we like: porcealin adds an extra quality of even heat distribution
What we don’t like: very bulky, no cool tip
How it stands out: great classic curling iron for those who want an affordable but high-quality tool with added gentleness
Babyliss usually works with titanium as barrel material, which can be a bit too harsh on the strands, as well as not being very beginner-friendly. That must be why they felt the need to come up with a classic spring iron that fits almost all needs, with an extra touch of gentleness for fine strands. This tool has a porcelain ceramic barrel instead, that heats up slowly and distributes its heat much more evenly. It comes with three different barrel widths, which are all quite versatile sizes. The 0.75” is perfect for bob-length or shorter strands. Its 1” barrel literally fits all, yet appeals most to strands that are around shoulder length. The 1.25” one is still considered medium-sized and very effective if your hair is on the longer side. It also has a very large range of heat settings (230°F to 430°F), which makes this tool even more versatile. It comes with ionic technology to eliminate the frizz from strands, which we think is a must-have feature in a good-quality curling iron. But it does come with a couple of design issues that can’t be ignored. First of all, it’s very bulky with 9.9 oz, a number much above the average. It also doesn’t have a cool touch finger grip which makes it harder to handle. Its clamp is quite tight and its buttons are a bit too close to its handle and could mistakenly get touched. But we still think that it’s very affordable when we look at its highly durable material.
Whether you’re seeking the best curling iron for fine hair, or the best curling iron for short hair, rest assured, that the Babylisspro Porcelain Ceramic Spring Curling Iron has you covered.
Below, we share our experiences with “Babylisspro Porcelain Ceramic Spring Curling Iron”.
Shape
Traditional spring irons are the most commonly found curling irons in the market and this tool truly appeals to most needs in many aspects. It comes with a holding clamp that keeps the hair attached to the barrel. This makes the tool easier to handle as your second hand is not busy trying to keep your hair together. It also protects your hands from burning, especially if you’re a beginner. It provides even and extra heat for the strands from the base to the tip, and the result is even and spiral-looking curls. That said, while this tool is great if you’re looking for a finer finish and perfect-looking results, it may be overdoing it a little if you prefer a casual look. In that case, a wand-shaped tool without a clamp may be the one to choose. There are many extraordinary wands in the market, and a great alternative comes from the same brand. Babyliss Nano Titanium Curling Wand is perfect for those who look for natural-looking results and s-shaped curls that provide great volume.
Size
When it comes to barrel width, his tool provides the most versatile three sizes that you can find in the market. The decision will be mostly about your hair length and the style that you want to achieve here. The 0.75 one is on the slimmer side and first of all, the curls that it creates are tighter. It also appeals to short strands as it is easier to handle. Yet it still is versatile enough to be used by different hair lengths. So, even if you have long hair, don’t hesitate to go for this size, in case you want tighter spirals. The 1” one literally fits everyone and achieves the largest range of results. The 1.25” is for the ones whose hair is shoulder length and longer, and for the ones that prefer looser beach waves instead. You may want to consider even a longer barrel if you have mid-back length or longer strands such as a 1.75” barrel that can cover all your hair in one go and provide more efficient results. Infinitipro by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Iron does an outstanding job with long hair.
Another aspect to consider is the length of the barrel, which in this case, is 5.75”, a bit above average. It’s a convenient number that would fit most hair lengths and adds to this tool’s versatility.
Heat and Variable Settings
Babylisspro Porcelain Ceramic Curling Iron has a very satisfying heat range of 230°F to 430°F. There are 30 different variable heat settings to choose from and no matter what your hair type is there will be a perfect temperature for you. So, in this department, you can feel confident before going for this tool. Finer strands that are prone to heat damage should choose settings from 230°F to 300°F and thick and unruly strands should go as high as the maximum temperatures; between 400°F to 430°F to get the maximum benefit.
Material and Performance
The fact that it has a porcelain ceramic barrel, is mostly what separates this curling iron from the usual Babyliss tools. They prefer titanium to appeal to professionals who benefit from high heat and speed, but ceramic makes things much easier for home stylists, especially the ones with fine hair. This tool is pretty extraordinary for the fragile strands as ceramic heats up slowly, and less, which also appeals to beginners. Porcelain, on the other hand, takes things to the next level in terms of even heat distribution which eliminates hot and cold spots. This way you can style your hair in less passes which also protects the strands from heat damage. Still, in our opinion, in case you have thick strands, titanium should be your material of choice. Babyliss has a great alternative that basically has the same qualities other than its material, called “Babyliss Nano Titanium Spring Iron”.
When it comes to material quality, this tool stands out which doesn’t surprise us. Like most Babyliss products, it’s made to last and very sturdy to hold. Considering the fact that it’s very affordable, the price vs performance is quite high.
Features
Offering ionic technology, this curling iron really stands out when it comes to eliminating frizz. It actually is our favorite for frizz-free results this year. So, if you have frizzy hair, this tool truly is worth considering.
It doesn’t come with auto shut-off technology which is a bummer as this feature protects the user from fire risk. Considering the fact that hair tools can be quite hazardous, we recommend paying extra attention to not forgetting to turn them off.
It doesn’t have any digital display or temperature control, nor any sound or light indicators. And when you think about it, these are things we really appreciate in a curling iron. This is especially an aspect to consider if you’re a beginner and want to be sure that you get things right. It also has its buttons a bit too close to the handle and can be pressed accidentally while being used.
It comes with dual voltage to make sure that you can use it anywhere in the world, which is a tasteful touch.
Ergonomics
This tool, we have to say, is pretty bulky. It weighs 9.9oz, which is way above the average of 8oz. So, if you struggle with arm fatigue when you hold hair tools for long, this tool may not be the best option for you. It may not seem important, but you would be surprised how often this is an issue. In this case, there are many much lighter curling irons on the market, such as GHD Curve Classic Curl Curling Iron which weighs much less at 7.6 oz and is much more comfortable to hold.
It has an average handle of 1” in diameter that fits most hands, from largest to smallest.
It doesn’t come with a cool tip, which, in our opinion is a very big drawback. It makes it hard to maneuver and is definitely not the best for beginners. It also has a clamp that is on the tighter side and some users have trouble with it.
It has an 8 ft cable which is swivel. This is a relatively big number and it will be comfortable in most situations. Yet it doesn’t come with a Velcro tape so it can get a bit messy when you’re not using your tool.
It comes with an integrated counter stand to protect the hot tool from touching the surfaces.
All said, this tool is not the most ergonomically designed option in the market considering its weight and design issues. But it’s very sturdy to hold and compensates with its material quality.
Price & Warranty
$50 is a very affordable price for a Babyliss product, and this tool easily deserves this number with its highly durable material. It also comes with a 3-year warranty, longer than the usual number of 2, to put minds at ease. We have to admit that the design issues get in the way of this tool being perfect, but we still can say that this tool has great value. If you don’t mind paying more and would like a luxury tool with even more versatility, Drybar The Mixologist may be a satisfying option that offers three different attachments to choose from that appeal to every styling need.
Competition
Competing with an affordable and versatile tool with great material quality can be tough. But there’s always a better option for different needs.
If you have long and thick hair, the Hot Tools Pro Artist Nano Ceramic Salon Curling Iron is a better choice for you. It comes in three different sizes: 1 inch, 1 1/4 inch, and 1 1/2 inch, while the Babyliss porcelain model is only available in a 1-inch size. Plus, Hot Tools has a higher temperature range between 280°F to 450°F.
Another great alternative for thick, unruly hair, especially for Bayliss fans, is the Babylisspro Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron. It has a titanium/ceramic-infused barrel, can reach up to 450°F, and comes in larger sizes.
