This affordable ceramic curling iron features a lightweight and compact design without compromising on performance
4.4 out of 5
Model Number: RV053 (½”), RV052 (¾”), RV051 (1″), RVIR1081 (1¼”), RV050 (1½”)RV051
Price: $15
Shape: traditional spring iron
Available sizes: 0.5”, 0.75”, 1”, 1.25”, 1.5”
Best for: all hair types and lengths
What we like: very affordable, lightweight and compact
What we don’t like: design issues regarding thumb holder and buttons
How it stands out: very affordable curling iron with strong performance and gentle heating
Revlon offers a simply designed traditional spring iron at an extraordinarily affordable price. While it’s one of the cheapest options in the market, it doesn’t compromise on performance. This is a very lightweight tool with only 7oz, and one of the shortest barrels on our list with 4.6”. This not only makes it travel-friendly, but most importantly, it makes it appealing to short strands. When we look at its very narrow barrel width options of 0.5” and 0.75”, this tool is one of our favorite curling irons for short hair this year. It also has very large barrel options, and we can say that this tool can create a very wide range of curls, from the tightest to the loosest waves. It comes with a heap of 30 variable heat settings. While its maximum temperature of 400°F is more than enough to tame unruly strands, its minimum heat of 285°F is too hot, if you have very delicate hair. But its 3 layered ceramic makes things gentler and much less prone to damaging your hair. It doesn’t have the most ergonomic design available, which is expected from a budget tool. That said, its price comes with the sacrifice of quality and durability. This is not the right tool to choose if you want your curling iron to be as long-lasting as possible. But it offers a 3-year warranty which is more than the usual number and puts minds at ease.
Whether you’re seeking the best curling iron for short hair, rest assured, Revlon Perfect Heat Curling Iron has you covered.
Below, we share our experiences with “Revlon Perfect Heat Curling Iron”.
Shape
Like all traditional spring irons, the Revlon Perfect Heat Curling Iron comes with a holding clamp. This attachment holds the strands attached to the heated barrel at all times, which allows the creation of perfect-looking spiral locks. Since the tips of your hair are exposed to a good amount of heat, they have a fine finish and the style that is created is more long-lasting.
The clamp makes this tool easier to use than a wand since you don’t need to hold the tips of your strands with your hand. That’s why it’s considered to be a more beginner-friendly option. It comes with a pretty long and comfortable holding clamp, which would easily keep all of your hair in place, which is not the case in all curling irons.
Size
When it comes to size, the first thing that comes to mind is the width of a curling iron’s barrel. Revlon Perfect Heat offers so many options that no matter how long your strands are or the style that you want to achieve, it has the perfect size for you.
The smallest size it offers is 0.5”, which is perfect for very short strands, such as bob cuts or shorter. It also appeals to ones that aim to create very tight curls, such as retro styles. It’s an excellent choice if you‘re looking for a tool for the finishing details as well.
The 0.75” size is still able to create tight curls, but it’s more versatile than the 0.5” one. It appeals to shoulder-length or shorter hair types and can add volume to your strands.
The 1” one is the most versatile option of all and basically fits all hair types and lengths, as well as achieving the largest number of different styles. So, if you can’t decide, it’s definitely the safest option to choose.
The 1.25” one is still relatively versatile, but the locks that it creates are larger. It’s perfect for medium-length hair and for those who want to create looser beach waves.
The 1.5” one is specifically for longer hair. If your strands are longer than your armpit and you would like very c-voluminous and bouncy waves, this is the perfect size for you.
The length of the barrel is also a very important aspect to consider. This tool has a very short one with only 4.6” and is one of the most compact designs on our list. This barrel length is not the best for very long strands as it may struggle to cover all your hair in one go. Its smaller surface also doesn’t allow it to heat as much as a longer barrel. But this tool comes with very large barrel width options that compensate for its length.
Heat and Variable Settings
This tool comes with 30 different heat settings, a quality that we really appreciate. It’s especially good for the ones who are not sure which temperature to go for and need to experiment. Its maximum temperature is 400°F, which is more than enough for the ones that need high levels of heat to tame their strands. So, if you have thick or unruly strands, no need to worry about this tool’s performance. Its minimum setting is 285°F, and unfortunately, it’s too high for very thin and fragile strands. This temperature is not an issue if you have a normal hair type, but it’s good to watch out for fine hair. Its ceramic barrel provides a gentler experience though. So, we still recommend this tool for fine hair.
Material and Performance
This is a triple ceramic-coated curling iron. It means that it has a higher content of ceramic in its barrel than usual. Ceramic is a material which is known for its gentle heating capacity. This tool seems too harsh in the beginning, with its high minimum temperature, but its material makes it softer on the strands. It also avoids hot and cold pockets on the barrel with its even heat distribution and allows you to style your strands at fewer passes, which is a great quality against heat damage. But ceramic heats up slowly and speed is not this tool’s strong suit. If you want a tool as fast as possible, we recommend seeking a titanium curling iron instead.
While this tool’s performance is impressive, we’re not impressed by its material quality. It’s not very durable or sturdy, which is not surprising at all for such an affordable price.
Features
This is a simple tool that doesn’t have many fancy features that luxury tools offer. But it has a solid minimum that is important.
It comes with a 60-minute auto shut-off, that turns the tool off automatically and offers protection against fire. It also has an integrated counterrest, which keeps the heated tool separated from the surfaces while styling your hair.
It has dual voltage, which means that you can use this tool anywhere in the world. Combined with how compact and lightweight it is, we can confidently say that this tool is very travel-friendly.
It doesn’t have ionic technology, a feature that emits negative ions while styling and eliminates frizz from the strands. So, if you have frizzy hair, we recommend to seek another tool that offers this.
While it doesn’t have any sound indicators, it comes with a light that turns on to let you know that the tool is on.
Ergonomics
It’s a really lightweight tool with only 7oz, considering that the average in the market is 8oz. First of all, as we mentioned above, this fact appeals to travelers who need a compact tool to carry around. But most importantly, it makes it much more comfortable to hold for longer periods of time, than its heavier alternatives. Arm fatigue is a real issue that many home stylists struggle with and a lightweight tool really helps.
Its handle is relatively thick with 1.14”. This is not an issue for most, but it can get frustrating if you have very small hands.
It doesn’t have a digital display or digital temperature control. The heat settings are changed with a twist button. It actually has a design issue, as it’s very easy to hit the off button accidentally while using it.
Another design glitch that it has is that its thumb holder is very thin and aluminum, which causes it to get bent very easily.
Its cord is quite short, with only 6ft. If your mirror is far from your plug, this size may be a problem. But fear not as it’s swivel makes it easy to maneuver.
It has a large and comfortable cool touch finger grip and allows you to handle the tool more easily.
Price & Warranty
This tool is one of the most affordable, not only on our list but also in the market. With only $15 and this level of high performance, it’s a no-brainer if you’re on a budget. It sacrifices a lot on material quality though, and you shouldn’t expect the best from its durability. But it comes with a 3-year warranty, which is more than the usual number. In our opinion, regarding all aspects, it definitely has great value for money.
Competition
Revlon SmoothStay Coconut Oil-Infused Curling Iron is a gentler alternative if you have fine strands or need extra protection. With its lowest heat setting starting at 180°F, it is one of the ideal choices for those looking for gentle heat styling options.
