Are All Curling Irons Created Equal?

Spoiler alert: NO!!

Let me break it down for you because, trust me, I’ve put in the work. Over the last few weeks, I’ve been testing out two popular curling irons—the T3 Curling Iron and the Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Marcel Iron. And spoiler alert: there is no comparison.

But first, let me give you the inside scoop on my hair. That way, you’ll know if this blog post will resonate with your hair journey or if you should take it with a grain of salt.

Hair Profile:

• Fine
• Brittle and dry
• Naturally small, wavy, and crimped
• Frizz ball and a half!

So, if your hair sounds anything like mine—you’ll want to read on. If it doesn’t, you might still pick up some handy tips!

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Hot Tools Pro Artist Black Gold Marcel Iron

Let’s start with the Hot Tools Pro. This iron is made with Black Gold technology, which combines titanium and ceramic materials designed to distribute heat evenly and reduce hot spots. It sounds promising, right? And don’t get me wrong—this iron will get the job done. It heats up quickly and gives you those curls, but here’s the catch:

• It doesn’t smooth my hair.
• The curls don’t last as long.
• My hair gets frizzy fast!

Basically, it’s like giving my frizz a little more definition but not taming it completely. For someone with fine, brittle, and frizz-prone hair like mine, that’s a big no-go.

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T3 Curling Iron

Now, let’s talk about the T3—my holy grail! This iron is made with ceramic and Tourmaline technology, designed to create even heat and emit negative ions that fight frizz and enhance shine. And let me tell you, it does it all for my unruly hair:

• Smoothes every strand to silky perfection.
• Polishes the curl, giving it a sleek, shiny finish.
• Locks in the curl for hours, even in humid weather.

Warning: This iron gets HOT! I only put it on level 3 and keep it on my hair for just a few seconds—and my curls stay in place for days! So, if you’re using the T3, start with a lower heat setting and adjust as needed. Trust me, it doesn’t take much to get amazing results.

It’s everything I want in a curling iron and more. My hair feels soft, looks shiny, and the curls last so much longer without turning into a frizzy mess.

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Final Thoughts

So, are all curling irons created equal? Absolutely not. If you have fine, brittle, frizz-prone hair like mine, the T3 is a game changer. It smoothes, polishes, and keeps those curls locked in all day long—and beyond! The Hot Tools Pro might work for some, but for me, it just didn’t deliver the same results.

If you’re on the fence about investing in a new curling iron, think about your hair type and what you need from your tools. For me, the T3 is worth every penny!

Have you tried either of these curling irons? I’d love to hear your experience—drop a comment below and let’s chat about all things hair!