automatic curler – eva-luated

The Kiss InstaWave Automatic Curler is one of the coolest things I’ve been sent to review. This year there has been a lot of excitement about automatic hair curlers, and I’m pumped to get to try one myself! The InstaWave is a hybrid traditional barrel style curling iron that forms curls automatically by wrapping your hair around the barrel and keeping it there with a plastic guard system.

THIS IS THE EASIEST WAY TO CURL YOUR HAIR. EVER. I am not exaggerating – this girl loooooves curly hair and has tried all sorts of things. I’ve gotten perms and used rollers, non-heat methods, and of course, traditional curling irons. Kiss InstaWave will give you a tangle-free flawless curl, every time.

HOW TO USE

It’s easy! Brush through clean, dry hair, and taking 1 to 2 inch sections of hair at a time, place it in between the barrel and the plastic de-tangler/guard at the point where you would like the curl to start. If you have thick hair, it may be easier to separate it into layers and clip the section you aren’t working on. Press the Curl Dial to spin the guard, which will automatically pick up and organize your hair around the barrel. After 5-10 seconds (experiment!), release your hair by pulling the barrel downwards. You can alternate between curling right and left to create the most natural looking curls, or curl everything away from your face to really frame it. To see everything in action, check out Kiss’ video tutorial:

PROS

Effortless – because everything is mechanized, all you have to do is click a button and hold for a few seconds. The worst part about any other curling method is the wrist/arm action needed to get everything right, and honestly, after using a traditional curling iron on one layer of hair, both of my arms are too exhausted to continue. Plus you can use it one-handed on either side, so no more awkward reaching across the face.
The curls last for a long time. I was really surprised at how well they set! For the past few years, I have been getting digital perms because I just don’t have the time to curl my hair everyday. I also want to keep my hair from getting damaged, so I don’t use heat stylers more than once or twice a week. Other methods, like braiding or using rollers, only give you a good curl for a day. The first time I did a full head using the InstaWave, my curls lasted for 3 days, and while it gradually loosened, they kept looking good. Granted, my hair is naturally wavy and coarse, and ‘takes’ curls well, so results may vary.
Multiple settings means style versatility. I love every kind of curl, from mermaid waves to princess ringlets, and the Kiss InstaWave is great for a range of styles. There are two heat settings, low and high (to a maximum temperature of 420), and by combining a particular heat setting with how long you keep your hair on the barrel, you can get different curl intensities. On my hair, my favourite combination is on high for 8 seconds.
Clean – watching video reviews of other automatic curlers such as the Babyliss Miracurl, one annoying thing that stood out was having to clean the tiny compartment inside of the device with a special tool. Since the InstaWave is ‘open’, you can clean it with an easy wipe down when not in use.
Control – with the InstaWave, you can choose where you want your curl to start, where to end, and what direction the curl will be. On the Conair Infiniti Pro Curl Secret, which is twice the price of the InstaWave, you don’t have control over your curl direction! You’ll need to upgrade to a more expensive model for that.
At $59.99, the Kiss InstaWave is the same price as a mid-range traditional curling iron, half the price of the Instyler, and a quarter of the price of the Babyliss Miracurl. It’s the most low cost solution if you’re looking for an automatic curler.

CONS

when the InstaWave is plugged in, there is a mild high-pitched buzzing which changes frequency from one heat setting to the next. I contacted Kiss and they assured me that this was part of normal operations (its caused by the circuit to drive the motor), and doesn’t effect the safety of the product. Still, it’s kind of annoying.
storage could be awkward because of the guard – I have mine in a bag, hanging from a hook.

Check out Kiss InstaWave’s website for more info. At the moment it is available in the US at Target, Ulta, and Amazon, and in Canada at Walmart.