How to Use the InStyler (Without Wrecking Your Hair or Your Nerves)

Want better results from your InStyler? I’ve tested it on real hair. Here’s a no-BS guide to using it without damage or drama.

Let’s Be Honest About the InStyler…

The first time I picked up the InStyler, I thought, “Rotating barrel? Heat and motion in one? Sounds like a recipe for trouble.” But I gave it a go because that’s what I do. I test tools until they either impress me or end up in the junk drawer.

And folks? Used properly, the InStyler can smooth, shape, and add shine without frying your strands. The trick is in the technique.

So if you’ve got one of these spinning hot rods (or you’re thinking of getting one), here’s your step-by-step guide from someone who’s been in the haircare trenches.

What the InStyler Actually Is

Before we get to the how, let’s cover the what:

It’s a rotating barrel straightener and curler combo, with bristles on one side and a heated plate on the other. You clamp it over a section of hair, and the barrel spins while heat and pressure style your strands.

Good for:

• Quick smoothing
  
• Volume at the roots
  
• Polished waves or curls
  
• Refreshing second-day styles
  

Not so good for:

• Wet hair (never use it damp ❌)
  
• Super tight curls or coils (without pre-straightening)
  
• Impatient users who skip prep
  

Step-by-Step: How to Use the InStyler Without Burning Your Ends

Step 1: Prep Your Hair

Don’t skip this.

✅ Hair should be clean, dry, and detangled
✅ Apply heat protectant (always)
✅ Section your hair at least 4 sections for best results

Pro tip: Start on the bottom layers and work up. Trying to tackle everything at once? That’s like painting a ceiling with a toothbrush.

Step 2: Choose Your Heat Setting

Here’s a quick guide:

Start lower than you think you need. You can always bump it up your hair can’t say the same if it’s scorched.

Step 3: Clamp and Glide

Here’s where it gets tricky if you’re new:

• Hold the barrel toward the root side.
  
• Clamp the hair section between the barrel and the plate.
  
• Let the barrel spin for a second or two before slowly gliding down.
  

Don’t rush let the tool do the work.

⚠️ If it’s pulling or snagging, you’ve either got too much hair in the section or you’re clamping too hard.

Step 4: Add Volume or Curl (Optional)

To flip ends under or out:

• Roll the InStyler inward or outward and hold for a few seconds before releasing.
  

To get curls:

• Wrap the hair loosely around the barrel instead of clamping it flat.
  
• Hold, rotate, and glide slowly down like a curling wand.
  

It takes practice, but once you get it? You’ll breeze through styling faster than you thought possible.

InStyler vs. Traditional Tools: Is It Better?

Verdict: The InStyler does more, but you’ll need a learning curve to unlock it.

What Real Users Say

“Once I figured out the right direction to hold the barrel, it was a game-changer. My hair finally looked like I left the salon without the bill.”
  Tasha, 3B curls (pre-blow dried)

“It’s not idiot-proof, but if you take your time, it’s smoother than my flat iron ever was.”
  Leila, fine wavy hair

“Warning: DO NOT use it on wet hair. I did, and my hair said goodbye to moisture for a week.”
  Reddit user on r/haircare

Final Verdict: Worth It If You Learn It

The InStyler isn’t for everyone but if you’ve got the patience to figure it out, it’s a multitasker that can streamline your routine.

Just remember:

• Always use heat protectant
  
• Work in small sections
  
• Practice the clamp-and-glide until it’s second nature
  

Once you nail it, you’ll get smoother, shinier, voluminous results with a lot less effort than you’d think.

Ed’s Take

“Trying to wing it with a tool like this is like driving a stick shift for the first time jerky, smoky, and full of regret. But once you get it down? You’ll wonder how you lived without it.”
  Ed Shears