It looks like a high-tech kitchen gadget or maybe a tiny, purple vacuum cleaner. Honestly, the first time I saw someone use the Infiniti Pro Conair Curl Secret, I was convinced it was going to eat their hair. There is something fundamentally terrifying about watching a motorized chamber "inhale" a strand of hair, followed by a few aggressive beeps and a cloud of steam. But then the hair comes out. And it’s a perfect, bouncy ringlet.
Everyone wants that effortless, Pinterest-worthy wave, but let’s be real: most of us are terrible with a traditional curling wand. You burn your forehead. You miss the back of your head. One side looks like a Hollywood starlet and the other looks like you slept on a damp braid. That’s why Conair’s automatic curler became such a massive hit when it launched. It promised to do the thinking for you. It’s been out for a while now, and while newer, way more expensive tools like the Dyson Airwrap or the Shark FlexStyle have entered the ring, the Curl Secret is still hanging in there. Why? Because it’s cheap, it’s effective, and it’s basically foolproof if you follow the rules.
The Physics of the "Suck and Spin"
So, how does the Infiniti Pro Conair Curl Secret actually work without turning your head into a bird's nest? It uses a brushless motor. That’s fancy talk for a motor that’s more durable and less likely to snag than the stuff in your old blow dryer. When you place a section of hair in the "V" of the tool and squeeze the handle, a rotating barrel grabs the hair and winds it around a ceramic heating element inside the chamber.
Inside that little chamber, heat is applied from all sides. Unlike a flat iron where you’re pressing hair against a hot plate, this is more like a convection oven for your curls. The tourmaline ceramic technology helps reduce frizz by emitting natural ions. It’s a closed system. This means the heat stays consistent. Most people don't realize that inconsistent heat is why curls fall out by noon. When the timer beeps, you release the handle, and the curl slides out. It’s satisfying. Kinda addictive, too.
What Most People Get Wrong About Using the Infiniti Pro Conair Curl Secret
If you go on Amazon and look at the one-star reviews, you’ll see horror stories. "It ate my hair!" "I had to cut my hair out with scissors!"
I’m going to be blunt: 99% of those disasters are user error. This tool is a precision instrument, and it has very specific demands. If you try to shove a three-inch chunk of hair in there, it will jam. If your hair is a tangled mess of knots, it will jam. The machine actually has a safety feature that stops the motor if it senses a snag, but by then, panic usually sets in.
The Golden Rules of Automatic Curling
First, your hair must be dry. Completely dry. If there’s even a hint of dampness, you’re essentially boiling your hair inside that chamber. Not good. Second, you have to comb every single section before it goes in. One tiny knot can cause the barrel to catch.
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Third—and this is the one everyone ignores—the open side of the chamber must always face your head. If you hold it backward, the hair winds the wrong way and gets stuck. Conair literally put a sticker on the side of the device to remind you. Keep the sticker facing you. It’s that simple.
You also need to be mindful of the section size. Keep it to about an inch. If you have thick hair, this means the process is going to take a while. It’s not a "get ready in five minutes" tool. It’s a "I want my hair to look perfect for a wedding" tool. If you’re in a rush, you’ll take too much hair, the machine will beep at you, and you’ll end up frustrated.
Comparing the Versions: Which One Actually Matters?
Conair has released a few iterations of this. You’ve got the original (usually purple), the 2.0, and the newer "Curl Secret with Cool Air."
The original Infiniti Pro Conair Curl Secret is the workhorse. It has two heat levels and three timer settings (8, 10, and 12 seconds).
- 8 Seconds: Gives you those loose, "I just woke up like this" beach waves.
- 10 Seconds: Soft, bouncy curls.
- 12 Seconds: Defined, tight ringlets that look a bit more formal.
The newer versions added a "Cool Air" feature. This is actually a big deal for longevity. If you’ve ever watched a professional stylist, they often pin curls to the head until they cool down. This "sets" the hydrogen bonds in the hair. The cool air version does this automatically by blowing a puff of air on the curl as it releases. It sounds like a gimmick, but it actually helps the curls last through a night of dancing or a humid commute.
The Heat Settings: Don't Fry Your Ends
The device usually goes up to about 205°C (400°F). If you have fine, bleached, or damaged hair, stay away from the high setting. Use the lower heat (around 185°C). Ceramic is great because it heats evenly, but heat is still heat. Always, always use a heat protectant spray. I like something lightweight that doesn't make the hair "crunchy" inside the chamber.
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The Competition: Curl Secret vs. The World
You can’t talk about automatic curlers without mentioning the Dyson Airwrap. The Dyson uses the Coanda effect to wrap hair using air, not a mechanical barrel. It’s incredible. It’s also $600.
The Infiniti Pro Conair Curl Secret usually retails for under $100—often closer to $60 or $70 on sale.
Is the Dyson better? Yes, in terms of hair health and versatility. But is it $500 better? For most people, probably not. The Curl Secret gives a much tighter, more long-lasting curl than the Airwrap. Because the Curl Secret uses direct heat and a physical barrel, the style stays put. Airwrap curls are notorious for dropping after an hour if you don't use a gallon of hairspray.
Then there’s the Beachwaver. That’s a rotating iron, but it’s open. It’s easier to see what you’re doing, but you still have to hold it and clip the hair. The Curl Secret is truly "set it and forget it." You put the hair in, wait for the beep, and you're done. For people with mobility issues or those who just can't coordinate their hands to wrap hair around a wand, the Conair design is a lifesaver.
Real-World Nuance: Who Is This Actually For?
Let's talk about hair types.
If you have short hair (above the chin), the Curl Secret is going to be a struggle. The chamber needs a certain amount of length to "grab" the hair. You’ll end up with curls that start too far down, or you won't be able to get the device close enough to your scalp. It’s best for lob-length to long hair.
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If you have extremely long hair (waist length), you might run into the "chamber capacity" issue. There’s only so much room inside that little plastic house. If your hair is super long and thick, it might get cramped in there, leading to uneven heating or tangles. You’ll have to take very, very small sections, which could take an hour to do your whole head.
For medium-length, average thickness hair? This is the sweet spot. It’s faster than a traditional wand because you aren't guessing how long to hold the hair on the heat. The timer ensures every single curl is identical. That’s the real secret—symmetry.
Does it Damage Hair?
Any heat tool causes damage. But the Curl Secret is actually safer in one specific way: you can't accidentally leave the heat on your hair for 30 seconds while you check a text. The timer forces you to release. The ceramic barrel also prevents those "hot spots" you get with cheap metal irons that can literally singe hair off.
That said, if you use it every single day on the 12-second setting, you're going to see some split ends. Use it for occasions or a few times a week, and you’ll be fine.
Actionable Steps for the Perfect Automated Curl
If you've just unboxed your Infiniti Pro Conair Curl Secret, don't just dive in. Follow this workflow to avoid a "scissors-in-hair" emergency.
- Prep is Everything: Wash and dry your hair. Apply a heat protectant. Comb through every single strand until a brush glides through with zero resistance.
- Sectioning: Partition your hair into top and bottom layers. Use clips. It’s tempting to just grab random bits, but the machine works best when you’re organized.
- The "Sticker" Check: Look for the "This Side Towards Head" marking. Hold the device so that the open part of the chamber is facing your scalp.
- The Inch Rule: Take a 1-inch section. If it feels too thick, it probably is. Smooth it out between your fingers before placing it in the "V."
- The Beeps: Squeeze the handles together. The hair will disappear. You’ll hear slow beeps. Do not let go. Wait for the "rapid beeps" (usually four in a row). That’s the signal that the curl is set.
- The Release: Open the handles completely and pull the device away from your head. Let the curl fall. Do not touch the curl until it is cold. If you brush it out while it's warm, you'll lose the shape.
- Finish: Once your whole head is done and cooled, run your fingers through or use a wide-tooth comb for a more natural look. Use a light finishing oil to add shine.
If the machine makes a grinding noise or stops, don't pull. Gently release the handles and see if you can slide the hair out. Usually, it's just a small snag that can be teased out if you stay calm.
The Infiniti Pro Conair Curl Secret isn't just a gimmick from a decade ago; it’s a solid piece of engineering that solved a very real problem for people who lack the "hairstylist gene." It requires a bit of a learning curve, sure. But once you get the rhythm down, it delivers a level of consistency that’s hard to beat with a manual wand. It’s about working smarter, not harder, and keeping your fingers far away from the heat.