New Mexico Cosmetology Practice Exam 2025 – All-in-One Guide to Mastering Your Certification!

The tool that creates defined curls in hair styling is the curling iron. This heated styling tool is specifically designed to form and set curls by wrapping sections of hair around its barrel. The heat from the curling iron causes the hair to take on the shape of the barrel, allowing for various types and sizes of curls depending on the iron's diameter and technique used.

A flat iron, while effective for straightening hair, is not intended for creating curls and can actually make curling more challenging. A hair dryer is primarily used for drying hair and may occasionally be employed in conjunction with styling techniques, such as diffusing, but it does not directly create curls on its own. A hairbrush is typically used for smoothing, detangling, or styling but does not generate curls without the aid of heat or specific styling products.

In summary, the curling iron is designed to specifically create curls, making it the most suitable choice among the options.