Waving Tools

Table Of Content

• What to look for in a curling iron
• Best Budget Pick: Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron
• Best for Quick Styling Beachy Waves: Mermade PRO Hair Waver 1.25"
• Best Oval Barrel Curling Wand: GHD Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand
• Best for Tight Curls: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Spring Curling Iron
• The 18 Best Curling Irons, According to Celebrity Hairstylists and Vogue Editors
• 2-in-1 Straightening Brush

“What makes a great curling iron is heat-protecting technology, so that the hair isn’t burned or damaged, [as well as] ergonomic control so that it’s comfortable and practical for the user,” says celebrity hairstylist Erinn Courtney, who adds that high enough temperatures are key too. The enviable tousled waves of your dreams are enabled by Bed Head’s deep waver. Through its deep barrel design powered by tourmaline ceramic technology, this sculpts fine to coarse hair types. Begin at the root and work your way down the hair shaft in one-inch sections, holding in each section for just a few seconds, to achieve the look. Invented by celebrity hairstylist Sarah Potempa, the Beachwaver is a rotating curling wand that’s particularly simple to use—especially for a novice.

What to look for in a curling iron

To help inform your buy, we’ve tapped pro hairstylists to share the best curling irons they’ve tested and use on the reg—plus a few reviewed and endorsed by Vogue editors. Celebrity hairstylist Nikkia Nelson also likes the BaBylissPRO curling irons, calling the temperature settings “phenomenal” in delivering an amazing curl. It’s made with a titanium barrel to heat the hair from within, creating everything from loose waves to tight curls. Loose and dreamy beach waves might look effortless, but typically require a top notch hot tool — and a fair amount of elbow grease.

Best Budget Pick: Conair Double Ceramic Curling Iron

She also tests hairstyling tools like hair dryers and curling irons while continuously checking for the latest innovations in hairstyling. Conair’s Double Ceramic Curling Iron is the ultimate affordable styling tool, ringing in at less than $20. Available in three barrel sizes, the iron reaches the desired temperature in 60 seconds and offers turbo settings for 30 varying levels of heat customizable to your hair type and desired look. This easy-to-use clip-free wand sculpts even the most resilient hair into smooth, shiny, frizz-free styles. Featuring the latest technology, it offers faster heat recovery times to curl your hair more efficiently, plus a titanium coating that helps your style last longer, elevates shine, tames frizz, and retains moisture.

Best for Quick Styling Beachy Waves: Mermade PRO Hair Waver 1.25"

6 Automatic Hair Curlers For The Easiest Curls - Bustle

6 Automatic Hair Curlers For The Easiest Curls.

Posted: Wed, 12 Apr 2017 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Courtney is also a fan of the NuMe Octowand “because it comes with eight different wand heads to achieve so many different styles. This one is cool when you want to include different styles of curls in one sitting.” Each of the wand attachments is made of tourmaline ceramic to help heat the hair evenly and reduce heat damage. CHI’s Spin & Curl is certainly one of the most unique tools you can use to curl your hair, especially for those who have trouble manipulating clip barrels or wands. The rotating curler effortlessly draws hair into a chamber, then uses ceramic heat technology to precisely curl the hair. With adjustable temperature that goes all the way down to 160ºF, this wand is ideal for fragile, fine or damaged hair.

Temperature also plays a major role in styling and maintaining the health of your hair! For individuals with fine hair, there are fewer layers to protect the strands, so you should use less heat when styling. Tara Simich, founder of Mermade Hair, recommends lower heat (250F - 300F) for fine hair, as each section will shape much quicker than the same section of denser/thicker hair. “Normal hair is best styled with medium heat of 350F, while thick hair can be styled with 375 F-450F.

Testers also loved that the digital display shows the temperature and type of hair it's suitable for and also reflects any changes in temperature during styling. Earn points to redeem for cash, unlock free shipping, get early access to sales, product launches, & more. Perfect to create loose beach waves, this Hot Tools model spans ¾-inch to 1 ¼-inches for an undone look and curls that stay put. The lightest of the winners (0.73 pound!), the tool was compact and simple to operate. And I don’t have to worry about accidentally disturbing them before they cool down like with traditional irons."

The 14 Best Hair Straighteners of 2024, Tested - InStyle

The 14 Best Hair Straighteners of 2024, Tested.

Posted: Fri, 12 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

An authority on (and a guinea pig for testing) new-to-market tools on curly hair, she regularly teams up with GH's Beauty Lab to synthesize its data in putting together product reviews on the very best haircare on the market, according to testing. Different barrel sizes yield various styles, allowing you to choose based on the desired look. Thinner barrels, ranging from ⅜ to ½ inch, create tight curls that, when brushed through, achieve a voluminous ’70s aesthetic, explains Cavalcante.

2-in-1 Straightening Brush

The 25mm barrel is ideal for tighter curls, while the 32mm barrel works best for relaxed curls and beachy waves. “Lately, I’ve been really loving the T3 SinglePass Curl,” says celebrity hairstylist Ashley Stewart, who notes it forms beautiful, luxurious curls. I like how it doesn’t have a typical on/off button but [rather] a knob on the bottom. This is very convenient because with other tools, the button is most likely located in a spot where you can accidentally shut it off without knowing.” Similarly, hairstylist Kahh Spence relied on this curling iron to recreate Beyoncé’s nostalgic B’Day album updo.

The thicker the hair, the more heat is needed to penetrate and create shape and curl in the hair,” she adds. Those with long hair should eagerly consider this Bio Ionic iron, which features a barrel two inches longer than traditional models. What’s more, this design can facilitate styling the back of your head too. Either way, this is designed to lock in moisture and create long-lasting curls sans crunchy texture. Read our reviews of the best curling wands on the market below, and find more information about how we test at the bottom of this guide. The curling wand is also designed with several safety features, like an anti-scald tip that doesn’t heat up and a built-in stand, so the tool doesn't rest directly on your counter.

“While there isn’t a strict rule about which hair length pairs best with a specific barrel size, shorter hair, particularly above the neckline, tends to fare well with smaller wands. This is because there may not be enough length to wrap the hair around a larger curling iron,” Cavalcante says. Like a good straightener, the size (and shape) make a world of difference in achieving the type of curl you’re looking for—and so do factors like your hair type, hair length, the products you use (don't forget the heat protectant!), how hot the barrels get, and even how you hold the tool. To make your journey easier, we asked hair experts for tips on how to get the perfect curl (or wave, depending on your preference) and curated a list of the best styling tools on the market, according to our editors who put them to the test and stylists who use them every day. Titanium heats up faster than other options, which may pose a challenge for fine hair.

“However, it is a suitable option for those with thicker or coarser hair, offering efficient heat distribution while minimizing the risk of damage,” Cavalcanta adds. A tourmaline curling iron is a styling tool designed with tourmaline-infused ceramic plates. “Tourmaline, a semi-precious gemstone known for its unique properties, produces negative ions and infrared heat when incorporated into hair tools. This feature contributes to smoother, shinier, and less frizzy hair,” he says. Cavalcante likes to use tourmaline for individuals with frizzy hair due to its efficient heat distribution and its ability to reduce damage compared to traditional styling tools.

(Plus, no extreme heat!) This was also pro hairstylist Clayton Hawkins’s pick to create romantic Botticelli-inspired waves on Maddie Ziegler in their installment of Hairdos. Of all the hair tools on the market, few are as polarizing as the curling iron. Choosing the best curling iron is just as important as learning how to use one properly—whether you’re creating subtle waves, tight coils, or flatiron curls. With a background in hair dye research and synthesis, Good Housekeeping Institute Senior Chemist, Sabina Wizemann loves everything hair-related. Over her years in the Health, Beauty & Sustainability Lab, she has fashioned lab and consumer studies on at-home hair dyes, shampoos and conditioners, hair serums, hair volumizers, dry shampoos and more.

This popular curling wand set gives you five options for the price of one, and even better, it comes with double discounts right now. For a tool your stylist would use during your routine blowout appointment, consider the Drybar The Wrap Party Styling Wand. Not only does the professional wand feature a no-slip barrel, but it also uses technology to reduce frizz and boost shine.

Medium sizes, between ¾ and 1 ½ inches, produce curls reminiscent of Sarah Jessica Parker in her Sex and The City days. (You’ll love these for a natural wedding guest hair styles; they’re great for styling long hair as well, including creating some of the best long hairstyles for women over 50.) He suggests breaking the waves with a finger or comb after cooling to achieve a soft, natural wave look. Alternatively, gently organize them with your fingers for a more polished appearance.

The tourmaline-infused, extra-long barrel can rotate to the left or right for glam waves, defined curls, and everything in between. While this isn’t a traditional curling iron, you’ve likely seen this trending hair styler all over TikTok. It makes sense—it’s great for smoothing, volumizing, and curling, with one Vogue contributor with thick hair saying she’s able to create bouncy curls in just 15 minutes. This is an excellent solution for quick styling sans hot air—meaning you could use this for touch-ups after air-drying or for on-the-go styling. Those with color-treated hair should look to the GHD Classic Curl—a model designed to intensify hair color and create curls that last. The ceramic iron uses the brand’s Tri-zone technology which celebrity hairstylist Graham Nation says “makes the hair easy to manipulate without overheating the hair” and maintains it across the entire barrel.

Be sure to leave out at least half an inch at the ends to avoid getting burned! After holding hair for seconds, let go of the ends and catch the curl, letting it cool before you let go to set the style (or, you can pull the curl while it's still hot to elongate it for more of a wave). I’ve never experienced heat damage using this iron.” The styler uses the brand’s airflow technology to attract and wrap the hair around the barrel to curl, wave, smooth, and dry without extreme heat—much like the coveted blow-dryer. The styler recently received a high-tech upgrade, with its next generation providing increased customization and enhanced results.