Why we love it: Whether you're after retro curls, softer waves or a tighter curl situation, the Beauty Works Professional Styler is a solid option if those of us with longer hair, thanks to its extra-long styling barrel. Coated in ceramic, the 32mm barrel will help enhance shine and reduce the appearance of frizz, delivering a lasting result. You can also alternate between 80°C all the way up to 210°C temperature modes during styling, which will also help add more dimension and texture to your layers.
- Barrel size: 32mm.
- Weight: 600g.
- Cord length: 3 metres.
- Heat settings: From 80°C all the way up to 210°C.
7. Best for thick hair: GHD Classic Wave Oval Curling Wand
Original video by Glamour senior commerce editor Jenifer Calle using GHD curling wand
Courtesy of brand
Ghd Classic Wave - Oval Curling Wand
Why we love it: While an oval barrel takes a bit of getting used to, it’s a great option for natural, undone waves, adding volume without sacrificing length. We love that GHD’s pick has an optional spring clamp and a shut-off feature that kicks in after half an hour of nonuse—no more worrying that you left your curling iron plugged in. Just note that it’s preset to 365°F, which might be a touch hot for finer hair.
“This iron, which comes at the recommendation of dozens of celebrity stylists, was a 10-out-of-10 experience for me,” says GLAMOUR contributor Meg Adams. “It’s straightforward to use, delivers even heat, and has a cool and touchable tip so you’re less likely to burn your fingers.” In evaluations, the results were some of the more impressive, too. “After I styled with the spring clamp, my hair was so shiny and the so perfect that a girl stopped me on the subway to ask about my style,” says Adams. “When I used the iron as a wand without the clamp the results were — unbelievably — even greater. I loved the unfinished quality about the voluminous curls.”
- What we love: Heats quickly; automatic shut-off after 30 minutes; two ways to style
- What could improve: Only one heat setting
- Barrel size: 1.5 inches
- Material: Ceramic
- Heat settings: 1
- Hair types: Thick and medium hair types
- Best for styling: Waves and tight ringlets
Below, shop more GLAMOUR-approved curling irons.
1/4
Best speedy curling wand: BaByliss Wave Secret Air Hair Waver
Why we love it: Bouncy curls are always in, and this BaByliss curling tool is specially designed to help you create loose yet long-lasting waves. The name of the game is speed, here. It's so easy to use. All you need to do is close the handle and the hair is automatically drawn into the ceramic curl chamber where it is precisely heated by four powerful heaters to form a perfect wave every time. And don't worry, it's safe: heat is carefully optimised within the curl chamber, and the Cool Air Smart System automatically delivers a gentle burst of cooling air to help set the curl as soon as it is released.
- Barrel size: not specified, but overall dimensions are H10 x W10 x D25 cm.
- Weight: 600g.
- Cord length: 2.5 metres.
- Heat settings: 3 (180°C, 200°C, 230°C).
2/4
Best with ionic technology: Drybar The 3-Day Bender Digital Curling Iron
Why we love it: Thanks to ionic technology, this styling wand is perfect for creating long-lasting, salon-worthy results. It features dual ceramic heaters, which guarantees even heat distribution throughout your locks while ionic technology smoothens your hair and gives it that coveted shine.
- Barrel size: 31mm ceramic barrel
- Weight: not specified
- Cord length: 2.7 metres
- Heat settings: variable (up to 226°C)
You can save more when you shop for the best curling wands using these LookFantastic discount codes.
3/4
Best for tight, XXL curls: ghd Curve Thin Wand
Why we love it: Meet ghd's thinnest curling iron that helps create tight curls with ease. Whether you're someone who has naturally curly hair and are looking to add more definition or if you're looking to transform your 'do entirely to achieve an XXL curly look, this wand is intuitive to use on all hair types, regardless of your experience with hair tools.
- Barrel size: 14mm ceramic barrel
- Weight: not specified
- Cord length: 2.7 metres
- Heat settings: N/A
4/4
Best for mermaid waves: Amika High Tide Deep Waver
Why we love it: Let's be real, while hair trends come and go, wavy “mermaid”-esque curls are always in. Charged with negative ions, this High Tide Deep Waver styler from Amika is truly one of the most quality hair tools on the market, featuring a heat-resistant handle and a clever triple-barrel design that helps cut down the styling routine by half.
- Barrel size: 18.5 mm tourmaline ceramic barrels
- Weight: not specified
- Cord length: 2.7 metres
- Heat settings: variable (between 50°C - 198°C)
What is the difference between a curling wand and a curling tong?
Curling wands and curling tongs look very similar: they each feature a heated barrel, with a handle, for curling the hair. Curling tongs have clamps at the handle end, to hold the hair in place, while a curling wand doesn't.
What is the best curling wand for everyday use?
The type of curling tool you choose will determine the type of curl you create, so it's important to know what to look out for when searching for the best curling wand. The width of the barrel (and whether or not it's tapered) can change the finished effect dramatically.
Wide wands will create bigger, looser curls, so are best for beach waves, whereas slim chopstick stylers are ideal for tighter ringlets. And you can personalise even further by choosing between tools with a variable heat setting (low, medium or high) to cater best to fine or coarse hair.
There are also the non-traditional curling devices that deliver a variety of waves and curls in novel ways. Take Dyson's Airwrap Multi-Styler, which uses the Coanda Effect (a principle of physics that has to do with air flow) to wrap hair round a barrel and curl with relatively low heat. Elsewhere, there's the BaByliss Wave Secret Air Hair Waver, which sucks the hair up into a spinning barrel to create easy beach waves in seconds.
What curling wand is best for tight curls?
If you're after a tighter curl, make sure to check out the ghd Curve Thin Wand, which is one of the best of its kind (not to mention, results in the most long-lasting results). Still not convinced? Seee for yourself, the GLAMOUR team have put it to the 5 people test to see if it works on different hair textures and types (spoiler alert: it absolutely does).
How we tested the best curling wands
Over the years, the GLAMOUR team has collectively reviewed hundreds of curling wands – from coveted GHD tools and Dyson stylers to the more affordable options from the likes of Remington. When testing each curling wand, we always make sure to test on a variety of hair types and pay close attention to factors like longevity of the hairstyle, the tool's value for money and whether it caused a significant amount of hair damage in the long term.
Meet the experts:
- Joseph Maine, a celebrity hairstylist in Los Angeles
- Raven Hurtado, a hairstylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago
This article originally appeared Glamour US.
After more electrical styling tools and haircare content? Check out our guides for hot tools such as the best hair dryers and best hair straighteners. We can also help you pick the best shampoo, best hair conditioner and best hair serums. Yep, we've covered every strand. For more beauty content from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Denise Primbet, follow her on Instagram @deniseprimbet.
