There are two phases in every girl’s life – the curly girl phase and the sleek chic phase. This article is to help you with your hair styling.
Going from straight to curly is the least dramatic, yet equally drastic, way to change your look as compared to chopping your locks off or dying them blue.
It looks different, looks cute, is fun, is harmless.
You might not agree to the latter since curling involves heat exposure, and that doesn’t sound harmless. Well, it actually depends on the tool you choose.
Hair styling is a multi-million dollar industry and a lot of money is spent on R&D. Technological advancements have made it all possible to curl your hair without damaging it. There are products out there that do more than just heat up and curl your locks.
We have been testing a lot of iron and wands, and some of the latest additions are absolutely mindblowing. But before we move on to the countdown, we need to address the elephant in the room:
No, curling wands and curling irons aren’t exactly the same thing.
There are some differences that can make a lot of difference for some people. Let’s take a look.
Curling Wand vs. Curling Iron
Both the wand the iron are essentially like a rod, around which you twirl your locks. An iron, however, has a clasp. This little addition changes the way it is used and why it is used.
- A curling wand creates loose beachy waves while an iron can create tight ringlets.
- A wand is held with its chord up and an iron is held with its chord downwards.
- An iron is uniform in size while a wand is usually tapered towards the end.
- A wand gives more natural and textured curls and an iron creates a smoother look.
While the differences are noticeable, we can’t really say which one is the better option. It all depends on the look you want to create. With the right techniques though, you can create different types of curls with both the wand and the iron.
It is why our top 5 list is a mix of wands and irons. Let’s get started.
#5 – Revlon 2-in-1 Barrel Wand
This budget buy made it to our list because of the versatility it offers. If you haven’t yet figured out which barrel works best for your hair or you just like to try different looks, you don’t have to purchase multiple wands or irons.
As the name suggests, this one comes with two different barrels: tapered 0.5 to 1 inch barrel for bouncy curls and a uniform 1-inch barrel for loose waves. The tourmaline coated barrels can heat up to 410°F and that means the curls will last for hours. The fact that there are 30 heat settings to toggle makes it suitable for all hair type.
Pros
- You get two barrels in one buy
- 30 different heat levels
- Longer cool tip at the end
- Great value for money
Cons
- Not the best build quality
- Takes longer to curl
- No digital display
#4 – Conair Double Ceramic 1-inch Iron
And we have yet another budget friendly cult favorite on our list.
No surprises here!
This one is a constant on almost all the best curling iron lists out there. It is well-deserved honor. The double ceramic technology means it has ceramic plates that are further coated with ceramic to ensure silky, soft, and bouncy curls. It retains moisture and locks cuticles so that the curls stay smooth and silky for hours.
It takes around minute to heat up to 375°F, which is the highest of its 30 heat settings you can play with. This makes it suitable for most hair types.
Pros
- Double ceramic technology
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- 30-heat settings
- Budget-friendly
Cons
- The barrel is short
- Takes long to heat up
- Very small chord
#3 – Herstyler Grande Curls Curling Wand
Italian design and American technology come together to create this amazing curling wand with a Teflon barrel. It gives you shiny, glossy, frizz-free curls for hours. What consumers truly love about this one is that it can give you lasting curls even in the most humid weather.
If you aren’t into complicated tools with too many settings to deal with, this is it. Just turn it on and it will heat up to 400°F within seconds. That is the right amount of heat for almost all hair type.
The barrel is slightly tapered and gives a very natural looking wave or curl. It comes in two sizes i.e. 1-inch barrel for bouncy curls and 0.5 inch barrel for tighter curls. It isn’t heavy and has an ergonomic handle for hassle free styling.
Pros
- Slightly tapered barrel
- Heats up quickly
- Suitable for thick hair
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
- Comes in three different colors
Cons
- Just one heat setting
- No automatic shut off
#2 – Beachwaver S1 Automatic Curler
There are many automatic curlers out there but most of them are in weird shapes and styles. The only one that looks like a regular curling iron and is good enough to be on this list us the Beachwaver S1.
The Beachwaver has making waves for a while because it can make the entire process effortless and even enjoyable. It heats up pretty quick and gives you soft, shiny curls that last for long. It is different from other automatic curlers because you don’t have to worry about strands getting stuck in the machine. There is virtually nothing to worry about.
This one can reach up to 410º F in less than 30 seconds. You can choose different speed settings to achieve three different looks. You can even change the direction of the rotation.
Pros
- Easy and quick to use
- Digital temperature display
- Different speed settings
- Heats up quickly and evenly
- 30 minute shut off feature
Cons
- Expensive
#1 – GHD Curve 1-inch Classic Curl Iron
There is one reason this one is hands down our favorite hair curling tool in this entire universe – and it’s its ability to curl without damaging. That is the power of technological advancement.
GHD figured out a way to reduce the amount of damage without compromising performance. This wand can only go up to 365°F, which is essentially the amount of heat your hair can take without losing its elasticity. Think that isn’t enough for a lasting curve?
Wrong! GHD proves that it isn’t as much about heat as it is about heat distribution. The iron spreads the heat evenly to give you a well-defined, lasting curl in around five seconds. There are around six smart sensors to ensure optimal levels and distribution of heat.
It is truly a godsend for girls you like to curl too often. This is best for color-treated hair as well. And heats up in less than 30 seconds and it won’t fry your hair. What else do you need from a curling iron?
Pros:
- Best curls on lower heat levels
- Ergonomic lever for ease of use
- 30-minutes auto shut off feature
- Ceramic coating for shiny frizz-free curls
Cons:
- On the pricier side
Now you know our hot favorite hair curling wands and irons. We tried to keep our list as versatile as possible. Did you find the one you were looking for?
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