Whether you prefer a super sleek look, subtle waves or dramatic curls, styling tools make all the difference. We've already shared our beauty tips for finding the best hair straightener and now it is the turn of the curlers. With brands like ghd and Babyliss, achieving salon-perfect waves and curls is incredibly easy with our pick of the best curling wands and curling tongs around.
The best curling wands & curling tongs
- BaByliss Rose Blush Curling Wand
- Beauty Works Professional Styler
- Beauty Works Professional Styler Trio Edition
- ghd Creative Curl Wand
- BaByliss Tight Curls Wand
- BaByliss PRO Perfect Curl MKII
- BaByliss Air Style 1000
- BaByliss Volume Waves Tong
Which curling wand or curling tong do you need?
There are so many different tools on the market to help you get gorgeous curls. Curling wands and curling tongs are the simplest, quickest and easiest tools to get gorgeous curls in mere minutes.
Even with curling wands there are a lot of different choices to pick from; different shapes and sizes give very different results. If you're new to the world of styling wands, then there are 2 considerations you should consider first of all:
The Shape of the Barrel
Not all curling tongs are created equal. Different shaped barrels will each give a very different look to your curls.
- Straight. This is the classic barrel shape and it gives a very classic curl that is even in shape and size from root to tip.
- Tapered. A tapered wand will give a tighter curl close to the roots and looser at the ends, resulting in a very natural look.
- Bubble. With bobbles or bubbles down the wand, these always look odd but the result is very relaxed, bohemian waves with some variation and texture to them.
The Size of the Barrel
Don't get scared by all the numbers on curl wands; the barrel size is usually in millimetres and then
- 6mm- 20mm. These smaller, slimmer wands are sometimes known as chopstick curlers and give you super tight curls. They have been becoming more and more popular.
- 20-32 mm. This is the size that gives the most standard, classic curl, great for a truly curly look or brushing out into a softer curl.
- 32mm+. Big barrels will give a wide, soft curl that looks sophisticated and slightly retro, perfect for brushing out into a classic, shiny wave.
Curling tong or curling wand?
You'll see curlers called everything from a wand, to an iron, a wand or a styler. Technically, a wand has no clamp, whilst an iron or tong has a clamp, however, both versions work in the same way; you wrap your hair around them in order to curl them. We're talking about both of them here today.
Whether you use a wand or a tong is totally up to you; with a clamp, it can be easier to hold hair onto the heat to get an even heat distribution, but without can be easier and faster to curl your hair.
Once you've made up your mind what look you want for your wand, then it is the perfect time to get shopping.
The best curling wands for 2021
1. BaByliss Rose Blush Curling Wand
Designed with a dusky pink barrel made from titanium-ceramic, the BaByliss Rose Blush Curling Wand adds a touch of femininity to your haircare routine. It makes creating your look quick and easy and uses Non-slip Wrap Control™ for additional grip and control so you can achieve the curls of your dreams.
2. Beauty Works Professional Styler
Want luscious, flowing locks like Molly-Mae Hague? Then the
Beauty Works Curler is for you. It has a unique barrel, which creates loose, flowing curls or tight coils, and gives incredible bounce and volume to the hair.
The barrel is extra long to cater to super long hair and is coated in ceramic to help prevent frizz and enhance shine.
3. Beauty Works Professional Styler Trio Edition
Customise your curls with the Professional Styler Trio Edition. Beauty Works’ best-selling styler has been given a convertible makeover, allowing you to choose between three interchangeable barrels to switch up your waves.
The limited-edition set features the iconic, original Professional Styler for bouncy, polished curls, along with two new additions. The 25mm Barrel serves up tighter, long-lasting curls, while the Tapered Barrel creates carefree, tousled curls, for an effortless glam look.
The styler boasts three extra-long barrels, specifically designed to heat longer hair lengths evenly, ideal for those who wear hair extensions. Ceramic technology works to reduce frizz and flyway, while the adjustable heat setting ranges from 80c-220c to create professional results on all hair types.
5. BaByliss Tight Curls Wand - Red
The BaByliss Tight Curls Wand allows you to create corkscrew curls like a pro with advanced technology and high-performance power.
Suitable for all hair types, it offers super-fast heat up speeds up to 210°C with variable settings from 120°C to create the looks you want with ease. Set on a 2.5m salon-style swivel cord, it’s flexible and easy to use with an elongated barrel ideal for longer hair to creating concise, tight waves.
6. BaByliss PRO Perfect Curl MKII
Achieve a range of curls with the BaByliss PRO Perfect Curl MKII, a hair curling tool with three curl modes to create a choice of tight, defined or loose curls.
Built with ground-breaking auto-curl technology, the hair curlers automatically draw hair into a ceramic curl chamber before softly holding and heating hair from all directions. 7. BaByliss Air Style 1000
Achieve beachy waves and tousled tresses with the BaByliss Air Style 1000. Easy-to-use, the tools helps you create salon-worthy blow-dry curls at home, for a more natural look. The tool also comes with a selection of attachments to help you create a different look for every occasion.
8. BaByliss Volume Waves Tong
Add natural-looking volume and curves to your hair with the BaByliss Volume Waves Tong, a hair curling tong with large 38mm barrel for creating loose, tumbling waves and movement.
Programmed with five temperature settings to suit all hair types (up to 200°C), the chunky, titanium-ceramic coated barrel utilises nano technology to create silky, satin-smooth curls; add natural bounce and height to your tresses, or glamorous, silver screen-inspired waves. Ready to use in 45 seconds, the hair curler heats up quickly and has a heat ready indicator for easy use. Complete with an integrated heat rest. Automatic shut off for peace of mind.