The 80’s and early 90’s saw the rise of the krimper, followed by the standard barrel shaped curling iron. But now there are a plethora of unique curling wands on the market in a variety of shapes. If you’re looking to transform your curl pattern for a few days, these tools can help you create anything from a bouncy wave to a loose runway curl. Just be sure to always apply a heat protectant!
MORE: How to Avoid Hair Breakage with Heat Styling
Weird & Wacky Curling Wands
The Natural Waver
Say goodbye to overnight braids with frizzy waves! The Tourmaline Deep Waver from Hot Tools creates waves that look so good, you’ll have people thinking they’re natural.
How to use it
- Spray a heat protectant, such as Carol’s Daughter’s Macadamia Heat Protection Serum, on all of your hair, and then separate your hair with clips.
- After misting your hair with a lightweight hairspray, hold the barrel at the root end of your hair, about three or four inches from the scalp.
- Keep the barrel in place about 10 seconds, then release.
- If you’re going for an all-over look, just pick up where you left off and repeat with the waver.
- When you’re finished, gently toss your hair with your fingers to loosen some of the wave, giving your hair a more natural look.
The Timesaver
If you’re generally short on time, the Titanium Waver could be the best choice for you. Since it has three barrels, you’ll get an all-over look of waves fast!
How to use it
- This waver does get extremely hot, and because you’re going to come in close contact with the barrel, you’ll want to wear a glove to protect your hand.
- You’ll also want a heat protectant to protect your hair.
- Once it’s heated up, hold the waver so that the solid part faces the back of your head, then grab a section of hair and place it in the center of the two rods.
- Carefully, work your hair around the two rods in a figure-8 until you get to the tip of your hair.
- Close the barrel, and then hold it in place for about 30 seconds (you may get away with slightly less time if you have thin hair”>.
- Slide the barrel out of your hair and you’re ready to move onto the next section!
The Curl Imperfecter
If you’d prefer a more relaxed look, check out the Bubble Wand by One. This skinny wand with its weird bumps may look more like a long lollipop, but its best trait is its ability to create “imperfect” curls. Unlike most curling rods, the Bubble Wand has a cool tip that doesn’t get hot. This way, you’re able to hold the wand while you work your hair up to the root.
How to use it
- Section your hair, and then clamp the tip of a 1” section of hair under the clamp on the wand.
- With your other hand, hold the top of the wand and then begin to spiral your hair around the wand all the way to the scalp.
- Release your hair from the clamp and slide the wand out gently. The all-over look is amazingly sexy!
Since you don’t need to stress out about your curls messing up, this is a perfect look for a date night at home while cuddling on the couch.
The Bouncy Waver
Forget doing rag curls—the Enzo Milano Bi-Tube Curling Iron creates that bouncy-wave look we’re seeing repeatedly on the red carpet!
How to use it
- After applying a heat protectant, grab a glove to keep your hands from burning.
- Separate your hair into manageable sections (use clips for thin hair”>, then hold the base near your scalp and pull a 1” section of hair through the center of the tubes.
- Start working your hair between the tubes in a figure-8, then hold for up to 5 seconds.
- Let go of your tip, allow your hair to slide out, then pull the curling iron straight out of the hair, making sure not to pull the curling iron downward. Repeat for the rest of your hair, then top it off with a shine booster like Original Moxie’s Twist Mist Lightweight Shine!
The Bed Head
Traditional curling irons give you tight curls, but if you’re going for the “curly girl bed head” look, Tigi’s Bed Head Curlipops is what you need! Its hourglass design creates less-than-perfect curls that’ll make you look as though you rolled out of bed looking this hot!
How to use it
- Section your hair with clips, and then slide on the heat-protecting glove (that comes with the Curlipops iron”>.
- Spray on some lightweight, medium-hold hairspray, grab your wand, and start the magic!
- While holding your wand near your scalp, start winding a small section of your hair around the wand.
- Once you hit the dip in the center, start loosely wrapping until you get to the tip.
- Keep the hair in place for about 5 seconds, then unwind the hair.
Since you decide how large of a section to curl and how tight you want to curl it, you can even give your hair an uneven look that’s even more stunning!
The Runway Waver
Dying for the lazy-wave look you’re seeing on the runways? Then check out the Single Pass Whirl by T3. Don’t be fooled by the one-dimensional design of this curling iron. It may be sleek and simple, but you’ll be amazed at what you can do with it!
How to use it
- Part your hair from ear to ear, and then clip the back part together so it’s out of the way.
- Separate the front into left and right sections and then separate those into top and bottom sections.
- Slip on a heat-protecting glove and hold the iron above your head.
- While pointing the wand downward, start wrapping your hair around it.
- Hold for 3-5 seconds, and then slide the wand upward and out of your hair.
- Continue doing this all over or just in dedicated sections until you achieve the look you want!
