Your curing iron FAQs, answered:
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.
Victoria Panting, educator, colour and technical educator at Paul Mitchell, believes that the difference between the two comes down to the result you want. “A wand (without a clamp) creates soft, effortless waves, while a tong (with a clamp) delivers more defined, polished curls. Wands are great for a modern, undone texture, whereas tongs offer more control for classic styles,” she says.
What is the best curling wand for everyday use?
It depends what you’re looking for, but Victoria has some advice.
“A quality, everyday curling wand should have adjustable heat settings (because different hair types need different temperatures), and ceramic or titanium plates for even heat distribution,” she comments. “Look for a barrel size that suits your styling goals, and a good swivel cord and quick heat-up time.”
Bear in mind that 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 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 the BaByliss Wave Secret Air Hair Waver, which sucks the hair up into a spinning barrel to create easy beach waves in seconds.
How do I choose the right barrel size for my desired curl style?
Barrel size plays a key role in shaping the finish of your curls. “Smaller barrels, around 10-19mm, create tighter, more defined curls, while medium barrels, roughly 25mm, produce classic, bouncy curls,” explains Stevie-Leah Loscombe, Stylist at Blue Tit Brixton. She adds that larger barrels, 32mm and above, are ideal for loose waves and added volume rather than structured curls. Hair length also matters: shorter hair works best with smaller barrels for precise definition, whereas longer hair can handle bigger barrels for softer, more flowing movement.
Can you protect hair from heat damage while curling it?
Yes, you absolutely can.
Victoria recommends to start by applying a good heat protectant such as the Paul Mitchell Heat Styling Spray to damp hair before you blow-dry. “Then, I would add an extra layer of heat protection on dry hair before styling, like the Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press Thermal Protection Spray,” she says.
Stevie-Leah Loscombe agrees saying “You should always apply a thermal protectant before styling, ensuring even through mid-lengths and ends, Like Oway thermal- detangling cloud.” Make sure it’s completely dried into the hair, as using heat on damp hair can cause significant damage and investing in tools with adjustable temperature controls also helps minimise stress on the hair.
What temperature should I use for my hair type?
“Fine or damaged hair should stay between 120-160°C, as it’s more prone to breakage,” says Stevie-Leah. “Medium or normal hair can handle 160–180°C, while thicker or coarser hair may need 180-200°C to set the curl effectively. The key is to start at a lower temperature and only increase if necessary – too much heat won’t improve the results, it will just raise the risk of damage.”
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. Oh, and don’t forget to read our GHD Unplugged Cordless Styler review. Yep, we’ve covered every strand.
This article originally appeared Glamour US.