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When wielding the beauty equivalent of a power tool around your head, investment is key. We all know that heat causes damage, but there are still ways to protect your hair and get a great style without frying off your ends. A well-made curling wand means you won't need to restyle your hair every day or go over pieces several times to get the effect you want. All that will lead to less heat damage in the long run.
Most of us have a long, spiraling history with curling irons. A one-inch barrel might have created your perfect prom curls as a teen, or maybe you plugged in a wand during your many attempts to master supermodel's hair. But it's about time you got an upgrade. After all, there are thousands of different wands on the market, each one doing something slightly different. When curling, it's best to choose a tool that’s specifically made for your desired style and hair texture. Do you want loose beach waves? A tight curl pattern? A wand that won't burn your fingertips? Scroll down for a selection of some of the top tools on the market right now.
For Efficiency
T3 SinglePass Curl 1.25” Professional Ceramic Curling Iron
Why we love it: This all-white curling iron is crafted to create perfect curls in just one pass thanks to a smart microchip that monitors heat fluctuations.
Why we love it: For every type of curl or wave imaginable, this iron can get it done. It has 50 heat settings, an 8-foot chord, and a lightweight design that makes it easy to wield.
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Why we love it: For the price this curling wand is a steal. It delivers baby-soft waves and has an automatic shut-off, so you'll never have a panic attack at work wondering if you turned it off.
Why we love it: If you have curly hair and want some strands to have a little extra definition, this wand will get you gorgeous, spiraled curls in any area that needs them.
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For Long Hair
Moroccanoil Everlasting Curl Titanium Curling Iron
Now 30% Off
Why we love it: This barrel is extra long, which means it's ideal for anyone who has mega length and doesn't want to spend the next ten years painstakingly styling it.
Why we love it: This curling wand reduces frizz and leaves a gorgeous shine for healthy-looking waves. Plus, it comes with a glove and a cool tip so you won't burn your hands while styling anymore.
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For Multiple Textures
Paul Mitchell Express Ion Unclipped 3-In-1 Curling Iron
Why we love it: If you want to fake a real head of waves, variation is key. This wand comes with three different barrels that can give both looser and tighter curls for believable waves.
Why we love it: Tight curls are a girl's worst nightmare (see: this meme) Solve the issue with the new curling wand from NuMe that features a reverse tapered base that gives you varied barrel waves without having to swap out tools.
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For VS Angel Waves
Beachwaver Co. S1 Rotating Curling Iron
Why we love it: The key to easy, breezy beach waves is the Beachwaver. The self-rotating tool creates three different styles, including defined curls, loose beachy waves, and more glam waves, with nary a twist of the wrist.
Why we love it: This curling iron boasts two detachable clips that can easily be transformed it into a wand. You get three of the best hair curling options with one tool.
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For All Hair Types
HOT TOOLS Professional 24K Gold Curling Iron
Now 44% Off
Why we love it: This curling iron is literally the gold standard. Its barrel is plated in 24k gold to help speed up heat circulation, meaning it will stay consistently hot throughout.
Why we love it: An Amazon-approved (4 stars and 7,266 customer reviews) curling wand that provides effortless waves and loose curls. Unlike other wands, this tool heats up to a high of 410 degrees. We don't advise heating to 410 degrees everyday, but it’s good to know this wand has the power if you need it. It also has a handy Instant Hot function, so it heats up right away.
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For Thick Hair
Drybar The 3-Day Bender Digital Curling Iron
Why we love it: The popular blowout spot Drybar treats their tools like their salon looks–they want the style to last for days. That's exactly what they had in mind for their 3-Day Bender Curling Iron. It has a rotating clamp that makes styling your hair—especially difficult-to-curl thick hair—quick and easy.
Why we love it: This super affordable curling wand is loved by pros and amateurs alike. It heats up quickly with 10 different heat settings, and comes with a protective glove to use when styling. But as a friendly reminder, never crank up above 40o°F to avoid damaging your hair.
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Why we love it: This curling iron is a pro-favorite, and rightfully so. The heat created from the smooth, ceramic-coated barrel will lock in moisture and won't snag your hair. The curls will form fast and will stay all day. It's ideal for short to medium-length hair, but will work for even the straightest of hair.
Why we love it: Celebrity hair stylistMark Townsend swears by this tool to give the Olsens (all three of them) their signature messy waves. Simply wrap your hair in a figure-eight around the styler for soft, natural bends. You'll wonder how you ever lived that single-barrel life, we swear.
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For Multipurpose
T3 Switch Kit Wave Trio Interchangeable Curling Iron
Why we love it: T3's famous curling iron also comes in interchangeable barrels, using the same ionic technology to seal the cuticle for high-shine curls and waves. It includes a 1” straight barrel (for defined uniform curls), a 1.25” barrel (for textured, beach waves), and a 1.5” straight barrel for high-glam, voluminous waves. It's literally three wands for the price of one, and definitely worth the splurge.
For A Relaxed Wave
Bed Head Curlipops Curling Wand for Loose Curls
Why We Love It: You'll never have to worry about curls becoming tight and overdone. This loose wave creates the perfect balance of natural body.
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For Straight Hair
Hot Tools Professional Nano Ceramic Tapered Curling Iron
Why We Love It: Straight hair leans on the limp side so you need to create volume with a larger barrel curling iron. This one from Hot Tools comes with a two inch option to create bounce and wave.
For the Top-Rated
Conair InfinitiPRO Tourmaline Ceramic Hair Curling Wand
Why We Love It: It's affordable. Check. It comes highly-rated. (4.6 stars and over 200 customer reviews) Check. Is ceramic so it won't damage your hair. Check. What's not to love?
Chloe Hall
Chloe is the former Digital Beauty Director of ELLE.com. She’s written for GQ, Air Mail, Into the Gloss, and Fashionista. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Cam, and son, Otis.
Ariana Yaptangco
Social Media & Beauty Editor
Ariana Yaptangco oversees all #content across ELLE's social media platforms and covers beauty news. When she isn't staring at a screen, you can find her drinking tea, trying new skincare products, or yelling about the New York Mets.
Tatjana Freund
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst's Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She's a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.