Mastering the Art of Using a Wand Curling Iron for Beautiful Curls

If you’ve been struggling to achieve salon-worthy curls with your curling wand, you’re not alone. Ready to elevate your curling technique?

Choose the right tool and protect your hair

No matter how good your curling wand may be, its heat will still cause damage to your strands. A heat protectant coats the surface of your hair, forming a barrier between your hair and the heat. Heat protectants come in many different forms, but one product that many turn to before heat styling is the Evalectric Hair Serum.

In essence, the larger the barrel, the larger and softer your curls will be. Of course, whether or not your curling wand is tapered will also play a part in determining the type of curls you create. While cylindrical wands are great for forming uniform, symmetrical curls, a tapered barrel is better for casual, beachy-style waves.

Preparation and drying

Curling wands are designed to be used on dry hair. Even if you only have a few strands of hair that are still damp, you’re going to be dealing some serious damage. If you don’t have time to air dry your hair, get yourself a good hair dryer. Our recommendation would be the Pro Beauty Dryer from Evalectric. It has been fitted with an extremely powerful motor and three different heat settings. This makes for easy drying and styling in a short amount of time.

Start with clean hair and use heat protection as a foundation for healthy styling. As mentioned earlier, heat can really damage a person’s hair. It’s simple - get yourself a wand that has adjustable heat settings. At Evalectric, many of our curling wands come with a temperature dial that allows you to adjust the temperature to suit your hair.

Barrel size and hair length

One of the great things about curling wands is that they can easily be used on any hair length. The key is to pick a barrel size that suits your length of hair. If you have long hair, look for a larger barrel size, such as one that has a 25/32mm diameter. One good choice would be Evalectric’s Venti Curler. If your hair is medium length, then something like the Evalectric Grande Styling Wand with its 18/25mm barrel would work well for you. Of course, if you have short hair, then you’ll need a barrel that’s even smaller. Mini curling wands may be a good option for you. This also applies to anyone that plans on using a wand to curl bangs.

Technique: sections, directions, and timing

1. There are two ways to do this; vertically and horizontally. Whichever you choose, make sure that the sections you curl are an appropriate size. If you have thick hair, then you should only be curling 1-inch sections at a time. Generally, the larger the section of hair that you curl, the softer the resulting wave will be.
2. When curling with a wand, many people immediately crank their wand up to the highest temperature before getting started. Ideally, you should be using as little heat as possible. As mentioned earlier, heat can really damage a person’s hair. It’s simple - get yourself a wand that has adjustable heat settings. At Evalectric, many of our curling wands come with a temperature dial that allows you to adjust the temperature to suit your hair.
3. There are two ways to do this; vertically and horizontally. Whichever you choose, make sure that the sections you curl are an appropriate size. If you have thick hair, then you should only be curling 1-inch sections at a time. Generally, the larger the section of hair that you curl, the softer the resulting wave will be.

Curling technique: direction and placement

When curling with a wand, people often have their barrel pointing in random directions. It’s usually best to start at the roots when using a curling wand. So, keep the base of your wand aligned with your roots, and then wrap your hair around the wand.

This all depends on your hair type. Those with thin or fine hair will likely only need to keep their wand in place for about five seconds at a time. On the other hand, if you have thick hair, five seconds may not be enough. Once you remove the wand, cup your newly formed curl in your hand for another 3-5 seconds before letting it drop down.

Direction for a natural look

Curling all of your hair in the same direction will result in curls that effortlessly blend together. That said, when working with the sections of hair that frame your face, it’s usually best to wrap these strands away from your face.

Post-curl care and setting

While it can be tempting to brush your hair as soon as you’re done curling it, it’s always a good idea to wait until your hair has completely cooled. Once your hair has fully cooled down, brush it in small sections. As you brush your newly curled locks, be gentle.

Pinning your curls after curling with a wand can help with this, but this is a pretty labor-intensive method. Fortunately, there’s another easy way to lock your curls into place. All you need is a good hairspray! If you don’t yet have a go-to hairspray, try Evalectric’s Extreme Hold Hairspray.

Finishing touches and wand care

Our final curling wand tip for you is an important one; make sure that you look after your curling wand properly. To clean your curling wand, simply run a wet washcloth around the barrel while it’s still warm (but not hot!). If any styling product residue is refusing to budge, give it a little scrub.

Practical routine example and longer-lasting curls

Per the overwhelming amount of requests I have received, I am finally sharing a tutorial on how to curl your hair with a wand. I have always loved using wands to curl my hair. My process is a little more relaxed than it used to be, and the curls come out a bit softer, which is exactly the look I want. It is my go-to when I want a little volume and movement on any given day.

If you are not a wand kind of girl, here is my tutorial on how to curl your hair with a curling iron you can check out too.

Products and routine preferences

I start with Aveda Smooth Infusion when I get out of the shower. This protects my hair from the heat of the wand and keeps everything smooth and soft. Then I use my super affordable Jose Eber wand to create the curls. I brush them out with my Wet Brush and finish with a little Pureology hairspray, and that is it. I have short hair that is a bit on the thin side, so it only takes about 10 minutes from start to finish.

How to curl short hair with a wand

Curling shorter hair with a wand is absolutely doable, it just takes a slightly different approach. Working in horizontal sections is the key so you do not miss the pieces underneath. Take smaller sections than you would with long hair, and start the wrap a little higher up the strand since there is less length to work with. A smaller barrel also gives you more control and a curl that actually shows up on short lengths.

How to choose between a curling iron and a wand

In general, a curling iron with a clamp creates defined, uniform curls and can also be used as a wand. A wand creates looser, beachy waves and leaves more natural texture. The decision depends on desired style, length, and texture of your hair.

Choosing to use a curling iron versus a styling wand depends on the desired style or overall finished look. A curling iron creates classic, bouncy curls, while a styling wand can create a variety of wave styles. Curling irons form a spiral pattern in the hair, while a styling wand creates more of an 'S' pattern.

Notes on practice and subjectivity

Editor’s tip: If you prefer a more natural look, curl your hair away from your face. Automatic curling irons are bound to be your best friend-they do all the legwork for you!

tags: #using #a #wand #curling #iron