Use a Curling Wand

If you're tired of the kinks and lines that using a curling iron with a clamp produce, try using a curling wand! These wonderful heat tools work to curl your hair without clipping it in place, creating smooth, full, spirals. Although making the transition to a curling wand from a regular curling iron can be difficult, with a bit of practice you'll have it down pat.

Steps

Getting Started

  1. Choose your curling wand. As it turns out, not all curling wands are made equal. The size of your curling wand will determine the outcome of your curls. You also need to consider if you want a tapered curling wand (for spiral-esq curls) or a curling wand with a consistent width.
    • For smaller curls, choose a curling wand that is 1” wide or smaller. Big, bouncy curls can be made using a curling wand wider than 1”.
    • Look for the material your wand is made out of; ceramic or tourmaline are typically regarded as the best quality and safest for you hair.
  2. Select your heat preferences. Most curling wands come with a dial or switch that allows you to adjust the amount of heat it puts out. You’ll either have the choice of ‘high-medium-low’ or an actual temperature setting. Change this to meet the needs of your hair, keeping in mind that the higher the heat, the more damaging it can be to your hair.
  3. Prep your hair. Brush your dry hair to fully remove any tangles and break up strands.Use a good quality heat protection spray and brush throughout hair to stop damage to the hair. Use large hair clips to pin your hair to the top of your head in sections; typically working in three large sections from the bottom to the top of your head works best. Brush out the sectioned hair to make sure all fly-aways are gathered.[1]

Curling Your Hair

  1. Allow the iron to preheat. Seemingly obvious, yes, but waiting for your curling wand to heat up will give a better curl. Give your wand between 2-4 minutes to heat to the desired temperature instead of immediately trying to use it after plugging it in.
  2. (optional) Put on your glove. As a precautionary measure, most curling wands come with a rather silly looking heat-resistant glove. Because there is no clamp on a curling wand, you have to use your fingers to hold the hair in place. Put the glove on the hand you plan to use to wrap your hair around the wand. Note: using a glove is completely optional.
  3. Pick up a small section of hair. The rule that applies with all heat tools applies to curling wands as well: don’t try to curl too much hair at once. Select a strand of hair that is no wider than 1”. Strands that are too wide will layer up and won’t be affected by the heat of the wand, causing limp, saggy curls. To create very tight curls, select strands of hair smaller than 1” thick.
  4. Wrap the hair around the barrel. Hold your hair at the end of the strand, and wrap it around the barrel starting at the base. Always curl your hair away from your face. Try to wrap your hair around the base of the barrel, rather than the center or the tip.
    • Keep your strand of hair flat as your wrap to create loose, relaxed curls.[2]
    • To get tight spiral curls, twist the strand of hair before wrapping it around the barrel.
  5. Wait a few seconds. Curling wands seem to work faster than typical curling irons, and require only a few seconds. Hold your hair to the iron for 2-5 seconds total, exceeding no more than 10 seconds total.[3]
  6. Allow the curl to cool. To keep your curls tight, hold them in a spiral shape after removing them from the wand while they cool. You can also use a bobby-pin to hold them in place to cool as you curl the rest of your hair. If you would rather have more casual curls, don’t worry about holding them while they’re cool; drop it like its hot!
  7. Continue curling your hair. Repeat the above process, working your way around your head. When necessary, let down sections of hair to curl.
  8. Finish the style. When you’ve curled all your strands, you’ll be left with a very tight prom-esq looking head of spirals. Rectify this by lightly misting your hair with hairspray, and then running your fingers through the curls to break them up. You can create a vintage-looking set of curls by brushing through them with a boar-bristle brush.[4]



Tips

  • Don't straighten your hair prior to curling. You should use all of your natural waves to curl your hair.
  • Do not curl your hair when it is damp. That will damage it and it won't curl right.
  • Make sure you do not overlap the hair when wrapping it around the wand.
  • Don't hold hair on too long.
  • Don't ever get any part of a curling wand wet! You don't want to be electrocuted.
  • Don't curl your hair on high heat every day, it will cause damage. To prevent damage in the case where you do want to curl every day, try a lower heat setting and heat protectant.
  • Use a heat protectant, to avoid damage.
  • Never wrap your cord around your wand. As convenient as it is, it damages the cord.
  • *Always use a glove* or you could burn yourself.
  • It's better to curl your hair without using the curling iron/wand. The heat used in the curling wands can damage your hair.

Warnings

  • Using a curling wand every day can take its toll on your poor locks. Try not to make curling your hair an essential part of your routine. You may only want to curl your hair for nights out or a few times a week.
  • Never leave your curling wand turned on when you're not using it
  • Try to avoid burning yourself, but if you do, always treat the burn. First go straight to the bathroom and run cold water over the burn; hold it there until it no longer hurts as much. Use a burn cream to sooth the burn (don't use fragrant creams). Never put ice directly to a burn because this can cause it to become too cold and will burn further. If able to (arm or finger), wrap cling film around the burn this will protect the burn. If your burn is major or extremely painful, visit a doctor.

Things You'll Need

  • Curling Wand
  • Hair Spray
  • Mousse (optional)
  • Curling Glove (optional)
  • Hair Heat Protectant or Leave-In Conditioner
  • Brush/Comb

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.allure.com/beauty-trends/blogs/daily-beauty-reporter/2011/06/hair-lesson-how-to-use-a-clampless-curling-iron.html
  2. ↑ http://www.thesmallthingsblog.com/2012/04/how-to-use-curling-wand.html
  3. ↑ http://www.thehairstyler.com/features/articles/hairstyles/curling-wand-tips
  4. ↑ http://glossymusings.com/2012/08/28/perfect-waves-curling-wand/

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