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The Best Curling Wands and Curling Tongs for Great Curls

Post last updated: 26/10/2023

Whether you prefer a super sleek look, subtle waves or dramatic curls, styling tools make all the difference. With brands like ghd and Babyliss, achieving salon-perfect waves and curls is incredibly easy with our picks of the best curling wands and curling tongs around.

What's the Difference Between a Curling Tong and a Curling Wand?

You'll see curlers called everything from a wand, to an iron or a styler. Technically, a wand has no clamp, whilst an iron or tong has a clamp, however, both versions work in the same way; you wrap your hair around them in order to curl them. We're talking about both of them in this blog post.

Whether you use a wand or a tong is totally up to you; with a clamp, it can be easier to hold hair onto the heat to get an even heat distribution, but without can be easier and faster to curl your hair.

Once you've made up your mind about which type of curler you'd prefer, then it's the perfect time to get shopping.

Our Picks of the Best Curling Wands & Tongs

  1. BaByliss Curl Secret
  2. Beauty Works Professional Styler Trio Edition
  3. Beauty Works x Molly Mae Curl Kit - Volume 2
  4. BaByliss PRO Titanium Expression Curling Tong (25mm)
  5. ghd Curve Classic Curl Tong (26mm)
  6. Revolution Haircare Wave It Out 32mm Angled Curler
  7. Chopstick Styler No1
  8. ghd Creative Curl Wand (28mm-23mm)
  9. BaByliss Rose Quartz 38mm Curling Tong
  10. Beauty Works Flat Iron Curl Bar 25mm

 

Shop all Hair Curlers on LOOKFANTASTIC.

Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Curling Wand or Tong

There are so many different tools on the market to help you get gorgeous curls. Curling wands and curling tongs are the simplest, quickest and easiest tools to get gorgeous curls in mere minutes.

With curling wands, there are several different variations to choose from, as different shapes and sizes give very different results. If you're new to the world to hair styling wands, then there are two factors you should consider:

1. The type of curl that different barrel sizes create

Different shaped barrels will create different curl styles:

  • Straight - this is the classic barrel shape and will create a classic curl that is even in shape and size from root to tip.
  • Tapered - a tapered wand will give a looser curl close to the roots and tighter at the ends, resulting in a very natural look.
  • Bubble - a wand with bubbles or bobbles will create a relaxed beachy style curl, resulting in volume and texture.

2. The size of curl that different barrel sizes create

  • 6mm-20mm - these slimmer wands are sometimes known as chopstick curlers and create a super tight ringlet style curl.
  • 20-32 mm - this barrel size is standard for creating a classic curl, that can be truly curly or brushed out into a softer curl.
  • 32mm- big barrels create wide, soft curls that look sophisticated and slightly retro, perfect for brushing out into classic, shiny waves.

Advice

Curling Wands vs Curling Irons, What's the Difference?

Do you prefer curling wands or curling irons? We're settling the differences in the ultimate comparison guide.

20/07/2022 By Melissa

The Best Curling Wands & Tongs for Great Curls

1. BaByliss Curl Secret

An innovative hair curling tool that uses Auto Curl technology to create perfect, natural-looking curls with long-lasting effect and minimal frizz, due to the tool’s ionic conditioning system. The tool automatically draws in your hair, gently holding and heating it from all directions to form the perfect curl. With two different heat settings, you can create a more natural-looking, effortless curl or use the higher heat setting to form a defined, glamorous curl.  
  • Best for: Short to medium length hair.
  • Why we love it: The tool's Auto Curl Technology creates perfect curls with minimal effort.
  • LF Customer EReed says: 'I purchased this 2 years ago and I find myself singing its praises at least once a week. With a wand, it takes me an hour to curl a full head. With this Curl Secret I can do it in 8 minutes - it's changed my life.'
     

2. Beauty Works Professional Styler Trio Edition (Worth £109.99)

This Set features the iconic, original Professional Styler for bouncy, polished curls, along with two additional barrels that you can interchange to switch up the size and shape of your curls. The 25mm Barrel creates tighter, longer-lasting curls, while the Tapered Barrel creates carefree, tousled curls for an effortless glam look. The styler boasts three extra-long barrels, expertly designed to curl longer hair lengths evenly, ideal for those who wear hair extensions.  
  • Best for: Long hair.
  • Why we love it: Comes with three interchangeable barrels to create different curly looks.
  • Read what our customers say here.

3. Beauty Works X Molly Mae Curl Kit - Volume 2

57

RRP: £94.99Current price: £56.99

This Curl Kit is perfect for creating soft and bouncy, princess-like curls with red-carpet worthy volume. With an extra-long ceramic barrel, crafted specifically for curling long hair or hair extensions, this tool ensures that your curls are formed and heated evenly from root to end. The kit comes with ten pin curl clips, an oval paddle brush and a carry case, allowing you to achieve salon-worthy curls from wherever you may be. With an adjustable temperature between 80-220°C, you can control whether you create tight, defined curls or sumptuous, floaty locks. 
  • Best for: Bouncy, volumised curls.
  • Why we love it: Has an extra-long barrel, ideal for those with long hair or hair extensions.
  • Read what our customers say here.
 

4. BaByliss PRO Titanium Expression Curling Tong (25mm)

19

RRP: £65.00Current price: £26.00

Your go-to styling tool for creating beautiful, long-lasting curls. Its 25mm barrel size is perfect for achieving classic, bouncy curls and waves. With adjustable temperature settings and a long swivel cord, it offers both precision and ease of use, making it a favourite among hairstylists and individuals looking to achieve salon-quality results at home. 
  • Best for: Classic bouncy curls.
  • Why we love it: it has ultra-advanced ceramic heaters for constant, regulated temperature control.
  • LF Customer Kat says: 'Big barrel! I've had this for a long time and I love it! It has a long cord and is very easy to use.'

5. ghd Curve Classic Curl Tong (26mm)

Designed with a 26mm barrel, this ergonomic Classic Curl Tong by ghd is ideal for creating bouncy curls even on shorter hair. Perfect for those mornings when you can’t remember if you switched off your hair styling tool, this Tong has a 30 minute automatic sleep mode for added safety. The Tong’s protective cool tip also provides extra control and safety by giving you a place to hold the hair in place while it curls. 
  • Best for: Shorter hair.
  • Why we love it: The protective cool tip helps with precision and control, giving you something to hold onto at both ends while styling.
  • Read what our customers say here.

6. Revolution Haircare Wave It Out Angled Curler 28mm

24

RRP: £35.99Current price: £25.19

Say goodbye to plain straight hair and hello to stunning beachy waves. This innovative angled design simplifies the curling process, making it easy to use even for beginners. The unique 32mm angled barrel allows for effortless creation of gorgeous, beachy waves that are both modern and sophisticated. With quick heating, precise temperature control, and an extra-long swivel cord for flexibility, this curler is perfect for anyone, whether you’re a styling pro or just getting started. 
  • Best for: Beachy waves.
  • Why we love it: Easy to use and perfect for anyone.
  • LF Customer Chloe says: 'Brilliant curler, the angled handle makes it so much easier to curl! I was iffy about purchasing as the price is so cheap but it's hands down the best curler I've purchased. Well worth it!'

7. Chopstick Styler No1

19

RRP: £19.99Current price: £17.99

Create effortless corkscrew curls with this super-slim rectangular shaped wand that forms much tighter curls than a rounded barrel, resulting in voluminous, bouncy tresses. This innovative curling wand heats up to 210°C and has a ceramic coating, ensuring the curls have a smooth finish with minimal frizz. Customise your curls and add extra volume by taking smaller or larger sections of hair each time.  
  • Best for: All hair types and lengths.
  • Why we love it: Curls last for up to three days before dropping.
  • LF Customer Yasmin says: 'Good product, easy to use and does a good job!'

8. ghd Creative Curl Wand (28-23mm)

If you’re unsure of whether you want tightly wrapped curls or bouncy soft waves, then the ghd Creative Curl Wand is the perfect styling tool for you. With its 28mm-23mm tapered barrel, the wand creates beautifully soft and voluminous curls for an effortless beachy look. Either let the curls fall naturally or brush them out for a sleek, summery wave.  
  • Best for: Bouncy, soft curls.
  • Why we love it: Ceramic tri-zone technology ensures your hair is exposed to just the right amount of heat, perfect for maintaining healthy hair.
  • Read what our customers say here.

9. BaByliss Rose Quartz 38MM Curling Tong

16

RRP: £38.00Current price: £34.20

With its 38mm barrel, this curling tong is designed for creating enviable, voluminous curls that exude confidence and glamour. The Advanced Ceramics heating system means the device is ready to use quickly and ensures consistent, long-lasting curls with minimal frizz. Its adjustable temperature settings cater to various hair types and styles, allowing for effortless customisation of your curls. 
  • Best for: Hair prone to frizz and flyaways.
  • Why we love it: The rose quartz ceramic barrel adds a touch of elegance and luxury to your hairstyling routine.
  • LF Customer Naomi says: 'Amazing curls. Wouldn't use anything else! Highly recommend for looser curls.'

10. Beauty Works Flat Iron Curl Bar 25mm

20

RRP: £74.99Current price: £56.24

This revolutionary hair styling tool redefines the way you curl your hair by creating S-shaped, flat waves. The 25mm bar is perfect for forming cascading Hollywood curls and is suitable for all hair lengths and types. The advanced ceramic-coated barrel ensures even heat distribution, minimising the risk of damage to your hair and creating mirror-like shine. Whether you’re aiming for red-carpet worthy waves or sleek curls, this curling iron is your ticket to effortless glamorous hairstyling.  
  • Best for: Tousled flat curls.
  • Why we love it: It has an extra-long wand, making it suitable for all hair lengths and types, including hair extensions.
  • Read what our customers say here.
Team LF
Team LF Writer and expert

Our team of beauty experts cover everything from makeup to skincare, picking out the most effective products from the best brands and latest trends. Stay up to date on everything beauty with the LOOKFANTASTIC blog, and find all your essentials in one place.

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