Difference Between Curling Irons and Wands

Why Use a Curling Iron?

The clamp has the added benefit of heating up both sides of your hair, smoothing the hair while curling it. We like to start curling close to the root of the hair and twisting the iron until your hair is all in the iron. You can curl the ends or leave them out too! Shorter haired gals find curling irons easier to use as they can help keep shorter strands wrapped around the barrel without risking your fingers. When curling, make sure the arm of the clamp goes on top of the hair and shouldn’t cross over it again until it has wrapped around the barrel once. That will help cut down on crimps, so you look like you just came from a salon!

Hair styling technology has come a long way from the rollers your mom used to wear around the house. Not long after the initial launch of hot rollers back in 1930, Rene Lelievre and Roger Lemoine invented the electric curling iron in 1959. While the tool has certainly become a beauty staple throughout the last 60+ years, its tong-free younger sister, the curling wand, has also soared in popularity during the last decade, begging the question: When should you use a curling iron vs. a curling wand? Well, according to celebrity hairstylists, there’s a few scenarios in which you might be compelled to choose one over the other.

It’s easy to pinpoint the most obvious difference between the two. A curling iron has a clamp attached, while a wand doesn’t. Therefore, Paul Norton, a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Demi Lovato and Idina Menzel, believes a curling wand is generally more user-friendly. He says that because a wand primarily comes in a stick form without a tong to clamp down the hair, “So, [when using a wand] you’re in control of the hair yourself, as opposed to letting the iron direct and sustain it.”

Norton adds that there’s really only one step for using a curling wand, which is wrapping the hair around it and holding it to the heat with your other hand. Comparatively, an iron requires you to wrap the hair around the tool, clamp at the base on the head, and turn the iron with your hand to create the curl. Additionally, wands are usually available in a tapered shape (one that starts out wide and then gets more narrow at the top), whereas irons aren’t. This shape allows you to achieve various curl shapes with one tool, as opposed to irons which might require you to use several sizes for some curl diversity.

When To Use A Curling Wand

In addition to its simplicity, a wand delivers a looser type of curl. “My preference is a curling wand for when you want a more relaxed and elongated curl,” Yene Damtew, a celebrity hairstylist who is responsible for former First Lady Michelle Obama’s hair, tells TZR. “Curling wands create looser styles that are in an S shape.” And according to all of these stylists, a wand works on all hair types — however, the length could be a deciding factor in which tool you choose. “As for length, I’d recommend mid-length to longer locks for [wands] as you get more ‘waves’ the more times you wrap the tresses around,” Matt Fugate, a celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Lana Condor, explains. But, if you do have short hair, not to worry — Damtew says they make mini wands designed for shorter locks.

Sure, a wand might seem pretty self-explanatory when it comes to how to use it, but, it doesn’t hurt to learn some techniques from the experts. Justine Marjan, a celebrity hairstylist who works with Ashley Graham and Khloé Kardashian, tells TZR, “For a more refined wave or curl pattern, hold the iron vertically and wrap hair away from the face, resting your fingertips on the non-heated tip of the wand. Wait for a few seconds for the hair to heat up then release and repeat on one-inch sections. For more texture in your end result, alternate directing the hair towards and away from the face with each piece.”

When To Use A Curling Iron

So if a curling wand is so versatile, why would you be compelled to swap it for a more traditional iron? While they might not be as revered as wands these days, an iron still remains a must-have hair product, according to the pros. For one, Fugate says an iron will deliver more consistent curls throughout your hair since the barrel is all one size (compared to the tapered effect of a wand).

“[An] Old Hollywood glam style would be the best example of the potential possibilities of a curling iron, as well as touching up natural curls hair with the iron that best matched your curl size,” Eddie Cook, a celebrity hairstylist who works with Lucy Boynton and Maude Apatow, adds. You’ll also find a wider range of barrel sizes, from 3/8” pin irons (which are ideal for creating a super tight, ‘70s brushed out curl) to 2” iron for a soft, wave.

Cook explains that, like a wand, a curling iron works on all hair types, but, he notes that the tool could be a better option for those with naturally curly hair or who have lots of frizz. “A curling iron over a wand will help add more polish and smoothness as the hair passes through the heat on all sides helping to smooth down the cuticle.” Marjan also adds that an iron can be used on all hair lengths (although a smaller barrel size would be more suitable for short hair).

Because a curling iron can offer endless outcomes for your hair, Marjan says there’s not really a one-way approach to using them. “Sometimes I use the iron like a wand but drag the clamp down the roots first to smooth and through the ends after each piece for a more polished finish,” she explains. “Sometimes I wrap and twist the hair around the ghd curve classic curl 1 inch iron for more on a textured, beautiful finish. Sometimes I’ll wrap the hair and pin to cool for a more classic brushed-out finish.” Ultimately, the choice is up to you!

All in all, both tools come with their own benefits. But if you’re shopping for a new tool and are choosing between the two, a curling wand is best for those who want more freedom in styling the hair. And according to Marjan, a curling iron is great for more of a classic set and longer-lasting curls (thanks to the more uniform exposure to heat).

Now that you’ve received a crash course in curling irons vs. curling wands, find the best options for each below.

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This article was originally published on March 25, 2021