Sennen Prickett
Say goodbye to disappearing curls and waves, as our beauty team has scouted out the best curling wands for thick hair on the market, all of which are proven to deliver lasting, salon-worthy results with ease.
While the sole purpose of the best curling wands is to make creating bouncy and defined curls a fuss-free and accessible task, even for non-hairdressers, not all are made equal - especially when it comes to styling thick hair. In fact, for those of us with a lot of hair, finding a tool that delivers glossy, fuss-free results that won't drop out within minutes is actually quite the mission. Thankfully though, like with the best straighteners for thick hair, there are tools up to the task; you just need to know what to look for. This is where our beauty team makes their grand entrance.
Along with asking industry experts to share their invaluable styling knowledge, we've tested an array of curling wands - from ceramic irons to air stylers - to pinpoint the 8 best buys that are worth your investment.
Best curling wands deals
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The quick list: Our top 6
You probably know that ghd's line-up boasts some of the best hair tools on the market and this curling wand certainly didn't disappoint. Dubbed one of the best curlers for short hair by the brand, we found it worked just as well on our long and thick locks, creating an array of styles from bouncy curls to loose, beachy waves.
If you're looking for a budget-friendly option, this Remington PROluxe You curler is it. One of the most unique curling tongs we've ever tried on thick hair, this toolis equipped with StyleAdapt, an innovative technology that personalises its heat setting to suit your hair type and needs – essentially, it predicts which level of heat you need and sets this accordingly.
Why do the curling yourself when you have a tool that can do it for you? This BaByliss tool is a styling game-changer thanks to its automatic curling technology, which creates beachy waves in just a click of a button. It's perfect for those who struggle to master the curling technique or (like us) who are after a lazy approach.
Whether you're sporting a short hairstyle or you love the loose and bouncy look, this large-barrelled Beauty Works curling tong is great. Promising to create classic Hollywood curls, this budget-friendly pick is sure to deliver results that make you look like you've just stepped out of the salon.
If you know even a little about hair styling, you won't be surprised that Dyson's Airwrap made the list. This tool was not only the easiest to use out of our lineup but it also saved our tester time when completing their haircare regime. However, it's worth noting that this styler probably won't provide tight, ringlet curls if you have thick, extra long locks, as your hair may struggle to wrap completely around the barrel.
After the team's raving review of Revamp's hair straightener brushes, we had high expectations for the brand's curling tong. While we like the lack of time limit of styling with mains powered hair stylers, this cordless oil-infused wand changed our perceptions of going wire-free. It boasts a small, light and easy to use design that made the styling process a breeze.
The best curling wand for thick hair overall
Reviewed by: Aleesha Badkar and Amelia Yeomans
Amelia: When it comes to hair styling, ghd is certainly a champion. It is home to some of the best tools that money can buy, including the best hair straighteners and even a stellar lineup of haircare products. So if you're looking to invest in a quality hair tool, this is the ultimate destination.
Curling thick hair can be a lengthy task, so investing in a lightweight tool that avoids dreaded arm ache is key. I found that this wand delivers exactly that. Its design is both easy to hold and manoeuvre, without having to fiddle with any buttons. Though the tool only has one heat setting, it still did the trick in terms of creating bouncy curls in my thick and frizzy hair. Plus, extra points for the wand's cold tip, which helped make the styling process a breeze, too.
Read our full ghd Creative Curl Wand Review for a further, detailed guide on this iconic tool
Best affordable curling wand
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
Many are sceptical about the performance of budget-friendly hair tools, but Remington's PROluxe You Adaptive Wand really impressed me throughout the testing process. The tool itself was easy to use and I found the wider barrel was perfect for quickly creating effortless curls on long hairstyles. As for results, these curls lasted incredibly well without the need for any hairspray or hair styling products. Two days after styling, my curls were still there, albeit looser, thus proving the results hold up in thick hair.
Despite boasting a more affordable price tag, this curling wand's clever StyleAdapt technology is a unique touch for those prioritising the health of their hair – although, I would have quite happily set the temperature myself, too. If you’re struggling to curl your hair with the desired outcome, or you’re unsure of what’s needed for your hair type, this tool is a great option.
Best automatic curling wand
Reviewed by: Fiona McKim and Amelia Yeomans
Amelia: I'm always intrigued by brands that create innovative new methods for styling your hair, so this BaByliss tool left me seriously impressed. It works by automatically drawing a section of hair into the ceramic curling chamber and heating it there before you release the tool – and with it your newly-formed curl. The method does take some getting used to, but if you're in the market for a quick, easy and effortless curling method, this styler is for you.
Based on first impressions, the large head of this tool does mean it's on the bulky side, but this also makes it great for styling chunkier sections of thick and long hair; if you want more defined waves, I'd recommend styling smaller sections of hair at once. However, one downside I noticed is that you don't have any control over the type of curl this tool creates, but the results are truly brilliant, so I don't really mind. I must also mention the handy heat-proof mat – a feature that always gets a tick from me.
See Digital Beauty Editor, Fiona McKim's full BaByliss Wave Secret Air review for a detailed look at this easy curler
Best curling wand for bouncy curls
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
It can feel like a mission to find a curling tong that doesn't produce ringlet-style curls, but that's where tools like this Beauty Works number come in. This wand has an easy-to-use design and takes just 60 seconds to warm up before you can use it. Plus, it comes with a travel case, a heat-proof glove and a mat for fuss-free and portable styling.
After trialling this tool, I noticed that thick, straight hair needed finishing products to ensure the curls were defined and lasted all day long. If you find curls typically drop out of your strands, as is common in hair that's naturally smooth and flat, it might be wise to invest in a strong-hold hairspray to lock your look in place. But overall, considering this is one of the more affordable curling tongs for thick hair, it performed extremely well and created the type of curls I wanted – without any additional effort.
Best premium curling wand
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans and Sennen Prickett
Amelia: Arguably needing no introduction, Dyson has created an impressive selection of hair tools, from the Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer to the Dyson Airstrait. But for this particular guide, I focused on how well the Airwrap's curling barrels work on thick and frizzy hair, specifically. My hair can be difficult to manage and needs higher temperatures to achieve defined curls, so I was initially unsure of how well this air styler would perform. (Side note: though this tool uses air instead of direct heat, you still need to apply the best heat protection.) After just one use of the curling attachment on my natural, dry hair, though, I was completely sold. Each curl only took a matter of seconds to style, leaving my once dry and frizzy strands with smooth and shiny curls.
It's worth noting that this pricey tool requires quite the investment, but the results spoke for themselves and required very minimal effort. So, if you have the budget and want a styler that saves significant time and effort, we think it is worth the investment.
See our team's full Dyson Airwrap review for a detailed guide to this famous tool
Best shine-boosting curling wand
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
Revamp's tools are great for those with thick hair that's on the drier side, in particular the brand's oil-infused Progloss range – take it from me. This small, lightweight and easy-to-use wand made styling incredibly easy, whilst the bouncy curls it created remained intact all night long (without any need for hairspray to boot).
The barrel may look deceivingly short, but it still catered to my long and thick hair well, delivering curls that were neither too tight nor too loose. I did notice the benefits of the oils, as my hair was left looking smooth and feeling healthy, with no need for finishing products – something that further sped up the styling process.
With not just one but two interchangeable batteries, this wire-free tool made for quick and easy styling, even while on the go, though it's worth noting that the batteries do take a few hours to charge. But overall, if your hair is prone to dryness and frizz, we'd highly recommend this tool.
Best travel curling wand
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
BaByliss has yet another candidate I rank among the best curling tongs for thick hair: the 9000 Cordless Waving Wand. Particularly great for those who need or want to style on the go or who don't want to be limited to styling in close proximity to a wall socket, this cordless curler makes for easy and fuss-free styling wherever, whenever. When testing the tools, I found this was noticeably shorter compared to others, but the thick barrel is more than sizeable enough to wrap each strand around it. It is admittedly slightly heavy, but using it isn’t too much of a strenuous task – in fact, it gives the curler a kind of luxe feel.
In terms of ease of use and results, it's also touted as one of the best curling irons for fine hair, and I loved how quickly I could form curls with this tool and how well they lasted throughout the day. The downside? It does require recharging after about 40 minutes of use on the maximum heat setting. This is fine if your hair doesn't take long to style, but for those of us with very thick and long hair, this may not be enough time, so it's worth bearing in mind.
Best curling wand for beachy waves
Reviewed by: Amelia Yeomans
A hybrid between a straightener and a waver, I had to include this Bellissima tool because of the gorgeous tousled waves it created. To look at, it's similar to one of the best hair straighteners but has a rounded internal clamp that helps create natural, relaxed waves that last – even on thick hair. If you've mastered the art of how to curl hair with straighteners, this is a great option that is both less damaging to your hair and also more geared towards curling.
I usually struggle to create curls using a straightener, but I found this tool pretty easy to use when styling. Simply hold it at a slanted angle, turn it 180° and smooth through the hair in one motion. With more practice of the technique, I could see this becoming a go-to multi-use tool, as it's ideal for travel or for creating quick hairstyles. The rounded plate also allows waves to form without much effort, while the steam technology and argan oil-infused ceramic promote a healthy and shiny finish in even the thickest strands.
How we tested the best curling wands for thick hair
A selection of the curlers for thick hair that we tested for this guide
In order to narrow down the best curling wands for thick hair based on firsthand experience, we made sure to complete a thorough testing process. We paid close attention to a number of details, features and characteristics, including the settings and functions available, how easy they were to use and, most importantly, the look and lasting power of our curls.
The design, price and added extras – such as a heatproof glove or carry case – were also considered. Each of the tools in this guide either met or went above and beyond our expectations, so you can trust that we deem any of them a worthy addition to your styling arsenal.
Our expert panel
When we first published this article, Nicole Petty was a hair expert for extensions brand at Milk + Blush. She's advised what to look for in a curling wand for thick hair.
Tyler Moore is an experienced hair stylist working for Live True salons in London and has shared expertise on styling and what to look for in a curling iron for thick hair.
How to choose the best curling wand for thick hair
The abundance of curling wands available on the market can make pinpointing the best tool for you a tricky task, so below are some helpful pointers from hair experts that will make the shopping process even easier.
- Consider hair length and texture: "When looking for a curling wand, much of what you consider should depend on your hair length and texture." says Nicole Petty, Hair Expert at Milk + Blush. For example, smaller barrels work better for shorter hair, while thicker strands may benefit more from titanium coated barrels.
- Barrel size: "There are many different sizes and shapes [of wand] that can help you achieve different looks, whether that's a large barrel for loose and glamorous waves or a small barrel for tighter curls," says Tyler Moore, Expert Stylist at Live True London. "Generally speaking, a one inch curling wand is the best all-rounder and can work for most lengths and textures," adds Petty. This size is especially good for thick hair.
- Materials: "We tend to recommend ceramic for finer or more damaged hair types that can't handle higher temperatures, and tourmaline for thicker hair that is prone to frizz, as this emits negative ions to counteract this," says Moore.
- Temperature controls: "We also recommend shopping for a curling wand that allows you to control the temperature with a degree setting, allowing you to have more control," says Moore. This is especially important for damaged or damage-prone hair types.
- Look at additional extras: "Curling wands with an automatic shut-off option are great, so you don’t spend the day wondering if you remembered to turn them off," says Petty. “Rotating barrels make the curling process easier, and some wands come with interchangeable barrels, so you can create different curl types without having to splash out on different gadgets."
How can I keep my hair healthy when using a curling wand?
The first non-negotiable tip? "Always, always use heat protection!" says Moore. "No matter how you heat style your hair, this is the most vital step. We also recommend looking for a barrel material that is suited for your hair, and not styling too hot. As a rule for damaged, fine or colored hair, go no hotter than 150ºC. For healthy or medium thickness hair, 150-190ºC, and for coarse or thick hair, a maximum of 175-230ºC."
When it comes to styling, Petty agrees that said protection is key to minimising damage to your strands and recommends you "invest in heat protector creams and sprays, which are made to protect your hair from the heat of dryers and curling wands." As for using the heated tool itself, she also advises working quickly: "If you are using a curling wand, try not to use it for more than three or four seconds per section."
Finally, Petty stresses the importance of adding nourishing and reparative products into your haircare routine: "Invest in good aftercare like hair oils and the best hair masks that are designed to repair any damage, which might be caused by overuse or too much heat."
Why won't my thick hair hold curls and how can I fix it?
After spending your time adding bouncy curls into your thick locks, it can feel frustrating when they fall out within hours, as to why this happens, Petty explains: "One of the main reasons [a curl doesn't hold] is usually because the curling wands are not hot enough when used, thick hair usually needs higher temperatures, ranging from 350 to 450ºF (roughly 180ºC–230–C) to set the curls."
Problems can also arise because of how you wash your hair: “Even if you're already using quality products, you want to ensure you're thoroughly rinsing your hair in the shower, too," Petty says. "Not properly removing conditioner creates an oily residue, which doesn't react well with heat, and also creates a barrier that stops the heat from activating the hair curl.
Once you've finished curling, it's worth trying to avoid touching your hair to keep the curls intact: “If you brush or touch your curls when they are still warm, they lose their curl quickly," says Petty. "This is a challenge if you have longer, thicker hair, which takes more time to cool. Setting the hair with pins or clips until it has fully cooled can be useful here to get your style to hold for longer."
How can I make my curls last longer?
The answer to the question that's on all of our minds lies in the preparation. "Prep will be important to make our curls last longer," Moore stresses. Aligning with Petty's comments about allowing the hair to cool, she recommends: "Clip each curl in place while it cools down to help it set and apply a generous amount of flexible hold hairspray to maintain the style throughout the day."
Petty also recommends styling non-freshly washed hair to get a stronger hold. "For even better results, curl your hair on the second or third day after shampooing," she says. "Dirtier hair can hold a curl better. If your hair feels greasy, you can always use a dry shampoo beforehand."
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