How to Use a Curling Wand

Co-authored by Jenny Tran

Last Updated: July 25, 2024 Approved

If you're tired of the kinks and lines that using a curling iron with a clamp produce, try using a curling wand. These heat tools work to curl your hair without clipping it in place, creating smooth, full, spirals. There are several different looks you can do with a curling wand, such as basic curls or beachy waves. If you're hair is already naturally curly, you can use a curling wand to make more refined curls.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Setting a Solid Foundation

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If you have just washed your hair or if your hair is damp, blow it dry with a hair dryer before using a curling wand. Your hair needs to be completely dry before you start.
2
Brush out your hair. Always start with neat, tangle-free hair when using a curling wand. Use your regular brush or comb to gently tug out any tangles so your hair is smooth going into the process. ^{[1]
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- If you use any products, like a leave-in conditioner, apply them while brushing out your hair.
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3
Pick your heat setting. Curling wands usually provide several different settings, ranging from high to low. For the most part, start with the lowest heat setting possible as this provides the least amount of damage to your hair. If you find your hair is not curling at the lowest setting, increase the heat gradually as you curl. ^{[2]
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- Coarse hair generally requires a higher heat setting while fine hair should use a lower heat setting.
- It can take some trial and error to find the right heat setting for your hair, so be patient. As you get used to using your wand, you should find a heat setting that works for you.
4
Use a heat protectant. Never apply any type of heat treatment to your hair without using a heat protectant first. You can purchase a heat protectant spray or gel at a salon or department store. Apply it to your hair according to instructions, working it in from your roots to your tips to ensure full protection. ^{[3]
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- If you also tend to use non-aerosol hairsprays or styling gels when styling your hair, apply these as well. Aerosol hairsprays should be used after the hair is curled.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Doing Basic Curls

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1
Section your hair. To do a basic set of curls, section your hair first. Use hair clips or hair ties to section your hair into four different sections There should be one in front, one in back, and two on the sides of your head. ^{[4]
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- Make sure the sections are roughly equal.
2
Curl your hair for three to four seconds. Un-clip your hair from one of the sections. It does not matter which section you start with. Take a strand of hair about an inch wide and hold your curling wand vertically at the side of your head. Starting with the tips, wrap your hair around the wand. Hold the hair for three to four seconds before releasing your hair from the wand. You should be left with a long, wavy curl. ^{[5]
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- If the curl is tighter than you want, let it cool down before running your fingers through it to loosen it. Keep in mind that curls made with a curling wand do tend to loosen over time.
Keep curling your the section you started with strand by strand until it's fully curled. Repeat this with each section of hair until you have a full head of curls. ^{[6]
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This should help your look stay in place throughout the day. Make sure that the hair spray you use is an aerosol hairspray. Non-aerosols should be applied before curling. ^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Doing Beach Waves

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You can buy a setting spray at a salon or buy it online. Mist your hair with a light amount of setting spray before you begin the curling process. This will help your hair mold more easily. ^{[8]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
Start towards the front of your head. For messy beach waves, work strand by strand. Grab a section that is longer than it is wide. Wrap your hair around the curling wand vertically, starting at the roots and moving down to the ends. In the front, curl your hair away from your face. ^{[9]
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As you wrap your hair around the wand, stop about an inch from the tips of your hair. Leave this inch uncurled for a loose, beach-like wave. ^{[10]
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As you finish curling the hair in front of your face, shake things up a little when you reach the back of your head. To create a natural appearance, curl your hair in different directions, both towards and away from your face. Other than the direction you're curling, curl using the same process as earlier. Remember to leave the last two inches of your hair uncurled. ^{[11]
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Continue curling until you have a full set of beach waves. When you're done, run your fingers through your hair to loosen the curls to your liking. Professional hairstylist Jenny Tran recommends finishing things off "with a styling spray, which holds your hair in place without making it crunchy."

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using a Wand on Curly Hair

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Before doing curling your hair, apply a leave-in conditioner from the roots to the tips. This will help you mold your curls, encouraging them to stay tight. ^{[12]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}
Apply a styling hair gel to your hair, working it in from the roots to the tips. As you apply your gel, scrunch up the ends of your hair using your hands. This should help refine your curls. ^{[13]
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Your hair should be completely dry before you start curling. As you blow dry the tips, mess them slightly with your fingers. This will encourage further curling. ^{[14]
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This section should be roughly one inch wide. Start at the roots, and wrap the ends around the barrel. Keep a firm tension as you do so. Let it rest for three or four seconds before releasing.
Curling wands will create slightly looser, refined curls on curly hair. If you want even looser curls, you can brush them out with your fingers.
Take some hairspray and mist it gently over your hair. This will set your look for the day, keeping your curls intact. ^{[15]
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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.}

Expert Q&A

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Question

My hair is still not curling even with this tutorial. Are there any other suggestions?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Try using smaller sections. The more hair you have on the wand, the harder it is for the heat to penetrate evenly. You can also try wrapping sections you've already curled into little pin curls and clipping them until completely cooled.

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Question

How do you curl your hair without heat?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Wet it down and wrap it around something: pencils, rollers, or bendable rods. You can also make pin curls using your fingers. Let the hair dry completely, then remove the set and you'll have curls.

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Question

How do you curl your hair away from your face?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist based in Milledgeville, Georgia. She has been working as a hair stylist since 2007, and began a career as a cosmetology teacher in 2013. She worked as a teacher at Arrojo Cosmetology School, teaching cosmetology practices, hairstyling, and hair color application. She also brought her cosmetology expertise to her work as a staff writer for fashion blog Style Noted, writing pieces related to hair and fashion. She received an MFA in Creative Writing from Georgia College & State University, where she was also an English Teaching Fellow. Additionally, she received a BA in Creative Writing and Literature from New York University.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

Working with vertical sections, wrap the hair away from the face, clockwise on the right and counterclockwise on the left.

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Tips

Do not curl your hair when it is damp. That will damage it and it won't curl right.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Before you start curling your hair, put on a heat-resistant glove to protect your hand and fingers. It's also a smart idea for beginners to record their first curling session so they can watch it later and see what they need to improve on. There are also lots of helpful curling tutorials and classes online that can teach you good techniques.
After setting your curls with the wand, lightly spritz some hairspray over them or the curls can end up becoming hard and tangled looking as the day goes on. Use a hairspray with a strong hold to really lock the curls in place. Don't overdo it with the hairspray, or things will get messy and crunchy.
Before starting to curl your hair, let the wand fully heat up to the temperature recommended in the directions first. If you don't, the curls won't set right, and you'll end up having to redo them over and over, which is super frustrating.
If you're new to curling and don't nail those perfect curls immediately, don't get discouraged! Keep practicing with patience, and in time, you'll get the gorgeous curled look you want. These skills take time to master for beginners.
When using a wand to curl the hair at the back of your head, always wear a glove on the hand holding the hair. That's an awkward angle to work at, which makes it really easy to accidentally burn your neck or fingers otherwise.
If you accidentally burn yourself with the hot curling wand, don't put Vaseline on it. That can make the skin damage worse. Instead, soak a cotton ball in vanilla extract and hold that on the burn to soothe and heal it.

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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.

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Things You'll Need

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

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Expert Source

Jenny Tran
Professional Hair Stylist

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How to Use a Curling Wand

Steps

Setting a Solid Foundation

Doing Basic Curls

Doing Beach Waves

Using a Wand on Curly Hair

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

Things You'll Need

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References

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