How to Use a Curling Wand

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

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

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-1-Version-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-1-Version-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/36\/Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-1-Version-11.jpg\/aid1793825-v4-728px-Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-1-Version-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
    • If you use any products, like a leave-in conditioner, apply them while brushing out your hair.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-3-Version-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-3-Version-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-3-Version-12.jpg\/aid1793825-v4-728px-Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-3-Version-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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]
    • 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. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
    • 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.
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Doing Basic Curls

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
    • Make sure the sections are roughly equal.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
    • 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.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
    5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Doing Beach Waves

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-11-Version-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-11-Version-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a5\/Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-11-Version-11.jpg\/aid1793825-v4-728px-Use-a-Curling-Wand-Step-11-Version-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    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]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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."
    6. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Using a Wand on Curly Hair

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    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.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Use a Curling Wand
    Take some hairspray and mist it gently over your hair. This will set your look for the day, keeping your curls intact. [15]
    7. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 9
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 11
  • 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.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 8
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      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.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      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.
        Thanks
        Helpful 313 Not Helpful 66


      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

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

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Curl Your Hair: 8 Easy & Quick Ways
      How to
      Curl Hair with a Curling Iron
      How to
      Create Pin Curls
      How to
      Treat a Facial Burn from a Curling Iron to Prevent Scars
      How to
      Put Velcro Curlers in Your Hair
      How to
      Use Hair Rollers: Velcro, Hot, and Foam Rollers
      How to
      Get Curly Hair (Men)
      How to
      Use Bendy Rollers
      How to
      Do Finger Coils
      How to
      Curl Synthetic Hair
      How to
      Curl Hair with Foam Rollers
      How to
      Use Hair Rods
      How to
      Curl Hair with Bobby Pins
      Twisting Your Own Hair at Home: A Step-By-Step Guide
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ http://www.thatsfoxy.com/beginners-guide/
      2. ↑ http://www.thatsfoxy.com/beginners-guide/
      3. ↑ http://www.thatsfoxy.com/beginners-guide/
      4. ↑ http://stylecaster.com/beauty/watch-how-to-curl-your-hair-with-a-curling-wand/
      5. ↑ http://stylecaster.com/beauty/watch-how-to-curl-your-hair-with-a-curling-wand/
      6. ↑ http://stylecaster.com/beauty/watch-how-to-curl-your-hair-with-a-curling-wand/
      7. ↑ http://stylecaster.com/beauty/watch-how-to-curl-your-hair-with-a-curling-wand/
      8. ↑ Jenny Tran. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdDtra8S8JA
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdDtra8S8JA
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdDtra8S8JA
      3. ↑ Jenny Tran. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVcDNrug5h4
      5. ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/hair/tools-techniques/hair-styling#curly-blonde-hair
      6. ↑ Jenny Tran. Professional Hair Stylist. Expert Interview. 19 May 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To use a curling wand, 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 3-4 seconds, then gently unwrap the curl from the wand. Continue until you’ve curled all of your hair, then lightly mist your hair with aerosol hairspray to set your curls. Keep reading for tips from our cosmetology reviewer on how to create beachy waves with a curling wand!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,236,059 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Kathryn Thuma

        Jul 2, 2016

        "I am about to use a curling wand for the first time. I was a little nervous about my ignorance of the basics. ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement