Your questions about hair curlers answered
What is the best hair curler?
After months of testing, there was one curler that stood out from the rest and that was Hershesons’ the wand. In my experience, wand stylers have always been the more user-friendly pick, but I’ve often struggled to get my curls to hold when using them. However, this one is an exception to that rule. The long barrel is versatile for all lengths, while the numerous heat settings allow you to tailor the temperature to suit your hair’s thickness, damage (if any) and general ability to hold a curl. I’ve used it numerous times since my first test and been wowed by the results with each subsequent use.
Mdlondon’s right-angled curling wand was a close second with its four attachments and nifty reverse conical barrel, while T3’s singlepass tong was amazing for a more bouncy, blow dry-esque finish. As for the hair enthusiasts on a budget, Babyliss’ trio styler makes an excellent introduction to curling and looks cute as a button while doing so.
How I tested hair curlers
As with all IndyBest reviews, I test against a clear set of criteria, so every tool earns its place on performance, not promises. To separate the wheat from the chaff, here’s what I assessed:
- Heat-up time: I timed how long each tool actually took to get going and checked that the heat felt consistent across the whole barrel, not just in patches.
- Ease of use: I looked at how intuitive each curler felt in-hand, assessing features such as clamp tension, grip, button placement and cord length (because no one wants to wrestle with a plug socket mid-style).
- Skill level: I considered how much practice each tool required, whether it was easy to pick up straight away or needed a few slightly awkward attempts before it clicked.
- Ergonomics: I paid attention to weight and balance, and whether I could tackle the nape of my neck without arm ache or narrowly avoiding a burn.
- Finish and style: I assessed the overall effect – be it tight ringlets to brushed-out, old-Hollywood waves – and noted how glossy, soft or natural the curls looked.
- Hold: I kept an eye on how the curls held up over a full day, including after brushing through and facing wind, movement and my own fidgety hands.
- Hair condition: I checked how my hair felt afterwards and looked out for dryness, snagging or tell-tale clamp marks.
- Value for money: I weighed performance against price, asking whether the more affordable options could genuinely compete with their high-end counterparts.
How do you use hair curlers?
If using a more traditional clamp curler, Samantha Cusick (stylist to YouTube’s Zoe Sugg, Broadway’s Kristen Chenoweth and more) explains: “Use the clamp lightly to guide the hair around the barrel, then loosen it slightly so the hair wraps smoothly.” Though, she caveats, “They do take a bit more practice. A common mistake is clamping the ends and rolling straight up to the root. The ends of the hair curl much faster than the mid lengths and roots, so this can overheat the most fragile part of the hair and leave clamp lines.”
For those who’d prefer to use a curling wand, Cusick suggests: “Simply wrap the hair around the barrel, leaving the ends out if you want a softer, modern curl.”
How to curl short hair
“Wrap small sections away from the face and leave the ends out for a modern finish,” advises Cusick. She adds: “You don’t need to curl every piece either. Adding texture just through the top and front sections can make short hair look fuller and more styled without feeling overdone.”
Can you curl hair with a straightener?
“Yes, and it’s one of my favourite ways to curl hair,” Cusick tells me. She instructs: “Gently rotate the styler as you glide it down the hair rather than clamping and stopping. It takes a little practice, but once you get it, it’s one of the most versatile tools you can own.”
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews:
As a senior shopping writer at IndyBest, Lucy Smith has heaps of experience using, learning and writing about hair styling tools. Not only has she had her hair styled by a sweep of celeb-loved industry professionals (Michael Douglas and Jordanna Cobella, to name a few), but she’s interviewed a number of leading trichologists about all the science involving healthy hair. What’s more, Lucy is familiar with all the latest and greatest hair brands, having covered the best hair dryers, the Dyson airwrap co-anda 2x and the best hair brushes. With that in mind, when the opportunity to track down the best hair curlers presented itself, Lucy was just the person for the job.
Looking for more recommendations? Here’s our pick of the best hair straighteners, tested by a beauty writer
