Backward Isn’t Necessarily A Bad Thing- Sometimes It’s Just Backward

I’m not complaining, but I think it’s worth telling you I work very hard. In fact, my schedule is such that I would be lost if I didn’t know where I needed to be practically every minute of the day.

Why am I telling you this? Well, the lack of time I have means I need those “girly” tools that work quickly and efficiently so I look like a human being. My makeup routine takes no time, and I know how to straighten my hair and keep it that way in just 10 minutes (even though it’s super long). Oh, and the super long hair? That’s the result of not having time to get to the salon so I can get this mane taken care of!

When I look for a product so I can spice up my image, it has to work right away and without a lot of issues. I would like to have a curling wand that does just that, and I know there are some on the market that do a really good job. But can they do it quickly without a whole lot of redo?

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Going Backward

The Bed Head Blue Raspberry Conical Styler (BH311) is a different kind of curling wand to the point where I’m really intrigued. Instead of being tapered so it is thicker at the base and thinner at the top, it’s the exact opposite. It’s pretty weird looking if you ask me. It looks more like a baseball bat then a styling tool, but the appearance doesn’t matter as much as how well it works.

The upside down barrel gives you a style that is slightly different from other irons because the curls are looser at the bottom. Most irons do it the other way around and they get looser throughout the day as they fall out. The style of this iron is definitely a reversal, but it still gives you sharp curls with a lot of character.

Curls That Last and Last

This wand has staying power in fact I would go so far as to say it creates the “Energizer Bunny” of curls! They will last for days if used correctly on certain hair types. They also kind of evolve throughout the day, and the tightness of the curls yields to looser waves after some movement or exposure to the elements.

No Pain, No Curls

The rounded or “baseball bat” like end of the wand means there is really no safe place to hold on to it other than the base. That becomes a problem when you’re trying to roll the hair correctly, and it can result in a lot of burns even when you’re wearing the protective glove. The end of the wand being larger than the base makes it a little harder to control and more likely to end up on an ear or part of the neck than others, but people who are careful should not have a problem.

Trouble Resting

The awkward shape causes other problems when people try to rest the wand while they get ready to curl the next piece. It doesn’t have a rest on it, and since the entire wand is hot it’s very easy to burn a countertop in just a few minutes. The only thing I can think of that will make it more manageable would be to rest the base on the side of the sink with the hot wand lying over it. If you’re not happy with this, you can get a holster (like they use in salons).

Pricing Is Primo

Really? Under $25 for this? Really? It’s almost worth trying because the price is so good! I don’t like that it’s missing an auto shutoff and a few other features, but I can hardly expect a whole ton of “bells and whistles” for the price. There are a few design flaws that might not be avoidable considering the shape, but I don’t know that they are enough to make me think twice. I am so interested in the different things I can do with it that it is going to stay on my shortlist without a doubt.

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Maybe Some Things Are Good Enough To Be True

I come from a world of flat irons, so I’m not entirely used to all the quirks of curling irons or wands. I have curled my hair before, but it requires way more thinking than straightening does. I’ve always been able to curl with my straightening iron, but there are looks I would like to try that can only be achieved with the circular barrel of a wand or curling iron.

I guess the biggest difference since I’ve been on my hunt is that curling irons seem to work a little bit backward to flat irons. In the straightener world, you can expect to pay a lot for an iron that will last, and you’re not likely to get a good one at a drug store or in a budget price range that has the staying power you need.

Curling wands and irons on the other hand, have TONS of really good options in the less expensive price ranges, and that has been a weird thing to adjust to. I LOVE the idea of spending less money on my next hair toy, but I’m not used to finding quality at entry level prices.

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Save Some Pennies on Your Hair Tools

A really well priced option that has a lot of support behind it is the Conair YOU CURL Curling Wand. The price comes in at just under $25 which is a steal in the world of decent hair tools. It’s small and sleek looking, but still big enough to do the job.

Entry Level Prices with High End Perks

While the price is incredibly low this “curler” has a tourmaline covering that is often reserved for expensive irons. Tourmaline is smooth and makes sure there are no hot spots on the wand. It also helps trap in the moisture your hair needs to stop it from frizzing so the curl will hold all day. Curls have a tendency to get frizzier than straight hair, so anything that can keep the frizz away is a good perk to have.

From Zero to Hot in No Time Flat

You Curl gets hot in just 30 seconds. You can turn it on while you’re brushing your teeth in the morning and it will heat up well before your pearly whites are clean. I don’t know about you, but saving time (especially in the morning) is a huge deal to me!

Warranty Realness

I’ve almost never sent an electronic device in for a warranty repair. MP3 players, hair products, whatever, I just don’t do it. I do however buy products with good warranties. I know that doesn’t make sense when you consider I never use it, but hear me out. I see warranties as an indication that it’s a good product. Products that don’t break have good warranties because the company is willing to stand behind them.

The You Curl has a 5 year warranty from Conair. That gives me confidence about the product. I feel like it’s definitely possible this one will last for a long time because it has a warranty that proves it will.

Pick Your Heat

As with most heated tools, you want to tread lightly when you’re picking a heat setting. This iron has four different settings to pick from. That being said, you don’t want to go right to the highest one even if it works for you on other devices. Every machine works differently, and your hair could be the worse for wear if you assume they’re all the same. Start on the lower setting and try it out. If it doesn’t work, move it up a notch. Be kind to your hair so it can be kind to you.

Hitting the Switch on Accident

One of the more irritating drawbacks of this iron is the button that turns it off is in a place your hand is likely to hit when you’re using it. An iron without heat isn’t going to do much for your style, and it’s annoying to have to keep flipping it back on. It’s not a deal breaker by any means, but it is frustrating.

”Endless” Trouble

A problem that seems to be frequent with curling wands in general, but specifically this one is it can be hard to get the ends of your hair appropriately curled. If you’re a beginner in the world of curling irons, I wouldn’t tell you not to buy one of these just be prepared to put in some practice. Once you’ve mastered the art, I’m pretty confident you’ll be putting some fancy curls in your hair.

Because it doesn’t have clamps like some of the older styles, your fingers will get close to the barrel especially when you’re dealing with the ends of your hair which can mean you end up with a burn (or two). However, the manufacturer does supply heat resistant gloves.

Earliest and Still Probably the Best

Although this is one of the earliest curling wands on the market, it’s still holding its place on the market. The price is right, the heat is good, and the staying power is excellent, so I’m totally on board. This one is definitely getting moved to my list of “must-buys”.

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That’s why a hair device with a lot of flexibility is so important. The Remington CI5338 Keratin Therapy Curling Wand has 30 different settings so you can try each one and figure out which is best for your hair.

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Designed To Reduce Frizz

The CI5338 goes farther than just using a flexible amount of heat. The barrel has a keratin treatment on it that helps to strengthen your hair the way a Brazilian Blowout would at the salon. It may not be quite as effective as the salon treatment, but at least you get some benefit in the comfort of your own home.

High Quality Materials Underneath

Below the Keratin treatment on the barrel, a traditional ceramic material provides the kind of consistent heat necessary to avoid hotspots. The barrel has a textured finish to make it easier to hold the hair around the clamp-less barrel. The true ceramic barrel won’t chip off over time, and it will make your hair smoother as you curl.

Options For Size

The size of the iron matters, especially if you’re going with a straight barrel design like this one. A straight barrel basically means you can only get one kind of curl out of the device, so make sure you get the right size for your look. This one comes in 1 and 1.5 inches which means the difference between actual curls (from the smaller iron) and waves (from the larger iron). Larger wands don’t do a lot for people with short hair, but people with really long locks might need the extra girth in order to save time.

Priced At The Best Place

I cannot get over the prices on some of these curling wands. I look at the features and expect them to be HUNDREDS of dollars, but in actuality they’re barely $25. This one comes in at just over $20. I’ve said this before, but I’ll try any styling tool that doesn’t fry my hair for $20. The price is such that it’s good enough to use as a training tool if nothing else.

Get Heated Fast

You know those 30 heat settings I mentioned earlier? This iron can get up to any of them in just 30 seconds! I’m noticing a trend here. Pick your heat, turn it on, blink a few times and you’re good to go. The barrel gets up to 400F which should be more than enough heat to deal with even the thickest and coarsest of hair.

Check My Temperature

One of the less positive things about this iron is the heat settings are not marked. It’s just a blank turn wheel that you can adjust to indicate approximately how hot you want it to get. That’s not good for sensitive hair. My mom’s hair can’t have much more than 300 degrees of heat, so we have to be super careful about the tools and temperature we use on it. Without any idea how much stress is being put on her hair, we wouldn’t be able to use this at all. I can get away with it because my hair can handle the highest temperature this wand can reach.

Even More Features

Auto shutoff is a huge necessity on any hair tool I buy, so the fact this one has it is major for me. I have (almost) burned down my house on many occasions by forgetting to turn off my iron. While my house still stands, my countertops have taken quite a beating from my scatterbrained smarts!

Nice Try

All in all, this curling wand is well liked by consumers but it just doesn’t tick all the boxes for me. Maybe I’m too fussy (who knows), but it won’t be going on my shortlist just yet.
If you think differently and are willing to give it a shot, head right over here and drop it in your cart!

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Different Wands For Different Days – I’m Basically A Princess!

The more wands I look at, the more I wonder if one is going to be enough. I don’t want the same kind of curls every day now that I know more about the products, but unless I go with a tapered barrel I’m basically going to be married to whatever size curl the one iron I buy can do.

This is one of the reasons why I have always been averse to curling irons (aside from the fact that I’m terrible with them). If I want to change my style it means getting a whole different iron rather than being able to adapt the one I have.

I went out on the hunt for something that could fix my little conundrum. I found a few options that vary in features, but some make it possible to actually switch out the size of the barrel on your unit and get whatever size curl you’re thinking about that day. THAT sounds good to me!

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Size Up Your Curls

The HSI Professional Curling Iron Set with 4 Barrels gives you, (you guessed it) four different tips to change out that make the wand a different size. You can choose from super skinny for really tight curls or majorly large for waves. I like the different sizes that are available all within one kit because they give me plenty of options to choose from. The barrels come in 3/4″,1″,1.5″ & 3/4-1″. Basically, there isn’t a curl you can’t create with all of these choices at your “fingertips”.

Removable But Still High Quality

Even though you can change out the wand, it still has all the perks you would expect from a high quality iron. The barrels are real ceramic not ceramic plated, and they have a tourmaline coating that keeps hair frizz free and styled all day long. The ceramic iron makes it so the barrels don’t get hot spots on different places throughout the tube, so you get a consistent curl no matter where you place your hair on the iron.

Cool Where You Need It

All of the wands you can use with this iron come with a cool tip that protects you from burning yourself while turning or holding the other end of it. As the world’s clumsiest person, I think that’s pretty important. It also comes with a heat resistant glove (further insurance against those annoying burns).

Take It Anywhere

This baby is dual voltage which means you can take it with you if you travel overseas. I don’t recommend traveling with expensive equipment just because it can get lost but if you want to take your favorite wand with you, you still can without damaging it because you’ll be using the correct amount of power.

Priced Right, for Four Irons

This is nowhere close to the most expensive piece on the market. That being said, it is still a little higher in price than most of the ones that can be found at the drugstore. If you want to give this one a shot, you will have to spring about $100 for it. Personally, I think it’s worth it when you consider that you’re getting four irons in one.

HSI Snaps In Place, Doesn’t Start Without It

The thing I like most about this set so far is that you cannot turn it on unless one of the tips is firmly locked in place. That makes me feel better about the implications of what a heated unit like this could do if left out where a child might get to it. It should be fine as long as the heated part is removed when not in use. That would be simple enough for me because I probably wouldn’t use the same one two times in a row unless I found a style that was better than all others.

Not For Short Locks

The bigger iron in the set is not likely to work for short hair, and some of the smaller ones also miss the mark. People with shorter hair will do best with the smallest barrel but that kind of defeats the versatility this unit offers. If you have very short hair, you will likely do better with just a single iron, so you can probably save some money.

Pondering, Pondering

Yet again, I’m left wondering if this is where I should spend my hard earned cash. If you’ve read more than one of my reviews here or you’ve done plenty of research already, you’ll understand why it can be a tough decision to make. That said, for those of you with long hair looking for different curls for different days, I think this curling tool with interchangeable wands is definitely worth further investigation.

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It’s Orange, But Is It Crushing?

The more I look into different irons, the more nuances I realize they have. I know flat irons can be pretty quirky, but generally you get more or less the same features on all models. Some of them have extra perks but for the most part, they are plates that get hot and clamp on your hair. Done deal!

Curlers on the other hand are about as varied as hair types. I’m really interested in curling wands, and I didn’t realize they come in so many different options. One of those options is a tapered design which allows you to pick how big you want the curls to be. I wanted to find out more about wands that aren’t tapered because they seem to be harder to find and well, I’m a predictable girl, so once I’ve found the right size of curl for me I pretty much stick with it.

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Crushing On The Uniformity

Aside from being adorable, the Bed Head BH313 Orange Crush 1” Styler is also a clamp free curling wand with a consistent size throughout. The 1-inch barrel ensures that every curling job will look just about the same. More than that, it gets consistent heat so you won’t have to deal with hot spots (something I know can be a real pain when you’re trying to achieve the perfect hairdo)!

Bed Head Staying Loose

While you can get a whole lot of style with this guy, you won’t get the tight curls produced when using the small end of a tapered wand. These will be longer, looser waves or curls without a whole lot of bounce, but they still turn out really pretty and totally wearable. If you’re thinking “casual” style this wand is along the lines of what you’re looking for.

Touching Tourmaline

Okay, you don’t actually want to touch the barrel of the iron but the tourmaline coating is part of what keeps your hair pretty. The outside of the barrel is covered with a substance (tourmaline) made of ground up gemstones and minerals, and it helps control frizz and trap in moisture.

Orange Crush For The Price Of A Few Sodas

I’m amazed at how many people say this option is better than very expensive wands on the market. At just $30.00 this iron is getting rave reviews, and it gives me nothing to complain about so far. Suffice to say, I’m excited by this model of curling wand!

Not As Flexible

One thing this device is definitely missing is the temperature settings that are really important when you’re trying to protect your hair. Hair styling is not a one-size-fits-all pursuit. In fact, that’s a really good way to damage your hair (you know, crispy ends instead of perfect curls). That being said, if (unlike me) you don’t have a problem with no temperature control this is something not worth complaining about.

Long-Haired Friends Will Be Disappointed

The barrel on this wand is really long. The idea behind this is so people who have super long hair can benefit from a bit of curl as well. In actuality, it has a cool tip on the end that takes up much more room than it looks, and that means there is less room for curling long hair. If you have lustrous, long locks and want to get a nice long wave out of it you are probably in the wrong place. Orange Crush just doesn’t have it.

So Close, But Not Yet

The Bed Head BH313 offers a whole lot of different perks I really like, including the price, but there are a few problems that keep it off my short list. I don’t like that it doesn’t work with all hair lengths, and the lack of temperature control makes me a little nervous because I’m not that great at gauging when my hair is about to fry.

That being said it does heat up very quickly, holds the heat (evenly) which I think is really important, and the price includes heat protection gloves. If you like the idea of a clamp free “wrap and go” hairstyling tool, this may very well be an excellent choice.

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Don’t Get Flipped Out Get Rid Of The Flip All Together

To me, the name Flipper always represented the dolphin from a popular television show I watched when I was a kid. Now that I’m looking to find a curling wand that will get my locks under control, I have learned a new meaning for the word.

Apparently, “flipper” is the name of the clamp you use on a curling iron to keep hair in place. Basically, this is my enemy. I have never been able to successfully curl my hair because of the weird line I always got from what I now know is a flipper. I’m super pleased with the emergence of products that come without a flipper, and the Revlon Bold Expressions Flipperless Curling Wand is one I’ve come across that I think deserves a mention on my website. They must be as anti-flipper as I am!

Anyway, Revlon harnesses the power of ceramic ironing with this curling wand which makes it quick and easy to get the curls that you want.

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Not a Cone Head-Cone Shaped

The barrel on the Bold Expressions Iron is tapered so you get different sized curls depending on where you wrap the hair on the iron. Shorter hair can get tighter curls by styling closer to the tip, while longer hair can cover more ground by wrapping around the base of the iron.

Auto Off Saves The Home From Forgetful People Like Me

I’ve said this before, but I never remember to turn off my hair devices. Ok, not never. I actually turn them off a whole lot more than I leave them on, but there is always that one day I am running late or get distracted and burn down the house. Ok, that’s not true either! But I do worry I’m going to, and I get annoyed with myself when I realize I didn’t turn it off. Auto off has to be on everything I buy, no question, and because of that this product earns its first tick in the box marked yes!

Keep It Cool Baby

Aside from an auto off, one of the best things about this wand is it has a cool tip which stops people (like me) that are prone to getting burned from doing just that. It gives you a place to hold on the end when you’re wrapping your hair so you don’t run into big trouble later.

Price Won’t Wind You Up Tight

The part about this wand I’m most impressed with is the price. At under $40 and considering how much people love it, I think it’s a must try for just about every curling wand beginner. Don’t get me wrong, there are cheaper models out there (as you will see from some of the other reviews I have), but this one is currently showing itself to be well worth the money.

If The Glove Don’t Fit…

Actually the glove that comes with this wand will probably fit, but it won’t make much difference. It’s not a heat resistant glove, it’s just a glove. This means it is going to keep your hand warm because it’s a glove, but it isn’t going to protect you from the heat coming off the device. It’s basically just there for show and maybe as a visual reminder that you can in fact burn yourself.

You Don’t Want Smooth Moves

The barrel on this wand isn’t that smooth which believe it or not, isn’t something that should put you off. If the barrel doesn’t have a little bit of texture the hair just slides off. The added element of a covering that gives it a bit of a rough feeling is just what you need in order to get the curl you want.

From Not To Hot In No Time

If you’re like me and kind of always on the run to SOMEWHERE, things that work quickly are a must. In this case, the fact that this wand warms up really quickly and stays that way is an excellent plus.

All Hair Types Rejoice!

Not all wands are good for different hair types because they don’t treat them the same, but people with thick hair (the hardest to style) are very happy with this little beast. It doesn’t look like an imposing figure, but it packs enough power to get the response it needs out of even some of the thickest hair. That’s a pretty rousing recommendation considering how difficult thick and coarse hair can be to get under control with styling tools as I well know!

Pretty Impressed

Overall, I’m pretty impressed with what you get out of this wand considering what you’re paying for it. It’s inexpensive and easy to use which is great, especially if you’re a beginner. The Bold Expressions just rocketed its way up to the top of my list because it has everything I want and a rock sold price tag to boot. If you’re ready to try out an inexpensive option for some serious styling power, this is your friend.

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Round And Round She Goes. What It Curls, No One Knows

When I was a kid I used to watch my mother take hours to curl her hair every day. She had a set of traditional curling irons that would make these small, tight curls. Even though she started her hair well before we were due to leave the house, we would often end up being late. Her hair was always perfect, but it took forever to get it there.

I remember borrowing one of her irons when I was a kid and never being able to master it. I would curl and curl but always end up with a line where the iron gripped my hair against the metal bar. In fact, I remember burning my hair and doing all sorts of other damaging stuff that was not a good idea .

Of course, these days technology has moved on (a lot), and I like that curling wands don’t have a piece that grips hair to the iron so I don’t get that weird line. I also like that they’re made of materials other than metal because it’s much safer. With this in mind, my search brought me to the Remington CI95AC/2 T|Studio Pearl Professional Ceramic Curling Wand.

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Ceramic Is Better

A lot of metals can be super harsh on your hair, so the ceramic covering on this wand is better for me. I like that it traps in moisture and creates smooth curls without a lot of frizz.

Turn Off When You’re Done…Or Later

Automatic offs on devices like this are really important. It’s so easy to forget your iron or wand is on and leave the house with a potentially dangerous device still churning out heat. This way, no matter how scatter-brained a day you’re having, your curling wand won’t cause even bigger issues.

Get The Right Amount Of Heat

It doesn’t matter what type of hair you have, you should be able to get the heat you need from this unit. Thin hair needs less heat while thick hair needs more which is why I was pleased to see the top temperature with this wand is 410F.

Tapering Off

One of the coolest things about this wand is it’s actually more than one size so you can get the curls you want. Wrap your hair around the base of the iron to get curls up to one inch or use the smaller end to get tighter curls. That being said, if you want bigger curls or you have very long hair the larger version of the same iron which comes in a 1-1.5 inch is probably going to work better for you.

Priced Right

Curling wands can run anywhere from $20 to more than $200, and it’s hard to know if you’re getting what you pay for. The price on this one is really good, and you still get pretty much everything you need in an iron.

Read It Before You Try It

One of the biggest mistakes people make when they’re trying to get the style they want with a curling wand is not reading the instructions first. Believe me I know this is a big no-no! Every wand is a little bit different, and using a wand is not like using an iron. The mechanism is totally different because of the lack of clamp. You can’t use it like you would any iron and expect to get the same results. What I’m trying to point out here is this model does require you to understand what you’re doing, or you won’t get the best from it.

Too Slick For Some

While the wand does a good job of getting hot when it’s supposed to, the surface and shape of it can work against you. The cone shape combined with the slick, ceramic exterior means hair might come off the wand in some situations. This is why I wouldn’t recommend it to novices or anyone who’s not careful with hair tools. Remember you’re dealing with an electronic device that gets hot, so you need to have an idea of what you’re doing.

The Glove Is Not An Oven Mitt

The glove that comes with the set is nice, but some people might need an extra. It protects your hand some but not enough should you be clumsy like me or you’re still getting used to the wand. Burns from this type of hair styling product can be really painful, so I think it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Curls Hold Beyond the Night Before

I’ve read plenty of reviews on this product praising the staying power of the curls it produces. For a lot of people, once the curls are in they’ll stay with you all day and into the next. Of course, there are people who complain this isn’t the case but I’m guessing more practice might be needed.

Hits the Mark

This wand has the right price and the right intentions, and it really hits the mark for what you need out of a curling wand. It comes with an automatic off and I also like the multiple sizes. For an entry level curling wand you get way more than I thought possible.

You don’t have to take my word for it though. There are plenty of believers on Amazon, so if you’re ready to take the plunge into this tapered bad boy, you are not alone.

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