Has anyone tried a curling wand?

[ILuvLucy]

Those things out now that are the same as a curling iron, but without the clamp part? 
I use my curling iron almost every day on my stick straight hair, but am wondering if I should look at the wands.
Don't really know if it's worth it - I'd love to hear some real life experiences.

[ddgattina]

These get really good reviews, and they are not that expensive.  But I would use this so rarely...

The thing that is intriguing me however is the the steam based flat irons.  I do find that the Caruso steam curlers do a good job BUT I don't always want curls, and the curlers are too small to use for body and smoothness.  So I'm wondering if the steam based flatirons ware truly more gentle on hair than the regular flatirons.  Anyone try?

[Poppyfields]

To steam or not to steam, that is the question...

Love to hear from anyone who knows.  The last hair curler wand thingie I have purchased replaced exactly the one I had before.  I want body and curl at the ends so my favorite klutz-proof hair wand I found back in the late 1980s.

I love the thing that looks like a curling iron, except it has bristles all around it like a round brush, and it blows hot air out along its length.  I love it because I get larger curl than from an iron, and I can use it to finish drying my hair, which gives me long lasting body.

I've never tried a flat iron because I consider their strength is straightening, and I don't need that.

[Tupelo]

What kind do you have, Poppy?  I have wanted to try the In-Styler. I have to style my hair now that it's shorter and I'm klutzy using the dryer and a brush at the same time. I feel like I need a third hand to do it right.

[makinalist]

I had to laugh at klutzy - I am always either dropping the brush or accidentally turning off the dryer.  It's a wonder I ever get through it.  And my hair only takes about five minutes!

[Poppyfields]

What kind do you have, Poppy?  

Helen of Troy, I think?  Nothing fancy.  I got it at Target years ago, and its still going strong.
Its not an In-Styler, there are no moving parts.  I comb it down through the inside of my hair, secure the ends of my hair by cupping around the bristles, and roll up like you would a curling iron.  Wait 30 seconds or so for the hair to warm up, then roll back down.

Works perfectly for loose curls and body in my longish hair.  Target still carries this hot air roller wand in a couple of sizes and brands.  I looked last week in case mine should give up the ghost.   

[Tupelo]

Thanks, Poppy. I think I will check this out at my local Target.

[ddgattina]

What kind do you have, Poppy?  

Helen of Troy, I think?  Nothing fancy.  I got it at Target years ago, and its still going strong.
Its not an In-Styler, there are no moving parts.  I comb it down through the inside of my hair, secure the ends of my hair by cupping around the bristles, and roll up like you would a curling iron.  Wait 30 seconds or so for the hair to warm up, then roll back down.

Works perfectly for loose curls and body in my longish hair.  Target still carries this hot air roller wand in a couple of sizes and brands.  I looked last week in case mine should give up the ghost.   

Hey, I think I have one of these buried in a closet!  Have to find it and try it again now that my hair is longer.  Might be just what I need to finish off an air-dry, and it is gentler than flatironing I think.

Thanks for the reminder!

[Poppyfields]

Might be just what I need to finish off an air-dry, and it is gentler than flatironing I think.

Yes, I find it works best for me on damp-dry hair.  My layers are getting longer and I've started using it again.  Is it a version of my 1980's hair?  Perhaps, but my hair just suits a Farrah.     That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Yes, I have changed my style in the last decade, Mr/Ms Magazine Anti-Aging Hairstyle expert.
But I've long given up trying to make my hair do a style that it doesn't naturally wanna do.

Good luck with the hunt, 'tina.

[ddgattina]

But I've long given up trying to make my hair do a style that it doesn't naturally wanna do.

A wise choice!  Who needs to battle hair, when we have so many other battles to fight?

And I did find the wand, and used it today.  I'm so glad you mentioned it.  Used it on nearly dry/ airdryed hair, and it did give a nice finish, and was easy to use to shape the ends to a bit of a curve.  I'd give it a B...if flatironing gets the A.  But the air-wand is fast, it is easy and it seems as gentle (or gentler) than a serious blow-dry. It's flexible too, as you can build more or less curl.  This might keep me from lusting after that steam flatiron for a while.

[Cougar]

I remember my grandmother telling me how they'd heat the iron rod and brush her curls over it.  Yikes!

[bogsc]

I'm thinking of pulling out my (relatively new) Conair curling wand (with clamp) and starting to use it.  I've been growing my hair out for almost a year now and it's down to my shoulders.  This is the time I usually get frustrated with it and cut it all off 'cause it's not quite long enough to pull back attractively and it starts doing it's own unruly thing.  (Often resembling a David Cassidy flip...SIGH)  I recently bought some Aveda Be Curly product to try to encourage the natural wave I have in my hair and have tried to scrunch (somewhat unsuccessfully).  Ideas that would keep me from cutting my hair back to above my hairs in frustration would be welcome! 

[ILuvLucy]

I've used regular curling irons with the clamp just about all my life.  All different sizes.  Currently, I use a large barrel to give my fine, straight hair some shape.  Occasionally I use the flat iron for the same reason.
I guess the point of the "curling wand" is to look more natural? The end of your hair would not have the curl?  I gotta try one of these, I think.

Often resembling a David Cassidy flip...SIGH)

Hey, just so you know....I kinda like the little flip.    Depending on my hair length, sometimes mine will flip up as well (even when I curl it under!).  When the length is a little longer than shoulder - then it rests on my shoulders and just flips up a little.  For me that's better than stick straight. 

[Poppyfields]

Lucy, in my experience a metal curling iron makes a much tighter curl, and heats up the hair a lot more.  This 'round brush that blows hot air' makes for more volume and looser curls.

I use it to turn under my ends, as I don't favor the flip either.