Imagine if you could have beach wave curls every day. That would be great, and the good news is that curling irons make that possible!
All it takes is a bit of practice and effort, and these appliances can get you that hairstyle you always wanted. However, there are many devices out there, and you need the best curling iron for beach waves, even if you have fine hair or thick hair. That may be tricky to find, but we are here to help you!
We have a selection of top-rated curling irons that can deliver that natural, carefree look for your hair. Our team didn’t stop there, but we consulted experts and searched up and down to feature the most extensive buying guide on curling irons you will find.
Make sure to read it because you will find out everything you need to know about these appliances. It will the first step to choosing the right one and getting those beach waves in no time!
You may also like: How To Choose the Right Curling Iron Size, Curling Wand vs Curling Iron
Reviews
1. Beachwaver PRO Curling Iron
Price: $229
Available sizes: 1”, 1.25”
Barrel shape: rotating curling iron
Heat range: 310°F to 450°F
Best for: medium to thick strands, all hair lengths
Pros: very strong heat, effortless styling with auto rotation
Cons: expensive, too hot for fine hair, heavy
How it stands out: providing bouncy beach waves like a wand and holds the strands with a clamp like a spring iron, while providing easy styling with auto-rotation
Beachwaver Pro1 really impressed us with the gorgeous beach waves that it provides and is one of our favorites this year. This tool is a hybrid between a wand and a traditional spring iron. It comes still comes with a holding clamp which is smaller than usual that holds the hair together. So, it provides easy styling as one of your hands will be free. But the style that it provides is casual looking and bouncy beach waves like wand-shaped tools usually achieve. It has two different size options. The 1”” one is the more versatile option and fits all hair lengths while providing slightly tighter, yet still quite large waves. The 1.25” is for shoulder length and longer strands and it achieves seriously voluminous results. It can tame the thick strands easily with 450°F maximum heat. But we don’t really recommend it for fine hair as its minimum setting of 310°F is too hot to be heat-safe. It’s very ergonomically designed and it has digital display as well as temperature control. It has buttons for left and right rotation. All these make this tool very beginner-friendly. We really like its material of gold and tourmaline-infused ceramic. It provides even heat distribution and eliminates frizz successfully. While this tool is close to perfection, it also is one of the most expensive curling irons on our list. It’s for the ones that want the highest quality material and don’t mind paying for it. It also is quite bulky with 11.2oz which is way above the average number of 8oz.
Read more: Beachwaver PRO Curling Iron Review
2. T3 Singlepass Wave Styling Wand
Model name/ number: 76560
Price: $205
Shape: traditional spring iron
Available sizes: 1” and 1.25”
Best for: fine to medium hair, all hair lengths except very short
What we like: extraordinary material quality, long-lasting curls
What we don’t like: not versatile as no variable heat settings
How it stands out: ghd classic creates defined and bouncy waves that lasts for days
Rating: 4.6/5.0
T3 Singlepass Wave comes as a tapered wand, which is a quite rare shape amongst curling irons. This shape is the biggest reason why this tool is our choice for the undone look that feels very nonchalant and natural. Its smooth barrel also helps with this type of look, as well as eliminating creasing. It comes with a large range of variable heat settings starting from 260°F and reaching temperatures up to 410°F, making it suitable from the finest to the thickest strands. Its barrel is ceramic which is known to be a gentler option than titanium, hence more beginner-friendly and less likely to damage your strands.
T3 has a strong motor and delivers extraordinarily fast results. It has a unique feature that stands out, which is its internal microchip that eliminates temperature fluctuations and delivers its maximum capacity in every pass, which really speeds up the process. It’s important to mention that this tool doesn’t have ionic technology, which is a big drawback if your priority is to eliminate frizz.
T3 hair tools are known to bring a luxury styling experience and T3 Singlepass Wave is no different. Not only it has highly durable material that lasts for many years, it also is ergonomically designed and very comfortable and sturdy to hold. It also is a lightweight tool that helps avoid arm fatigue. Obviously, it comes with a luxury price but considering all, we think it’s great value for money.
As you can imagine, this tool is not designed to create uniform curls and perfect-looking results and if that’s what you’re aiming for, a curling iron should be your weapon of choice. Bioionic Goldpro Spring Iron is an excellent product with similar material, heat settings, and barrel size, which are the most important factors to consider. It also is lighter on the budget.
Read more: T3 Singlepass Wave Styling Wand Review
3. Ghd Curve Creative Curl Curling Wand
Price: $205
Model name/ number: N/A
Barrel size: 1” base and 0.9” tip
Barrel shape: tapered wand with oval tip
Maximum heat: 365°F
Weight: 7.4oz
Best for: suitable for medium to thick hair/shoulder length or longer
Pros: casual beach waves, safe styling with optimal heat limit
Cons: can’t make uniform curls, not strong enough for thick hair nor gentle enough for thin strands.
How it stands out: tapered wand with an oval tip creates extraordinarily natural-looking results.
GHD Curve Creative Curl, is a uniquely shaped tool that appears to be a tapered curling wand, but instead of a fully conic shape, it becomes oval at the tip. A tapered wand means that its base is larger than its tip and it doesn’t have a holding clamp. While tapered wands are known for their ability to achieve beach waves and natural-looking results, the extraordinary oval shape allows an even more undone and casual look. Needless to say, this tool is not for you if you’re looking for tight and uniform curls and if this is what you need, a traditional spring iron will suit your needs much better.
While most curling irons come with variable heat settings, GHD has only one temperature which is pre-set to 365°F. This fact may make this tool safer than most as it doesn’t go over temperatures that may damage your strands, it’s a number which is not high enough for unruly hair. If your strands are very fragile, it also may be too hot and cause heat damage. So, it’s not the most versatile tool in the market, fitting mostly normal hair types.
It has a ceramic barrel that provides a gentle session for your strands and is much safer and easier to use for beginners. GHD Creative Curl is a luxury tool that is very comfortable to hold. It’s lightweight and compact in case you want to travel with it. It has one of the best quality materials on our list, as well as being one of the most expensive. It’s important to note that it doesn’t have ionic technology which is a very important feature that eliminates frizz and if your strands need this, opting for another curling iron may be smarter.
Read more: Ghd Curve Creative Curl Curling Wand Review
4. Drybar The Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand
Model name/ number: 900-1030-4
Price: $170
Size: 1” to 1.25”
Barrel shape: reverse tapered wand
Heat range: 200°F to 450°F
Weight: 9oz
Best for: mid-back length and shorter hair, all hair types
Pros: high-quality material, non-slip barrel for more precision and ease of use
Cons: doesn’t have dual voltage, the display keeps flashing blue even when its turned off
How it stands out: creates extra natural-looking results with its reverse tapered wand shape, bringing tighter curls to the top and looser waves to the tip of the strands
DRYBAR The Wrap Party is the master when it comes to creating the most natural-looking results, bringing the ultimate beach wave quality to your strands. It comes as a reverse tapered wand which is the biggest reason of this quality. It’s a wand, meaning it leaves out the clamp the holding clamp on purpose for more casual results. It also means that you will have to hold your hair with your hand, which is a bit more complicated while styling. It’s also tapered, so its base is not the same size as its tip. This is beneficial for creating different-sized curls that look less perfect and hence more natural. This tool is extraordinary because it actually is reverse-tapered. Contrary to most, it has a narrower base and a larger tip. So, the volume will be created by the tips and the roots will have tighter curls. This is perfect for those who don’t have volume issues and would like bouncier waves at the tips of their strands. It starts with 1” at the base and gets enlarged to 1.25” by the tip. These numbers are both very versatile and commonly used sizes in curling irons and fits most hair lengths and styling needs. It also comes with a non-slip barrel that helps the tips stay in place and get the maximum out of the barrels heat. Talking about heat, this tool has a very large range of variable heat settings (25 different temperatures), starting from 200°F, reaching up till 450°F. You will have a temperature perfect for your needs no matter what your hair type is. To be honest, its hard to find something negative to mention about this curling iron, other that it being a bit too spendy. We are aware that spending $170 is not everyone’s cup of tea, but it really compensates with its material quality. It’s true that this tool not the most lightweight one and feels slightly bulky, but also is extremely sturdy.
Read more: Drybar The Wrap Party Curling & Styling Wand Review
5. BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Compact Curling Wand
Model name/ number: BNTMWUC
Price: $45
Size: 1”
Barrel shape: compact straight wand
Heat range: 320°F to 395°F
Best for: armpi̇t length and shorter hair, medium hair type
Pros: very compact design and affordable
Cons: low heat setting is too high for fine hair
How it stands out: a perfect travel body with its short barrel and lightweight design
With its highly compact design, Babyliss came up with a curling iron that satisfies the ones that want to carry their curling iron around. With its extremely short barrel of 4oz, this tool will fit anywhere. Either for the ones who want to travel with their tool to other countries or the busy bees that wants a quick touch-up after going to the gym, this curling iron is just perfect. It comes as a wand, leaving out the holding clamp, another aspect that makes this tool smaller. It provides beach waves rather than spiraled curls, like any wand-shaped curling iron. It has a diameter of 1” which is the most common number in the market and provides the largest range of hair styles and appeals to different hair lengths. That said, while this barrel width is highly versatile, we can’t say the same about its barrel length. If you have long hair, you will most likely not be satisfied with this tool as it can’t cover a very large area at on ego. Its heat range is also rather disappointing, starting from 320°F and going up till 395°F. While it’s perfect for normal hair types, if your hair is very thick or very thin, this tool is not for you, unless you’re just aiming for a second-day touch-up and not meaning to use this tool for a full styling session. It has a very affordable price of $45 and is delightful to see this as Babyliss products have great material quality and usually are much pricier. It’s a very lightweight tool as you can imagine with only 5.2oz, but has a quite bulky handle which is a surprise for such a compact tool.
Read more: BaBylissPRO Nano Titanium Compact Curling Wand Review
6. InfinitiPRO by Conair Rose Gold Titanium Curling Wand
Model name/number: cd253n
Price: $41
Size: 1.25” to 0.75”
Barrel shape: tapered wand
Heat range: 285°F to 400°F
Best for: normal to thick hair, all hair lengths
Pros: provides strong heat, fast
Cons: too hot for fine strands, very short cable
How it stands out: creates the casual looking beach waves succesfully with a very affordable price
Infinitipro is a winner this year when it comes to creating beautiful beach waves in the most affordable way. Its tapered wand shape is perfect if you want looser and different shaped curls that look casual, rather than uniform and perfect. The curls that are created are s-shaped, but more importantly has a natural finish. This is because it doesn’t have a holding clamp so you have to hold the tips of the strands with your hand and the tips get exposed to less heat. The base of your strands are wrapped around the larger part of the barrel(1.25”), getting more voluminous. The tips on the other hand, with the smaller (0.75”) barrel, end up with tighter locks. This difference creates beautiful loose beach waves. The heat range is not the largest with this tool. The maximum temperature of 400°F is satisfying enough and can tame the unruliest. But the minimum heat setting may be too high for fine strands. So it may be wise to consider another tool if you need gentleness.
This tool is a very affordable option and it does a very fast and effective job. So, we can say that its price vs performance is quite high. But this is not a kind of tool that you buy or its material quality. It definitely is not the most durable option you find in the market and its designed quite simply.
Read more: InfinitiPRO by Conair Rose Gold Titanium Curling Wand Review
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7. Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Curlbar
Model name/number: htcurl1181
Price: $99
Available sizes: 1”, 1.25”
Barrel shape: curl bar- wand
Heat range: 310°F to 450°F
Best for: all hair lengths, normal to thick strands
Pros: innovative design for extra comfort, high heat provides fast and smooth results,
Cons: takes time to get used to, expensive, minimum heat setting is too hot for fine strands
How it stands out: a wand shaped curling iron with a special angle to provide extra ease of use while creating beautiful loose beach waves
When it comes to creating the best beach waves, wand shaped tools are usually preferred. We want our readers to be as well-informed as possible before making the right decision and what Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Curlbar offers is definitely worth checking out. It still is a wand shaped tool with a straight barrel. What’s truly extraordinary about it is its 90-degree angle instead of the usual straight shape. This design aims to provide an easier session with less restrain to your arms and we confirm that it really works. It also has an extraordinarily high performance levels with its 450°F maximum temperature and this tool can really tame strands very fast. Its 24K Gold material is also a rare quality that we appreciate as it provides even heat distribution, avoiding hot and cold pockets. This allows a session that finishes in less passes which helps with speed, as well as provides extra safety from heat damage. As a straight barrel wand with two different size options, it provides the s-shaped curls with an undone finish that the best beach waves require successfully. You can decide on its size according to your hair length. It doesn’t have the most durable material and this is not a tool that you choose for luxury, but for its innovative and ergonomic design. Knowing that it costs $99 which is not the most affordable in the market, the decision will be up to your budget.
Read more: Hot Tools Pro Artist 24K Gold Curlbar Review
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Curling Iron for Beach Waves Buying Guide
Selecting the right curling iron for your needs is not easy, especially if you don’t have experience with these appliances. With so many brands and types available, you don’t even know where to start looking for an iron that suits you.
How to Choose the Best Curling Iron for Beach Waves
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What Barrel Size Do You Want?
The crucial component of any curling iron is the barrel. It is a heating element that also monitors temperature and keeps the user from burning themselves.
Barrels come in different materials, shapes, and sizes. When choosing a size, you need to keep in mind the length of your hair. A small barrel than doesn’t have more than a 1-inch diameter is a great choice if your hair is short.
If you have medium hair, go for a barrel that’s anywhere between 1” to 1 1/4” in diameter. If you have long hair and you aim to make it wavy, go for a barrel that can be from 1 ½” to 2” in diameter.
You have another way of choosing barrel size. If you want tight curls, go for an as small diameter as possible. What Is the Best Material for a Curling Iron?
As with most products, the material of a curling iron largely affects its quality and durability. You want to go with the best materials possible because your hair deserves the best, and low-quality curling irons might damage it.
Let’s take a look at the most common material choices for curling irons these days.-
Ceramic
It is the number one choice of most users when it comes to barrel material. Thanks to multiple temperature settings, you can have the device under your control.
A ceramic curling iron is versatile and fits all hair types. The length of your hair doesn’t matter, and even hair that was treated chemically will suit your curling iron. Ceramic is great for protecting oils and moisture of your hair. -
Titanium
Titanium is light but strong and very durable. It also has excellent heat absorption, which means it can handle high temperatures well. That makes it ideal for thick hair, but be careful if your hair is thin. In that case, titanium might dry or damage it. We recommend using a spray that protects from the heat while curling.
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Tourmaline
The third choice is a relatively new one on the market. Tourmaline is similar to ceramic, but it makes more negative ions. The benefit of that may be very glossy hair. However, tourmaline is a bit more expensive than ceramic. That is why you will also see a mixture of these two materials in some curling irons.
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Which Heat Settings Are Available on a Curling Iron?
As we already established, the temperature settings will depend on your type of hair. Curling iron should have different heat settings, but you want to ensure that it can deliver the desired temperature.
You want to go for a curling iron that allows you to modify the temperature depending on the type of your hair. Higher temperatures are more suitable for thick hair, so go for 350°F – 400°F or something like that.
At the same time, keep the heat at around 300°F if your hair is fragile. What Clip Types Does the Curling Iron Have?
You can choose between two clip types:
- Spring-loaded – it catches your hair in a clip and then does the curling.
- No-clip – these are curling wands, and they utilize the barrel to make beachy waves or loose curls.
What Types of Curling Irons Are Available?
When it comes to which curling irons fit you, you can choose between many different types.
But if we are talking about the way they work, we can make a difference between three curling iron types – wand, interchangeable and automatic.
Here is a short overview of their features.-
Curling Wand
The biggest difference compared to classic irons is in the design. Wands don’t come with a clasp, which means they can’t make tight curls.
Since it doesn’t do a lot of tightening, they are a fitting choice if you are going for natural-looking waves. -
Automatic Curling Iron
Automated irons can be perfect for beginners that don’t have the experience required to make amazing curls. These are self-spinning products, which removes the need for advanced hand motions on your behalf.
You will need to put a part of your hair inside the iron and choose the rotating direction for the barrel. It is a simple process, and it shouldn’t take more than a couple of times to get used to it. -
Interchangeable Curling Iron
Interchangeable irons are the latest addition to the market. Their main feature is an interchangeable barrel, which boosts the product’s versatility.
You will find four or more barrels in these irons, and you can mix and match any way you see fit.
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What Shapes of Curling Irons Can You Choose From?
It’s not only the type of the curling iron you can choose because you also get to pick the shape.
Let’s take a look at the shapes currently available on the market.-
Straight Barrels
Many consider this the basic shape, and straight barrels are most frequently used by the users. They are an excellent choice for making beach waves, and you can’t go wrong with choosing them.
If you take a look at it, you will notice the shape of a cylinder and identical thickness throughout the entire shape. -
Cone Barrels
You’ve surely had the chance to eat ice cream out of a cone. These barrels have a similar shape, except it is upside down. Thanks to the high level of precision, they can make curls of various sizes. Whether you are looking for romantic curls or beach waves, this shape might be able to achieve it.
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Spiral Barrels
These barrels are spiral, and they usually feature a clamp, too. It might take a bit of practice to learn how to work with them, but they can deliver perfect curls.
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Double and Triple Barrels
The professionals often call these “wavers.” Their biggest advantage is that they give a natural look for your curls. The waves won’t look that round but will have an “S” shape instead.
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Should You Choose Curling Iron or Flat Iron for Beach Waves?
You might have noticed that we haven’t mentioned a flat iron in this article so far. That is because a flat iron is a hair straightener and not a curler. While it can be possible to get beach waves with a flat iron, it will take a lot of effort to learn how to do that.
That is why you should always go with a curling iron to get your beach waves. It shouldn’t take long to learn how to work with this appliance, and you will quickly realize how useful it is.
Is It Better to Go with a Curling Iron or Wand for Beach Waves?
The good news is that both devices can make exceptional beach waves. The choice depends on your preference and skills.
Those who used both appliances suggest that wands can create natural-looking relaxed waves while irons are for bouncy and polished waves.
Additionally, you hold the devices differently, and you may be more suitable for using one of them. The best way to determine is to try both, and see which of the two fits your preference better.
How to Use a Curling Iron Correctly for Beach Waves
If you are dreaming of amazing beach waves, you will also need to know how to use a curling iron. Here is a step by step guide that will assist you in the process.
4 Easy Steps on How to Get Beach Waves
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Apply a Spray That Will Protect Your Hair
You want a spray with hair-protective features. Before you start using the curling iron, make sure to untangle your hair and get rid of any knots. If you have any, you can use a spray with sea salt to take your beach waves to the next level. Always dry your hair before you turn on a curling iron.
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Split Your Hair into Sections
That will enable you to curl your hair gradually, which should secure better results. For example, grab the upper part of your hair (most of it) and move it out of the way with a clip. Start curling from the section that is closest to your shoulders and neck.
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Start Curling!
Here is the most important part – you want to grab about 2” of your hair and wrap it around the iron’s wand. You also need to twist the appliance opposite of your face for amazing beach waves. Release after holding the hair for about 2-3 seconds.
Before you move to the next section, tug the curl ends because you don’t want them too tight. You may consider varying the sizes of the sections you curl because beach waves are messy. -
Complete the Process
Once you complete all sections, consider spraying sea salt once again. Finally, use your fingers to create a messy look that reminds of beach wave. We don’t recommend using a brush as it might ruin the results.
Curling Iron Tips for Beach Waves
It may be easy to use an iron to curl your hair, but getting natural beach waves will require some skill. Here are some tips that you can use to speed up the process:
- Preparation is everything – believe it or not, you shouldn’t use extremely clean hair, and you should apply a firm mousse. If you want to avoid greasiness, steer clear of the roots, and use a comb for even distribution.
- Use a texture spray – you are looking for a spray that will boost texture and volume. Make sure to start applying it from root to ends.
- A sea salt spray can do wonders – you may not be able to go to the beach, but how about bringing it to you? Use a spray that has sea salt as the main ingredient to achieve the same effect as you visited the beach.
- Not all curls should look the same – beach waves aren’t neat, and that is something you should keep in mind when using your curling iron.
Common Mistakes While Curling Hair for Beach Waves
When going for beach waves, it equally matters what you do and don’t do with your hair. That is why we will pinpoint some mistakes beginners often make. Here they are:
- You haven’t chosen the right barrel size – you need to be very careful and choose the right barrel size. Short hair is suitable for a small barrel (1-inch diameter), medium for barrels of up to 1 ½”, and long hair can handle 2-inch barrels or longer.
- You are using the wrong temperature – it is vital to use the right amount of heat, or you may risk damaging your hair. Thick hair can handle up to 400°F, standard hair around 300°F, but fragile hair may require only 250°F – 300°F. The best way to find the right temperature is through trial and error.
- You don’t apply a spray to protect your hair from heat – apart from using the right temperature, these sprays prevent you from frying your hair.
- Be patient and work with small sections – you may want to speed up the process, but patience is the key for beach waves. Apart from taking small hair chunks, you should also curl your hair away from your face.
- Read the instructions – you should always read the instruction manual for your curling iron. The user guide will reveal to you how to use your appliance, and also how to maintain it. Keeping proper care of your barrels is essential for consistent results and longevity of the device.
Tips on How to Uphold Long-Lasting Beach Waves
You’ve achieved the desired beach waves look, but you also want to make it last long. There is no point if you lose the waves an hour after you leave the house. Here are some tips on how to prolong the beach wave effect:
- Avoid washing your hair before you use a curling iron – if your hair is greasy, it would be best to wash it at least a couple of hours before curling it. That will give it enough time to dry naturally. However, if you have an option, use a curling iron on your second-day hair! Believe it or not, curls will last longer when hair is a bit dirty.
- Use the right hair products -a thickening mousse is an essential item to add to your hair care routine. The alcohol will make your hair less moist, and that’s what you need for extending the duration of your curls. Don’t forget to use a hair spray that has protective features.
- Give the curls a moment to cool down – while you are curling, it is the heat that allows you to achieve the desired shape. You can use bobby pins or clips to keep the curls in place once they are in the wanted shape. Feel free to let the pins stay for a while as that can help to avoid the curls breaking quickly.
FAQs & Answers
- Q: What safety features should a curling iron have?
A: These are relatively safe appliances as long as you are cautious when using them. If you think it is necessary, look for an iron that has an option to automatically turn off after a while. You may also consider wearing a glove that is heatproof to protect your hands. - Q: What Curling Irons Are Best for Fine Hair?
A: If your hair is fine, fragile, or thin, you want to use curling irons that won’t damage your hair. You also shouldn’t forget to use a low heat setting. - Q: Can I Transform All Hair Types into Beach Waves?
A: Yes, there is no reason why you couldn’t do that! The trick is in choosing an iron that fits your hair type and applying a suitable amount of hair products.
Wrap Up
We can only hope that our guide helped you to find the best curling iron for beach waves. As you can see, it is possible to get that natural look even if you don’t hit the beach.
That makes these appliances perfect for all those who don’t live at the seaside or can’t go to the beach during winter months.
Finally, allow us to tell you that you don’t have to rush your decision. Read our guide carefully and check out the reviews one more time. You want to think about the type, size, and other curling iron features that will work for you.
It might take some trial and error, but the perfect curling iron will make those beach waves possible. Once you realize how easy it is to get that look with the right appliance, you might consider using that hairstyle permanently!
