Style
If you take a look through magazines or at beauty mavens on Instagram, you'll probably see hundreds of references to "beachy waves." Now, there are many ways to get the mermaid waves of your dreams, but one of the easiest options is to use one of the best conical curling irons.
If you're not sure what I mean by conical curling iron, just know that it's any tapered iron where one end of the barrel is larger than the other. You'll usually find wands in this style, though there are a few clamped versions out there, too.
The reason why a conical iron is so perfect for waves is because of their shape. If you wrap your hair up the wand, the curl will automatically vary in size, making it look more natural. Then, with minimal brushing, it'll turn into a relaxed wave that looks as though you just stepped off the beach.
Conical wands are also great if you'd like to get more variety from your iron. For really tight curls, just wrap your hair around the thinnest point. If you're feeling a larger curl the next day, wrap your hair around the thickest point. It's a little like having two or three barrels in one, which saves you money and space in your bathroom cabinets.
These seven tapered curling irons can give you beachy waves or bouncy curls, it all depends on your technique.
1The Curling Wand With Over 6,500 Reviews
Remington Studio Salon Collection, $19, Amazon
People really love this curling wand! The barrel tapers down from one inch to a half inch to give you versatile curls. It heats up to 410 degrees and uses ceramic pearl technology for a super smooth finish. One enthusiastic reviewer wrote: “I LOVE this wand. I have been using this wand for about 4 years now - almost daily … The glove they give you keeps your hand safe so you can get nice tight curls, or big beachy ones.”
2A Conical Curler With An Extra-Large Barrel
Infiniti Pro by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand, $25, Amazon
If you’d like overall larger curls or waves, this large conical iron might be for you. The barrel tapers from a 1 ¾-inch width to a 1-inch point. If you have long hair, it’s great, though it may be a little tough to use on shorter styles. This is pretty much the biggest conical curler you can get, so if you like that loose look, this one’s a winner.
3A Five-In-One Curling Iron With All The Barrel Options
Xtava Satin Wave 5 in 1 Curling Iron and Wand Set, $40, Amazon
If you’re not quite sure that a conical curling iron would work best on your hair, you could get this five-in-one set and try all the options! The iron gives you five completely different barrels so you’ll always have the exact size and shape you need for the hairstyle at hand. It also comes with a heat proof glove, so you’ll never have to worry about burning your fingers.
4A Wand With Just The Slightest Taper
Herstyler Extenso Tapered Ceramic Curling Iron, $15, Amazon
If you want your look to be really natural and subtle, try this slightly tapered wand. Though the wand still has a conical shape, the taper isn’t quite as pronounced. So, your curls won’t look overly uniform, like they might with a regular curling iron, but they also won’t range in size as much as with other tapered wands. The iron never snags your hair and it gives you natural looking curls with amazing shine.
5A Conical Curling Iron With A Clamp
Wazor Hair Curling Iron, $27, Amazon
Some people love wands, but other people miss the simplicity of the old clamp design. Luckily, this curling iron gives you a great tapered wand with a clamp to hold your hair in place. You’ll never have to worry about burning your hands as you place your hair on the barrel, the clamp does it for you. The wand heats up to 400 degrees and has an automatic shutoff after 30 minutes to prevent any accidents.
6A Curling Wand With A Reverse Taper
Bed Head Blue Raspberry Conical Styler, $60, Amazon
Even though this iron is just a reversed taper, it looks so weird! In a good way, of course. If you’d rather have tighter curls close to your face and loose curls at the bottom, this wand will give you those every time. Use it just like a typical taper, you’ll just get reversed curls. This one also comes with a heat proof glove, so you’ll be able to style your hair in minutes without a fear of burning.
7A Ceramic Wand That’s Super Easy To Use
Infiniti Pro by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Curling Wand, $17, Amazon
This ceramic wand heats up super fast and gives you loose, beautiful curls in a flash. The ceramic finish eliminates static without being hard on your hair. There’s five heat settings for all your hair styling needs. Get ready to get the beachy waves of your dreams.
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