How to Use a Curling Wand on Long Hair
Curling wands are great to use on long, curly hair to refresh, refine and enhance your natural curls - or you can even use it to experiment with different curl shapes.
If you’re all about embracing your natural curls (like us), you might have sworn off heated styling tools - including both straighteners and curlers. It’s understandable, because the high temperatures of many heat tools can fry and damage precious curls, which can be extra-susceptible to the dryness and frizz that heat can bring. However, the right curling wand - designed specifically to be used on all kinds of curly hair from wavy to coily - could be your new secret weapon for gorgeous, bouncy, defined curls.
Read on to find out more about how to use a curling wand on long hair, and find out more about Curlsmith’s new hero tool that could change your routine forever.
Table of contents
How to Use a Curling Wand on Long Hair
Can you style long curly hair with a wand?
How to Use a Curl Wand on Long Hair
Introducing the Curlsmith Diffrizion Curl Reviving Wand
Best Curly Hairstyles for Long Hair
Curl Wand x Long Hair FAQs
Can you style long curly hair with a wand?
Absolutely! In fact, curling wands can be particularly beneficial for long curly hair. Since long hair weighs more than if you had a shorter haircut, heavier curls could loosen a couple of days after washing, making them flat and lifeless, and reducing volume. Often, we try to refresh those limp curls by scrunching in more and more product, but this can build up in the hair and weigh it down even more.
This is when a curling wand could be an ideal solution. You don’t have to use it on your entire head - you can simply curl the strands where your natural curls have loosened. The result? Voluminous curly hair that looks just as good as wash-day. Whether you want to enhance beachy waves on holiday or tighten up your coils for a big night out, a curling wand designed for naturally curly hair can make a huge difference.
How to Use a Curl Wand on Long Hair
Step 1: Prep your hair.
Your hair should always be dry when using a curling wand. This might have been recently diffused or air-dried after washing, or it could be day 2 or 3 hair that you plan to refresh. Either way, ensure you use products in your wash-day that hydrate and nourish your curls (including Curlsmith shampoos, conditioners and damp stylers), as this will better protect them when using heat-styling products.
Step 2: Use a heat-protectant
Apply a product that will help protect against heat-damage. Curlsmith’s Curl Shield cream is a fantastic option. Enriched with plant-derived collagen, it’s designed to help shield your curls from heat damage up to 450°F.
Step 3: Section your hair
You might only want to curl the top layer of your head; in which case this step won’t be necessary. However, if you want to boost curls all over, divide it into layers, leaving the bottom layer first, and clipping up the rest on top of your head. As you go along, gradually take down more layers of hair, ending with the top layer that frames your face.
Step 4: Wrap hair around the wand
Take an individual curl and wrap it around the wand. Lay the hair flat on the wand for a more defined look, or you can twist it as you wrap it, which will make the curls look more textured. Make sure you point the wand at an angle away from your face, so you don’t burn yourself. This also creates a more flattering look, with curls that will frame your face beautifully.
Step 5: Hold and release
Depending on the heat you’re using, how thick your hair is, and the look you want to achieve, hold the wand in place for 10-20 seconds. (Thick and defined looks will require longer holds). Then, let go of the curl and let it drop off the wand.
Step 6: Repeat around the head
You might want to switch up the types of curls you create - having some looser, some more defined, and some more textured. In this way, you can truly mimic a natural curl pattern (as no two curls are ever the same!).
Step 7: Use a finishing product
Once you have achieved the desired look with a curling wand, set your curls in shape using a lightweight, curl-friendly hairspray such as the Curlsmith Flawless Finish Hair spray, which will hold curls in place without making them feel stiff. You can also add a shine serum to complete the look. And voila: bouncy, gorgeous curls!
Introducing the Curlsmith Defrizzion Curl Reviving Wand
Want to give it a go? Meet your new favorite styling tool: Curlsmith’s new Defrizzion Curl Reviving Wand, designed specifically for people with wavy, curly and coily hair.
So, what exactly makes this wand so great for long natural curls?
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It’s made from ceramic. Instead of using titanium or aluminum, ceramic is widely considered to be the most protective for heat styling products, since it heats hair evenly - and this is particularly vital for sensitive textured hair types. It offers superior heat distribution, enhanced frizz control, and gentle care for all hair types. It also offers consistent styling, while its smoothing properties help maintain smooth and frizz-free curls.
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It comes with four barrels. We know that no curly head of hair is the same - which is why we’ve provided options. Each Curlsmith Defrizzion Curl Reviving Wand comes with four different interchangeable barrels, uniquely designed to match different curl patterns. There are two ‘Loop-D-Loop’ barrels (both facing different directions, to be used on different sides of the face), which help create gorgeous spirals for loose curls and waves. There’s the narrow ‘Twistin’ Taper’ for tight curls and coils, and finally there’s ‘The Wiggle’ which creates curls that are loose at the roots and tight at the ends.
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You can adjust the temperature. The Curlsmith Defrizzion Curl Reviving Wand comes with a huge 13 temperature settings, ranging from 220 to 400°F. This is the optimum temperature-range for curls, as anything hotter than 400°F can cause unwanted damage. You get to decide what level of heat you want to use on your hair. The lower heat range (up to 300°F) is optimum for enhancing and defining curls, while the upper range is best if you want to explore and experiment - for example, if you want to create tighter coils on naturally wavy hair.
What’s in the Curl Wand Box?
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The wand handle. Easy to hold, complete with digital temperature control, a protective kickstand (so it never touches a surface) and a swivel cord that makes curling your whole head feel like a dream.
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2 x Loop-D-Loop barrels. These smart spiral barrels come in two different versions, each going in a different direction. The idea is that you can use them to create spirals that frame your face beautifully on both sides. Your curls can face inwards or outwards depending on your face shape and desired look. These barrels create gorgeous loose curls - ideal if you have curly/wavy hair.
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1 x The Wiggle barrel. This smart shape looks a bit like a magic wand - and works similarly to one too. It’s perfect for loose to tighter curls, creating more of a ringlet shape towards the ends.
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1 x Twistin’ Taper barrel. Ideal for tight curls and coils, this super-narrow barrel is brilliant for redefining frizz.
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1 x heat-protective glove. So you won’t burn your hands while twisting. Each barrel also has a cool-tip end for holding, making it even safer to use.
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1 x heat-protetive mat. You can use this to pop down the heated wand in between curls, without worrying about your floor or surface.
What Size is the Curling Wand?
When it comes to curling wands, size matters - especially if you have long hair. For long hair, the ideal barrel size should be at least 1 inch in depth, to allow all the hair to loop around the barrel.
The Loop-D-Loop barrels measure 1.3 inches in depth, while The Wiggle barrel measures 1.2 inches in depth - making them perfect for use on longer hair.
The Twistin’ Taper is smaller at 0.625 inches (since it needs to be narrow for those tight curls) but makes up for it by being 6.5 inches long. (The Loop-D-Loops are also 6.5 inches long, while The Wiggle is 5.5 inches).
Best Curly Hairstyles for Long Hair
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Enhancing waves: Using the Loop-D-Loop barrels, you can create gorgeous loose spirals, that help accentuate naturally wavy hair. This works especially well on long hair, creating a beachy yet defined look.
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Amplify tighter curls. Thanks to the funky shape of The Wiggle barrel, you can refresh and revive your natural curls - no matter the texture or thickness - by adding more volume to the ends for a bouncy, springy effect.
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3. Define coils. If your coily hair has become a little frizzy and undone, you can give your hair a boost using Twistin’ Taper. If you already have wavy hair, you could try experimenting with this barrel to create a tighter curly look.
Essential Stylers for Longer Curls
When styling your hair with heat, it’s important to use great styling products that will protect your hair from damage, hold your curls in place, reduce frizz and add shine. Here are three essential products to try:
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Curlsmith’s Curl Shield Cream. Apply this cream, using praying hands, on your dry hair before using the curling wand, to help protect it from heat. Enriched with natural plant-derived collagen, it’s designed to protect against damage up to 450°F (no problem for the Defrizzion wand, since this only goes up to 400!).
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Curlsmith’s Flawless Finish Hairspray. This fantastic curl-friendly hairspray will seal your curls in place once you have finished using the wand, without feeling crunchy. It’s free from drying alcohols and silicones, making it ideal for holding naturally curly hair in place. Available in both strong hold and flexible hold, you can choose the option that works best for you.
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Curlsmith’s Frizz Rescue Finishing Serum. This unique oil-to-gel serum is the perfect finishing product to use last in your routine. Enriched with sweet almond oil and argan oil, it creates glossy curls that will look perfect all day long.
Curl Wand x Long Hair FAQs
How can you preserve long curls?
You can preserve your curly style in a number of different ways. First, using the Curlsmith Flawless Finish Hairspray will make a big difference, as this can hold curls for up to 24 hours (even in humid conditions). However, you’ll also help to preserve your curls by sleeping with hair in a loose bun using a satin scrunchie or hair bonnet and/or a satin pillowcase. Avoid hairstyles that pull too much on your natural curls, like tight ponytail (these styles are perfect when you’re planning to wash your hair anyway!).
How long will curls/styles last?
This totally depends on your hair type, and also the aftercare you use. If you have thinner hair, styles tend to hold for less time (several hours to a day) - however, using hairspray can extend this time-frame. If you have thicker hair, your revived curls can last up to 2-4 days.
How long should you hold hair with the wand?
This really depends on the thickness of your hair, and the kind of definition you’re hoping to achieve. For very thick hair, and max hold definition, hold the wand for around 20 seconds. For thinner hair, and looser definition, hold the wand for around 10 seconds. You might also want to adjust this up or down depending on what heat-level you are using. Experiment and see what works for you - but try not to go over 20 seconds, as this could cause unwanted damage to the hair.
What size barrel should you use for longer hair?
Generally, you want to use a barrel that is larger than 1 inch in depth (as in, the thickness of the barrel, rather than the length), as this will allow you to twirl more hair around it. That’s why the Loop-D-Loop and The Wiggle barrels are perfect, as they’re both more than 1 inches in depth.
Refine & Define with Curlsmith
Here at Curlsmith, we are firm believers in embracing your natural hair - whether that’s loose waves, ringlet-style curls, or tight kinks and coils. Historically, using heat products including curling wands might have seemed like the opposite of this - but actually, they can work with your natural hair, rather than against it. With the Curlsmith Defrizzion Curl Reviving Wand (when used with the Curlsmith Curl Shield Cream), you can utilize the power of heat without damage - enabling you to make every day a good curl day.
