FEAR not, you can still get lovely soft curls with shorter-length hair – à la Alexa Chung and Mollie King – you just need to know about the best curling wands.
When looking for the best curling wands for short hair, the width of the barrel is top of the priority list.
Larger barrels won’t work as effectively for the sheer practical fact that as hair gets shorter, it’s harder to wrap it around a wider barrel.
So look for thin-barrelled curling wands for short hair to create those back-from-the-beach waves loved by bloggers and celebs.
Read on for our roundup of the best curling wands for short hair – from high-end to high street, we’ve got all bases covered.
The peeps at the brand themselves have praised this as the best Ghd curling wand for short hair.
Suggesting it’s perfect for that ‘laidback luxe’ look, the tapered wand barrel allows you to create natural-looking curls (no tight ringlets here).
The science bit – patented tri-zone technology ensures a consistent temperature meaning longer-lasting and healthier curls.
This curling device might look quite the opposite of a regular curling wand but it does the job quickly and easily – plus you can’t burn yourself with it (a major plus for those prone to clipping themselves with their tongs!).
You simply select the section of hair you want to curl and feed it into the barrel. You then choose a directional button on the curler and it automatically wraps your hair round the internal barrel to be curled. Wait until you hear the four beeps and voila – a soft, crisp curl in a jiffy.
Easy-to-use, versatile and volume-boosting…just three reasons why we love this curling wand that’s great for short hair.
Why? Its one-inch barrel is just the right width for shorter to mid-length locks.
The ceramic-coated barrel is also mineral-infused, meaning curls will have a smooth and shiny finish.
It can create any look from tight curls to beachy waves easily and effortlessly – and that’s what we call curl power.
Possibly the sleekest thing to ever hit your dressing table (and, at £160 it should be, right?), this modern, chic styler is not just a pretty face.
It also allows you to effortlessly create easy-breezy boho beach waves in minutes that’ll last all night.
With technology that allows it to maintain a consistent temperature (there are five settings to choose from), it offers a frizz-free finish.
And, here’s the best bit, it’s compatible with interchangeable barrels, meaning you can attach different shaped barrels to the wand to create different styles of curl.
This 25mm wonder has been hailed as a fantastic relatively affordable option for shorter, shoulder-length hair.
It heats up to 210 degrees, and is ready in just 40 seconds, with a 25mm tourmaline-ceramic coated barrel giving you a smooth finish.
Perfect for all hair types, including thick and frizzy.
Despite first appearances, you don’t need to spend a fortune on a curling wand to get a good quality product.
Remington has a fantastic range of purse-friendly curling wands, but this particular one has it all – good looks (who doesn’t love a little rose gold?), a keratin and almond oil-infused ceramic coating for healthier styling and a special ‘grip tech’ coating that stops hair falling down the wand while you’re trying to curl.
The maximum temperature is 210C, so it might not be suitable for really thick hair that often needs a higher heat setting option. But, otherwise, we’re sold.
Whether you’re after curls, flicks or toussled waves, the GHD Mini Styler is perfect for all-round styling when it comes to shorter hair.
From the slender rounded barrel to the narrower plates, it’s a lot easier to manage than thicker tools when you’re working with less hair. It’s literally made for short hair.
So many influencers, from Sofia Richie to Molly Mae, have perfected the beachy waved curl.
All because of tools like the Mermaid Pro Mini Waver. This is the smaller device at 25mm, ideal for well… smaller amounts of hair, like a bob.
Made from ionic ceramic barrels to protect the hair from damage, these babies even come with a heat protection glove and they have multiple heat settings – amazing for just £54.
Want to crimp but don’t want a big clunky styler? Then minimise scalp burning (ouch!) with a mini crimper.
This one by Bestbomg is made of a ceramic and PTC heating technology, which means your hair will crimp easily with less damage.
Its small size means you can crimp even the shortest of hair and if you want casual waves, you simply brush out and go. It’s official. The crimper is back!
What kind of curling iron is best for short hair?
Short haired folk can use a range of curling irons to get their desired waves or curls.
A favourite curling iron for short hair – well, hair of any length, really – is the Dyson Airwrap, known for giving perfect styles without extreme heat.
What size curling want do I need for short hair?
Mini curling irons – which are small and lightweight – are an option for short-haired people who want to go curly.
Any curling iron with a smaller barrel, up to one-inch, will also do the trick.
What is the easiest tool to curl hair?
You can use curling tongs, a curling wand or hair straighteners to curl your hair. You can also achieve a curly-haired look with a blowdryer and brush.
For those looking to avoid heat, bendy rollers are an easy – and cheap – option to curl hair.
If you’re not that confident about curling your hair, try a flat iron, which is generally considered easier to curl with.
How to curl hair with a wand for short hair
Just like any length hair, when curling short hair you’ll want to prep first with some heat defence spray before sectioning off each part of your tresses.
Then, wrap a small section of your hair, holding it for around five to 10 seconds and repeat.
It’s best to curl small sections at a time to ensure that you get the bouncy look you’re after!
What’s better, curling wand or tongs?
Curling wands are great for achieving the tousled, beachy wave look.
If you’re looking for more of a polished, perfect curl, then tongs are your friend.
What size curling wand is best for short hair?
Short hair girls know that curling wands can often create dramatic ringlets. If you don’t want that uniform curl and would rather a beachy wave, keep reading to find out which tools will do the job.
The size of curling iron you use will impact the type of curls you’ll end up with.
So, a a half inch design will give you tight ringlets, while a two-inch barrel iron gives that stepped-out-of-a-salon chair blowout effect.
For short hair, choose a short barrel – half an inch to an inch should do the trick.
Are curling wands better than curling irons?
A wand is a curling iron without a clasp, meaning you have to wrap the hair around the wand and hold it.
The wand goes from thick to thin, meaning you’re able control how tight or loose the curl is. It’s all about preference: if you like all of your curls to be the same, you’ll prefer a curling iron, but if you like a more shaggy mermaid look, go for a wand.
