How to Curl Your Hair With a Wand For Beginners: 5 Steps

Curling wands give you endless possibilities for beautiful hairstyles. Learn how to curl your hair with a wand for beginners.

Curling wands are a great addition to your set of thermal hair styling tools - they provide endless possibilities for stunning hairstyles and beautiful curls, unlocking a new level of confidence to rock your day (or night).

Luckily, mastering the art of styling your hair in the exact way you want is not difficult. Whether you are looking to get some classic curls, beach waves or loose waves, you can become your own hair stylist without stepping a foot into the beauty salon.

With some basic steps to follow and the right curling wand, you will learn how to curl your hair with a wand in the matter of minutes. And you will have fun doing it!

So, let’s not waste any more time, and get right into it:

1. Set a clean base for your hairstyle

The first step you will need to take before you begin the actual curling process is preparing your hair. This will ensure that you are starting on a clean, smooth base without tangles and knots - for faster results and less damage.

1.1. Clean and wash thoroughly

We’ve said it before, and we will say it again - no matter how much in a hurry you are, avoid curling or straightening dirty hair at all costs as it can be extremely damaging. 

Dirty hair has a buildup of dirt, dust, sweat and debris. When you expose it to high temperatures, you are essentially “baking” all this build up straight into your hair, causing a frizzy and lifeless.

Needless to say, this is not only going to ruin your beautiful hairstyle before you’ve even started doing it, but may also cause long-term damage to your hair. 

Make sure your hair is perfectly clean and thoroughly washed, ideally with a shampoo with natural ingredients without parabens and harsh chemicals. This will help your curls look better and last longer.

1.2. Apply a conditioner

Finish your hair washing routine with a hydrating conditioner to nourish your hair with essential vitamins and minerals.

Since exposure to high temperatures strips the natural moisture of the hair, a conditioner will help you add moisture back into it - which also reduces the risk of damage. It also provides an additional layer of protection against the heat, and makes the hair more manageable.

1.3. Dry your hair fully

Ironing or curling wet hair is among the worst things that you can do to your hair. So, if you want to learn how to curl your hair with a wand, follow this golden rule - always make sure that your hair is fully dry before you turn on the heat.

When the hair is wet or damp, it is in a fragile state and can stretch up to 50% of its length. Once you start applying heat to it, you will hear a sizzling sound which means that you are effectively boiling the water molecules in the hair strands, causing severe damage and frizz.

Whether you use a hair dryer or let your hair air dry naturally, don’t skip this step of your heat styling routine. In addition to the structural damage, frizzy and damp hair may also lead to uneven results for your curls, causing some of them to look more defined than others.

2. Prepare your hair for heat styling

2.1. Decide your desired hairstyle

Of course, one of the most important steps in our tutorial on how to curl your hair with a wand is choosing your desired hairstyle. Not all curling wands can achieve all curly hairstyles, so it’s essential to know the limitations of your tool.

If you are looking for a versatile tool that allows you to achieve endless possibilities of gorgeous curly hairstyles, look no further than the NuMe Octowand 8-in-1 Curling Wand. It comes with 8 interchangeable barrels, removing all limitations that regular styling tools have.

How to curl your hair with a wand: get the right tool

This exceptional curling wand uses innovative tourmaline technology, emitting negative ions which help to neutralize the positive ions in your hair.

The result is reduced frizz and static, leaving your hair smoother and shinier.

2.2. Apply heat protectant

Once your hair is fully dry and you have your curling wand prepared, the next step is to apply heat protectant. This step is essential if you want to learn how to curl your hair with a wand - and without damage.

Thermal heat protectants are designed to reduce the amount of heat that penetrates the hair shaft when using hot styling tools such as a curling wand or a flat iron.

It reduces the amount of moisture lost from the hair during the styling process, preventing damage and adding extra moisture back into the hair. It even helps to get more effective results because it smoothes out the hair cuticle.

The NuMe Watch me Werk Heat Protectant is a great option if you are looking for a product with natural ingredients, and a proprietary blend of proteins for a stronger and thicker hair.

2.3. Brush & detangle your hair

Our tutorial on how to curl your hair with a wand for beginners continues with the next step - brushing and detangling your hair with a wide-tooth comb. This step is often underestimated, but important because:

• It helps to smooth out knots and tangles, making the curling process easier
• Gets you a consistent look, ensuring that each strand is the same length & thickness;
• Prevents breakage, since tangled hair is more likely to break when manipulated;
• Allows for faster and more efficient styling as a result of the smoothness;
• Improves the definition of your curls, creating a more polished look;

3. Start curling your hair

And now, we have come to the fun part - the true, practical process of curling your hair with a wand. Yay! Let’s take a better look:

3.1. Section your hair

Sectioning your hair before curling helps you to style it more evenly and efficiently.

It may sound counter-productive, but that is not the case - keeping things organized means that you won’t miss a hair strand hidden at the back of the hair, and already curled strands won’t get in the way.

Start by working with smaller sections, dividing your hair into four equal parts by creating a part down the middle of your head, and then another part from ear to ear.

Then, continue by securing the top sections of hair with hair clips. This will ensure that these sections aren’t getting in the way while you work on the bottom ones.

Pro tip: make sure that the sections are in approximately equal parts.

3.2. Heat up your styling tool

Now is the time to turn your curling wand, and wait until it reaches the desired temperature. If you are using an older or a lower-quality tool, you may need to turn it on while sectioning your hair as it will take a few minutes

Of course, that is if your tool has temperature control settings. If it doesn’t, it might be time to invest in a better one - not being able to control the temperature can seriously damage your hair, especially if it’s already thin, damaged or vulnerable.

Other tools, such as the NuMe Classic Curling Wand, reach your desired temperature almost instantly, so you don’t need to turn it on beforehand.

3.3. Create your curls

Here’s how to curl your hair with a wand step-by-step:

• Starting at the base of the section, clamp the curling iron around the hair and twist it away from your face. Hold the curling iron in place for 3-4 seconds, depending on the thickness of your hair and the desired level of curl.
• Next, release the curl by gently pulling the curling iron down and away from the hair. Be careful not to tug or pull on the hair, as this can cause damage. That’s why the process may get more difficult if you haven’t brushed your hair beforehand.
• Repeat steps 5 and 6 with the rest of the hair, working your way up to the top of your head. Once all of your hair is curled, let it cool for a few minutes to set the curls.

3.4. Loosen the curls

Depending on your desired look, you may want to use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to gently separate and loosen your curls. This will create a more natural, beachy look.

Pro tip: don’t do that immediately after curling. First, wait for a few minutes to let the hair cool down.

3.5. Finish with a hold hairspray

Now that you’ve finished styling your beautiful curls, it is time for the final touch - using a hold hairspray. This will make your hairstyle last longer, and will maintain your curls in shape.

The strength of the hold hairspray depends on the amount of polymer in the product. A light hold hairspray contains less polymer and is designed to provide a flexible hold that allows your hair to move naturally.

A strong hold hairspray contains more polymer and is designed to hold your hair in place, even in windy or humid conditions.

FAQ - How to curl your hair with a wand

Why does my hair smoke when I curl it?

Your hair may smoke when you curl it because the heat from the curling iron is causing the moisture in your hair to evaporate quickly, which can produce steam that appears as smoke. This can happen especially if your hair is wet or damp, or if you are using a high heat setting on your curling iron.

Do you brush out wand curls?

Whether you should brush out your wand curls depends on the desired look that you are going for. Brush them out for a more natural, beachy look. If you want to create more defined and structured curls, avoid this step.