If you have long, straight hair, you may find that curling your locks for special occasions is more of a mission than your short-styled friends. It takes longer to wrap and curl than hair. You may also notice that your rolled curls tend to fall off faster because of their weight.
However, with the best hair curlers designed with long hair in mind, you will no longer envy your short-haired sisters. It’s easy to style into gorgeous waves, corkscrew curls, or sophisticated Hollywood ringlets.
If your hair length or type has made curling at home feel out of reach, worry no more. Read on for tips on curling long hair. Continue with our roundup of the best curling wands to buy for long, thick hair, regardless of budget.
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Best hair curlers for long hair: at a glance
How to choose the best curlers for long hair
What should I look for in long hair curling tongs?
The most important thing you need to curl long hair is long barrel tongs. This allows a large section of hair to be wrapped around the tongs at once, reducing the overall time required to style an entire head of long hair. It also means that you can wrap it vertically around your hair to create a neat ringlet instead of rolling it up from the tip of your hair. By heating the top, curls last longer and are less likely to crumble.
Long and large barrel tongs usually have a clamp to hold the hair in place while curling and can be used to create very smooth Hollywood-style curls. The curling wand is suitable for short to medium length hair. I’ve included some longer wands in the roundup for those who prefer to curl their hair this way.
What should curling tongs for long hair be made from?
All curling tongs are made of a metal base that heats and shapes your hair as you wrap it around the tool. Metal barrels are often coated with ceramic or tourmaline. These gems heat very evenly and maintain a constant temperature throughout the barrel. It also reduces friction, making it easier for curling tongs to glide over your hair for less snags and a shinier finish. Titanium barrels are also a popular choice. This metal heats up quickly and retains heat well, making it a good choice for coarse, textured, and difficult-to-style hair.
Is higher temperature better for long hair?
Higher temperatures will make long hair style faster, especially if your hair is on the thicker side. Long hair tends to have driers and weaker ends as the hair is exposed to environmental damage while it is on the head. to avoid heat damage.
Best way to curl long hair.
It’s best to start closer to the roots than to start at the ends and wind the hair on curlers. This prevents the dry and delicate ends from being damaged by the heat, allowing the hair to be fully shaped and heated all the way down to the roots, keeping the finished curls longer.
Part hair, apply heat protectant spray, and clamp hair at the top of the section where you want the curl to start. If you push it open a little, the hair will slide). The hair spirals a few times around the tongs, leaving even the last inch or so of her curly. With the hair wrapped in a spiral, hold the tool in place for a few seconds before releasing the clamp to loosen the ringlet.
To curl with a wand, part your hair and then point the tip of the wand down at an angle of about 45 degrees. Next, put on heat protective gloves (usually in the box) and wrap your hair in a spiral around the wand. Hold the ringlet in place for a few seconds, then tilt the wand down to Drop the curled part down.
To help the curls stay in place, do not brush or handle them until they are cool. If your hair doesn’t hold curls really well, you can keep the ringlets in place as you move on to the next section of hair.
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The best hair curlers for long hair in 2023
1. GHD Curve Soft Curl Tong: Perfect curler for big, bouncy waves
price: 140 lbs | Buy Now From John Lewis
GHD’s Curved Curling Wands and Tongs come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit the size and shape of the curl you want to create. The Carb Soft has a large 32mm barrel and is perfect for creating larger ringlets for added volume rather than corkscrew curls. The Curve Soft is also great for styling long hair as it has a spring lever clamp on the side of the barrel. Other wands in the range do not include clamps, making it a little more difficult to wrap long hair around.
The ceramic-coated barrel heats up to GHD’s optimal styling temperature of 185ºC within 30 seconds. Ultrazone technology constantly monitors temperature to ensure even heating and no hot spots that can damage hair. Creates big, bouncy waves that feel soft after styling. The curved soft tip is cool, so it’s easy to hold the tongs in place on your head when styling. For your safety, it will automatically turn off after 30 minutes. The perfect curler for creating volume and glamorous big curls on long hair.
Key Specs – Barrel Size: 32mm; Temperature settings: 1; Maximum temperature: 185°C; Cord length: 3 meters
2. Tresemme 2806CU Volume Loose Waves Hair Waving Wand: Best Budget Curlers for Long Hair
price: £25 | Buy now from Argos
Tresemme’s Volume Loose Waves Curling Wand features a long 28 mm long ceramic barrel, perfect for curling long hair. There are no clamps as the tool is a wand not a tong. You should use the heat resistant gloves included in the box to protect your fingers while wrapping your hair around the barrel. Nevertheless, the barrel length facilitates this. The box also has a handy heat-resistant mat on which you can place your wand while it’s heating up.
You can choose from 3 temperature settings. Most hair types will probably do best at the medium setting of 185ºC, but thick, textured hair may need a higher setting of 200ºC. There is a temperature ready indicator light that shows when the wand reaches your preferred temperature. The wand takes her 60 seconds to heat up and reheats quickly again between sections. The curls are securely set and stay in place throughout the day. Overall, a great budget option for long hair.
Key Specs – Barrel Size: 28mm; Temperature settings: 3; Maximum temperature: 200°C; Cord length: 2.5m
Buy now from Argos
3. Turbo Tong X: Best curlers for very long hair
price: 148 lbs | Buy now from Turbo Tong
The big brother to the already jumbo-sized Turbo Tong, the Turbo Tong X is currently the longest curling tong available in the UK. Extra long 20.5cm length, 32mm diameter is perfect for creating bigger waves and curls. The ceramic-coated barrel heats up in 30 seconds and you can easily select the exact temperature between 60ºC and 230ºC using the +/- buttons on the handle. A temperature display provides a reading and illuminates blue, green, or red to let you know the current heat of the tongs while styling.
Due to its size, the Turbo Tong X is perfect for hair longer than upper arm length. Manipulating it around your head takes a bit of getting used to. However, if you get the hang of it, even large amounts of hair can easily pass through the curlers. If your hair is shoulder length and your X tongs are too long, the original Turbo Tong he will be slightly shorter at 19.3cm with a 26mm barrel.
Key Specs – Barrel Size: 32mm; Temperature settings: variable; Maximum temperature: 230°C; Cord length: 3 meters
Buy now from Turbo Tong
4. Beautyworks Professional Styler: Best curlers for beach waves
price: £70 | Buy now from Lookfantastic
Insta-famous by influencers including Molly-Mae of Love Island, the Beauty Works Professional Styler comes with a longer 18.5 cm rose gold barrel that will look chic on any vanity. The wide 32mm barrel is ideal for creating loose waves that feel like you’ve just been to the beach. The temperature can be adjusted from 80°C to 220°C, so you can easily style your hair regardless of its thickness or texture. Fine hair (and synthetic extensions) prefer to be styled at low temperatures, but a wand can also be used to lightly treat thick, curly hair.
The Beauty Works Styler heats up in 60 seconds and comes in a box with gloves, a heat-resistant mat and a convenient carrying pouch. Hair feels soft after styling, especially if curled on medium heat. You can’t achieve tight ringlets, but the beachy waves it creates look fun and flirty and hold up well for the evening.
Key Specs – Barrel Size: 32mm; Temperature settings: variable; Maximum temperature: 220°C; Cord length: 3 meters
5. Remington Curl Revolution: Best Automatic Curler for Long Hair
price: £100 | Shop Now From Boots
If you’re not confident in using tongs or wands to curl long hair, you may want an automatic curler that takes the guesswork out of curling. You don’t have to wrap or wrap it around because it works. Best if you have a lot of hair and find it difficult to curl by hand. Curl Secret is gentle on your hair. Ceramic-coated curling plates glide over your hair for a smooth, shiny finish.
The curler can rotate in either direction with the flick of a switch. This means you can easily style your hair away from your face, or mix directions for a more natural and disheveled look. Once you’ve found the perfect section angle and size for your hair, Curl Secret quickly creates waves and curls for a nice, soft finish.
Key Specs – Barrel Size: none; Temperature settings: Five; Maximum temperature: 230°C; Cord length: 2.5m
