Ten Transformative Hair Tools: Make Waves and More

Awarded the “Best of Beauty” designation by both Allure and InStyle, this curling iron is surprisingly inexpensive, given its high ratings. It comes in seven barrel sizes, but those who want to curl their bangs specifically should opt for the 3/8-inch setting.
($29.95, Folica.com)

Look, Ma—no barrel! Instead, simply wrap your locks around the styling wand (don’t forget to put on the protective styling glove first) and let the magic happen. The wand creates bigger and bolder curls, slightly wavy strands, and everything in between.
($24.99, Amazon)

Allure is a big fan of Hot Tools; the magazine named this set of rollers a Best of Beauty award recipient, too. Its use of negative ion technology offers heat protection while locking in style and shine. The rollers’ mixed sizes included in the set mean that a multitude of styles are possible.
($42.99, LockandMane.com)

If you live a stick-straight hair reality but dream of waves, Revlon uses three barrels to make that dream come true. Reviews say that it creates a more natural look than what curling tools with smaller barrels tend to produce.
($22.77, Amazon)

As is the case with the aforementioned Revlon, this tool doesn’t work best for tight curls or crimped hair. But if you want subtle and sweet “s” curls, Bedhead’s waver might be right up your makeup alley.
($33.47, Amazon)

For waves that are more spectacular than subtle, the T3 Twirl utilizes tourmaline ceramic technology to produce a voluptuous head of curls that’ll hopefully turn more than a few heads.
($99, LockandMane.com)

This curling iron has earned numerous great reviews on Folica.com; consumers seem to love the volume and sculpted curls that it provides. But be warned—more than one review has mentioned that the paint on the tool sometimes chips.
($39.99, Folica.com)

Forget Hollywood starlet hair or beachy waves—sometimes you want a cascade of tight curls framing your face. According to Amazon customers, the Conair model does just that—and what’s more, the tight curls don’t lose their shape immediately.
($15.08, Amazon)

Cosmopolitan called this an “idiot-proof curling iron,” meaning that its lack of a barrel and its inclusion of a heat-resistant glove make the process easy for even the most clueless of curlers.

($119.95, FlatIrons.com)

Finally, a tool that saves time in the morning by combining blow-drying with brushing. It also facilitates curling the ends of your strands after running the heated brush through them. Its 4.5-star rating on Amazon suggests that it works quite well indeed.
($15.99, Amazon)