Are Expensive Curling Wands Worth It? GIVEAWAY! 2 WINNERS

Maybe it's my life-long love affair with styling hair (y'all saw my pageant picture on Monday, right?) but I like to pretend I'm a heat hair tool aficionado.

I have over 20 of them (thanks to blogging)--every kind of curling wand, curling iron, a few flat irons and hair dryers thrown in for good measure. I like to pretend it's like my own salon. My friends and family love it. Plus, one of most popular posts (I get around 2000 views a day on it) is on how to use curling wands and the different types.

And in relation to curling wands, irons, etc, I get asked, 

"Are expensive curling wands worth it? Aren't they all just the same regardless of price?"

Today, I'm going to tackle that question by comparing an expensive wand with an affordable option.

Curling wands can be crazy expensive--I have one that's $230, $199, and the one pictured, that's $149 (nume Magic Wand--I got mine from Hautelook, but look online for deals on this). But is that price really worth it?

• Expensive wands are going to be found online, ulta, sephora
• What sets them apart is that a lot of them can be over 400 degrees. If you have thick hair or coarse hair, you'll need something hot. As someone with thick hair, I cannot tell you how many curling irons and wands I've tried, and been dissatisfied with the results, before realizing I needed a hotter wand.
• The barrel sizes differ too. Less expensive models are starting to get with this change, but expensive wands can be found in all sorts of barrel sizes. Pictured is 1.5 in. 
• The metals that make up wands vary so much. For my hair, I look for the shiny titanium. It heats up fast, holds heat, heats evenly, and can handle those higher temps. PLUS titanium is a lighter metal, making it a great choice if you have a lot of hair to curl.

But who really wants to spend a lot on curling products? Are the drugstore ones any good?

• Affordable options can be found easily at drugstores and box stores (Target, Walmart, etc)
• They usually come in the 1 inch standard, and a lot of them are tapered, but I am seeing more size options and colors popping up. Pictured is Bedhead Curlipops 1 inch. It's around $20.
• Usually the inexpensive wands top off at 400 degrees, if that. If you have normal or fine hair, you don't need that high of heat, but if you have thicker hair, you definitely will.
• Tourmaline ceramic is the standard for heat curling tools right now. It helps reduce frizz, delivers shine, and holds heat as well. But just as all chocolate doesn't taste the same, not all tourmaline is the same. Some could have just a coating of it.

What's best for you?

• AFFORDABLE:
• Best for:
• beginners, as many have protective heat gloves, stands
• occasional users
• those who don't want to invest a lot
• fine-normal hair
• BUT:
• look for the ability to change temps on the wand
• look for reviews online, since the quality varies SO much
• BRANDS I LIKE:
• Curlipops
• Conair
• Remington
• Revlon
• EXPENSIVE:
• Best for:
• experienced users
• normal-coarse hair
• those who style often with heat tools
• those who want barrel size options
• BUT:
• usually don't have a heat glove, stand, or cool tip
• BRANDS I LIKE:
• Nume
• Hot Tools--they start at $30 and go up to the professional Marcel irons
• T3
• Sarah Potempa Beach Waver
• Babyliss

In the video below, I go into more detail, plus there's a giveaway:

https://youtu.be/M0_8dVcv4u4

And now it's time for a giveaway!

• 1 winner will receive a Bedhead CurliPops 1 inch curling wand (pictured above) AND $25 Walmart giftcard.
• 1 winner will receive a Revlon 1 inch curling iron PLUS $25 Walmart gift card.

TO ENTER:

Subscribe to my Youtube and leave a comment there. 

Full instructions on the video above.

US only. Ends 3-27-16.

Do you have any heat tools? What brand is your favorite?

Extra Elle:

• The internet has been tough on me this week and the meanies are out! Is it a full moon or something? Someone called me a "dumba--" and someone accused me of faking my accent. That cracked me up--go watch the video and judge for yourself. ;)
• No big plans this weekend. Maybe a marathon of House of Cards? Definitely watching the last ep of Downton Abbey. *tears*