Styling your hair doesn’t have to be that tedious especially when you want to change your look. Different curling irons can create an array of styles. As a matter of fact, barrel wavers help you create those beach waves you’ve always dreamed of without any effort. A barrel waver may look intimidating to use, but even first-timers will find it an excellent tool to use for their hair.
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What’s the Difference Between Regular Curling Iron vs Triple Barrel Waver?
A regular curling iron has a rounded barrel that clamps on a section of hair and uses heat to curl the strands. On the other hand, the three-barrel waver has its barrels fused together with a lid that holds the hair as it is being curled. How they are used also differ from one another. For starters, the regular curling iron requires you to wrap a section of your hair around the barrel then wait for a few seconds before sliding the curling rod downwards.
In the triple barrel waver, you clamp the lid down on the hair which is held in place by the three barrels and after a few seconds, it will reveal a triple curl! The downside to using this hair styling tool is that it is a bit bulky so it isn’t convenient to bring around like the regular curling iron. On a good note, if you want to achieve curly hair quickly, then this is a good option to consider.
Things to Consider when Buying a Barrel Waver
Hot tools, like the barrel waver curling iron, do help speed up the hair styling process especially when your goal is to have beachy waves fast. But before you do grab the first 3 barrel waver hair curler, there are a few things that you need to consider for this styling tool so you will get your money’s worth.
- Barrel Size.
The size of the barrel should match your hair type. For example, if you have shorter hair, your best bet is to buy one that has smaller barrels. On the other hand, if your hair is long and thick, the bigger the barrels, the better. - Technology.
You should also consider what technology is used in the barrel curling iron wand. There is Teflon which is known for distributing heat evenly while the ceramic ionic is known to protect your hair from damage. Tourmaline, on the other hand, reduces the heat damage your mane is exposed to while the negative ions help stop frizz from forming. If you want a styling tool that is durable, then the one made from titanium comes highly recommended. - Temperature Control.
It is always a good idea to choose a three barrel curling iron that comes with temperature control. This feature gives you more control over the amount of heat being delivered to your strands. Take note that you shouldn’t set the iron to high as much as possible since the extreme heat can easily damage your strands. - Auto Shut-off.
If you have the tendency to forget that your styling tools are still plugged in when you rush to your office in the morning, then this feature is a must. Some of these hair tools shut off after an hour of being in idle mode. This way, you don’t have to worry about burning the surface of your dresser where you have placed it. - Weight.
A barrel waver can have two to three barrels which means that there will be an added weight to them. If you don’t want to end up with hand fatigue, it would be better if you choose one that is lightweight. - Longer Cord.
It won’t be easy using a hot tool with a short cord. As much as possible, choose one that has 5 to 7 feet of cord for you to move the equipment safely. - Price.
Since this curling iron is designed to have two to three barrels, the price will be a bit higher than the regular one. Before you make the purchase, read a review about it as well as get feedback to know whether the wave barrels that you are interested in are worth the price you are going to pay. - Comfortable Grip.
Go for a hair curling iron that offers a good and comfortable grip so you will be able to control your waves better since you won’t get tired quickly. - Display.
If you don’t want to end up guessing how hot the barrels are, look for one that comes with an LCD display on the handle. The screen will immediately tell you the temperature of the barrels so you can adjust it accordingly.
These are just a few factors to consider when searching for a hair waver to use on your mane. The beauty of the three barrel hair curler is that you don’t have to spend several minutes wrapping one section of your hair around the barrel to make curls.
A Review of Barrel Wavers
If you want to have long lasting waves, buying a barrel hair curling iron wand can help. But which one is right for you? It may be a bit tough to find the right hair curler for you. That said, here’s a quick review of hot tools that you might want to start with.
REVLON 3-Barrel Ceramic Jumbo Waver
For those who have long hair, this 3 barrel curling iron from Revlon is a good option to consider. This is because it is equipped with three large barrels that can handle thicker mane. Aside from its size, another reason why you should choose this product is that it comes with 30 heat settings which are perfect for all hair types. With regards to the barrels, they are made from tourmaline ceramic which is known to distribute heat evenly. It also helps protect your strands from the hot temperature while you style it.
There is an indicator light to tell you that the iron is turned on and waiting to be heated up. Make sure that you choose the right setting based on your hair type to prevent it from getting damaged. Another thing that you will love about this jumbo weaver is its long swivel cord. This comes in handy since it prevents you from getting tangled and even tied to within a small area in your dresser because of a short cord.
Pros:
- Jumbo barrels speed up the process of curling your hair.
- 30 heat settings let you choose the right temperature for your tresses.
- Tourmaline ceramic barrels protect your strands from getting damaged while delivering salon-like curls.
Cons:
- The barrel is a bit heavy.
- Too time-consuming even with thick hair.
- It causes frizz to appear.
Bed Head A-Wave-We-Go Adjustable Hair Waver
If you want to be more playful with your hairstyle, this adjustable hair waver is a good choice. This three barrel curling iron comes with adjustable barrels so you can decide whether you want loose or tight curls on your head. You can even adjust the barrels while they are still hot as this can help create different patterns on your mane. Just like with Revlon, this 3 barrel adjustable hair waver is made from tourmaline ceramic which is a popular pair given that the tourmaline can protect your strands from further damage while taming your mane, while the ceramic is known to distributing the high temperature evenly across the barrels.
Another feature that you will like about this tool is that it also comes with an adjustable temperature thanks to its multiple temperature settings. The highest that it can get is up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit but this should only be used in thick, coarse hair to ensure that the temperature from the barrels will suffice. It comes with an auto shut-off feature as well as a rotating cool tip. The best part? This is designed to be more compact so you can bring it with you while you go see the world.
Pros:
- Adjustable barrels make it easier for you to style your strands the way you want it.
- Tourmaline ceramic technology ensures that there are no hot spots that can make your strands brittle
- Auto shut-off feature adds protection especially when you forgot to turn it off accidentally.
Cons:
- It doesn’t have any safety features.
- The cord tends to melt in high temperatures.
- It doesn’t provide the beachy waves.
Conair Double Ceramic Triple Barrel Curl Styling Waver
Conair’s double ceramic triple barrel curl comes with outer barrels measuring around 5/8 inches while the inner barrel is at 1/2 inches. You will love the continuous waves from this tool and once you get the hang of it, you can come up with a variety of styles for your mane with just a single curling iron. To help you achieve this, Conair has equipped its barrel waver with multiple temperature settings so you will be able to choose how hot the barrel should be before it touches your mane. There is also a Turbo Boost feature that delivers up to 27 degrees Fahrenheit to your strands to style them quickly.
In order to achieve those professionally done curls, Conair offers this double ceramic feature since it speeds up the drying as well as getting those beach waves you’ve always wanted. It also comes with an auto shut-off feature that will prevent a fire from breaking out. You will find that this product makes use of double ceramic technology to ensure that the high temperature is dispersed evenly throughout the barrels so that you don’t have to waste time worrying about any damage to his mane.
Pros:
- Continuous waves ensure that your mane has been styled correctly.
- 30 temperature settings for everyone.
- Higher ceramic materials used to style the hair.
Cons:
- The deep wave style is missing.
- The waves do not last long.
- It doesn’t get to the highest setting.
Alure – Three Barrel Curling Iron Wand
Get that natural beachy waves with Alure’s three barrel curling iron wand. You can also use it to crimp your mane which means that you can already mix and match your style with just this tool. It doesn’t matter whether you have short or long hair, thick or even thin mane, you will find that this equipment can handle whatever hair types the rest have. The three barrels are the ones responsible for styling your hair easily. And because the ceramic can spread the temperature evenly, you don’t have to worry about burnt strands. There won’t be any frizz appearing on your head which is a plus.
What else makes this 3 barrel curling iron a good option? It can reach up to 200 degrees Fahrenheit real quick so you don’t have to waste precious time on your mane. The heated ceramic ensures that your hair remains intact as you glide the tool on your mane. There is an LCD screen installed on the handle as well for easy viewing. Add to this the fact that this product comes with a long rotating swivel cord and you are all set to breathe new life into your mane.
Pros:
- Can curl or crimp your mane quickly.
- Can be used on different hair types thanks to its temperature settings.
- Double ceramic coating prevents any uneven heating.
Cons:
- Curling hair takes some time.
- Most of the styles appear crimped rather than the beachy waves it promises.
- The placement of the on and off button is not great.
Revlon Salon Deep Hair Waver
If you are aiming for those elegant waves on your mane, then why don’t you try Revlon salon deep hair waver? It makes use of ceramic tourmaline technology that protects strands from the extreme temperature being driven out. Both ceramic and tourmaline are known to be durable, distribute the hot temperature in the barrel, while keeping your strands safe. In addition, tourmaline prevents you from burning your skin and your tresses too when using it. This is because the hot temperature is being dispersed safely so that your mane doesn’t end up with frizz.
Don’t forget that the Revlon salon deep hair waver comes with up to 30 heat settings with 430 degrees Fahrenheit being the richest. This hair curling iron can be used regardless of what kind of hair you have. It comes with a cool grip feature which is helpful if you want to protect your strands. It is lightweight thus making it more manageable or easy to use.
Pros:
- Deep hair waver that curls strands quickly and with minimal fuss.
- Temperature settings let you choose how high the hot water goes.
- Cool grip feature prevents you from burning your hands or fingers.
Cons:
- The barrel gets extremely hot.
- It takes time to style your hair.
- There is an obvious crease at the end of testing on the hair.
Conclusion
For those who want to have long lasting waves using any barrel hair product, I would suggest that you go with Alure. The triple barrel set up definitely helped with speeding up the otherwise very long styling period. You only need to clamp the lid on your mane, wait for a few seconds and that’s it. The barrels can get pretty hot so be careful when handling it. There is an LCD screen that displays the current temperature.
About the Author
Leah Williams is the founder of Lucky Curl and has been in the hair care and styling industry for the last 15 years. Since then, she has developed incredible expertise and a deep understanding of how to treat and style the most difficult hair types and is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the readers of Lucky Curl.Recommended Reading
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