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From fine and color-treated and thick and curly, your best tresses yet could be just one all-star product away.
Hair! It's not just the name of a famous play; It's also that stuff on top of your head. You wash it, play with it, tug on it, dye it, cut it, heat it up, and pull it out. But by far the most fun thing to do with hair is to style it.
Whether dealing with your tresses on a daily basis is a pleasure or a hassle, we all do something with our hair. For some, that might be as minimal as throwing it into a top knot. For others, it can be a laborious, multi-step process. Regardless of where you fall on the hair care spectrum, your hair is a part of your body and thus, very worthy of taking good care of. You shouldn't use any random products to style your hair. Especially when it comes to applying heat to your hair, the tool really needs to be reputable. Therefore, your hair toolbox needs to be filled with high-quality items that you know you can entrust with your luscious locks. Fortunately, all of our advances in science and technology have rightfully been put to use towards making the very best versions of blow dryers, curling wands, and straighteners. Gone are the days when buying a Dyson meant picking up a new vacuum. Nay, nowadays the brand is dominating the hair tool market, namely with their viral Airwrap—but more on that later.
The bottom line is that really good hair tools exist, and you should have them. Just like a wardrobe overhaul or a new shade of lipstick can uplift your personal image, so too can a fabulous new hairstyle. So, whether you're rocking a pin-straight pixie or a full head of 4c coils, here are 19 of the best hair styling tools available.
The Corrale Straightener, though not as famous as the Airwrap, is equally worthy of your attention. In fact, it turned one T&C editor with less-than-favorable opinions on flat irons into a full-blown believer. The Corrale features a larger stature and wide plates, allowing for greater control at lower temperatures. It's easy to use and can be used without a cord, making it ideal for travel. Intelligent heating technology enables it to respond to your specific hair type and adapt the temperature accordingly. Translation: no matter what your locks are like, this is a straightener that won't leave them limp and fried.
MORE: T&C Tried & True: Dyson Corrale Straightener
Some trends are short-lived, and thank goodness for it. Hair feathers, faux-hawks, and fishtails—we weren't sad to see you go. But some styles come into fashion and never really leave. Case in point, beachy waves. Who doesn't envy the look of effortless, loose waves. With the right tool, you too can embody the mermaid-inspired look. This model, with an LCD temperature display and 1-inch barrels, is one of the top-rated wave wands available.
We'll address the Airwrap in due time, but first there's another member of the Dyson crime family to discuss. This blow dryer doesn't look like any you've seen before, which is fitting because it doesn't work like any you've used before, either. It's better and most notably, it's faster. The Supersonic has cemented itself as a favorite among professional and celebrity hair stylists because of its speed, heat protection, and efficiency. It comes with a variety of attachments designed to serve all hair types. Many reviewers say it leaves their hair looking smoother and shiner than other dryers do, too.
This flat iron from Croc is another top-of-the-line straightener with only a slightly smaller price tag. Still, the plates are engineered with infrared heat technology seals the hair's cuticle to boost moisture and shine and to help the style hold throughout the day. The iron's design is built for a comfortable hold, so you don't have to worry about a sore wrist or tired grip. The anti-static, anti-damage titanium plates are compatible with all hair types.
When heated styling tools disguised as hair brushes first popped up in commercial ads, they seemed pretty gimmicky. But as it turns out, they're actually quite useful. And this model from Revlon is one of the best. Ideal for refreshing second-day hair, consider this your ticket to an easy at-home blow-out. It'll help give your hair volume, lifting it at the roots while detangling and improving shine.
We have arrived at the hair tool of all hair tools—the one people can't stop talking about. While it comes at a hefty price, to be fair, the Airwrap is like a Swiss army knife of hair tools. For those looking to give themself a salon quality blow-out at home, look no further. The base styler comes with six different interchangeable attachments to make all of your hairstyle dreams possible: 1.2 and 1.6 inch curling barrels, soft and firm smoothing brushes, a round volumizing brush, and a pre-styling dryer. Like the other Dyson products, it has intelligent heat control and anti-static negative ions, so it's kind to your hair. For the organizationally inclined among us, it comes with a very satisfying (and stylish) storage case that has a place for each of the attachments. The major flaw? The Airwrap sells out instantly and is thus hardly ever in stock, an indication of how highly coveted it is.
This cucumber green blow dryer is another professional favorite due to its low heat regulation. It caps off at 315 degrees, so as far as hot tools go, this will do as little damage as possible to your strands. Although it's lightweight (it weighs less than one pound), this model packs a fast-drying punch. The Pro Dryer 2000 is well-suited for those with fine, thin, or natural hair types.
If you're looking to score vacation-like waves but aren't sold on the S-shaped waver tools, celebrity hair stylist Sarah Potempa has got you covered. She designed the Beachwaver to make the perfect loose curls wildly easy to achieve. The barrel rotates itself, meaning you just have to section and clamp your hair, then stand there while it works its magic. With more powerful heating technology, this tool will work on even the thickest, coarsest strands.
Whether you think it looks like an outstretched hand, or a leaf that's illegal depending on the state you live in, the fact remains that this is one darn beloved diffuser. If you have curly locks and you want to blow dry your hair, the right diffuser is absolutely key. The unique shape and design allows for 360-degree airflow to surround each curl while reducing frizz and optimizing shine. The DevaCurl diffuser is a dream come true for any type of curly girl, natural hair included. Plus, its universal size and fit means it's compatible with almost any hair dryer.
For those partial to clamp-less curling wands, this sleek model from Drybar is top-notch. The no-slip barrel prevents sections from slipping, eliminating the issue most clamp-free wands face. It heats up to 450 degrees with infrared technology to heat the strand from the inside out. Negative ions ensure your hair is left with little to no frizz and maximal shine. The wand is molded in a reverse taper shape, with the base of the barrel measuring in at 1 inch and widening out to 1.5 inches at the top, which means you can use this wand for loose waves, bouncy curls, or anything in between.
For natural haired beauties, hair steaming can be a serious game-changer, so this handheld steamer is doubly so. Steaming moisturizes and stretches curls without applying damaging high heat directly to the strands. The hydrating effect also allows your hair shaft to better absorb your deep conditioning products of choice. A tool that promotes long-term hair health while giving you your best head of hair in the moment? Yes, please.
No, this isn't the newest Theragun attachment. It is, however, the curling wand designed for those who struggle to reach the strands on the backside of their head. It's lightweight, super simple to use, and made it easy for even short-haired folks to achieve their desired look with minimal hair pull. The innovative "cool shot button" is intended for use at the end of each section and is meant to set each curl, providing a long-lasting style. The Lava Curl Shot also has an 11-foot cord, which is a whole two feet longer than basically every other styling tool on the market.
Are you a classicist? While clamp-less wands have been more popular in the last decade or so, some people still prefer a clamp on their curling rods. And for that, we can't fault you. This titanium wand is ultra easy to use, even for those who traditionally struggle to curl their locks or who have particularly thick hair. Users also report that their curls last longer than they do when they use a different curling iron. Its reasonable price point makes this one hard to beat.
While the DevaCurl diffuser is heaven-sent specifically for those with coiled hair, this universal one will work for everyone, no matter what your hair type or length. Made out of silicone, it is flexible enough to fit around any blow dryer nozzle, and its collapsible, making it ideal for travel and storage. The wide-set face means it'll still work on longer curls, but short prongs make it suitable for shorter 'dos, too.
Oh, you have hair? And you wash that hair? Then you need this. Hair towel wraps are no longer a beauty secret—everyone seems to have one. But Aquis does hair towels especially well. This set includes one twist wrap and one regular hair towel, both of which are proven to protect your hair from damage and to help dry those locks in the safest way possible.
As far as hair brushes go, Wet Brush is a household name you're probably already familiar with. Wet hair is more vulnerable to damage, meaning the way you dry it (see above) and the tools you use to treat and style it while it's wet are particularly influential on the health of your hair. The Wet Brush brand emerged as a solution to the lack of available brushes designed for use on wet hair and are meant to reduce breakage. (The name kind of gives it away, doesn't it?) Now, Wet Brush has a litany of brush types to suit all your needs, be it thick hair that needs extra shine, or curly hair that needs detangling. They even made sustainable brushes made out of plant-based plastics and recycled materials.
An oldie but a goodie. Whether you're using velcro rollers as a stand alone heatless way to achieve those curls, or you're using them in conjunction with hot tools, some classics just shouldn't be messed with. Hair rollers, although you might associate them with your nana, are an effective way to give your hair volume and body. These rollers from Drybar are super secure and don't require clips (or a bonnet) to hold them in place.
Smaller rollers are great for shorter hair or anyone looking for those loose beachy waves. This pack, available on Amazon, has great reviews and is as affordable as they come.
If you've been on Instagram, Pinterest, or TikTok at all, you've probably taken notice of the hair clip trend that's booming right now. While influencers are snapping up as many funky shaped, colored, and patterned clips as they can possibly use to accessorize, it's also nice to have a few reliable ones that you know will get the job done. These spider claw shaped ones are a personal go-to for keeping my long, fine hair (that loves to slip out of scrunchies and hair ties) securely gathered atop my head.