Harper's Bazaar Editors Name the 10 Hair Wavers They Actually Use

Hair wavers — curling irons that create bends instead of twists — have become the go-to fix for straight hair that refuses to hold a curl, according to Harper's Bazaar's beauty team and celebrity hairstylist Danielle Priano.

"The effect [of a waver] is less curled and more textured. It's great for that effortless, tousled vibe or adding body to finger hair without that much bounce," said Priano, a New York-based stylist and SexyHair ambassador whose clients include Hailey Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Lindsay Lohan, and Lisa.

The Bazaar writer behind the guide reports pin-straight Asian hair that resists every hold method tried — extra-hold mousses, pin setting, strong-hold hairsprays — until switching to a waver. With one salon tool, waves last three to four days.

Which tools made the list?

The editors' picks span budgets and barrel designs:

• A salon favorite with two-hour auto shutoff and a digital display. "It heats evenly and creates long-lasting waves with a sleek finish," Priano said.
• A viral social-media model under $50, rated for long and short hair, with no exposed barrel for beginner safety. It ships in 1- and 1.25-inch wave sizes.
• Trademark Beauty's double-barrel iron. "This one's loved for its wider barrels and even heat distribution. It's great for longer hair or when you want that soft glam wave," Priano said. Its two-wave pattern also suits shorter hair.
• An adjustable-barrel pick with full temperature control, spanning tight to beachy waves.
• Bed Head's entry-level styler with tourmaline ceramic barrels, 10 heat settings, digital controls and a protective glove.

What justifies the $200 tier?

"This waver is pricey, at nearly $200, but it's also the most versatile. It comes with three barrels — a waver, a rod, and a clamp — so you can create any type of wave or curl your heart desires," said Bazaar beauty director Jenna Rosenstein. "I have thick hair, and it works just as well on my hair as it does on those with fine, thin hair, since the heat is customizable up to 450 degrees. It's also great to travel with!"

Senior designer Sarah Olivieri cited the INH Triple Barrel for "a looser, more lived-in wave. It really gives the illusion of salty beach hair freshly dried from the sun." Beauty market and commerce editor Katie Intner endorsed the jumbo Mane waver: its large barrel gives natural waves in minutes, it crimps without creases, it is dual voltage, and its detachable base accepts other brand attachments.

The premium picks add even heating, curved — not cylindrical — barrels and an anodized coating that adds shine and cuts frizz. The WavyTalk model targets technique-shy users with a four-to-10-second built-in timer that beeps, deep V-shaped plates and a dual-barrel design.

How do you use one?

"You start by sectioning your hair; the smaller the section, the more defined the wave. Then, working from the roots down, clamp the waver onto the hair and hold for a few seconds, usually 5 to 10, depending on your hair type and heat setting," Priano instructed. Overlap slightly down each strand, then brush out after cooling for softer texture or leave defined "for more drama."

Prep matters: start on clean, dry hair — wavers are not for wet styling — apply heat protectant from mid-lengths to ends, detangle fully, and add lightweight texturizing spray or mousse before blow-drying for volume and hold.

Waver or curling iron?

"A curling iron wraps hair around a single barrel, creating more classic, rounded curls or ringlets," Priano explained. "A waver, on the other hand, presses the hair between barrels to form deep, wave-like ridges."

For shoppers weighing an upgrade, the list's spread — from a sub-$50 beginner tool to a $200 three-barrel system with 450-degree heat — signals the category now covers every skill level and budget.