Curling Wand Styles You Need to Try This Year

2026 is a big year for curls: soft texture, glossy finishes, and “I woke up like this” waves are officially flooding our feeds. 

Natural volume, lived-in layers, and cuts like shags, wolf cuts, and butterfly cuts are everywhere, which basically means one thing – you NEED a curling wand.

Why Curling Wands Still Slay

Curling tongs, curling wands, wand curlers, and curl wands – whatever you call them – deliver everything from tight curls to loose, air-dried-looking waves. VS Sassoon’s curlers are designed to make all of that easy, with advanced heat tech and adjustable temps so you can match your curler to your hair type and the style you’re after. A tapered or conical wand is perfect when you want more shape at the root and a looser, lived-in curl through the ends, while larger-barrel curlers like the Smooth Fusion 40mm Curler are ideal for big, soft volume and carefree waves.

Tight Curls: High Drama, Zero Crunch

If you’re leaning into defined curls or working with layered cuts like wolf and shag styles, tight curls give insane shape and volume. Use a smaller 19mm barrel curler or the narrower part of a tapered/conical wand, wrap smaller sections, and hold the wand more vertically to keep the curl bouncy.

For modern energy, brush or rake through your curls once they’ve cooled so they look soft and intentional, not like 00s prom ringlets. A light glossing serum on the ends plays perfectly into 2026’s “glass but still touchable” trend.

Beach Waves: The 2026 Default

Effortless, beachy waves are not going anywhere – they just look more polished and healthy now. Grab a mid-to-large barrel curler like the 25mm Ceramic Curler and work in alternating directions around the barrel, leaving the ends slightly straighter to keep things undone. Or for a 2-in-1 styling hack, use the outer curling barrel on the Straight & Curl Brilliance to create mermade-inspired beachy waves.

For layered lobs, shaggy cuts, and butterfly layers, beach waves help show off the shape and movement while still feeling low-effort and wearable every day. Pair with a shine spray and soft hold instead of crunchy mousse to maintain polish.

Vintage Rolls & Old-Hollywood Waves

Vintage-inspired waves and rolls are perfect for those “I’m the event” moments. 

Think deep, structured waves or sculpted rolls paired with glossy colour – very 2026 “expensive hair” energy.

Use the Cool Curl Brilliance to create uniform curls all in the same direction, then brush them out into one continuous S-wave.  The Cool Curl Brilliance heats, curls and cools in a single glide, but to achieve longer-lasting curls, clip to set while they cool.

Wand Angle Tips That Actually Work

How you hold your curler makes a big difference:

• Vertical = more classic, bouncy curls that work with shags, wolf cuts, and layered styles.

• Horizontal = more glam, vintage-style waves with extra volume at the sides. Wand angled away from your face = face-framing waves that flatter curtain bangs and butterfly layers.​

Wrap the hair away from the face at the front for openness and towards the face in a few random sections through the back to keep things looking natural and modern.

Wand vs Barrel: What To Use, When

Curling wands (no clamp) give a looser, more effortless, tousled texture that’s huge for 2026 – perfect for natural waves, curly shags, and anything that’s meant to look “lived in”. Curling tongs/irons with a clamp are ideal when you want precise, uniform curls or old Hollywood waves where every bend sits exactly where you put it.

Curl Trends to Watch in 2026

The biggest curl direction for 2026? Texture that looks intentional but not overworked. Shaggy layers, wolf cuts, butterfly cuts, and lobs are all over our feeds, and they all look better with some kind of curl or wave through the mid-lengths.

Glossy finishes are huge too – think healthy, light-reflective curls rather than dry, over-sprayed ones – so tools that give even heat and smooth results are right on the money.

Ready to Curl Smarter?

If you want tight curls, beach waves, or vintage rolls in your rotation this year, a curling wand is your best friend. VS Sassoon’s range of curling wands and curling irons give you options for different barrel shapes and sizes, so you can match your tool to your cut, your texture, and whatever 2026 trend takes your fancy this week.

Love your style, the VS Sassoon team xx