It’s pretty well-documented that I’m not exactly an expert in hair styling – and, in particular, styling with a curling wand. Over the years, I have learnt to use straighteners to create my perfect loose waves, but my goal has always been to find an easy-to-use curler that yields a more natural effect – and I think I may have found it in the Cloud Nine Curling Wand.
This is a truly fuss-free, does-what-it-says-on-the-tin wand that’s easy to learn to use and has a number of unique features – easily one of the best curling irons for beginners. What’s more, it’s currently under £100 on Cloud Nine’s official website; usually £139, the brand is currently selling it for £99. Here’s why I think it’s the perfect mid-range curling wand to invest in now...
Our contributing beauty editor's full Cloud Nine The Curling Wand review
Our first impressions of the Cloud Nine The Curling Wand
First of all, I really liked the presentation box and how the product is packaged, as shown above. Along with the actual wand, the box also contains a slimline heat-proof case, which looks chic. Said case also has a zip fastening, which I really rate – other brands, which are usually more expensive, often offer their tools with wraparound cases or popper or ribbon fastenings, neither of which effectively hold the tool safely during travel. There’s also a heat-proof glove in the box, which is essential for beginners like me.
Upon first picking up the tool, I noticed how lightweight it is; it’s so easy to carry and won’t ever make your arm ache during use. This feature makes it ideal for travel, when you may only have a limited weight allowance, too. I also really liked the stand, which pulls out from beneath the barrel and allows the wand to sit up without laying directly on the surface. Smart.
How does the Cloud Nine The Curling Wand perform?
When it came to the actual testing, the curler heated up very quickly and was set to ‘auto’ when I began, which equated to ‘medium’. It’s a little tricky to get the hang of how the buttons work to take the product off auto mode and into manual (so you can swap between low, medium and high settings) – but that is perhaps because I didn’t read the manual! Once you’ve got the hang of it, though, it’s very simple. I settled on the medium setting, which I thought was probably the correct heat for my hair type (fine hair but a lot of it).
As a curling tong novice, I found this very easy to use straight away. It has no lever or clip – which I prefer – meaning it’s a wrap-and-go kind of model that’s simple to get to grips with. It was super light to carry round the head and created pretty, medium curls.
I did have to leave my hair on the heat longer than with any other tools I’ve tried recently, but not hugely so. To be honest, I also found the pivoting wire a little annoying as the bottom of the tool's handle kept swivelling around. Neither of these things are deal breakers by any means, though.
On its medium heat setting and holding each section of hair against the barrel for around 10 seconds, this tool created medium-loose curls that were perfect for me as I prefer a beachy wave. After applying a little texture spray, these set a little more loosely, but I personally really love this effect.
For tighter curls, I think you’d need to hold the hair against the barrel a little longer, or even go up to the "high" heat setting. Then, with a spritz of hairspray, these should hold well. With all this in mind, Cloud Nine's The Curling Wand seems like quite a versatile tool that can create different types of curls for different hair types and tastes.
How does the Cloud Nine The Curling Wand compare?
The Cloud Nine curling wand has a 25mm ceramic barrel that’s 140mm long. It has three different heat settings (low, medium and high) that range from 125°C to 175°C, which the brand says makes it stand out among competitors because it is suitable for different hair types that need different levels of heat.
The barrel on the wand is infused with the brand’s signature moisture-locking mineral, Sericite, which is said to maintain hair health and make it stronger and shinier.
It also features a pivoting cable, which is said to allow the user easier movement and prevent the cord from getting tangled. There is also a 30-minute hibernation feature, meaning that if you forget to switch the tool off manually, it’ll do so automatically after half an hour.
Finally, the wand is available in three colourways, depending on your taste: black, gold and starlight grey.
Should you buy the Cloud Nine The Curling Wand?
I really did enjoy using this tool and found it the easiest curling wand I’ve tried yet. It is super simple to use and has a number of features that set it apart from competitors, such as the kickstand, the automatic and manual setting options, and the moisture-infused barrel. I think for under £100 (which it is currently on Cloud Nine's website), the inclusion of a chic case and heat-safe glove are also great additions.
