Tapered vs regular curling wand

What makes a wand tapered

A tapered wand narrows from the base to the tip, for example from 28 mm to 23 mm on the ghd Chronos Curve Wand. When you wrap a section, the hair near the root sits on the wider part and the ends sit on the narrower part, so the curl gets tighter as it goes down. That mimics the way natural curls often look and gives a soft, undone finish.

You can also change the result by where you wrap. Wrapping mostly on the wide end gives looser waves; wrapping towards the tip gives tighter curls. That flexibility is why many people ask whether they should get a tapered wand as their first wand.

What a regular barrel does

A regular wand keeps one diameter along its length. Every part of the section wraps on the same size, so curls are even from top to bottom. That suits polished curls, consistent waves and big, loose shapes on long hair. The ghd Chronos Curve Max Wand uses a 38 mm barrel, which ghd aims at long and very long hair for loose curls.

Barrel size matters more than shape for the size of the curl. A 38 mm barrel gives loose waves whatever its shape; a 19 mm barrel gives tight curls. Our explainer on what size curling wand to get covers sizes, and the barrel size converter turns millimetres into inches.

Two ghd wands side by side

Both wands share ghd's Chronos Curve heating at 185 °C, so the comparison is mostly about barrel shape and size.

Ease of use

Tapered wands are slightly easier to slide out of a curl because the tip is narrower, so curls release without unravelling. Beginners sometimes find it hard to keep sections from slipping towards the tip, though. Holding the wand pointing down, with the tip towards the floor, helps gravity keep the hair on the wider part.

Straight barrels give a more predictable result, because there is no need to think about where on the cone each section sits. On very long hair, a long straight barrel also gives more room to wrap the whole section without overlapping, which helps the hair heat evenly. Our how to use a curling wand guide covers technique for both.

• Natural, undone, beachy curls: tapered.
• Even, polished curls or uniform waves: regular.
• Very long hair and big waves: long regular barrel of 32 to 38 mm.
• One wand for several looks: tapered, by wrapping on different parts of the cone.

Note:Wand barrels have no clamp, so your fingers are close to the heat. Always wear the heat glove and rest the wand on its stand. See our guide to using a curling wand without burning yourself.

Which should you buy?

If you want natural, lived-in curls and will mainly wear your hair in beachy styles, a tapered wand is the more flexible first choice. If you want uniform, glamorous curls or big waves on long hair, choose a regular barrel in the size that matches your length. If you still are not sure whether you want a wand at all, our curling wand vs curling tongs comparison explains the clamp question first, and the best curling wands and tongs guide lists premium options.

See the best curling wands and tongs →

Frequently asked questions

Should I get a tapered curling wand? Choose one if you want natural looking curls that are looser at the top and tighter at the ends. It is a flexible first wand.

Why use a tapered curling wand? The cone gives a natural curl shape, lets you vary curl size by where you wrap and releases curls easily from the narrow tip.

Is a tapered wand good for short hair? It can work, but short sections may only reach the wide part. A smaller straight barrel or tongs is often easier on short hair.

Do tapered wand curls last as long? Hold depends more on heat, section size and letting curls cool than on barrel shape.