This £50 Babyliss hair curler is the secret to long-lasting curls
It even surpasses my Dyson Airwrap, so if you're after a cheaper alternative, I highly recommend this cordless curling wand.
I have poker-straight hair but adore big, bouncy curls. Despite the grand claims made by curling irons across the board, very few I find deliver the finished bouncy look I desire that lasts all day. And we all know there's nothing worse than seeing your curls drop just 10 minutes after stepping out the door.
Over the years, I have tried a number of coveted hair tools, including the Dyson Airwrap, and can confidently say that the best curler I've ever used, in all my years as a beauty journalist, is the BaByliss 9000 Cordless Waving Wand.
Of course, its practical cordless design is a huge bonus, as I hate dealing with tangled cords or being restricted to using a curler only near a plug socket. But what truly sets it apart is its ability to give me a freshly blow-dried look that lasts for hours, even days on end.
🛍️ Product reviewed: BaByliss 9000 Cordless Waving Wand
⏰ Tested for: Three years
⭐ Rating: 4 out of five
💸 Reasons to buy: Cordless, quick to heat up, curls last all day
✋ Reasons to avoid: Charge doesn't last long
💰 Best deal we've found: Get the hair curler for just £50 from Lookfantastic (reduced from £180)
This cordless wand creates curls that last all day long, even on my poker-straight hair.
However, it doesn't usually come cheap. With a retail price of £180, it's one of the most expensive curling wands I've ever used. But, if you're willing to wait like I did for a good deal, you can find some serious savings on it depending on what retailer you shop with. I bought mine from Lookfantastic, reduced to just £50 - that's a £130 saving.
Luckily, I've just spotted that it has been discounted again, so it's available to snap up right now for the bargain price. At retailers like John Lewis the curling wand still currently remains full price, so I'd definitely make the most of this reduced price while you can.
💸 Reasons to buy
Firstly, the curling wand comes in a stylish grey compact case, that doubles up as a heatproof mat. It's not bulky and I've travelled with it in my carry-on many times - just don't pack it into any checked baggage, as its lithium-ion battery isn't allowed in the hold.
Secondly, it heats up in just 15 seconds with three settings to choose from. I like the maximum option, which is 180 degrees, as I find it keeps the curls in tact the longest. There's no fiddly buttons either, to switch it on simply press the large rose gold button until it lights up green, then press it again to cycle through the heat settings.
As you're using it, the green light will change to yellow, then red as it get low on charge, so you always have an indication of when the curler needs charging.
Speaking of charging, the cable is magnetic and clips on once it's nearby. On a full charge, which can take up to three hours, it promises 40 minutes of cordless use. While my hair routine typically takes me 20 minutes, I usually leave it on charge the night before I plan to curl my hair, just to be safe.
A feature I also really appreciate is the cool-tip at the end of the wand, which won't burn your hands when you're holding a section of hair around the barrel. The barrel itself creates a soft curl on smaller strands, or a loose wave on larger sections. The curls last exceptionally well for me, and the following day I only need to curl a few sections and spritz a bit of dry shampoo to revive my bed hair and look good as new.
✋ Reasons to avoid
Its only flaw is its battery life. While it promises 40 minutes of use on a full charge, I find after 25 minutes it begins to fade, and I wouldn't be able to use it two days in a row without charging it in between.
While I love the cordless design that allows me to curl my hair wherever I want, one of the benefits of a corded model is that it never runs out of power. Having a time limit because of the shorter battery life can sometimes be frustrating, especially if I've forgotten to fully charge it ahead of time.
Lastly, when it's being charged, it emits a consistent buzzing sound, which can be very distracting if you're trying to sleep. Therefore, I'd recommend charging it outside of your bedroom.
💰 Best deal we've found
While the retail price of the BaByliss 9000 Cordless Waving Wand is a rather hefty £180, there are often some excellent deals.
The best I've spotted so far this year is at Lookfantastic, where it has been reduced to just £50 - that's a £130 saving. You can also find it on Amazon slashed to the same price.
Shop now: BaByliss 9000 Cordless Waving Wand | £50 (was £180) from Lookfantastic
£50 £180 at Lookfantastic £50 £180 at Amazon £69.99 £180 at TK Maxx £180 at John Lewis
