17-07-2025
Cloud Nine The Curling Wand review: I got lasting, shiny curls at a lower temperature
What is The Curling Wand by Cloud Nine?
The Curling Wand from Cloud Nine may have been on the market since 2017 but it still topped our list of the best hair curlers as for 2025. At £139, it is at the more premium end of scale for styling tools and comes with features aimed at protecting your hair while still giving you long lasting, glossy curls.
Unlike many multi-attachment curlers, its simple, tapered barrel design is straightforward to use, making it suitable for beginners and curling aficionados alike. The wand covers a wide temperature range, crucially letting you style your hair on lower heat settings (much better for your hair), and the ceramic surface helps to distribute heat evenly, which can also help reduce damage and maintain shine.
Though it lacks the flashy appearance of some competitors, for those looking for a reliable curling tool with no complications in the controls and a focus on lasting hair health, The Curling Wand is both a premium and practical option.
How we test hair curlers
I'm a beauty writer and when I'm reviewing the best hair curlers I judge them across five core criteria: ease of use, curl performance and hold, comfort and safety, suitability for various hair types and overall build quality and features. Evaluating ease of use and the quality of the curls is relatively straightforward, as you quickly discover how well the curler shapes your hair and how long your curls will last.
For comfort and safety I pay close attention to the tool's weight, the materials used and the length of the cord. Safety features such as automatic shut-off, heat-resistant gloves and cool tips are also important considerations.
Assessing how a curler performs across different hair types is more nuanced; a generous temperature range is particularly valuable here, as it accommodates a broader spectrum of hair textures. Where possible, I test devices on the specific hair types or lengths they claim to suit.
Once the process is complete, curlers are typically returned to the brands, donated to charity or retained for future comparison.
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Ease of use
Score: 10/10
The Cloud Nine Curling Wand impressed me with its straightforward temperature settings: low (125C), medium (150C) and high (175C). Unlike many stylers that only give vague heat levels, this wand's clear temperatures make it easier to choose the right heat for your hair type; low heat suits fine or damaged hair, while high heat is best for thick or textured hair.
The wand has a single power button that you also use to cycle through these settings. An LED light flashes while heating and turns green when the wand is ready, so you always know when to start styling. There's also an auto mode, which conveniently remembers the last setting you used and reverts to it.
Using this wand is simple: with the heat-resistant glove on, I wrapped small sections of my hair around the barrel for five to 10 seconds, then slowly teased them off it. You can brush out the curls immediately for soft waves or wait for them to cool for firmer ringlets, each option will still leave you with a strong hold, but I preferred the latter for a longer-lasting finish.
Curl performance and hold
Score: 9/10
I styled my hair at the medium setting of 150C, which is 30C cooler than I usually need to hold a curl, so I was initially doubtful I would get the result I wanted. Yet the Curling Wand handled my thick hair effortlessly, producing shiny, smooth curls in less than 15 minutes. My curls remained remarkably intact even after a hot, stuffy journey on the London Underground, which is impressive given the low heat level I used on the wand and the fact I didn't use any hold-enhancing products like mousse or hairspray.
Post-styling, my hair looked glossy, healthy and free of flyaways all day and into the evening. The next day, the curls softened into gentle waves without frizz, thanks to the wand's sericite-coated barrel. This mineral-infused coating, a hallmark of Cloud Nine's tools, is said to seal the hair's cuticle and lock in moisture, which certainly showed in the healthy finish it gave my hair.
Even when using the highest setting of 175C my hair felt neither crispy nor damaged, especially when paired with heat protection spray.
Comfort and safety
Score: 9/10
The Curling Wand has impressive safety features: it comes with a heat-proof glove, has a 30-minute automatic shut-off function and a built-in kickstand to protect surfaces. As someone prone to mishaps, I appreciated the glove's protection without sacrificing dexterity, which is rare for heat-resistant gloves.
The kickstand means you can set the wand down anywhere without needing a heat mat, while Cloud Nine's 'hibernation mode' shuts the wand off after 30 minutes regardless of use rather than detecting inactivity. If you want to use it for longer you can disable this function by pressing the auto button, but most styling sessions are under 30 minutes anyway.
The only missing feature is a cool-touch tip on the barrel's end, but while some find these helpful, I personally prefer using the heat-proof glove to avoid any hair snagging while I'm styline mine – a problem the wand's seamless design avoids altogether.
Suitability for different hair types
Score: 9/10
At first, the Cloud Nine Curling Wand's temperature range – 125C to 175C – seems limited for different hair types. Yet, in my tests, I styled my hair at temperatures 30C lower than usual and the curls lasted, supporting the brand's claim that this wand suits all hair types. The low setting is ideal for bleached, fine or damaged hair by creating lasting curls without causing further damage or leaving dark marks on coloured hair.
For thicker, wavy hair like mine, the medium heat worked beautifully. I suggest starting at this setting and adjusting up or downwards accordingly to see which temperature works best for you. If your hair is especially thick or coily, the high setting (175C) should smooth out any frizz and give you a shiny, lasting finish, while still being gentler on your locks than many curlers that reach over 230C are.
Build quality and features
Score: 9/10
The build quality of Cloud Nine's The Curling Wand is incredibly high. While its wand design isn't groundbreaking, its construction is sturdy and lightweight, which makes it incredibly easy to use. The sericite-infused barrel creates shiny results that keep your hair healthy.
Add on handy features like a 2.7m cord and 360-degree swivel attachment and you've got a highly manoeuvrable tool that won't tangle itself up during use. The Wand also comes with a heat-resistant carry case, which is perfect for travel.
I also liked the kickstand, but found it got in the way occasionally if I was holding the barrel the wrong way around. Thankfully, it folds away if you want to use a heat mat instead, but you'd have to purchase this separately.
Technical specifications
Cloud Nine is in constant battle with its competitor, GHD. Here's how The Curling Wand stacks up against GHD's equivalent, the Creative Curl Wand.
Should you buy Cloud Nine's The Curling Wand?
Absolutely. Its ability to style hair at lower temperatures means even beginners can master the art of creating gorgeous curls without singeing their hair off. The results it gives are shiny, healthy and long-lasting, and its safety features are top-notch. It's hard to find fault in a curler that can do all that with such ease, even at its higher price.
Yes if:
Hair health is a high priority
You want shiny results
Ease of use is paramount
No if:
You're looking for a high-tech new release
You prefer a curling tong with a clamp
Cloud Nine The Curling Wand FAQs
What temperature settings does the Cloud Nine Curling Wand have?
The Cloud Nine Curling wand has three temperature settings: high (175C), medium (150C) and low (125C).
Does the Curling Wand have an automatic shut-off feature?
Yes, the Cloud Nine Curling Wand shuts off after 30 minutes, regardless of activity. This feature can be activated and deactivated as desired, but I recommend leaving it activated for safety reasons.
What is the difference between the Curling Wand and the Waving Wand?
The Curling Wand has a thinner, 25mm barrel than the Waving Wand, which has a 32mm barrel that can't create tight ringlets, only loose waves.
Is the Curling Wand suitable for all hair types?
Yes, The Curling Wand is suitable for all hair types.
How do I use the Cloud Nine Curling Wand to curl hair?
To curl your hair using The Curling Wand, first spritz your hair with heat protection spray. Then, while wearing the heat proof glove, take one to two-inch sections of hair and wrap them around the curling barrel. Hold the hair on the barrel for five to 10 seconds, then gently remove the barrel from the hair, holding the curl in place for a few seconds to let it cool.
For loose waves, immediately brush out the curls you created. Or, for tighter curls, let the hair set for five minutes before brushing them out using your fingers. To get a longer-lasting hold, I recommend using hairspray.
