hair tools

A former cosmetic chemist ranks the best curling wands of 2026 — which round-barrel wands give the longest-lasting curls with the least heat damage, what barrel size makes which curl, clamp vs. clampless, and the value picks that punch above their price.

A former cosmetic chemist ranks the best flat irons of 2026 — which hair straighteners actually smooth your texture with the least heat damage, ceramic vs. titanium, the right temperature for your hair, and the value pick that beats irons twice its price.

A former cosmetic chemist ranks the best budget hair dryers of 2026 — which cheap dryers actually protect fine hair, what ionic and wattage really do, and the value pick that punches way above its price.

A former cosmetic chemist ranks the best round brushes for a blowout in 2026 — heated vs hot-air vs plain, what actually builds volume with less heat stress, and the best-value heated pick.

A former cosmetic chemist ranks the best straightening brushes of 2026 — which heated brushes actually smooth thick, frizzy and curly hair with less heat stress, how the steam and ceramic claims really hold up, and the value pick that punches above its price.

A former cosmetic chemist ranks the best steam straighteners of 2026 — which ones actually smooth thick, frizzy and curly hair with less heat stress, how steam styling really works, and the value pick that punches above its price.

A former cosmetic chemist ranks the best hair wavers of 2026 for effortless beach waves — which tools give the softest S-waves, which actually protect your hair from heat, and the value pick that punches above its price.