A hair waver is quite similar to a flat iron only that a hair waver has iron barrels instead of having even, flat plates. A hair waver can ultimately give any hair length the wave looked for without wrapping the hair around the barrels. Most women do prefer purchasing a hair waver although its structure can be bulky. Because it is convenient to use, its size seldom matters. Women and users of a hair waver can clamp the hair with ease between the curved barrels. It can even produce attractive beach waves in an instance. A hair waver can produce uniform-sized curls looking like beach waves.
Not to mention, the hair waver users do not necessarily have to be skillful in some hairdressing techniques to use these barrels. The shape of a hair waver enables the users to make similar-sized waves. The user of a hair waver may have to be mindful of the position by which they hold the hair waver against the hair and the hair locks with each other. To finish with attractively dressed hair waves no matter the length of hair, the appropriate spacing between waves is key. Users have to be attentive to where they press the hair waver to clamp hair.
Comparing a hair crimper to a hair waver, the latter is somewhat a type of the former in theory as well as in actual function. Both a hair waver and crimper evoke a rich, consistent texture in the hair and produce identically sized waves. The hair crimper though offers a more seemingly jagged and rough-looking texture in the waves it creates. This may be due to them having tiny, curved plates.
As opposed to a hair crimper, a hair waver produces articulate and natural waves. Hair crimpers have small-gapped plates while hair wavers have barrels. Hair waver barrels may vary in size depending on the brand featured. A wide option for the size of barrels is always available. Its bulkiness and heaviness may be proportional to its barrel size.
Hair Waver Categories
Commonly, two types of hair wavers are available when looking for one. The function though is consistent to all types with the same operational model. The most apparent difference is probably the type of wave resulting from their use. It is essential to tell them apart to know their output and know which one to choose. Whichever type of hair waver is chosen determines the hair look it creates.
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Deep Hair Wavers
This type of hair waver uses one big lump to produce a pronounced hair wave output. Deep hair wavers are used to make large, beach waves.
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3-barreled Hair Wavers
Triple-barreled hair wavers can be considered as one of the clunkiest hair tools there is. This kind of hair waver has 3 uniform-sized barrels (thus the name!). To describe further, one of the three barrels is on one side opposite the other two. The three barrels make up concave plates that together create big, attractive curls. The triple-barrel hair waver is preferred when trying to achieve mermaid curls – same-sized waves.
Curling iron with two barrels is not considered a hair waver. A hair waver has to have a minimum of 3 barrels to produce uniform, even waves.
Hair Waver Purchasing Considerations
After being convinced that a hair waver is the best option for hairdressing especially for users with less experience in hairdressing, it is time to weigh the options.
It is essential to anticipate the desired output for the hair waver. The hair waver needs to serve its purpose. Triple-barreled hair wavers are typically for iconic, loose, large beach waves and they allow for going through the whole head of hair faster.
Here are also other considerations:
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Heat Up Time
A surefire way to check if a hair waver is the best buy is to find out how long it takes for it to heat up. It should take a couple of seconds and the heat should be even on all the barrels so that it uniformly applies heat to the hair. The key to a fast and even hair waver heat-up lies in its main material. Commonly, good heating quality hair wavers are made of tourmaline or tourmaline ceramic barrels.
Most hair wavers have multiple heating settings. The usual range for heat settings is from 250 to 400 F. An LCD and conversion to C are also conveniently available in some models including an auto-turn-off function. This takes some worry from the users if they’ve forgotten to turn it off after use.
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Ease of Use
Amateur hairdressers or everyday non-expert hairstylists may be the users of hair wavers. Thus, ease of hair waver use is of the essence. Anyone should be able to hold a hair waver down and tuck a hair section to shape with each pressing.
A few hair waver designs allow for adjustable plates. This advanced feature lets the users define the size of hair waves.
Ease of use may also depend on the weight of the hair waver. Various lightweight hair waver designs are available with smaller barrels.
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Barrel Size
Some hair wavers have plates that are adjustable but they are rather expensive. An S-shaped plated hair waver produces deeper waves. They create the curviest waves with a loose, laid-back texture. Note the S-shaped double-barreled clamps are not considered hair wavers and they do not create pronounced beach and mermaid waves.
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Immediate and Long-term Results
Prospect buyers of hair wavers should not forget to check out the recommendation as to hair types, texture, and its efficiency to form waves whether the hair is thin, coarse, frizzy, long, or short. Read the product details before buying the hair waver of interest and check for compatibility with the user’s hair type.
Owning and using a hair waver opens a window of possibilities as to hairdressing and styling. Users can now produce hair that has pronounced, rippled, loose beach waves with crimped textures. A hair waver is a must-have tool for novice everyday users.
Note that the final result gotten from a hair waver depends on a combination of factors. Factors like hairdressing skills, the know-how of device use, hair health, and finishing hair products contribute to the success of output from hair wavers. Research on different hair wavers before finally committing to buy one.
