The Tiny Hair Product We Suddenly Can’t Live Without

What Is a Hair Styling Wand?

It turns out, the product inside hair styling wands isn’t an entirely new formula itself, but rather a more isolated way to apply that product, thanks to its packaging. 

“Hair wands are basically a more precise way to apply styling products,” explains Santa Ana. “The formula can be similar to a light gel, serum, cream, or wax.” Similar to mascara wands, hair wands allow you to “apply a small amount directly to flyaways and baby hairs, so you get control without having to spray or gel your whole head.”

Now you can say bye to all-over hair crunch and stubborn flyaways at the same time.

Hair Wand vs. Hair Gel What’s the Difference?

The biggest difference between a hair styling wand and traditional hair gel is often the application. While gel is typically worked through a larger section of hair, a wand lets you target individual flyaways, baby hairs, and edges with a small amount of product. The formulas themselves can overlap: Santa Ana says hair wands may contain a light gel, serum, cream, or wax.

What Ingredients Should You Look for in a Hair Wand? 

Santa Ana says that ingredients like glycerin, lightweight oils, and flexible styling polymers allow users to layer the product throughout the day as needed without causing buildup. Plus, “they smooth flyaways without making the hair feel too stiff.” 

Are There Ingredients to Avoid in Hair Wands?

There isn't necessarily one ingredient everyone needs to avoid, but your hair type and the formula matter. If your hair is already dry or color-treated, Santa Ana recommends watching for formulas with high amounts of drying alcohol, particularly when you're applying product around the hairline.

“If your hair is dry or color-treated, too much drying alcohol can also be something to watch for,” says Santa Ana. “Especially around the hairline, [hair’s] more sensitive.” More ingredients to avoid? “PVP and similar holding polymers can sometimes [cause flakiness] in heavier formulas,” she adds. 

5 Best Hair Styling Wands to Try

1. Best Overall: 

LOLAVIE Sculpting Paste Styling Wand

Courtesy of LOLAVIE

We LOVE this hair wand for an easy, flake-free way to tame flyaways on the go. It’s packed with pomegranate sterols, which help control style without any stickiness. It also has a B-Pro3™ bond technology that contains a mix of bamboo, birch, and sugar maple saps, plus veggies that condition each strand while keeping it contained.  It also has a hidden pop-out brush for even more precise styling. 

2. Best for Edges: 

RIZOS CURLS Sleek Styling Cream + Taming Wand

Courtesy of RIZOS CURLS

This styler contains 93% naturally derived ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about what you’re combing into your hair each time you use it. It’s packed with moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and castor oil, making it perfect for all hair types, but especially good for edges, since the ingredients will not cause breakouts around the hairline. 

3. Best Drugstore:

E.L.F. 3-in-Wonder Magic Styling Cream Wand

Courtesy of E.L.F.

Since E.L.F. launched its haircare line over the summer, it has quickly become one of the brand’s most coveted products. Not only are E.L.F.’s products affordable, but they’re considered clean, thanks to the 100% vegan, cruelty-free, and sulfate, paraben, phthalates, and mineral oil-free formulas. The formula comes out white before turning clear when it touches and dries on the hair. The inclusion of creatine helps strengthen and prevent breakage in the hair each time you use it.

4. Best for Fine, Short Hairs:

VEGAMOUR Baby Hair Strengthen & Style Wand

Courtesy of VEGAMOUR

If you’re dealing with postpartum hair regrowth or thinning hair around the hairline, this styling wand is for you. Since VEGAMOUR packs this styler with Karmatin™ peptides and turmeric stem cells, it will help condition and strengthen even the finest, shortest baby hairs over time. Of course, you’ll also get flexible all-day hold thanks to its plant-powered ingredients. 

5. Best Clean Brand: 

CEREMONIA Pequi Flyaway Hair Styling Gel with Mascara Wand

Courtesy of CEREMONIA

CEREMONIA founder Babba Rivera treats haircare like skincare with her line that is inspired by Latinx haircare traditions. The main ingredient in this styling gel is Brazilian pequi oil, which hydrates strands without leaving a sticky crunch. 

It’s both clean and sustainable and uses 95% naturally derived ingredients. The packaging is perfect for balancing edges, creating a slick-back, or just taming everyday flyaways, thanks to the three different styling brushes built inside. 

Are Hair Styling Wands Worth It?

If you're constantly smoothing flyaways, laying edges, or slicking your hair back, a styling wand can make the job a whole lot more precise. The formulas themselves may not be revolutionary, but that's kind of the point: It's the targeted, mascara-like applicator that makes these tiny stylers so convenient. And when your slick-back needs a quick touch-up away from home? You'll be very glad there's one hiding in your bag.