You’ve probably seen the videos. A stylist stands in a brightly lit room, holds a vertical wand to a strand of hair, taps a button, and—zip—the hair wraps itself around the barrel like magic. It looks too easy. Honestly, when I first saw the Beachwaver automatic curling iron, I figured it was another gimmick destined for the "junk drawer of beauty tools" right next to those weird vibrating mascara wands from 2008.
But here is the thing about Sarah Potempa’s invention: it actually solved a mechanical problem that has plagued humans since the invention of the curling tong. Most people can't wrap their hair backward. They get confused in the mirror. Their arms get tired. They burn their necks. The Beachwaver doesn't just "do it for you" in a lazy way; it maintains a specific tension and direction that is remarkably hard to replicate with a manual wand unless you have double-jointed elbows.
The Reality of the "Automatic" Hype
Let’s be clear about what this tool is and isn’t. It is not a vacuum that sucks your hair into a chamber (that’s the Dyson Airwrap or the Chi Spin N Curl). It is a rotating curling iron. You still have to clip the end of your hair into the tiny clamp. You still have to hold the tool. The "automatic" part is the rotation of the barrel itself, controlled by "Go" buttons that spin left or right.
Why does this matter? Because of the "open clamp" technique. Celebrity stylist Sarah Potempa, who has worked with everyone from the Victoria’s Secret Angels to Reese Witherspoon, designed this because she realized clients couldn't mimic her wrist flick at home. If you rotate the barrel toward your face, you look like a pageant contestant from 1994. If you rotate it away, you get that effortless, "I just woke up in Malibu" vibe. The buttons are literally labeled "L" and "R" to take the guesswork out of which way is away from your face.
👉 See also: How to Master the Light Blue Color Combo Without Making Your Room Look Like a Nursery
It sounds simple. It is simple. But if you have zero coordination, there is still a slight learning curve. You have to remember that "L" is for the left side of your head and "R" is for the right. If you switch hands, you might get confused. I've seen people accidentally spin the iron the wrong way, creating a weird kink at the ends. It happens.
The Tech Under the Hood
We need to talk about the heat. Most of the Beachwaver models, like the Pro 1 or the S1, use ceramic heaters. Ceramic is the gold standard here because it distributes heat evenly. You won't get those "hot spots" that melt one section of hair while leaving the other stick-straight.
The temperature range is usually between 290°F and 410°F. If you have fine, bleached hair, please, for the love of everything, stay below 320°F. I’ve seen too many people crank it to 410°F because they think "hotter equals faster." It doesn't. It just equals crispy hair. The Beachwaver automatic curling iron is efficient enough that you don't need max heat to get a set.
- The Pro Series: These are the "heavy duty" ones. They have a longer barrel, which is a godsend if you have hair past your ribs. They also have a digital temperature clock.
- The S Series: This is the "accessible" line. The barrel is slightly shorter, and the clamp is triggered by a thumb lever.
- The B Series: These are the entry-level ones. They’re often more colorful and a bit lighter, making them great for travel or for younger users who don't want to drop $200 on a hair tool.
Barrel Size: The 1-Inch Rule
If you are confused about which size to get, just get the 1-inch (S1 or Pro 1). It is the universal constant of hair styling. A 1.25-inch barrel is great for "blowout" volume, but if your hair doesn't hold a curl well, those big loops will fall out before you even leave the bathroom. The .75-inch barrel is for tight vintage curls or for people with naturally curly hair who want to define their texture.
For most of us? The 1-inch is the sweet spot. It creates a curl that, once brushed out, looks like a natural wave.
Why People Actually Struggle With It
I’m going to be brutally honest: the clamp is tiny. This is the biggest complaint you’ll see in honest reviews. Unlike a traditional curling iron with a long "spoon" clamp that holds the whole strand, the Beachwaver has a "shorty" clamp. It only grips the last half-inch of your hair.
This is intentional. It prevents those aggressive "fishhook" kinks at the ends of your hair. But it also means that if you try to take a section of hair that is too thick, it will slip out. You have to work in clean, manageable sections. If you're a "grab a random chunk and hope for the best" kind of person, this tool will frustrate you.
Another thing? The "Home" button. It’s a lifesaver. When you finish a curl, you hit the home button and the clamp rotates back to the front-facing position. If you forget to do this, your next curl will start at a weird angle. It’s all about the rhythm. Clip, spin, hold, release, home. Clip, spin, hold, release, home.
Comparing the Beachwaver to the Competition
People always ask: "Why not just buy a $30 wand from Target?"
You could. Totally. A wand is great. But a wand requires you to wrap your hair around a hot stick with your fingers inches away from the heat. Even with a heat glove, it's awkward. The Beachwaver automatic curling iron keeps your fingers away from the barrel entirely.
Then there’s the Dyson Airwrap. The Airwrap uses the Coanda effect (air pressure) to wrap the hair. It’s incredible, but it’s also $600. The Beachwaver gives you a much more "defined" curl because it uses direct contact heat. If you want your curls to last through a humid wedding in South Carolina, the Beachwaver’s ceramic heat is going to outperform the Airwrap’s air-styling every single time.
What about the cheap knock-offs? You’ll find plenty of rotating irons on Amazon for $40. Be careful. The motor is usually the first thing to go on those. There’s nothing more annoying than being halfway through your head and having the rotation motor start clicking and dying. Potempa’s team spent years refining the torque of the motor so it doesn't snag or pull too hard. If there’s too much resistance, the motor stops. That’s a safety feature you want.
Tips for a Professional Finish
- Prep is 90% of the job. Do not use this on damp hair. You will literally boil the water inside your hair shaft (the "popcorn effect"). Use a heat protectant spray. Let it dry completely. I like the Beachwaver's own "Great Barrier" spray, but honestly, any high-quality thermal guard works.
- Sectioning matters. Start at the bottom. Clip the top 70% of your hair up. Curl the bottom layer. Then drop the next layer. If you just go in haphazardly, you’ll miss the back pieces, and you’ll look like a "mullet in reverse."
- The "Cool Down" is the secret sauce. This is what the pros do. Do not touch your curls immediately. Let them sit there looking like Shirley Temple ringlets until they are cold to the touch. This "sets" the hydrogen bonds in the hair. Once they are cool, run a wide-tooth comb or your fingers through them.
- Hold the iron vertically. For beach waves, keep the barrel straight up and down. If you hold it horizontally, you’ll get 1950s volume (which is cool, but maybe not what you're going for).
The Verdict: Is It Worth the Money?
If you can already curl your hair perfectly with a traditional iron or a flat iron, you don't need this. Save your money. You’ve already mastered the hard way.
However, if you are the person who "just can't do hair," this is a game-changer. It is specifically designed for the uncoordinated. It’s for the person who has 15 minutes to get ready and wants to look like they spent an hour at a blow-out bar. It’s also a fantastic tool for people with mobility issues or wrist pain (like carpal tunnel), as it removes the need for constant twisting and turning.
The price point—usually between $99 and $199 depending on the model and sales—is fair for the quality of the motor and the ceramic. It’s a mid-range luxury tool. It’s not a drugstore bargain, but it’s not a Dyson-level investment either.
Actionable Next Steps for Better Curls
- Audit your hair type: If you have coarse hair, look at the Pro series for the higher heat consistency. Fine hair? Stick to the S series and keep the temp low.
- Practice with the power OFF: When you first get your Beachwaver, don't plug it in. Practice the clipping and the button pressing for 5 minutes. Get the muscle memory down before you add 350 degrees of heat to the equation.
- The "L" and "R" Rule: Always stand in front of the mirror and remember: "Left side of head = L button. Right side of head = R button." It seems obvious now, but you’ll forget the second you’re in a rush.
- Clean your barrel: Every few months, when the iron is completely cold, wipe the barrel with a slightly damp cloth to remove hairspray buildup. That "sticky" residue can cause the hair to snag and smell like it's burning.
Ultimately, the Beachwaver isn't just about the "automatic" gimmick; it's about consistency. Every curl is the same tension, the same speed, and the same direction. That’s how you get that polished, uniform look that usually requires a professional. Just watch your fingers on the clamp, take small sections, and let those curls cool before you touch them. You'll be fine. Honestly, you'll probably love it.