Can the Wavytalk Heatwave Pro Thermal Brush *Really* Work on Curly Hair? Let’s See

I didn’t realize how important storage was until my room started getting overcrowded with hair tools (the life of a beauty editor, amiright?), so the brush automatically received points for coming with a carry case. It was compact and lightweight enough to take on the go without taking up too much space. The case has a designated spot for all three barrels and the handle, along with a pouch for two hair clips, a hairbrush cleaner and a glove to truly feel like you have a salon setup right at home. 

It’s recommended to use the hair tool on completely dry hair. Once I washed and diffused my curls, I applied heat protectant before dividing my hair into small sections. The barrels were easy to pop in and remove with a press of a button included directly on the handle. The size of the barrel depends on the type of blowout you want. The 1.25-inch size offers a natural volume, the 1.5-inch promises a bouncy blowout and the 1.75-inch style provides a sleek blowout. I set my eyes on a sleek blowout, so I popped on the largest barrel and plugged the tool in. 

The tool has two buttons, so you don’t need a handbook to figure it out. Once I turned it on, I pressed the temperature button a few times to get my desired temperature. You can watch in real time as the tool begins to heat up and reach the number you chose. The brand recommends 390 degrees F or 420 F for coarse and/or curly hair. When I wrapped a section around the tool, I found it did a great job at straightening my curls on 390 F but 420 F *really* gave that sleeker appearance. 

It was easy to wrap my hair around the barrel, starting at the root and slowly moving it towards my ends. (FYI: The set comes with a quick illustration on how to use the tool for any beginners out there.) It took a few passes to stretch out my curls, but it took at least a minute or two per section. The brand suggests twisting the ends around the barrel and releasing it for a smooth bend—and it truly makes a difference. The pro negative ions were truly working overtime because just one strand was smooth, soft and bouncy.

It has dual PTC, which is code for fast drying and styling. The brand claims it can take ten minutes, but if you have a bountiful curly mane, it’s going to take more time. While each section took less than a minute, the whole experience was at least an hour and a half. If I wasn’t going from super curly to super straight, it might’ve taken far less time, so keep that in mind if you have a similar hair type. 

I give this hair tool a 92 out of 100. It does a great job at stretching out my curls, but it does take a long time to achieve a blowout. I would knock down a few points because it didn’t quite work on my roots, even after a few passes, but I think it did a stellar job at straightening 98 percent of my curls. The technology allowed smooth, shiny locks and the best bend I can never quite capture with a hot air brush or a flat iron. 

Quality wise, it’s lightweight, so I didn’t have to take multiple breaks and didn’t feel like an arm workout. It’s also so quiet. I often have to turn off music to work on my hair, but I was able to occupy myself with some tunes or an episode of Abbott Elementary to pass the time. Another plus is it’s only $90, at least 3x less than the hair tools in the market right now. 

A few cons: The button placements are not ideal. While I worked on my hair, I accidentally pressed the temperature button, and it would decrease without me realizing it. It’s not the end of the world, but it can cut down on styling time if the buttons weren’t so sensitive and changed every few passes. I also wouldn’t say the largest barrel gives a sleek finish. But I have thick, natural curly hair, so that probably plays a factor in the final product. I would probably still need a flat iron to get my desired finish. 

Listen, it’s doable with curly hair. While it takes a little longer, I would still keep this in my rotation, especially to jazz up a silk press, redo my ends or get that flipped hair look I’ve been wanting all year.

Fast Facts

• Barrel Size: 1.25, 1.50, 1.75 inches
• Voltage: 100V to 240V
• Temperature Settings: 300 to 420F