I Finally Tried This TikTok-Famous Hair Tool—I'm Shocked by the Results

I don’t believe in love at first sight. Lust? Sure. Joy? Absolutely. But love? Nope. Mostly because love, in my world, means trust and dependability, too; something that cannot be gleaned from a singular glance. So, when I tell you that I fell in love with this curling iron, know that I put up a hell of a good fight at first. Over the years, I’ve whipped through styling tools that promised the world and then some, only to be left disappointed when they didn't deliver. From a hair dryer that mimics the way sunlight dries your hair to impressive-sounding heated rollers and the zippy new generation of wet-to-dry straighteners (the jury is still out), the list of tools I’ve run my strands through is fairly exhaustive. 

But the one I return to (and always wax lyrical about), hasn’t changed. T3's Whirl Trio Convertible Styling Wand (£260) is a curling iron with interchangeable barrels, meaning you’re not stuck with one size for the rest of time. Oh, no; this curling iron comes with three barrels: 1", 1.25", tapered to 1.75” and 1.5". If those numbers mean very little to you, think undone waves, tousled waves and loose waves respectively. There's also the option to buy individual barrels (there are four more!) if you want to create yet more different types of curls and waves. 

Now, for the nitty-gritty: what makes this curling iron so special?

Is the T3 Whirl Trio Worth It?

Besides the interchangeable barrels—a feature which, in my opinion, cannot be any more emphasised—the great things about this hair tool are numerous. At £260, it's expensive. But—and this is important—pretty much every other decent iron only offers a fixed barrel. There’s no clipping on or off when you fancy a tighter or looser curl. Yes, the tightness of the curl as you wrap your hair around any iron's barrel will influence the shape that you eventually get, but it won’t change the width of the curl.

Instead, the T3 Whirl Trio essentially gives you three curling irons in one, which works out at £87 an iron—cheaper than many other fixed-barrel irons. The closest comparison is Amika's The Chameleon 5-Barrel Interchangeable Curling Kit (£285) which works out at £57 "per iron". 

Next, let's talk about the heat settings. Variable heat isn’t new, and most modern styling tools possess more than two heat settings, but the Whirl Trio has five and reaches a maximum heat of 140℃ with useful (and pretty cute) little protective feet to stop you from scorching your dressing table/desk/floor—delete as appropriate depending on where you do your hair. 

And I have to mention the swivel cord. If you’ve ever been tangled in a straightener or culing iron with few options of extricating yourself burn-free, you’ll understand what a godsend a swivel cord is. Plus, when you’re trying to do something that requires a little dexterity (think tousled waves or irregular curls), being able to move freely with the cord makes matters much more straightforward.

How is the T3 Whirl Trio Convertible Styling Wand Different from Other Hair Tools?

Let’s be realistic for a second. When I say this is my desert island hair tool, I of course mean that it's what I'm stuffing in my hand luggage ahead of a weekend away. Most hotels and Airbnbs will have a hair dryer, even if it might huff out air as fast as a gentle breeze and only work when you’re propped up next to the plug. It’ll do its job if you remain patient though, and along with a decent round brush (crucial), the key to a smooth, shiny blowdry is the tension you create by pulling the hair taut and directing the airflow down the shaft of the hair, not up. Never up. 

So, with that in mind, the only other thing I need is something that takes my hair from smooth and dry to perfectly, artfully tousled and waved. And that will always be a curling iron that comes with two (two!) extra barrels. A straightener, whilst key for people who like poker-straight hair, can also create waves, but in my experience, these types of waves often look blockier and sharper than when using a circular curling iron.

As for air-powered devices like the Dyson Airwrap, when I heat-style my hair, I like to know it’s going to stay in place through the evening, whether that includes wild dancing or al fresco drinks. For all their good points, my style has never stayed put for long enough with a tool that relies on air rather than heat. And yes, I’ve used the cool shot, prepped and set my hair properly and have generally gone about it the right way. It still doesn’t happen. 

What Styling Products Should You Use With the T3 Whirl Trio Convertible Styling Wand?

I’m always going to suggest products that have a little something extra thrown in. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray (cult for a reason) protects the hair from heat damage but also creates a genuinely impenetrable shield against humidity, meaning your style lasts until you choose to wash your hair. Or, for those who prefer a cream product, I use Hershesons Almost Everything Cream (£14) almost daily. It works as a hair primer, curl definer and frizz tamer in one, but it also conditions and treats the split ends we’ve probably all got.

Post-styling, I love Evo's Builder's Paradise Working Spray (£23) which, annoyingly, is often out of stock, but keeps hair in place without sacrificing the swooshy, swingy movement I love. A brilliant alternative is Amika's Fluxus Touchable Hairspray (£24) or celebrity-hairstylist favourite got2b Glued Hairspray Blasting Freeze Hold (£6).

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