E! illustration/Courtesy of Rizos CurlsWe have to deal with so much when the weather gets colder and the wind gets harsher. Our skin and lips get drier. Our clothes get heavier. And, of course, our hair gets messier.
Sleek, slicked-back looks have been trending for a while now, and we've seen more and more brands come out with their own version of a hair wand.
Not to be confused with curling wands, these are styling and finishing hair gels, creams, or serums with a handy built-in applicator brush (think mascara or brow wands) in adorable purse-sized packaging.
They're a perfect on-the-go tool for looking polished, plus perfect for touching up frizz, flyaways, and baby hairs around your hairline when you're on the go.
Among all these hair wands to choose from, which are the best of the best? It can be intimidating, especially since they all kind of look alike!
That's why we've broken it down by hold, formulation, scent, and (of course) customer rating. Keep scrolling to see which hair wand will work best for you.
dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream with Taming Wand
Made with dragon fruit, cactus flower extract, and prickly pear seed oil, the dae wand is the bestselling styling cream we all know and love with a built-in brush applicator in a purse-friendly size. It also comes in two scents: a limited-edition desert peach (notes of juicy peach, ripe mango and praline) and dae's signature citrus (notes of citrus, orange blossom, and vanilla).
Rating: 4.5/5 stars with 1,387 reviews
Hold: Light to medium
Rizos Curls Sleek Styling Cream + Taming Wand
Known for its long-lasting formula and strong hold, the Rizos Curls wand is perfect for those worried that other wands' applicators will get stuck in their thicker, curly hair—this one will be able to handle it all. Plus, it's made with hyaluronic acid and castor oil for moisture and willow bark extract and lactic acid to prevent buildup.
Rating: 4.9/5 stars with 21 reviews
Hold: Strong
Chris McMillan The Smooth and Tame Hair Wand
Made to layer without any crunch, this styling finishing wand is made with a signature formula of HS3 Complex (which provides heat protection up to 450°F while adding shine), hyaluronic acid and jojoba oil for softer stronger locks. The scent is an addictive unisex scent with notes of bergamot, baie rose, and vetiver.
Rating: 4.8/5 stars with 136 reviews
Hold: Medium
IGK Frizz and Flyaway Lightweight Gel Hair Taming Wand
Looking for a bigger brush? The OG styling hair brand IGK has you covered. It's not just the XL applicator that's impressive, the formula promises 24-hour frizz protection without any waxy residues with ingredients like spirulina protein (which strengthens and boosts hair's shine) and snow mushroom extract (which holds up to 500x weight in water for long-lasting hydration).
Rating: 4.7/5 stars with 225 reviews
Hold: Light to medium
LOLAVIE Sculpting Paste Styling Wand
If you'd prefer something more lightweight and affordable? This wand by Kitsch features a light serum-like gel for a soft hold—no stickiness or stiffness here. Quick and easy, the formula features hydrating and smoothing ingredients like biotin, aloe vera, and vitamin E.
Rating: 4.4/5 stars with 205 reviews
Hold: Medium
Kitsch Fly Away Stick for Hair
If you'd prefer something more lightweight and affordablele? This wand by Kitsch features a light serum-like gel for a soft hold—no stickiness or stiffness here. Quick and easy, the formula features hydrating and smoothing ingredients like biotin, aloe vera, and vitamin E.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars with 317 reviews
Hold: Light
Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Frizz Tamer
The most affordable option on our list, the Garnier Fructis brand is an iconic drugstore favorite—it's no wonder it's on here too! The Sleek & Shine wand promises 12 hours of frizz and flyaways control while boosting hydration and shine. The formula is a lightweight serum one with ingredients like plant keratin and argan oil combined with Garnier's signature sleek serum complex.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars with 1,108 reviews
Hold: Light to medium
Bondi Boost Anti-Frizz Flyaway Wand
The Bondi Boost brand is known for its scalp and hair care products—emphasis on care with lines for flakes, dehydration, and more. That's why if you've got a sensitive scalp, we'd recommend this wand. The formula features a lightweight serum texture with good-for-your-scalp-and-locks ingredients like bamboo, yucca root extract, caffeine, glycerin, and more.
Rating: 4.8/5 stars with 204 reviews
Hold: Light to medium
Looking for more? Shop our best lip balms, oils, and masks!