32mm BaByliss Curling Iron Explained: A UK Buyer's Guide

A 32mm BaByliss curling iron is a large-barrel tong that creates loose, polished waves rather than tight ringlets. The 32mm barrel is wide enough for the soft, lived-in bend most people mean by a “French wave”, it works best on mid-length to long hair, and it sets in a few seconds per section. If you want that undone, just-woke-up-like-this finish, barrel size matters far more than the badge on the handle.

Why 32mm is the size for French-girl waves

Barrel diameter decides the shape of your curl. Narrow 13–19mm barrels make tight, springy curls; 25mm gives a defined wave; 32mm relaxes that into the wide, brushed-out bend that reads as effortless. If your current curling iron keeps giving you tight, uniform curls that look more prom than Parisian, the barrel size is usually why, not your technique.

A 32mm barrel also covers more hair per section, so a full head takes fewer passes. That is the difference between a tool you use on special occasions and one you actually reach for on a normal Tuesday.

Getting a loose wave in about ten minutes

For a weekend brunch when you want to be ready in ten minutes, the step most people quietly skip is wrapping every single section, so the fewer wraps a tool needs, the more likely the waves actually happen. A quick routine that works on most UK hair:

• Apply a heat protectant and rough-dry so hair is fully dry before styling.
• Take 3–4cm sections and wrap away from the face, leaving the last 3cm of ends out for a modern, undone finish.
• Alternate the wrap direction section to section so the waves look natural rather than uniform.
• Let each wave cool in your palm for a few seconds, then break the shape up with your fingers.

Mid heat is plenty for this look: around 160–180C on fine hair and up to 200–210C only if your hair is thick and stubborn.

Curling iron or a dedicated waver?

Here is the honest limit of any round barrel: it can only make a rounded curl. The continuous S-shape of a true mermaid or French wave comes from a shaped plate, not a tong. A curling iron is brilliant for polished, bouncy waves; it is slower and less consistent if what you really want is that repeating zig-zag texture. If you are still deciding between tool types, start with our hair waver buying guide, and if your hair is thick or very long, the higher-heat options in the BaByliss Pro 32mm curling iron guide will be more relevant.

When a 32mm iron is not the right tool

Skip a 32mm iron if your hair is very short, if you want tight defined curls, or if you expect a wave that never drops. No heat tool delivers hold on its own, prep and proper cooling do most of that work. Fine, colour-treated hair also does better with lower heat and a slower hand than with a hotter barrel.

If you would rather skip barrel-wrapping altogether, the FrenchWave 32mm Mermaid Wave Curler presses the S-wave in a single pass. It uses tourmaline-ceramic barrels and variable heat from 160C to 220C, is currently £40.15 (RRP £60.22), and is rated 4.7 from 435 UK reviews with free next-day UK delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 32mm barrel too big for short hair?

A 32mm barrel suits mid-length to long hair best. On a short bob it can still add a soft bend, but very short layers may slip out before the wave sets, so a smaller barrel or a dedicated waver is usually easier.

What is the difference between a curling iron and a waver for French waves?

A curling iron wraps one section at a time around a round barrel for a rounded curl. A waver presses a continuous S-shape along the strand, which is closer to the undone, French-girl look and is faster over a whole head.

What heat setting gives a loose, effortless wave?

For soft waves, a mid heat around 160 to 180C on fine hair and up to 200 to 210C on thick hair is usually enough. Higher is not better; lower heat with a slightly longer hold protects shine.

Do I need heat protectant with a 32mm curling iron?

Yes. A heat protectant spray before styling reduces surface damage and helps the wave hold, especially if you colour your hair.