The type of hair waver that’s best for you depends on what you want your results to be, Grace explains. Here’s what to consider when shopping for one:

Number Of Barrels

The number of barrels on a hair waver doesn’t ~really~ make a difference, but “the more barrel numbers, the more options you have,” in terms of styling your hair, Grace says. She’s seen kits that have three or four barrels, but a three-barrel kit is fine for the average hair, and you should still be able to achieve different looks with it, she explains.

Barrel Size

“The smaller the waver, the tighter the curl is gonna be,” for instance, Grace says. If you have long hair, an inch and a quarter is a good size for a barrel. For medium hair, she recommends an inch.

You can always opt for a kit with different sized-curling arms, and that way, you have options, whether you want looser or tighter curls. (Keep in mind that after you use the waver, the waves will naturally fall.)

Barrel Shape

If you have long hair, you might want to look for a hair waver with an elongated barrel. Longer barrels are helpful for lengthier hair because sometimes the normal barrel size will be a bit too short for all of your hair to wrap around it.

Hair Texture

Most curling irons work for every hair texture because they all get hot, Grace says. However, wavers with titanium plates tend to work better for kinkier or coarse hair, she adds.