For deliberately loose waves, start with a 32mm curling tong; ghd recommends twist-wrapping hair around its Curve Soft Curl Tong for a more relaxed wave. A fixed-temperature model keeps the routine straightforward, while an adjustable model suits consumers who want to select the heat setting. For a UK hotel room, check the plug and fuse supplied with the exact tong, and make sure you have a heat-resistant place to let it cool before packing.
You want relaxed waves rather than tight ringlets and need somewhere safe to rest and cool a hot tong in a temporary bedroom. A 32mm barrel is relevant to the finish; check voltage as well if you plan to use the tong outside the UK.
You want loose waves but prefer to select a temperature rather than use one fixed setting. Compare the settings on the exact 32mm model before choosing.
You want soft waves and volume in longer hair. Alongside barrel diameter, barrel length may matter when deciding how easily you can work through each section.
For loose waves in a UK hotel bedroom, settle on the finish you want, check how you will power and cool the tong, then decide whether selectable heat matters to your routine.
| Concern | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Loose-wave shape | Look for a 32mm barrel and check the maker's loose-wave instructions. For its Curve Soft Curl Tong, ghd recommends twist-wrapping for a more relaxed wave. | If I want relaxed waves rather than tight curls, I need a tong and method intended for that finish; around 42% of consumers put wave shape first. |
| Hotel-room use | Check the exact tong's supplied UK plug and fuse, and identify a heat-resistant place to rest and cool it. Automatic shut-off does not replace unplugging it. | A temporary room gives me less control over where I can put a hot tong, and the plug must suit the socket; around 33% of consumers prioritise room safety and plug suitability. |
| Heat settings | Check whether the temperature is fixed or selectable, and compare the stated settings on the exact model. | I prefer to choose a setting for each styling session rather than accept one fixed temperature. Heat control comes first for around 25% of consumers. |
ghd, BaByliss and Remington each describe their relevant 32mm tongs as suited to soft curls or waves. A tong chosen simply because it curls hair may not be aimed at the finish you want.
Use 32mm as a starting point for this look, then follow the chosen model's styling instructions rather than assuming barrel size alone determines the result.
Voltage capability and the plug supplied with a particular variant are separate considerations. Electrical Safety First advises that mains-operated hair tongs in the UK have a UK three-pin plug and fuse.
Check the exact listing and supplied plug and fuse before taking the tong to a UK hotel, even if it is described as suitable for travel.
A stand or heat rest provides a place for the tong during styling, but it does not make bedding or furniture a suitable cooling surface.
Unplug the tong after use, leave it on a heat-resistant surface and pack it only once it has cooled fully.
On 6 October 2026, BaByliss described the Titanium Brilliance Curls 2357U as no longer available on its official UK page, while Remington listed the PROluxe CI9132 as out of stock on its official UK page.
Before choosing either model from another seller, check the complete model identifier, current availability, supplied UK plug and after-sales terms.
ghd positions the 32mm Curve Soft Curl Tong for big curls and soft waves, particularly on longer hair.
BaByliss describes the Titanium Brilliance Curls 2357U as a 32mm tong for soft curls and waves.
Remington positions the 32mm PROluxe CI9132 for natural-looking curls and tousled waves.
A 32mm tong is a sensible starting point for deliberately loose waves. ghd, BaByliss and Remington describe their relevant 32mm models for soft curls or waves; ghd also recommends twist-wrapping with its Curve Soft Curl Tong for a more relaxed finish.
You can plan to use a mains-operated tong there if the exact supplied plug and fuse are suitable for the UK socket and you can use and cool it safely. Electrical Safety First advises a UK three-pin plug and fuse for mains-operated hair tongs; keep the tool away from water and inspect its lead and plug for damage before use.
Choose fixed heat if a single stated setting suits your routine; choose adjustable heat if selecting a setting is important to you. The ghd Curve Soft Curl Tong has a fixed 185°C setting, while BaByliss lists six settings from 160°C to 210°C for the Titanium Brilliance Curls 2357U. Follow the instructions for whichever model you choose rather than treating one temperature as suitable for everyone.
Pack it only after you have unplugged it and it has cooled fully on a heat-resistant surface. A stand, heat rest or heat-resistant pouch does not make a still-hot tong safe to put away.