Best Curls EVER: Amika Switch Base and Beach Bombshell 1" Barrel Wand

I've never been able to curl my hair. I just can't work a curling iron correctly. I clamp the hair, I twist it around the barrel, and I'm left with weird crimps and creases in my hair that no amount of flat ironing gets rid of. So when I discovered the Amika Switch Base, which uses interchangeable wands with no clamping required, I simply had to give it a try.

Well, color me delighted. I've been using this curling wand since January, and I'm here to tell you that it's BEYOND easy to create gorgeous curls in mere minutes. The Switch Base lets you use different sized wands to create the curls you want. I've always been obsessed with tight spirals, especially since my hair is so big on its own, so I tend to avoid bigger barrels, though those exist in this collection.

If you want medium-sized curls, then you can stick with the Hollywood Vixen, which comes in a kit with the Switch Base. But I definitely prefer the Beach Bombshell, a 1" wand that tapers to .7" and creates S-shaped waves. This is the wand that dreams are made of. Every time I use the Beach Bombshell Wand, I'm left with gorgeous, beachy waves that last for days. Seriously, I can even have a restless night's sleep and wake up to perfect waves. Here's a little proof...

Right at midnight on my 35th birthday. These waves had been going strong for almost 24 hours!

I needed some big, bombshell curls to complement my Eileen Fisher dress and Jeffrey Campbell heels for my 35th birthday party in Pittsburgh.

Creating big curls for my birthday party in Los Angeles back in February.

Hanging out with my friend Dan from high school during my trip to Los Angeles in February.

Eating a big pickle at Disneyland in February. I think these waves were actually on their 3rd day at this point and were still pretty perfect. (As was the pickle.)

This one was taken just yesterday! I was headed to dinner with a friend and wanted some fun curls to accompany me. (Side note: I am OBSESSED with this Free People floral tunic. I have it in two colors.)

There was absolutely no learning curve (pun intended) with this wand -- I mastered it immediately. I really don't say this lightly, since I have not successfully curled my hair even once in my life. (I'm a terrible beauty blogger, I know.) I really didn't understand just how easy this tool would be to use, especially since I'm curling iron challenged. But it's beyond simple. Just take a lock of hair, wrap it around the barrel, hold for a few seconds (I usually hold it for 8) and let go. You're left with absolutely perfect waves and curls! I can curl my entire head in only 10 minutes, which is pretty quick considering it takes me about 20 to flat iron.

The Switch Base has a digital adjustable temperature that goes from 150°F to 430°F. My hair is VERY thick, and I've been using it at 360°F to fantastic results. Tourmaline gemstones are crushed and baked into the ceramic barrels, which emit far-infrared heat and negative ions for faster, healthier styling. The Switch Kit also comes with a heat resistant glove, so you won't burn your hands as you're twisting your hair around the barrel.

So go ahead, try the Amika Switch Base. I have a feeling you'll be just as obsessed as I am in no time.

The Amika Switch Kit Starter Set retails for $100 at sephora.com. The Amika Beach Bombshell retails for $30 at sephora.com.