In one embodiment, a hair lightening wand is provided, which includes an upper arm and lower arms having upper and lower heating plates, respectively. The arms are pivotally connected by a hinge. The upper and lower heating plates are separated by a gap of a fixed distance along an entire length of the upper and lower heating plates when the upper and lower arms are in a fully closed position. The gap between the upper and lower heating plates is unobstructed in a direction transverse to the upper and lower arms along a length of the upper and lower heating plates.