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Flat irons have been a beauty necessity since the 90s, but along the way you’ve probably acquired a curling iron or two, and there may even be a crimper stuck somewhere in your apartment. In the spirit of the new year, we’re downsizing to just one hot hair tool. That doesn’t mean we’re giving up waves though, stylist Craig Carter’s showed us how to put our straightener to wave-making use.

For the most staying power, it’s ideal to start with clean hair. Wash and use an anti-frizz cream (try GHD Obedience Cream) and then blow dry strands. Once hair is dry, 

separate it into sections and spray a thin layer of a heat-protectant styling spray, like Nexxus Heat Protexx Heat Protection Styling Spray, before using the iron. Begin the curling process from the back of the head. Take a large horizontal section from the hairline to the top of the ear then divide it into smaller sections. Place your iron at the top of the section (close to the scalp) and immediately turn the iron 180 degrees. (If your thumb is facing your head, turn the iron so that your thumb faces away.) Glide the iron the entire length of the hair shaft and follow it all the way through beyond the ends, without squeezing the iron too tight. This curl should look similar to the way a ribbon curls onto itself when you drag it along the edge of your scissors. Key Tip: The slower you glide the iron through hair, the tighter the curl; the faster you go, the more elongated the curl, i.e., more of a loose wave. Repeat the same movement with the other small sections. Be sure to alternate sections positioning the thumb towards and then away from the head. This insures that the curls don’t curl into each other and create one big curl. 
The next large horizontal section is from the top of the ear to the temple, again separating into smaller subsections and following the same steps. In the top section (the crown) take each sub-section and lift the hair straight up and place iron at the base. Glide the iron up to curl for more volume, or down for a smooth look on top.

 Add a drop of any shine serum and massage into the hair with your fingers to loosen up that curl and create volume. Finish with a spritz of strong hold hairspray all over— L’oréal Paris Elnett Satin Hairspray’s a go-to finisher from stylists everywhere.

Now after spending all this time, you want this style to last, right? Before bed, gather your curls loosely and secure with a butterfly clip or hairpin and just shake and tousle the next day.