We always want what we can’t have – and for as long as I can remember, I’ve wanted curls. But alas, I have been cursed (others might disagree and say blessed) with a lot fine, straight hair – that which is often too limp to be pulled back into a bun or ponytail. This also means that every time I’ve tried to curl them in the past, it’s taken me almost an hour, only for the curls to fall out as soon as I get to the party I was attending.

So when an email arrived in my inbox from celebrity hair salon favorite Hershesons, announcing the arrival of its new “easy to use” curling wand (£120, Hershesons), I knew I had to give it a try. The bright blue hair tool features a 25mm ceramic-coated barrel for creating all kinds of textures, including tousled ends, beachy waves and voluminous curls ‘that really stay (yes, really!) in place” (Hershesons’ words, not mine).

A little skeptical, I made an appointment at their Belgravia branch with the stylist Gemma Rebelowho showed me how to use the wand. But after a quick wash, a divine head massage and 20 minutes (yes, it really was that quick) curling, I left the salon with the most beautiful, defined beach waves that lasted three full days (!) until my next hair wash. And all thanks to these eight expert tips.

1. Start with an introduction

I wouldn’t apply a full face of makeup without a primer because it just wouldn’t stay put throughout the day, so why has it never crossed my mind, the same is true for hair ? Moore tells me it’s important to use a primer to give the hair some grip. “Without it, the hair will be too limp and will not hold curls. »

Her go-to is Zhoosh Foam from Hershesons (£16, Hershesons). I admit that I already have a bottle of this powder-foam volumizer at home, I just didn’t know what to do with it.

2. Roughly dry your hair

“It’s best to pinch hair when it has a natural texture,” says Rebelo. For those with soft, straight hair (like mine), the easiest way to create natural body and movement is to let it air dry. If you’re short on time, rough drying without a brush (so using just your fingers to ruffle the hair) will also do the trick.

“If your hair is very curly,” she adds, “don’t forget to straighten the hairline and roots.” The same goes for those (like me) who stubbornly separate; use a hairdryer and brush to set it in place, or use these crease-free clips to pin and smooth your roots while your hair air-drys.

3. Use a volumizing heat protection spray

There’s no such thing as too much texture when you curl your hair, which is why Rebelo advises using a heat protection texturizing spray. Not only will this keep your hair in good condition when you apply heat to it, but it will also help maintain the shape of curls or waves.

Her favorite is the L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni.Art Flex Pli (£19.05, LookFantastic), and after another hairstylist used it on my hair recently for a YOU magazine photoshoot, I’m now convinced that it is. THE product that was missing from my hair curling routine.

All the products I used to curl my hair

4. Make it hot and do it quickly

Another mistake I made was not using enough heat. To prevent heat damage, I always set my curling wand to the lowest possible temperature. However, Rebelo’s trick is to use the hottest setting and do it quickly.

“If you set the wand to a lower temperature, the hair may not get hot enough for the wave to set,” she explains. “I like to have high heat and work quickly, so I don’t have to leave the hair wrapped around the wand for too long.”

Plus, it just speeds up the process.

5. Twist the sections

When Rebelo starts to curl my hair, I notice that she takes random sections and rather than wrapping them around the wand like I normally would, she twists them before wrapping them around the barrel, leaving the ends out. “This will give the curl a flatter root, making it look like a wave instead of a curl.”

6. Keep the wand horizontal

Another way to keep curls from looking too curl-like and achieve a more natural wave is to keep the wand horizontal. This takes some practice, especially when you’re bending the back of your head, but trust me when I say the result is worth the arm ache.

7. Tuck the front sections behind your ear

Perhaps the best tip I took away from Rebelo is to tuck the front sections behind my ear as I go. “This will help shape the shape of the waves.”

8. Finish with a texture spray

The final step is – you guessed it – adding even more texture. “It’s important to finish with a textured spray like Hershesons Air Dry Spray (£16, Hershesons) to add hold and definition, and to divide any sections with your fingers. If you skip this step, the waves will drop faster.