We like our wave to look random and sexy, rather than well-placed and precise. Even a curling novice can master the Cloud Nine Micro Wand.

I was lucky enough to get a hands-on lesson from Dry & Tea in Auckland’s Newmarket, with stylist Sunny.

Here’s how to get the look.

1. Begin with dry hair, spritz with a heat protection spray and brush out any knots.

2. Set the wand to suit your hair texture. If you have fine locks, use the coolest setting; thick hair can handle hot. The company line is: low for loose and high for tight curls.

3. Section hair off into three inch-wide sections and then wrap one-inch wide sections of hair around the barrel of the wand.

4. Holding the ends (if you’re worried about the heat, use the glove provided) flat and to the wand.

5. Hold for two to three seconds, and then release the soft curl. The size of this wand makes it so easy to use. And the swivel cord means no more tangles.

6. Repeat this step working around your head, pulling sections outward from the scalp and winding away from the face.

7. Don’t worry if every hair is not curled perfectly; the aim is soft, sexy wave, not perfect curls.

8. Gently shake out the curls, loosening them with your fingers, and finish with a spritz of hair spray.

Pictured here: Cloud Nine Micro Wand, $249 for stockists call: 0800 25 25 30.

One stylist tip worth remembering: a heat protection spray such as Davines MELU Thermal Shield Spray, $37 prior to curling hair.

And for curls that look and feel more natural finish my pick for summer is the Davines Wizard No. 9 Structuring Mist, $39.50.