How do you get waves/curls in mid-length hair?

[TooMuchRain]

Last time I had my hair cut the hairdresser put in a longish thick fringe and dried the rest in all different directions and I really liked the look. But I can't dry it like that myself - he kind of wound it round the barrel of the brush and I can't manage it with my arms behind my head. So, I was wondering if I should try one of those rotating brushes or some kind of curling wand? Anyone had any success?

I tried googling to get some images but couldn't find anything quite like it, but to give an idea I like this kind of look

Babyliss big hair is brilliant but it won't give the look that's in the pictures.

I can get the second look using heated rollers. I'd say the first look is achieved with a ghd or similar because the ends aren't curled.

I curl mine with my straighteners when I can be bothered

Second straighteners, watch a YouTube instruction vid first. Or ceramic tongs, asda do some for about 7 quid and they're amazing.

That's really helpful, thanks - glad I didn't splurge on the Babyliss I was looking at yesterday. Is that more for straight hair with volume then?

I haven't used tongs since I was at school I think and it used to come out a bit like ringlets - I probably need to youtube some tutorials, but is there any way of avoiding that?

Sorry for all the questions, just you guys know so much...