I need advice on how to get waves without using straighteners please

[freckles20]

I have mid length poker straight thick hair which prefers to hang straight and flat. It looks much better with a wave. Every time I go to the hairdressers they wave it using regular straighteners in about 5 mins flat and it looks so much better.

They have showed me time and time again how to do it, and I’ve watched YouTube videos, but I just can’t do it using straighteners like they do.

So, I need a different tool but there are so many to choose from and I don’t want to make an expensive mistake if possible. I probably need something that uses significant amounts of heat as curls and waves drop out of my hair very easily.

can anyone offer any advice on tool please? I’ve attached some photos of the kind of thing that I’d like to achieve although my hair is a bit longer than in the photos.

I have very fine but thick hair and curls always drop out very quickly.
I ordered one of these on a bit of a whim and have been surprised how good it is! Wash and part dry hair on an evening, wrap hair around the band and tie in scrunches and the next morning it comes out with a lovely bouncy wave. It’s really soft so I have no trouble sleeping with it in.
Might be worth a try for you as an option that isn’t very expensive or time consuming.
https://www.lookfantastic.com/kitsch-satin-heatless-curling-set-sunset-tie-dye/13502049.html

Similar to above, DD wraps her almost waist length hair with a chunky dressing gown cord - found technique on internet somewhere under heat less curls and gets a lovely wave.
She also has a thing I bought her from Ale Hop (a bit like Tiger) which is a satin type hair band with like octopus legs that gives heat less curls too. Google octopus curler and no need to keep the main band attached together while you sleep in it once the hair is wrapped around the tentacles

I've put my hair in plaits when semi wet and slept on it. A tight plait gives a crimped effect, whereas a very loose plait would give the look you want.

I have curly hair so none of those will work for me - I have to blow dry then use a tong. I use this one https://www.lookfantastic.com/beauty-works-flat-iron-curl-bar-38mm/12297518.html

A curling wand would do the trick. Doesn’t need to be an expensive one. Wrap hair round for a few seconds, round the thicker end.
Then once done run your fingers through and you’ll have waves. Takes about 5-10 minutes once you’ve got the hang of it