CREATE COOL-GIRL WAVES WITH YOUR CURLING WAND First, grab a small 1-inch section of hair. Then, starting at the mid-shaft of your hair, twist and wrap it over the barrel while holding the iron horizontally. Hold the hair in place for a few seconds, and then release for a loose wave. If you want tighter, more spirally curls, hold the wand vertically while you wrap the hair around it.