If you’re not into stick-straight hair, give perfectly imperfect rock star hair a try with Sultra’s latest curling rod

The perfect coup to this fall’s sleek-straight locks and alternative to summer’s beach waves is looking pretty musical. Rocker-chick hair—or girlfriend of a rocker, think Lily Aldridge, Kate Moss and Kate Hudson—in the vein of Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde, or Proenza Schouler’s Fall 2012 campaign, is set to be the latest textural craze, perhaps helped along with Sultra’s newest heat tool: a just-released oval-barreled Bombshell curling iron. “The rocker-chic look has wave, texture, movement and a carefree spirit about it,” says Sultra artistic director Omar Lopez. “It’s a look that hasn’t been over-styled and makes a statement that is not as reflective as the norm—think sexy rebel. Juliette Lewis always gets it right.”

The Bombshell Oval Rod Curling Iron is a bit of a rebel itself thanks to the unique shape of its barrel that wards off too-perfect curls. It “allows you to create a wavy, S-shaped curl pattern or retro zigzag waves that look more natural than a traditional curling iron,” says Lopez, adding that there’s no age limit to who can use this versatile tool, and it only takes a bit of length in the hair.

Before starting, spray dry hair with a thermal protector, such as Redken’s Blown Away 09 Protective Blow-Dry Gel. Then, wrap one- to two-inch sections around the barrel, holding for a few seconds then releasing and repeating. “Twisting the hair before twisting it around the barrel is a great way to help change up the look—there is no right or wrong way to wrap the hair around the barrel, so have fun and try several ways of twisting within the same style to make it your own,” says Lopez.

And it’s possible to achieve the rocker look worn frequently by Kristen Stewart and Blake Lively even without a heat tool. Lopez suggests using a sea spray (Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray is a perennial favorite) or curl-activating product, then twisting sections of the hair and allowing them to dry. Whatever your method, Lopez says this iteration of the wave is as authentic as it gets. “In the past we’ve gotten to know beachy texture as a curl, now it’s more about the kink.”