If you’ve ever attempted a soft, undefined wave but ended up with a tight tubular ringlet, you might actually be able to blame your tools for once. Northwood designed this curling tong to have a longer-than-normal barrel that measures up to a substantial 26mm wide. Why? Because these particulars are key to creating a loose curl instead of a tight one.

I can attest. I held the hair-wrapped tong to my head for five or so seconds and released it to find one of those satisfying undulating waves I’ve never been able to create before.

Better still, you can dial up the heat from 120-210°C. While the hotter heats ensure the tong works on even coarser, thicker or coilier hair types, as a general rule, less heat equals less hold, so if you want a style that looks undone from the get-go, start cooler.

Shop George Northwood Undone Curl It Tongs at Boots, £65

George Northwood Undone The Tools: meet the affordable hair tools that match up to their luxury counterparts