The Tipping List

Forget about the stick-straight look of seasons past ... The models on the Spring 2009 runways (yes, the fashion world has already deemed Fall so last season) sported casually tousled tresses like those seen after spending a day at the beach. Style-minded celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Blake Lively (and just about everyone with long, layered locks) have already caught onto this laid-back look and you can too, without having a stylist on speed dial.

Since some of us are more styling-inclined than others (and there's nothing more frustrating than hair how-to's that seem to requite a Master's degree to accomplish), we're giving you two ways to achieve this look: Professional and amateur.

For professional-grade waves that just look low maintenance, here's what you'll need:
A one-inch barrel curling iron
Soft-finish hairspray
Leave-in finishing cream

1. After blow-drying hair (not stick-straight, but smooth), divide into left, right and back sections. Depending on your hair's thickness, divide each section into two or three smaller sections.
2. Spray one section with hairspray from root to tip, and wrap back around the curling iron away from the face. (This is important.) Hold the end with your fingers for 15 to 20 seconds and release, letting the hair fall off the iron. One to try: Matrix Biolage Thermal-Active Setting Spray provides protection from heat styling and UV rays. $15.49, drugstore.com
3. Repeat for each section (remembering to wrap the hair back away from your face).
4. Use fingers to lift up and slightly separate the curls.
5. Apply a dime-size of leave-in finishing cream, concentrating on the ends. One to try: Ted Gibson Tame It Shine Lotion adds texture while controlling fly-aways. $31, beauty.com

Amateurs don't fret... You too can have beachy waves, with virtually no effort.

All you need is a great product geared for this look and you're on your way. There are a bunch out there - at both drugstores and department stores - but I'm loving Wave Maker Light Twisting Lotion by the New York City blow-out mecca Blow. Here's the step-by-step.

1. Apply this light creamy gel to wet cleansed and conditioned hair, then divide into sections and work the product down from the roots to ends.
2. Use fingers to twist and twirl each section as you blow dry. (Or use a round brush, but I think fingers are easier.)

There you have it ... Between the hairstyle and the self-tanner, you can look like you stepped off the beach all year long.