Flat? Hardly!

Just because they're called flat irons, it doesn't mean hair has to take it lying down.

Thanks to flat irons, unruly coifs can turn to poker-straight strands in minutes. But sleek styles aren't the only effects these power tools create. With the flick of a wrist you can make waves, curls, even zigzags, and all without a curling iron in sight. Follow these tips from ULTA national salon educator Mezei Jefferson to take your hair from flat to fabulous.

The Zigzag. To get that not-quite-curl, not-quite-wave, take a 1-inch section of hair and coat with holding spray (you'll want to do this before beginning any style). Holding hair away from the scalp, clamp the iron about 2 inches from the roots with the tip facing the ceiling (it should be completely vertical). Wrap hair around the barrel once or twice, depending on the length of your hair, making sure you leave about 3 inches from the end. Let sit for 20 to 30 seconds and release. The top of the strand should have a wave. With the straight end that remains, clamp at the point where wave ends, this time with the tip facing in the opposite direction (it should be pointing toward the floor). Wrap hair around the top of the barrel one to two times and then release. Repeat around your entire head and set with hairspray.

The Spiral. For soft, sexy ringlets, start with small sections of hair, about 1/4 inch in width. Twist from root to tip and clamp the end. Roll the twisted strand around the top of the barrel all the way to the scalp. Let sit for about 30 seconds so heat can penetrate. When hair feels hot to the touch, release iron. For tighter curls, keep strands twisted and fasten into pin curls close to scalp.

The Wave. Beachy-chic tresses are simple to style with the right technique. Imagine the way a ribbon coils when you slide it taught against a scissor blade. Beachy waves are basically created the same way. Hold a 1-inch section at the end with your left hand. With your right hand, place the iron vertically over the piece, about an inch from the scalp. As you clamp down on the hair, rotate the iron forward, toward your scalp, so that it makes a C shape, and glide the iron down toward the ends. The rounded barrel is what creates the shape of the wave, so make sure you do this with a curved iron.

For salon-worthy styles, try these tools:

GHD Professional 1 inch styler, $225
This model may be pricey, but consider it the Ferrari of the flat-ironing world.

Not only does it give you sleek-straight strands, curls and waves, but its advanced ceramic heating technology produces negative ions, which diffuse heat and seal the cuticle. Plus, it creates shine, locks in color and eliminates frizz. Built-in sensors adjust the heat to the perfect temperature based on your hair type and maintain a consistent temperature throughout the styling process.

Hot Tools NanoCeramic Flat Iron, $51.99
The slender, lightweight design makes this hot tool easy to control. Its rounded plate edges are perfect for curling ends under or flipping them out. Infrared heat warms hair from the inside out, protecting it from damage and smoothing surface strands.

Remington T-Studio Ceramic PEARL Pro Slim Straightener, $29.99
The extra-smooth glide leaves strands dent-free and silky. Since it only takes 15 seconds to heat up, styling in a hurry is a cinch. The salon-length swivel cord gives you the flexibility to create any style imaginable.

T3 Single Pass 1 Inch Straightening and Styling iron, $160
Made with tourmaline—a semiprecious gemstone that emits ionic, infrared heat—this professional tool seals in moisture and reduces static for frizz-free styling. Single-pass heating maintains the same temperature for faster styling and long-lasting results.