looking for waves

i've never been very knowledgeable about hair styling. perfecting a french braid was finally achieved. about a year ago. too bad it comes about fifteen years too late for middle school.

now i'm looking for a relatively easy way to create some waves in my hair.
this guy (available here) looks a bit like a cattle prong to me, and it's $179. yowza.

but does it work?

i wish there were a store devoted to beauty tools with employees who would spend fifteen minutes teaching you technique (i would pay!) and then you have the option of buying the tools.

i think it would be a goldmine.