Aspects of hair styling instruments and methods for styling hair into waves and curls have been provided herein. In one embodiment, a system for styling hair includes one or more cases for receiving hair therein, the one or more cases including a base having at least a bottom, a center, and an outer annular wall; and a lid coupleable with the base; wherein the lid and the base form a volume for receiving the hair and wherein at least the bottom of the base and an indented upper portion of the lid each include a plurality of openings to allow flow of air and liquids through the case; and a stand, the stand comprising a base; a center piece extending upward from the base, the center piece configured to receive the one or more cases thereon; and a heating element.