Crimped hair is making a bold comeback in the world of hairstyling. The resurgence of the crimped hair trend is taking center stage on today’s runways. Hair crimping entails creating zigzag waves, typically achieved using a crimping iron. However, it’s worth noting that there are alternative methods, including using a flat iron, particularly beneficial for natural hair to minimize potential damage.
This 80s and 90s-inspired crimped hairstyle offers a substantial boost of volume and texture to naturally straight hair while maintaining an elegant and gentle appearance. Among the modern techniques for achieving that coveted textured look, crimping stands out as the trendiest and most fashion-forward choice, adding a touch of edge to your overall style.
Whether you have long, short, or medium-length hair, crimping can transform your hairstyle. In this article, we’ll explore eight stylish crimped hair ideas to inspire your next hair adventure.
What Is Crimped Hair?
If you’re too young to have experienced this style or if it slipped past your attention in the past, let’s begin with a quick rundown. Crimped hair is a distinctive style achieved by using a crimping iron on straight or straightened hair, resulting in a zigzag, wavy texture. Unlike loose curls and gentle waves, crimped hair boasts a deliberately uniform wave pattern. For those who want to avoid using heat, you can also achieve the crimped look through overnight braids, depending on your hair type. This offers a heat-free alternative to achieve the desired texture.
How to Crimp Your Hair
Crimped hair, also known as zig-zag or crinkled hair, is among the latest trends in the beauty industry. It’s gained popularity among hair bloggers and celebrity stylists who enthusiastically share images featuring inspiring wavy hairstyles. These waves deviate from the conventional curls, adding a fresh and unique touch to your look. You can easily create charming crimped ponytails, braids, and elegant buns with a little DIY effort, provided you master the basic crimping technique. We’re here to offer engaging ideas, straightforward instructions, and valuable tips to get you started!
To crimp your hair with a crimping iron, follow these steps:
- Begin by washing, conditioning, and drying your hair.
- If your hair is naturally curly, straighten it with a flat iron. For those with wavy hair, use a round brush while blow-drying your locks.
- Apply a heat-protectant spray to safeguard your hair.
- Divide your hair into 2-3 inch sections.
- Using a flat iron (either 1- or 2-inch width), select the strands you want to crimp.
- Crimp the chosen strands from the roots to the ends, briefly closing the iron for 3-5 seconds each time.
- After crimping, you can leave your hair loose or style it in an updo.
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Best Crimped Hair Ideas To Try
Crimping in hair styling introduces an intricate texture, enhances volume, and contributes to overall hair structure. Utilizing fine crimping primarily at the roots offers an effective solution for managing greasy hair, allowing you to extend the time between shampoos. Additionally, we’ve curated a selection of hairstyles perfectly suited for crimped locks.
1. A Traditional and Simple Crimped Hairstyle
Opting for a classic approach can be a timeless choice. To achieve a traditional and uncomplicated crimped hairstyle, crimp your entire hair. For an extra boost of volume, consider teasing the roots before crimping. The versatility of this style allows you to wear it down, highlighting the textured effect, or gather it into a sleek ponytail for a polished and sophisticated appearance, making it a versatile and elegant choice for various occasions.
2. Beachy Waves with a Crimped Twist
For those who adore the beachy wave aesthetic, crimping offers a unique twist to achieve it. Begin by crimping large sections of your hair, then add a playful touch by scrunching it gently with your fingers. To elevate the texture and ensure longevity, apply a texture spray. This technique imparts an effortless and windswept appearance that’s both stylish and carefree. The combination of crimping and scrunching introduces a captivating dimension to your hair, mirroring the beauty of beachy waves while adding a modern twist, allowing you to enjoy that effortlessly chic look.
3. Dress It Up or Down with a Crimped Half-Updo
Crimped hair offers versatility, making it suitable for various occasions, from casual to formal. To elevate your crimped style, consider a crimped half-updo by gently pulling back a portion of your crimped locks and securing it with bobby pins. This simple yet elegant twist on the classic half-updo is perfect for both daytime and evening events. To ensure it stays impeccably in place throughout the day or night, a light application of hairspray provides the necessary hold, allowing you to enjoy a sophisticated and stylish look that complements any occasion with ease.
4. Add Sharpness with a Crimped Bob
Crimping can inject a sense of precision and edge into a bob haircut. To achieve this, focus on creating a blunt bob with subtle crimped sections. This technique transforms your bob into a stylish and edgy statement. For added hold and definition, it’s advisable to use a styling gel or pomade, ensuring your crimped sections maintain their sharpness throughout the day. The result is a modern and sophisticated twist on the classic bob, enhancing its overall appeal while allowing you to rock a unique and sharp hairstyle that exudes confidence and style.
5. Excitement and Edge with a Short-Haired Crimped Pixie
Short hair can exude exceptional style when paired with crimped texture. Choosing a pixie cut and introducing small crimped sections can infuse excitement and edge into your look. To enhance this unique style and introduce playful flair, a texturizing spray becomes your ally, adding dimension and depth to your pixie cut.
This contemporary twist on the pixie cut elevates its overall appeal, allowing you to rock a distinct and stylish hairstyle that showcases your individuality while exuding confidence and creativity. Embrace the edginess of crimped texture for a chic and distinctive appearance with short hair.
6. Structure and Intrigue with Crimped Braids
Crimped hair is a wonderful way to infuse structure and allure into braided styles. Start by crimping small sections of your hair before embarking on your chosen braiding technique. This approach adds a captivating and textured dimension to your braids, making them an eye-catching feature. The textured effect achieved through crimping enhances the overall intricacy and depth of your braided hairstyle, suitable for a wide range of occasions.
Whether it’s a casual outing or a more formal event, crimped hair and braids combine to create a stylish and versatile look that adds a touch of creativity and flair to your overall appearance.
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7. Dressier Style with a Crimped Updo
When it comes to more formal events or a night out, crimping your hair can transform your look into an elegant masterpiece. After crimping, gracefully pull your hair into an updo, whether it’s a sophisticated bun, chignon, or another elegant style. The crimped texture introduces a distinctive and eye-catching element to your overall appearance, infusing a touch of creativity and sophistication.
To maintain this polished look, secure your updo with hairpins and a light application of hairspray. This combination of crimped texture and an updo results in a refined and stylish hairstyle that’s perfect for special occasions, exuding grace and charm while showcasing your individuality.
8. Fashionable Top Knot with Crimped Texture
Elevate your top knot to a whole new level with the addition of crimped hair. Begin by crimping your locks, introducing a unique and trendy texture. Then, pull your crimped hair into a high bun or top knot. This innovative touch of crimped texture breathes fresh life into the traditional updo, infusing a modern and creative twist. The result is a top knot that’s not only stylish but also exudes a sense of individuality.
This trendsetting approach allows you to showcase your personal flair, embracing the beauty of crimped texture in a chic and contemporary updo that’s perfect for various occasions.
9. Textured Dutch Braid
A current trend that’s gaining immense popularity involves using a crimping iron before crafting an updo. This technique not only yields a unique and stylish texture but also imparts a thicker appearance to your hair, enhancing the volume significantly. As a result, any braid or bun you create carries a newfound sense of fullness and dimension, making your updo look more voluminous and captivating than it would without the crimping.
This approach adds an unexpected and chic touch to your hairstyle, elevating its overall appeal while offering a refreshing twist on traditional updos. Embrace this trend to achieve an effortlessly stylish and voluminous look for your braids and buns.
10. Crimped Bubble Braid
When it comes to styling crimped hair, the key is to think beyond the ordinary. A unique approach begins with a French braid at the front, transitioning into a loose bubble braid. Each section is skillfully wrapped to form delightful poofs. This innovative technique breathes life into your hairstyle, offering a captivating and distinctive look. For those with long hair, the possibilities are endless, and creativity knows no bounds.
Embrace this creative journey to unlock the full potential of your crimped hair, setting the stage for a head-turning and imaginative style.
11. Messy Textured Medium Hair
For those desiring a heat-free, untamed look without relying on crimpers or hot styling tools, there’s a feasible alternative. Begin with your naturally wavy hair as the foundation. Introduce delicate, face-framing micro-braids, allowing them to set for a few hours or gently pass over them with a straightener. If your hair is naturally straight, consider combining super tiny braids with larger ones to create a captivating blend of textures.
This method empowers you to achieve a wild and uniquely textured look, all without the need for heat styling, offering a versatile and effortless approach to styling your hair.
12. Classic Crimp with Center Part
Learning how to crimp your hair is a straightforward process, and the key is to approach it with patience. To begin, allow your crimped hair to flow freely, showcasing your efforts. Long hair, when crimped, particularly complements a center parting. Start the crimping process with the bottom layers, commencing at the roots and working your way up. Once the lower layers are complete, transition to the middle and top layers.
The distinctive pattern of crimped lines adds a delightful charm to dark black hair, enhancing its overall appeal. Embrace this technique to achieve a striking and fashionable look, celebrating the beauty of crimped hair.
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Effective Tips to Style Modern Crimped Hair
If you’re eager to try out this style, read on for our contemporary tips to crimp your hair.
- Begin With Straight Hair: Your hair doesn’t have to be completely straight, but starting with relatively straight hair will yield a more defined wave pattern when using the crimper. If you have naturally wavy or curly hair, run a straightener through your locks to eliminate any prominent coils.
- Apply Heat Protectant: Applying a heat protectant is crucial. If you’ve straightened your hair, you should have already used it. But if your hair is initially straight, make sure to apply heat protectant now to safeguard your strands from heat damage. Consider using a lightweight spray like L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Pre-Iron Spray Leave-In, which shields your hair from damage up to 450 degrees.
- Brush Your Hair: Use a smoothing brush to detangle any knots in your hair, creating a smooth surface before crimping. This ensures a polished end result and prevents the crimper from getting snagged on tangles. Brushing your hair after applying heat protectant also helps evenly distribute the product. Start at the ends, work up the length, and finish at the roots to minimize pulling.
- Section Your Hair: Similar to curling or straightening, dividing your hair into sections is the best approach. This precision ensures you don’t miss any strands. Part your hair into top and bottom sections, then split each of those into left and right sides, resulting in four sections in total. Use clips or scrunchies to keep the hair you’re not working on out of the way.
- Prepare Your Crimping Iron: Modern crimping irons typically have three larger sections, creating a looser style compared to the small zig-zag waves of ’80s crimpers. Regardless of your tool, plug it in and choose the lowest setting suitable for styling your hair without multiple passes. Thinner hair can use a lower setting, while thicker strands may require a higher one.
- Vary Your Crimping Pattern: Divide each of your four sections into smaller parts to craft distinct waves. With your crimping tool, sandwich the iron plates horizontally across your hair, press down and hold for five to ten seconds. To achieve a modern crimped style, avoid placing the crimper in the exact same position for all sections, as this creates identical waves. Instead, slightly alter the placement for each section to achieve varied waves, lending a piece and casual appearance. Secure your style with a light hairspray application to keep it looking fabulous throughout the day or night.
Bottom Line
In this blog post, we’ve explored 12 easy and stylish crimped hair ideas that cater to a range of styles and preferences. Crimped hair has made a remarkable comeback, offering a unique and textured look that can be adapted to various fashion tastes. Whether you’re aiming for a casual, boho vibe or a more polished and chic appearance, crimped hair can be your go-to choice.
As you experiment with these ideas, remember that crimping allows for creativity, adding a touch of edge and flair to your hair game. It’s an effortless way to stay on-trend and express your individuality. So, go ahead and embrace the versatility of crimped hair, and discover the perfect look that suits your style.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions):
Crimping can work for a variety of hair types, but it’s best suited for those with straight or lightly wavy hair. Curly hair may require more prep and care for the best results.
To minimize damage, use a heat protectant spray and ensure your tools are at a moderate temperature. Also, don’t crimp your hair too frequently, and invest in good-quality styling tools.
Yes, there are non-heat methods to achieve a crimped look, like braiding or using hair accessories. These are great options for those concerned about heat damage.
Crimped hairstyles can last for a few days. To extend the style, use a hair-setting spray or mousse to help the crimps hold and avoid excessive brushing or touching.