The 80s and 90s are back in a big way, and with them comes the iconic crimped hair style. Once relegated to childhood photos and costume parties, crimps are making a resurgence on the fashion scene. But ditch the old crimping iron – you can achieve this textured look with a tool you likely already own: your trusty flat iron.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about crimping hair with a flat iron, from prepping your hair to creating different crimp styles. So, dust off your leg warmers and get ready to crimp like a champ!
Before You Begin: Essential Prep Work
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Heat Protectant is Your BFF: Crimping involves applying heat to your hair, so protecting it is crucial. Apply a heat protectant spray evenly throughout your dry hair before starting. This will minimize heat damage and keep your locks healthy.
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Tame the Mane: Frizz is the enemy of crimped hair. If you have naturally frizzy hair, consider using a light leave-in conditioner or a frizz-fighting serum to smooth things out.
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Sectioning is Key: For even crimping and easier handling, section your hair into manageable subsections. Clip the top sections up and work on the lower layers first.
Crimping 101: The Basic Technique
Now that you’re prepped, let’s get crimping! Here’s a breakdown of the basic technique:
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Heat Up Your Iron: Set your flat iron to a temperature suitable for your hair type. Generally, for fine hair, a lower temperature (around 300°F) is recommended, while thicker hair can handle a higher setting (up to 375°F).
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Grab a Thin Section: Take a small, thin section of hair, about ¼ inch to ½ inch thick. The thinner the section, the tighter the crimps will be.
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Clamp and Flip: Clamp the flat iron down on the hair section close to the roots, but not right at the scalp to avoid burning yourself. Now, here comes the key crimping move: with the iron clamped shut, gently flip your wrist so the iron is pointing downwards at a 90-degree angle.
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Clamp, Flick, Slide: While maintaining the downward angle, hold the iron for a few seconds (depending on your hair type and desired crimp strength) and then flick your wrist back up to a flat position. Slide the iron down the hair section, repeating the clamp, flick, and slide motion to create continuous crimps.
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Release and Repeat: Release the hair section and admire your handiwork! Repeat steps 2-4 on each section of hair until your entire head is crimped.
Pro Tip: For a more defined crimp, hold the iron for a couple of seconds longer with each clamp.
Crimping Variations: Experimenting with Different Styles
The basic technique is your foundation, but you can get creative and experiment with different crimping styles:
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Wide vs. Tight Crimps: As mentioned earlier, the thickness of the hair section you take determines the crimp tightness. Play around with section sizes to achieve the desired effect.
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Root Crimps for Volume: Want to add volume at the roots? Focus on crimping just the top inch or two of hair sections.
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Half-Up Crimped Style: For a trendy twist, crimp only the bottom half of your hair, leaving the top section smooth or styled in waves.
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Crimped Pigtails: Part your hair down the middle, crimp both sections, and tie them into playful pigtails.
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Crimped Braid: Create a classic braid, but with a twist – use crimped hair sections instead of smooth ones for added texture.
Setting and Finishing Touches
Once you’ve achieved your desired crimped style, it’s time to set it. Here’s how:
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Hairspray is Your Friend: Use a light to medium hold hairspray to keep your crimps in place. Mist the hairspray from a distance to avoid soaking your hair and making it stiff.
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Finger Fluff for Texture: Once the hairspray sets, gently run your fingers through your hair to break up any overly defined crimps and create a more natural, textured look.
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Accessorize (Optional): Add some flair to your crimped hairstyle with headbands, clips, or barrettes.
Post-Crimping Care
Crimping your hair with a flat iron can be a fun way to add texture and volume, but it’s important to take care of your hair afterwards to minimize heat damage and maintain the style. Here are some post-crimping care tips to keep your crimps looking their best:
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Cooling Down is Key: Let your hair cool down completely before brushing or styling it further. This allows the crimps to set properly and reduces the risk of them falling flat.
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Gentle Detangling: Once your hair is cool, use a wide-tooth comb to gently detangle any knots. Avoid using a brush, as this can disrupt the crimps and cause frizz.
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Dry Shampoo for Refreshing: Crimped hair can tend to hold onto oil and product buildup. Use a dry shampoo on the second or third day to absorb excess oil and refresh your style without weighing down the crimps.
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Deep Conditioning is Your Friend: Heat styling can dry out your hair. To combat this, incorporate a deep conditioning treatment into your hair care routine. This will help restore moisture and keep your hair healthy and manageable.
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Silk or Satin Pillowcase: Cotton pillowcases can cause friction and frizz, especially for crimped hair. Consider switching to a silk or satin pillowcase for a smoother sleep surface that will help maintain your crimps.
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Heat Styling Breaks: Crimping is a fun way to change up your hairstyle, but don’t overdo it. Give your hair a break from heat styling every few days to allow it to recover. Opt for natural styles or looser braids to give your hair some breathing room.
By following these post-crimping care tips, you can extend the life of your crimped hairstyle and keep your hair healthy and happy. So go forth and crimp with confidence, knowing you have the tools to maintain your look!
Additional Tips and Tricks
Looser Crimps:
For a looser, more wave-like crimp, hold your flat iron horizontally instead of vertically when clamping down on the hair section. This will create a softer bend compared to the sharp angles achieved with vertical clamping.
Short Hair Solutions:
Crimping short hair can be trickier. Instead of horizontal sections, try taking diagonal sections across your head. This allows for more even crimping on shorter strands.
Textured Straight Hair:
Want to add texture to straight hair without going full-on crimped? Crimp just a few sections underneath the top layer of your hair. This will add volume and grip without overwhelming the style.
Product Play:
Experiment with different hair products to enhance your crimped look. Texturizing spray can add grit and separation, while a light mousse can boost volume and hold. Apply products before crimping for better distribution throughout the hair.
Crimped Hairstyle Versatility:
Crimped hair isn’t just for standalone styles! It can be a fantastic base for other creations. Try incorporating crimped sections into braids, updos, or ponytails for added texture and interest.
Heat Damage Prevention:
Crimping is a fun way to style your hair, but be mindful of heat damage. Avoid crimping too frequently and use a lower heat setting whenever possible. Deep conditioning treatments are also a good idea to keep your hair healthy.
Crimping Do’s and Don’ts
- Do: Use a heat protectant to minimize damage.
- Don’t: Use too high a heat setting for your hair type.
- Do: Take small sections for tighter, more defined crimps