Crimped hair first made its way onto the fashion scene in the mid-1980’s and every ten years or so we see a rise in the popularity of crimped looks. Crimping involves pressing the hair into small folds and ridges and is usually achieved by using a special crimping iron, however, there are alternative ways to get this look using a regular hot iron or using braiding. It adds an extra layer of dimension to updo’s and volume to loose looks and is definitely worth trying this season. Here are 30 creative styles to give you some ideas.
Create a striking look by adding crimping to an updo. Here the stylist first crimped the locks from root to tip using a crimping iron before dividing the hair into thick sections and fashioning them into a voluminous, folded updo. Most of the flyaways were tamed with hairspray and the style is made even more eye-catching by the contrast between the darker color at the neck and the pale blonde on top.
Express your individuality by creating a look that is your own, just like this model. Her hair was braided into two rows of twisted braids in front; above this is another braid with multiple tiny ponytails that feed out of it. The hair within these small ponies is crimped and lies on top of the rest of the blue and blonde striped locks.
In this picture, the model has medium length hair that has been cut into a long bob and colored golden beige with bubblegum pink and blue highlights. Her hair has a lovely creased wave which is easy to recreate by braiding your hair in thin sections at night and undoing them the next morning.
By crimping just a few sections of hair you can create more texture in half up, half down hairstyles like the one seen here. To start the model's mane was divided into top and bottom sections and within the upper hair, a few portions were crimped. This layer was fashioned into a raised French braid with the end joining with the bottom section of hair in a wavy ponytail.
The stylist has created outstanding texture within this model's long hair by crimping the majority of her locks into smooth crinkles. On the side, two French braids were added which become three strand braids that sit on the shoulder while the rest of the locks glide down her back. Remember to start crimping with super straight locks as you won’t be able to achieve this look with curly hair.
Here we see a Mohawk-inspired updo where the models long locks have been styled into a twisted updo that concentrates the volume down the middle of the head stretching from her forehead to her neck. Her locks have a beautiful black to brown color fade and sections of the hair were first crimped before they were styled. This adds interest to this edgy look.
Crimped hair and braids are a natural combination because braids are sometimes used to create a crimped hair texture. In this picture, the hair that was used to create the puffy fold over updo at the back was first crimped. Two braids were also added that run around the head, from the temple, into the bottom of the updo.
While this exciting hairstyle may look complex it can be copied without too much difficulty. To begin with, the models mane was meticulously crimped from root to tip and then gathered up into horizontal layers to be fashioned into a thick fold through braid down the center. The crimping helps add dimension and sexy volume to this look.
For this look, a layer of crimped strands was gathered up from the front and added into a curly ponytail at the back which has twists of accent curls at the top. The ponytail was secured using a thick gold cuff. A section of hair from the side was left loose and the stylist has used small crimped sections of hair at intervals to hold this strand together.
For very voluminous looks like this, it is best to make use of hair extensions to achieve the full style you desire. The model's hair was gathered up on top of her head in a neat coil before being woven into an over-sized three strand braid down the side. Within this huge braid, we can see some sections of crimped hair as well as a small curly strand in front.
This model's extra-long creamy dark brown and caramel hair has been woven into a masterpiece! The style is voluminous and thick and the stylist has used crimping to create added texture. The hair has been braided into a loose bow-tie style braid with lots of flyaway strands that ends in a teased knot at the tip.
In this look, the crimped strands of hair against the sleek ironed locks create added dimension, especially with her well-blended brown and blonde ombre color. The model's hair has been slicked back in sections and fashioned into a twisted updo that sits just above the nape of the neck. This is a romantic look with plenty of loose flyaways.
Crimping your mane can help to add drama to big hairstyles like this one. The model's long locks were straightened and then finely crimped. The locks were divided between the left and right sides and then fashioned into two loose updo’s on either side with a small twist of hair in the front over the forehead.
These locks have gorgeous color –they begin with dark roots and deep rose gold before breaking out into baby blonde with pastel streaks of light blue and mauve. Only thin sections of the hair have been crimped and these are visible in the loose bun created with the top locks and within the lower portions of hair that drape over her shoulders.
Crimping provides your hair with a defined look which is perfect for either work or play. This model's hair has been styled simply – the locks have a light crimp that may have been created by tightly braiding the hair. The hair is loose with a center parting and the front section was tucked in behind the ear.
To create this wild hairstyle most of the hair has been crimped but we can see some straighter sections as well. After crimping the stylist parted the hair down the center and teased the hair up from the roots to create the mass of volume we see at the back.
Wearing your long hair loose is a great way to show it off, but it doesn’t need to be boring. In this look, the models lengthy locks have been styled with thin sections of tight crimps, most of which begin after the neckline. The hair that hasn’t been crimped has a rumpled wavy texture.
A Mohawk braid look has been created for this amazing shot. The sides have been flattened using curved lines of tight French braids which end at the neck where the hair has been teased out. The center section was crimped and then given a wavy finish and brushed forward from the neck.
To recreate this model's killer hairstyle first, gather up a section of hair over the forehead and tie it in a high pony. Then crimp the length of the pony and tease it out over the rest of your hair that has been straightened. The volume is created by the teasing and crimping.
Before starting with the updo the stylist first finely crimped this model's hair. The locks were then gathered up and weaved into a thick inside out braid (also known as a Dutch braid) that starts in the middle of her head (just above the crown) and runs until the nape of her neck where the crimped locks were teased into an airy ponytail.
This rockabilly-inspired style starts with a large structured curl which has been fashioned over the forehead to rise high before dipping back. Along the side the locks were parted into two sections - the bottom section has been neatly brushed back and the top section has been Dutch braided. The upper locks were crimped and curve out from behind the pushed up fringe.
For this braided style, the stylist has crimped just one section of hair that is used in the braid, creating an interesting texture for this relaxed look. The models hair has gathered up and fashioned into a thick, slightly messy braid down the back of the head, ending in a loose braid at the bottom.
This style of crimping was achieved using tight braids which have been loosened; you can still see some of the braids within the models mane. Her long baby blonde has been given a sleek middle parting and her hair is draped over her shoulders to show off the fine crimping. This is a beautiful way to style long locks simply.
For this over the top Alice in Wonderland themed hairstyle the stylist began by first crimping all the lower locks (which you see draped over her shoulders). The top sections have been used to create masses of twisted braids which have been fashioned into a boxy shape and secured on the side of the models head. A number of small braids, created with various techniques, have been wrapped around the base of this updo and playing cards were used as accessories.
If you want to steal this style for yourself, remember to crimp small sections of hair at a time and use hairspray as you go. When you are finished turn your head upside down and brush vigorously to achieve the same fine flyaway texture as this model.
This models hair was first cut into a choppy texturized bob and then ironed out straight. The stylist middle-parted the hair and began crimping a few centimeters away from the roots, allowing for contrast. All the locks have been pressed into uniform crinkles and a product has been used to style the hair into peaks and waves on the sides.
In this look, the stylist has used both crimped and straight hair to create this unique looking braid. This braiding style is a combination of a Dutch and an infinity braid. At the nape of the neck, the stylist has tightly wrapped strands of hair above the bubble braid and smaller infinity braid below. The interesting braiding styles and crimped texture make this a winning hairstyle!
A micro-crimper is an excellent investment if you really enjoy crimped hair – using this styling tool you are able to achieve much finer texture than you would get from using the braiding technique.
For well-blended color like this, the stylist has more than likely used the balayage technique. The shades are quite striking with steely shades of gray at the back and sunflower blonde and pale orange towards the front of this structured short bob. The majority of the locks were ironed straight, but for added interest, the stylist has also added a few crimped layers on top.
To start this model's hair has been colored a shiny walnut brown with butterfly orange, light cyan, blue and royal purple highlights. A few sections of the brown and highlighted hair have been finely crimped and all the hair was then gathered up and fashioned into a sexy braided updo that folds in at the bottom.
While crimping usually works best with long hair it can be used for shorter hairstyles as well. Remember to start with straightened hair to achieve the smoothest crimping possible and to use hairspray to hold your style in place. Crimping is a great way to add texture if you don’t want to perm your locks as it will relax within a few days again!