Crimped hair is having another moment, but the 2026 version does not have to look like a full throwback to the 1980s.
Modern crimped hair is usually softer, looser, and more wearable. Instead of tiny, rigid zigzags from root to tip, you can create wider texture, leave the roots smoother, loosen the pattern through the lengths, or combine crimped sections with softer waves.
And if you do want the dramatic 80s version? That works too.
First step – get a CRIMPER Hair Tool – I found this one at TYMOBEAUTY.COM
Start With Completely Dry Hair
Heat styling should be done on dry hair unless your specific styling tool is explicitly designed for damp hair.
Detangle your hair first so the styling tool can make even contact with each section.
Before styling, apply a lightweight heat protectant such as TYMO Heat Protectant Spray according to the product instructions.
Modern crimped hair usually keeps the texture of traditional crimping while making the overall finish softer and more natural.
Think:
- Wider, more relaxed bends
- Smoother roots
- More movement through the lengths
- Less stiffness
- Selected textured sections instead of crimping every strand
- A softer finish after the hair has cooled
Classic crimped hair is still a great option if you want a stronger retro look, but today’s styling gives you much more room to choose how defined the pattern should be.
A modern crimp can sit somewhere between the two.
If you use wider sections and loosen the texture after it cools, traditional crimping starts to look softer and closer to a wave. If you keep the pattern defined and work in smaller sections, the finished look feels more obviously crimped.
This is probably the easiest version to wear every day.
Instead of creating very tight crimps, work with slightly larger sections and focus the texture through the mid-lengths and ends.
Keep the root area smoother, let the hair cool completely, then gently separate the texture with your fingers.
Can You Crimp Hair Without a Crimper?
Yes. There are several ways to create crimp-like texture without a traditional crimping iron.
One method is to braid the hair, then release the braids once the pattern has set. This creates a more irregular texture rather than the uniform pattern of a heated crimper.
You can also create small bends with a flat iron by working carefully through sections, although this takes more time and usually produces a less consistent result.
If your goal is a uniform crimp or wave pattern, using a dedicated crimper or waver is generally the more straightforward approach.
