How to Crimp Your Hair With a Straightener

Have you wanted to get the crimped hair look, but didn't want to go out and buy a special crimper? Luckily, it is possible to crimp your hair using a hair straightener and a few extra tools. This article will show you a few ways of crimping your hair. Some have a tighter crimp, while others have a looser crimp.

EditSteps

EditUsing Braids for a Tight Crimp

1. Start with straight, dry, tangle-free hair. Even if you have curly hair, it might be a good idea to straighten it. This will help reduce frizz later on.
   
2. Apply a styling mousse if you have very straight hair, or if your hair can't hold a curl. Try to get something light weight or that enhances curls.^[1]
   
3. Pull half of your hair up into a bun. Gather all of your hair above ear level into a loose bun. Leave the lower layer of your hair hanging down by your shoulders. You will be working with this layer first.
   
4. Divide your hair into at least six, equal sections. The more, smaller sections you make, the tighter crimp you will get. For a very tight crimp, try ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) wide sections.
   
5. Braid the sections tightly. The smaller, tighter braids, the better. If you want more volume, start braiding right at the roots. If you want less volume, start braiding only halfway down the hair shaft. Tie each braid off with a small hair elastic.
   
6. Spray each braid generously with a heat protection spray. Be sure to get the front and back of each braid. You will also want to spray the ends of your hair as well. This will protect your hair from the heat of the hair straightener. It will keep your hair from getting too dry or scorched.
   
7. Run a flat iron over each braid. Start close to your roots, and press down on the braid for a few seconds with your straightener. Release the braid, and press the next segment flat. You may need to run the straightener through your braids twice.
   
8. Do not undo the braids just yet. You will work with the upper layer first. This will give the braids enough time to cool down. If you take the braids out too soon, they will lose their crimp.
   
9. Undo your bun and let your hair down. Divide this hair into at least six, equal sections. Try to use the same amount of sections as your used in your lower layer.
   
10. Repeat the sectioning, braiding, and straightening. Be sure to spray your hair liberally with a heat protection spray before you straighten it.
    
11. Let your hair cool before you take the braids out. Do not take the braids out if your hair is still warm. If you do, the crimp will fall out. Once your hair is cool, start undoing the braids from the bottom layer first.
    
12. Do not brush your hair. If you do, your hair will turn frizzy. If the crimp is too tight, you can loosen it by gently running your fingers through your hair.
    
13. Consider spraying your hair with some hairspray. This will help the crimp last longer.^[2]
    

EditUsing Pins for a Tight Crimp

1. Get some U-pins. You will need lots of them. Do not use bobby pins; they will not work for this method. You can find U-pins at a beauty supply shop or online.^[3]
   
   • If you absolutely cannot find any U-pins, get some stiff wire and cut it to twice the length of your finger. Fold it in half until a narrow U-shape. It should be no wider than your finger.
2. Apply a light weight styling mousse into clean, straightened, tangle-free hair. Your hair must be brushed, or it will turn out frizzy. It might also be a good idea to straighten it first; this will also help reduce frizz. The styling mousse is especially important for those with naturally-straight hair, or for those whose hair can't hold a curl easily.
   
3. Pull three-quarters of your hair up into a loose bun at the top of your head. The bottom fourth of your hair should be hanging loose around your shoulders. You will be working on this section first.
   
4. Take a small section of hair, closest to your face. The section should be about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) wide, and 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) tall.
   
5. Place the section inside the pin. Bring the curved part of the pin as close to your scalp as possible. The closer the pin is to your scalp, the more volume you will get.
   
6. Start wrapping the hair around the two prongs until you reach the end of your hair. Weave the hair in and out of the prongs in figure-rights. When you reach the end, consider wrapping a small hair elastic around the ends of the U-pin. This will help pinch the pin closed, and prevent your hair from unraveling.
   
7. Repeat the process for the rest of the bottom layer. Work in 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) sections.
   
8. Lightly mist the hair-covered U-pins with a heat protecting spray. For more holding power, you can also add a little bit of hairspray as well.
   
9. Set your hair straighten to medium and go over the hair-wrapped U-pins. Do not use a high heat setting. Start ironing from the ends of the U-pin first, and work your way towards your roots. Only clamp the straightener down five seconds at a time.
   
10. Repeat the sectioning, weaving, and straightening process for the next three layers. When you are done, you should have no hair left to weave. You should have four rows of hair-wrapped U-pins. Make sure that you spray and "straighten" each row before starting on the next.
    
11. Let your hair cool down. If you remove the U-pins too soon, your hair will not hold its crimp. This will take about ten minutes or so.
    
12. Remove the U-pins. Start from the bottom layer first. Pull off the hair tie, but don't unravel the hair. Instead, pinch the curved part of the U-pin, and simply pull it out of your hair.^[4]
    
13. Avoid brushing your hair. If you do, your hair will turn frizzy. If the crimps are too tight for your liking, you can loosen them by running your fingers through your hair.
    

EditUsing Twists for a Looser Crimp

1. Make sure your hair is dry and tangle free. This will help reduce frizz. Do not work on damp hair.
   
2. Apply a light weight styling mousse to your hair. This will help your hair hold its crimp better later on.
   
3. Consider dividing your hair into horizontal sections for a tighter crimp. If you want, you can gather half of your hair up into a loose bun at the top of your head. Work with the bottom layer first. When you are done, you can undo the bun and work with that layer.
   
4. Take a section of hair closest to your face. The smaller section you grab, the tighter the crimp will be.
   
5. Twist the section into a tight rope, away from your face.^[5] Twist it tight enough so that it forms a rope, but not so tight that it curls in on itself.
   
6. Spray the section generously with a heat protection spray. This will keep your hair from drying out or getting scorched by the hair straightener.
   
7. Run a hair straightener over the rope. Do not let go of the rope just yet.
   
8. Hold onto the rope until the hair cools, then gently release it. If you let go of your hair too soon, it may not hold the crimp.
   
9. Keep twisting and straightening your hair until all of your hair is crimped. When you get to the other side of your face, remember to twist the hair rope away from your face as well. If you are working in layers, undo the top layer, and repeat the twisting and straightening process on it as well.
   
10. Avoid brushing your hair. If the crimp is too tight for you, you can loosen it by gently running your fingers through your hair. If you try brushing your hair, your hair may turn frizzy.
    
11. Spray your hair with hairspray. This will set the crimp and make it last longer.
    

EditUsing a Hair Straightener for a Wavy Crimp

1. Apply some light weight styling mousse to dry, straightened hair. It would be a good idea to straighten your hair, even if it is naturally curly. This will help prevent frizz.
   
2. Consider pulling your hair up into a loose bun with the bottom half loose. This will give you a more manageable amount of hair to work with, while keeping the extra hair out of the way.
   
3. Take a small section of hair. The smaller sections you work with, the more crimped your hair will be.
   
4. Spray the section generously with a heat protection spray. This will keep your hair from getting damaged.
   
   
5. Clamp the straightener down on the hair section. Try to get as close to the roots as possible. Use a medium heat setting. Any hair straightener will do, but the wider the straightener is, the looser your crimp will be. If you want sharper crimps, look for something that is ½ or 1 inch (1.27 or 2.54 centimeters) wide.
   
   
6. Rotate the straightener upwards while holding the hair section down. Flip the straightener upwards by 180°. Gently tug downward on the loose ends of the hair section. This will create a curve.
   
7. Place the straightener just below the first curve. Clamp it down.
   
   
8. Rotate the straightener downwards while holding the hair section up. Flip the straightener downwards by 180°. Meanwhile, gently tug on the loose ends of the hair section upwards. This will complete the crimp.
   
9. Place the hair straightener just below the crimp and continue crimping it. Rotate the straightener upwards while gently tugging down on the loose ends of your hair—just as before. Keep going down the length of the hair section, rotating the straightener up and down, until you reach the ends.
   
   
   • Be careful not to tug downwards with the hand that is holding onto the straightener.
10. Finish the rest of your hair. Remember to spray each section down with a heat protection spray before you touch it with the hair straightener. Also, if you divided your hair into two parts, let your already-crimped hair cool down a little before undoing the bun and crimping the rest of your hair.
    
    
11. Let your hair cool before you touch it. If you touch it too soon, you may mess up the crimps before they set. ^[6]
    
12. Consider spraying your hair with some hairspray. This will help set the crimps and make them last longer.
    

EditVideo

EditTips

• Consider braiding your hair while it is still damp and letting it dry over night. This is the safest way to crimp your hair, as it lacks heat. The more braids you use, the more crimped your hair will be.
• Crimping on thick or curly hair can appear frizzy. It works best on thin or straight hair.

mid-length to long and fairly thin and straight.^[7]

• Always apply a heat protection spray before using a hair straightener.
• Crimping works better on medium to long hair. It can look unruly on short hair.^[8]
• Use a styling mousse before you start crimping and hairspray after you are done crimping.^[9]

EditWarnings

• Not every method is going to work for every hair type; some people's hair holds styles better than others.
• Avoid using a high heat setting on your hair straightener, even with a heat protection spray.
• Do not use a hair straightener every day. You will damage your hair in the long run, even with a heat protection spray.

EditThings You'll Need

EditUsing Braids for a Tight Crimp

• Hair straightener
• Styling mousse
• Heat protection spray
• Small hair elastics
• Hairspray

EditUsing Pins for a Tight Crimp

• Hair straightener
• Styling mousse
• Heat protection spray
• U-pins
• Small hair elastics
• Hairspray

EditUsing Twists

• Hair straightener
• Styling mousse
• Heat protection spray
• Hairspray

EditUsing a Hair Straightener

• Hair straightener, ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) is recommended
• Styling mousse
• Heat protection spray
• Hairspray

EditRelated wikiHows

• Crimp (Electronics)

EditSources and Citations

• Videos provided by MysteseBeauty

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