Hair crimping

What it is

This styling method transforms usually straight and long hair into a wavy texture with a distinct sawtooth or zig-zag pattern. It is often called crimping in the Southern United States, though some refer to the result as crinkles or deep waves. The look is visually striking and relies on creating uniform ridges along the hair shaft. It is typically worn by women for everyday wear or stage appearances where bold texture is desired.

Where it comes from

Geri Cusenza, the founder of Sebastian, invented the modern crimping iron in 1972. She created it specifically for Barbra Streisand’s hair. The style reached its height of mainstream popularity during the mid-1980s. Fashion cycles tend to bring it back every ten years. In 2007, Chanel featured crimped hair on a runway model, which helped renew interest throughout late 2007 and 2008.

What it means

The style is valued for its visually striking effect on fashion runways and in hairstyle shows. Its recurring popularity suggests it serves as a bold aesthetic choice rather than a subtle daily look. The association with high-profile figures like Streisand and major fashion houses like Chanel lends it status within the beauty industry.

How it is made

You can achieve this look by treating hair with heat from a crimping iron. This tool has parallel heated plates with a flat S-shaped repeating groove. Alternatively, braid the hair in multiple strands and leave them for a couple of hours. Undo the braids to reveal the wave pattern. The heat method provides immediate results while the braid method takes time.

Who and what it suits

This technique is designed for usually straight and long hair. It works best when there is enough length to show the repeating zig-zag pattern clearly. Those with naturally curly or very short hair may not achieve the specific sawtooth effect described in standard definitions of the style.

Versions

Regional names include crinkles and deep waves, particularly in the Southern United States. The method varies between using a specialized heating tool with S-shaped grooves and the manual technique of braiding and undoing strands. Both methods aim for the same zig-zag visual outcome.

In culture

The style appears frequently in fashion and hairstyle shows due to its dramatic visual impact. Chanel revived interest in 2007 by featuring it on the runway. Its tendency to return in ten-year cycles marks it as a recurring trend in popular culture rather than a permanent staple.

Questions people ask about Hair crimping

Good reading and sources

• Hair crimping on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data