How to Crinkle Hair

Co-authored by Ashley Adams

Last Updated: August 23, 2021 References

Crinkling your hair can be a fun, exciting style to try! You can get casual crinkles no matter your hair texture, which is what makes this such a versatile look. Your crinkles can look more defined like crimps or looser like waves. To crinkle your hair, you can use a waver or flat iron, or get heatless crinkles through braiding.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using a Waver or Crimping Iron

1
Apply a texturizing spray to damp hair. One way to help give your hair stylish crinkles is to prime your hair with texturizing spray. This helps give your hair enough grip that the crinkles will hold. Cover your hair with a heat-protectant texturizing spray when wet, and then blow it dry.^{[1]
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- Hold the spray bottle around six inches away from your hair. Spray a light mist of spray over all of your hair, then comb through the strands to spread it.
- If your texturizing spray doesn’t have a heat protectant, spritz one on after your regular texturizing spray.
2
Choose the right tool for the type of crinkles you desire. You can have loose or tight crinkles depending on the tool that you use. For loose crinkle waves, use a heat waver iron. You can also use a wider crimp tool for loose crinkles.^{[2]
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- Use a small crimping iron for tight crinkles. This will give you tiny crinkles spread out through your hair. You can achieve this look with a crimping iron with small, narrow plates.^{[3]
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3
Divide your hair in sections. This makes it easier to use the waver or crimping iron. Divide your hair in half, and then section and style off one half before the other. Place your hair into small sections that are around one inch (25 mm) each.^{[4]
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4
Start at the back and move forward. Use the heat tool on the bottom, back sections first. This helps you get the harder to reach parts styled before you let more hair down.^{[5]
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5
Start the tool near the roots of your hair and move down. Move the waver or crimping iron down along your section of hair instead of up from the bottom. Hold the waver closed for 5-10 seconds, long enough that the hair should be crinkled when released and it will be hot to the touch.^{[6]
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- You can go all the way to the tips or leave the ends free for a bit of a casual, beach-vibe.
6
Break up the crinkles with your fingers. After you finish putting the waves over your entire hair, run your hands through it. This helps get rid of the “just crinkled” look and give your hair a more natural, casual look.^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Creating Crinkles with Braids

1
Apply a texturizing product. After washing your hair, put a texturizing product in it. This can be a cream or a spray. You want to give your hair some grip and texture so the crinkles will hold on to the hair.^{[8]
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- Hold the texturizing spray about six inches from your hair and cover your entire head. If you are using a cream, use about a dime-sized amount and spread throughout your hair. Use a comb afterwards to spread the texturizing product through your hair.
- If you have a dry or kinky hair texture, you can also add a small amount of hair oil to wet hair before you braid it. Just place a small amount in your hair and spread it throughout your hair.^{[9]
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2
Braid your hair. To get crinkles in your hair, braid it after applying the texturizing product. You can do a regular braid, French braid, or double French braids. For more defined crinkles, use two braids on both sides of the head. Make each strand of the braid around one inch (25 mm) wide.^{[10]
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- You can do this when your hair is wet or dry.
- Braid your hair tight enough to keep the braids from coming undone, but not so tightly that it causes you scalp pain.
- You can leave a few inches at the end of the hair so the crinkles don’t go down all the hair. If your hair is naturally straight, you will likely need to secure the braid with a hair tie.
3
Experiment with the size and number of braids. The number and size of the braids will determine how defined your crinkles are. Looser crinkles can be achieved from larger braids. Tighter crinkles can be attained with smaller, more numerous braids over your head.^{[11]
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4
Dry the braids. After your braids are secure, use a hair dryer to dry the hair. You probably won’t get all of the moisture out, but it helps you not go to sleep with super wet hair. The heat also helps set the crinkles in your hair.^{[12]
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5
Sleep on the braids. Sleep with the braids in your hair. This helps your hair have time to develop crinkles. Sleep on a satin pillowcase to protect the strands of your hair. In the morning, take down the braid and comb your fingers through it.^{[13]
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- You can also leave the braids in for a few days to let it set even more.^{[14]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Trying a Flat Iron

1
Separate your hair into smaller sections. To use the flat iron to create crinkles, you need to divide your hair into manageable sections. Divide your hair in half, and then separate one side into smaller sections. The sections of hair should be around one inch (25 mm).
- You will do the same thing with the other side when you finish styling the first side.
2
Create a crinkle by folding the hair. Hold the section of hair away from your head. Clamp the flat iron around the section of hair near your scalp. Then, bend your wrist down to create a crinkle. You are almost folding the hair under itself with the flat iron. Hold for a few seconds.^{[15]
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3
Move down the strand to make the next crinkle. Move the flat iron down your hair to the next straight section. Right under the crinkle you just made, clamp the flat iron down. Bend the wrist the opposite way you did to begin with, like you are folding the hair over the crinkle you just made. This should make another crinkle.^{[16]
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4
Continue down the strand of hair. Go down the strand of hair bending the flat iron back and forth until you get to the ends. This should create a crinkled strand. Repeat this bending and folding for each part of your hair you sectioned off. Run your hands through your hair when finished.^{[17]
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Expert Q&A

Question

How do you make your dreads crinkly?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can braid your dreads to create a crinkle or wave effect. Just braid them when damp and let your hair air dry completely before removing the braids.
Question

What does a crimper do to your hair?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

A crimper presses a section of hair between two heated plates leaving behind a zigzag shape. This creates a crimped effect.
Question

How do you make your hair crimped without a crimper?

Laura Martin
Licensed Cosmetologist
Laura Martin is a Licensed Cosmetologist in Georgia. She has been a hair stylist since 2007 and a cosmetology teacher since 2013.

Laura Martin

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

You can create crimps with braiding. Make small braids all over and press them with a flat iron.