| To Crimp Or Not To Crimp |
| Karen Marie Shelton - Copyright 1999 |
| Revised Date: 10/02/2005 - Original
Publication Date: 1999 |
Introduction
I picked up a recent issue of a fashion magazine while I was stuck in the check out lane at
the local Kroger. The cover page touted "Hair News 30 Looks You'll Love".
How could a hair junkie like me NOT read an article with that title?
I was pleased that I took the time to pick up the magazine. The
title: Rave Waves, Curls & Crimps grabbed my eye. While waves and curls
were
very big for 1999, crimped hair was also a major hair happening.
The article was based around the hair look for 1999, which was known as the
"bed-head" look. To get this look, all you needed to do is look like you
just hoped out of bed.
The
late famous NYC stylist John Sahag of John Sahag
Workshop, provided the magazine with some details on how to achieve a hair look that
fearlessly flaunted the concept of hair that is totally "undone". The key
for the "bed-head" look is to be as messy as possible.
Sahag explained in the magazine that "the rumpled hair styles work for just about every type of hair".
He pointed out that "crimping works best for straight hair". While
curls and waves are considered romantic, texture adding crimping is considered edgy.
Is crimping for everyone? Many stylists might argue that the "bed-head"
look or the crimped look works best for younger hair. I would hate to put any
limiting factors on any hairstyles, however, when it comes to crimping, the key is to
evaluate every factor from hair type, texture and length to how the style
meshes with your current image and age.
The History Of Crimping
The modern crimping iron was specifically invented in 1972 by Geri
Cusensa, the original founder of Sebastian, for Barbara Streisand's hair.
The newly created "crimped hair" look was considered very hot and copied by
many people.
While it is possible that a form of crimping was used in other
periods of history, the modern form was ushered in just for Barbara.
In a sense, Barbara's crimped hair was a "look" just
like Farrah's wings and Dorothy Hamil's wedge.
The crimped look got a lot of attention and the newly invented
crimping irons took their places on the shelves of major retail outlets right next to the
curling irons.
Celebrity Bed Head Crimping Look
Besides Barbara, many celebrities adopted the crimped
look at various times over the past several years. Jody Foster was a big fan of crimping in 1987. Because
Jody has a tiny,
oval shaped face with thin hair, crimping was a great look for her.
Alyssa Milano was also a fan of crimping in 1987 when she was
at the tender age of 14. Alyssa reportedly enjoyed the "steamy crimped hair look".
The photo of Alyssa with her crimped hair is from the March issue of InStyle
magazine. With her crimped hair She was a perfect
example of "bed-head" hair. Alyssa no longer wears her hair crimped.
The current star of the Bewitched series, Alyssa wears her hair
in an every changing array of styles that range from super short to long.
Crimping Alternatives
Crimping can be used to create many different types of looks.
Because crimping adds texture and fullness to hair, it works very well with thinner
hair. If your hair is thick, crimping can make the hair look too big.
You will have to judge for yourself whether crimping would work best in
just selected areas of your hairstyle or as a total look.
The ideal face shape for crimping is oval. Consequently
small faces look good in crimped hair.
Crimping Styles
Crimping also looks great as an adjunct to a sleek
ponytail. The three hairstyles below use crimping in a variety of different
ways. The styles were taken from the book, The Hairstyle File
by Jacki Wadeson.
The Hairstyle File
was copyrighted in 1990, but shows some original and inventive ways to add crimping to an
existing hairstyle. Unfortunately, this great book is no longer in print.
The first style to the right demonstrates crimping of just the ponytail. The bangs and the sides of
the hair are left uncrimped.
The hair is pulled into a half ponytail at the top of the head
with some of the hair left hanging loosely at the nape of the neck. Crimping was
done to all the hair in the ponytail. You
also have the option to do crimping to the loose hair at the nape of the neck or the
hair can be left straight.
Multiple Ponytails
Crimping is very versatile. You can crimp everything from
your entire hairstyle to just selected parts of your hair. Crimping can be used on
just the bangs, on just the top layer of the overall hair or at selected ends.
Crimping also works well in a multiple ponytail style as shown
below. In this style, three different ponytails are formed at the base of the neck.
Strands of hair are wrapped around the ponytails and pinned securely. Then
the loose hair in the ponytail is crimped from the top of the ponytail to almost the ends
of the hair.
Since crimping may cause some breakage to
the hair, it is best to avoid crimping the very ends of the hair. It is best to stop
the crimping just above the ends. The multiple ponytail look can be modified to
include more or less ponytails.
The crimping can be done on alternating ponytails where one of the three
ponytails might have crimping and the rest could be left straight. You also have the
option to vary the amount of crimping that is done to the hair. Crimping can be done
to just the bottom layer of the hair, the top layer of the hair or all of the hair.
The advantages that crimping offers is that it adds texture and
the ability to do a completely new look to your hair. The key to crimping is
experimenting to find the look that is best with your face shape and current
hairstyle.
Any face shape can take advantage of crimping if it is applied
wisely. Some face shapes can support an
entire head of crimping, some shapes do best with only partial crimping.
Crimping of the bangs will add texture and fullness to the front of your
face while crimping of a topknot or ponytail will add height.
The crimped style to
the right shows a hairstyle where the hair is pulled back behind the ears with the top hair
gathered into soft ribbon ponytails that fall loosely. Only the loose hair at the
bottom has been crimped.
If you look closely, the hair is only crimped on the top layers with the
bottom layers being left straight.
The only thing that will limit you with crimping is your
willingness to experiment. Orlando Pita matched hair that was tightly braided along
the scalp (as shown below) with a "big hair" crimped look at the back of the
head.
Orlando added some crimping to the top layers
of the hair to give it a wild and partially curly, partially wavy look.
The braids
at the front of the hair are very small and placed tightly against the scalp.
This photo was taken by Mario Testino for Glamour Magazine and
was copied from Hair Style by Amy Fine Collins.
Try Out Crimping
Before you make an investment in a brand new crimping iron, you may want to "try
crimping" on for size. You may want to ask your hairstylist to crimp your hair
to see if you like the look.
Or you can do a dress rehearsal by braiding wet hair into very small, very tight braids
and then letting them air dry. When you take the braids out, you will have a similar
effect to crimping.
The advantage that crimping has over applying lots of little braids all over your head
is the time factor. Also, unless the braids are all completely uniform, the crimped
look will not be as even.
A crimping iron provides a fast and easy crimped look that is more uniform. The
down side to crimping vs little braids is that the crimping uses heat and may damage the
hair more.
A danger with braids is that if they are too tight against the scalp, over time, they
can contribute to hair loss.
One special advantage to crimping is that you can always wash it out with just one
shampoo. Of course the same is true with little braids.
Crimping Dos & Don'ts
Just like a straightening or curling iron, a crimping iron uses heat to cause a
temporary change to the hair's appearance and texture. It is best to use a crimping
iron only on hair that is not damaged or prone to easy damage.
While a crimping iron can provide a wonderful change to an existing hairstyle, it is in
the best interest of your hair not to use it on a daily basis.
It is best to use any hair care appliance that applies heat on an irregular schedule.
DO
- Make sure that your hair is 100% dry before using a crimping iron or any type of heated
device (e.g. curling iron, straightening iron, etc.)
- Always apply a "heat protection" product to your hair before you crimp.
- For extra protection against heat damage, use a good moisturizing shampoo (Phytojoba) and rinse out conditioner.
If your hair is more fragile consider using a leave-in conditioner that will also act as
a heat protector (Phyto
7,
Phyto 9) or similar. Always apply a "heat protection" product to your
hair before you use a crimping iron.
DON'T
- Crimp hair that is heavily damaged from chemical processing or that is prone to breaking
off.
- Crimp hair that is wet, or even a little damp.
- Crimp more than every once in awhile, or for special events.
If your hair is more fragile consider using a leave-in conditioner that will also act as
a heat protector (Phyto
7,
Phyto 9) Always apply a "heat protection" product to your
hair before you use a crimping iron.
How To Crimp
If you have analyzed your face shape, the condition of your hair and have figured out a
great way to add crimping to your "look" follow these steps:
- Wash hair with a good moisturizing shampoo.
- Use either a good wash out or leave in conditioner.
- Finish with a cold water rinse to seal the hair shaft.
- Blot your hair as dry as possible with a towel.
- Detangle & pick your hair.
- Apply a good heat protection spray.
- Blow dry your hair on the coolest/coldest setting.
- When hair is totally dry, use the crimping iron.
You can use the crimping iron everywhere. If you want more
volume, use a volume enhancing shampoo and conditioner and apply a little volume gel to
the roots of your hair before you begin to blow dry.
Summary
The "bed-head" look is always hot for hair. The messier your hair, the
better. Although modern crimping has been around since the early 70s, crimping keeps
coming back into popularity.
Although crimping is generally adopted by younger people, anybody of any age, race or
sex, can try crimping. However, it is important to make sure that your have a
compatible face shape and hair that is in good condition.
If you still want to crimp but want to avoid potential heat damage to your hair, be
sure to limit the portions of hair that you crimp. You can go as lightly as just the
bangs or go full out ala Barbara Streisand and have your whole hairstyle a mass of crimps.
Revised - 6/23/06 - Original Publication Date: 1999 |