BEAUTY
Crimped Hair Is Back: How to Get the Modern Look in 2026
By Augie Bennett
Updated 10 PM EST Aug 20, 2026
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.
The real question is not whether crimped hair is back. It is which version of crimped hair you want to wear.
In this guide, we break down modern crimped hairstyles, the difference between crimped hair and mermaid waves, how to create the look at home, and which styling method works best for each finish.
Quick Answer: What Does Modern Crimped Hair Look Like?
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.
Crimped Hair vs Mermaid Waves: What's the Difference?
They can look similar, but crimped hair and mermaid waves are not exactly the same.
| Table header 0 | Crimped Hair | Mermaid Waves |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern | More visible, textured bends or zigzags | Softer, flowing S-shaped waves |
| Definition | More defined | More blended |
| Volume | Usually more | Usually softer |
| Overall look | Textured, retro or statement-making | Polished, relaxed and beachy |
| Best for | Adding texture and volume | Creating flowing, uniform waves |
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.
If soft, flowing waves are more your style, you can also see our guide to creating beach waves with a curling iron.
5 Modern Crimped Hair Looks to Try
There is no single way to wear crimped hair. These five versions give you everything from soft everyday texture to a full retro finish.
1. Soft Modern Crimp
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.
The result should have visible movement without looking overly structured.
For this type of finish, TYMO ROVY is a natural fit because it creates wider, flowing wave patterns that sit between a traditional crimp and a soft beach wave.
2. Short Crimped Hair
Crimped texture can work especially well on bobs, lobs, and shoulder-length hair because it adds movement without requiring long lengths.
For a modern short-hair finish:
- Keep the roots relatively smooth
- Start the texture slightly below the root
- Use smaller sections around the face
- Avoid making every section identical
- Finish with your fingers instead of aggressively brushing
You can also leave the very ends slightly softer for a less structured result.
TYMO ROVY COMPACT is particularly useful when you want a more defined texture in a compact format.
3. 80s-Inspired Crimped Hair
If you want the full retro effect, go in the opposite direction.
The classic 80s crimp is:
- More defined
- More voluminous
- Styled closer to the roots
- Usually tighter through the lengths
- Intentionally bold
You can recreate the spirit of the look without turning it into a costume by pairing stronger texture with a cleaner part, softer makeup, or a more relaxed outfit.
The biggest difference is intention.
Modern soft crimping uses texture as movement. Classic 80s crimping uses texture as the statement.
4. Crimped Hair With Bangs
You do not have to crimp your bangs just because the rest of your hair is textured.
Curtain bangs and face-framing layers often look better when they stay slightly softer than the rest of the hair.
Try crimping the main lengths, then lightly bend or shape the front pieces separately.
For a bolder Y2K-inspired look, you can add a small amount of texture to selected face-framing pieces instead.
The contrast between smoother bangs and textured lengths can actually make the crimp pattern stand out more.
5. Long, Loose Crimped Hair
Long hair works beautifully with softer crimping because there is enough length for the pattern to gradually relax.
For a loose finish:
- Work through the hair in manageable sections.
- Create the wave or crimp pattern.
- Allow each section to cool.
- Gently separate with your fingers.
- Stop before the pattern becomes completely brushed out.
The result should feel somewhere between defined texture and loose waves.
This is also where a larger wave pattern can look particularly natural.
How to Crimp Hair Step by Step
Crimping hair is relatively simple, but a few small choices can completely change the finished look.
Step 1: 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.
Step 2: Divide Your Hair Into Sections
Separate the hair into manageable layers.
The size of each section affects the finished result:
Smaller sections create more visible texture.
Larger sections create a softer, more relaxed finish.
If your hair is thick, adding more layers is usually easier than trying to put too much hair into the tool at once.
Step 3: Decide Where You Want the Texture to Start
For a softer modern look, start slightly below the roots.
For a more dramatic retro crimp, you can begin closer to the root area.
You can also leave selected pieces smooth to create contrast.
Step 4: Create the Pattern
Place the styling tool on the first section, then continue down the length of the hair.
With a waver such as TYMO ROVY, work down the section gradually so the wave pattern connects through the lengths.
Try to keep the placement relatively consistent if you want uniform waves.
For a more relaxed finish, the sections do not need to look completely identical.
$69.99
$69.99
25 mm
Tamaño del barril
32 mm
Tamaño del barril
AJUSTADO Y GLAMOROSO
Resultados de Waves
SUELTO Y NATURAL
Resultados de Waves
325g/0.72lb
Peso
550g/1.21lb
Peso
40 MILLONES
Iones negativos
40 MILLONES
Iones negativos
9 AJUSTES DE TEMPERATURA
(280-430°F)
9 AJUSTES DE TEMPERATURA
(280-430°F)
4 AJUSTES DE TEMPORIZADOR (4-10S)
Alerta de pitido
4 AJUSTES DE TEMPORIZADOR (4-10S)
Alerta de pitido
30 MINUTOS APAGADO AUTOMÁTICO
Bloqueo de seguridad
30 MINUTOS APAGADO AUTOMÁTICO
Bloqueo de seguridad
VOLTAJE DUAL
(100-240V)
VOLTAJE DUAL
(100-240V)
• TYMO ROVY COMPACT Rizador de ondas x1
Qué está incluido
• TYMO ROVY Plancha de Rizar Wave x1
Qué incluye
Step 5: Let the Hair Cool
Do not immediately brush through freshly styled sections.
Let the texture cool first so you can see how much definition remains before deciding how much to loosen it.
Step 6: Finish Based on the Look You Want
For more definition, separate the sections lightly with your fingers.
For softer crimped waves, use your fingers or a wide-tooth comb after the hair has cooled.
For an even looser finish, gently brush through the texture.
The more you separate the hair, the less obvious the original crimp pattern becomes.
What Tool Should You Use for Crimped Hair?
The best tool depends on the texture you actually want.
Traditional Hair Crimper
A traditional crimper typically creates a smaller, more defined zigzag pattern.
It is best suited to:
- Classic retro crimps
- Strong volume
- 80s-inspired styles
- Very defined texture
Hair Waver
A waver creates a wider pattern and is better suited to softer, more modern texture.
It works particularly well for:
- Loose crimped hair
- Mermaid-style waves
- Long textured hair
- Soft modern crimps
For a wider, natural-looking wave, try TYMO ROVY.
For a deeper, more defined wave pattern, TYMO ROVY COMPACT gives you another option.
You can also browse the full TYMO hair curler collection to compare different curling and waving methods.
| If you want... | Try |
|---|---|
| Soft, wide modern texture | TYMO ROVY |
| Deeper, more defined waves | TYMO ROVY COMPACT |
| More curl and wave options | TYMO Hair Curlers |
$69.99
$69.99
25 mm
Tamaño del barril
32 mm
Tamaño del barril
AJUSTADO Y GLAMOROSO
Resultados de Waves
SUELTO Y NATURAL
Resultados de Waves
325g/0.72lb
Peso
550g/1.21lb
Peso
40 MILLONES
Iones negativos
40 MILLONES
Iones negativos
9 AJUSTES DE TEMPERATURA
(280-430°F)
9 AJUSTES DE TEMPERATURA
(280-430°F)
4 AJUSTES DE TEMPORIZADOR (4-10S)
Alerta de pitido
4 AJUSTES DE TEMPORIZADOR (4-10S)
Alerta de pitido
30 MINUTOS APAGADO AUTOMÁTICO
Bloqueo de seguridad
30 MINUTOS APAGADO AUTOMÁTICO
Bloqueo de seguridad
VOLTAJE DUAL
(100-240V)
VOLTAJE DUAL
(100-240V)
• TYMO ROVY COMPACT Rizador de ondas x1
Qué está incluido
• TYMO ROVY Plancha de Rizar Wave x1
Qué incluye
$69.99
$69.99
32 mm
Tamaño del barril
25 mm
Tamaño del barril
SUELTO Y NATURAL
Resultados de Waves
AJUSTADO Y GLAMOROSO
Resultados de Waves
550g/1.21lb
Peso
325g/0.72lb
Peso
40 MILLONES
Iones negativos
40 MILLONES
Iones negativos
9 AJUSTES DE TEMPERATURA
(280-430°F)
9 AJUSTES DE TEMPERATURA
(280-430°F)
4 AJUSTES DE TEMPORIZADOR (4-10S)
Alerta de pitido
4 AJUSTES DE TEMPORIZADOR (4-10S)
Alerta de pitido
30 MINUTOS APAGADO AUTOMÁTICO
Bloqueo de seguridad
30 MINUTOS APAGADO AUTOMÁTICO
Bloqueo de seguridad
VOLTAJE DUAL
(100-240V)
VOLTAJE DUAL
(100-240V)
• TYMO ROVY Plancha de Rizar Wave x1
Qué incluye
• TYMO ROVY COMPACT Rizador de ondas x1
Qué está incluido
If you already own a three-barrel waver, our complete three-barrel curling iron guide also explains how to work through sections and create an even wave pattern.
How Long Does Crimped Hair Last?
There is no single answer because curl and wave retention depends on your hair.
Factors include:
- Hair type
- Hair length and weight
- Humidity
- Styling products
- Section size
- How much the finished texture is brushed
- Whether the hair was allowed to cool before loosening
If your hair tends to lose texture quickly, avoid creating an extremely loose wave from the beginning. Start with slightly more definition, allow it to cool, then loosen it gradually.
You can use the same principle we explain in our guide to making curls last longer.
Final Takeaway
Crimped hair in 2026 can be as subtle or as retro as you want it to be.
For a modern finish, focus on:
- Softer texture
- Wider waves
- Smoother roots
- Natural movement
- Selected sections instead of rigid uniformity
For a statement look, lean into the opposite: smaller texture, stronger volume, and more obvious 80s or Y2K inspiration.
If you want a softer, wider pattern, TYMO ROVY is a strong match for modern crimped and wave-inspired styles.
For deeper, more defined texture, explore TYMO ROVY COMPACT.
Or compare all TYMO hair curlers to find the styling method that matches your look.
About the Author
Augie Bennett is a content strategist at TYMO Beauty, focusing on hair-tool education, product comparisons, styling techniques, and search-led content development. Her work combines search behavior, product knowledge, content research, and practical styling guidance to help readers choose and use hair tools more confidently.
