How to Crimp Hair Without Heat

The quickest and most common way to crimp hair is to use a crimping iron. Unfortunately, heat styling can be very damaging to hair, even with a heat protecting spray. Fortunately, there are several ways to crimp your hair without using any heat. It will take longer than with heat styling, but the results are safe and worth it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Braiding Hair for a Tight Crimp

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If you have not already, shampoo and condition your hair. Let it air dry partway before continuing; it will be easier to braid. Make sure that your hair is completely tangle-free. Run a wide-toothed comb through it, if necessary.
This will make it easier to work with. For a tighter crimp, pull the top three-quarters of your hair into the bun and leave the bottom fourth loose. For a looser crimp, pull only half of your hair up into the bun, and leave the bottom half loose. This will be the first layer you will be working with.
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3
Consider massaging some light-hold styling mousse into the bottom layer. This will help your hair hold the crimp better, especially if your hair is very straight or does not hold a curl well. If you do this, you will need to do it for each layer of hair that you work with.
- You can use hairspray instead of mousse if you prefer.^{[1]XExpert SourceMichelle Bebbington
  Professional Hair StylistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.}
Take a section of hair closest to your face. Try to keep the braid tight. The smaller section of hair you braid with, the tighter crimp you will get.
When you get to the very end of your hair, tie a mini hair elastic around the braid ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) from the bottom. Loop the tail end of the braid into the hair elastic.^{[2]XExpert SourceMichelle Bebbington
Professional Hair StylistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.} This will help keep the ends looking crimped and prevent them from appearing too straight.^{[3]XResearch source}
Try to keep the braids as even as possible.^{[4]XExpert SourceMichelle Bebbington
Professional Hair StylistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.}
7
Let down the next layer of hair. Once you finish the row, undo the bun at the top of your head, and let down another layer of hair. If you are working with more than two layers for a tighter crimp, pull the rest of your hair up into the bun.
- If you applied mousse into the bottom layer earlier, be sure to apply more mousse to this new layer.
When you finish the end of a row, let down some hair. You want to end up with four rows of braids for a tight crimp, and two rows for a loose crimp.
This will help give your hair some extra holding power.^{[5]XResearch source}
This can take anywhere between two to four hours. If you are going to sleep with the braids in, then consider wrapping your hair with a head scarf or sleeping on a satin pillowcase. This will help reduce friction and prevent frizz.
Start with the bottom layer first, then work your way to the top. If you aren't certain whether or not your hair is dry, press your fingers into one of the braids. If the hair inside the braid feels dry, the braids are safe to undo. If the hair inside the braid feels damp, let your hair dry longer.^{[6]XExpert SourceMichelle Bebbington
Professional Hair StylistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.}
12
Style your hair as desired, but do not brush it. Brushing crimped hair will make it turn frizzy. You can leave your hair loose, or you can part it off to one side. You can even wrap a headband around your head or pull your hair up into a high ponytail.
- If the crimps aren't fluffy enough, you can soften them by gently running your fingers through your hair.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Braiding Hair for a Loose Crimp

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If you have not already, shampoo and condition your hair. Let it air dry partway before continuing; it will be easier to braid. Make sure that your hair is completely tangle-free. Run a wide-toothed comb through it, if necessary.^{[7]XExpert SourceMichelle Bebbington
Professional Hair StylistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.}
This will help your hair hold the crimp better, especially if your hair is very straight or does not hold a curl well. If you do this, you will need to do it for each layer of hair that you work with.
3
Divide your hair into sections. The more sections you have, the tighter crimp you will get. If you want, you can keep these sections separated temporarily with a hairclip, a claw clip, or even some hair ties. Be sure to take these out before you are braiding that section.
- For thinner hair, try 3 to 5 sections.
- For thicker hair, try 3 to 10 sections.
4
Braid or French braid your hair. Try to keep the braids as tight as possible. A regular braid will result in straighter hair at top, and crimped hair at the bottom. A French braid will result in an all-over crimp.^{[8]XExpert SourceMichelle Bebbington
Professional Hair StylistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.}
- Be sure to braid your hair all the way to the ends. Tie the braid off with a hair tie about ½ to 1 inch (1.27 to 2.54 centimeters) from the ends. Loop the tail end of the braid into the hair elastic. This will help create that all-over crimped look, and prevent any straight ends.
The hairspray will help your hair keep the crimp longer.
This can take up to four hours, or even longer, depending on the thickness of your hair. If you are going to sleep with the braids in, try wrapping your hair with a head scarf or sleeping on a satin pillowcase. This will help prevent friction and frizz.
If you can't tell if your hair is dry, press your fingers into one of the braids. If the hair inside the braid feels dry, then you can undo the braids. If the hair feels damp, let your hair dry longer.^{[9]XExpert SourceMichelle Bebbington
Professional Hair StylistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.}
Brushing crimped hair will make it turn poofy. If the crimps aren't fluffy enough for you, soften them up by gently running your fingers through them.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Straws

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If you have not already, wash your hair with shampoo and conditioner. Run a wide-toothed comb through your hair to undo any tangles, if necessary. Allow your hair to hair dry partway before continuing.
Plan on having the top three-quarters up in the bun, and the bottom forth loose. You will be winding this hair around the straws first.
^{[10]XResearch source} This is especially helpful for those with very straight hair, or whose hair can't hold a curl. Just remember, each time you let down another layer of hair, you will need to apply more mousse to that layer.
Choose a section closest to your face. Smooth out any flyaways using your fingers or a comb.
If the straw has a bendy tip, you might want to cut that part off. You will be weaving the hair section around the straw.
Sandwich the hair between the two sides of the straw. Bring the straw as close to your roots as possible. Weave the hair around the two sides of the straw in figure-eights. Try to keep the hair as tight as possible.
When you have no hair left to weave, pinch the two ends of the straw together. Wrap a mini hair elastic around the two ends of the straw, pinning the hair shut between them.
When you reach the other side of your hair, undo the bun and let down the next layer of hair. Half of your hair should now be loose. Pull the top half of your hair up into a bun. If you applied styling mousse to your hair before, apply it to this new layer now.
You should have four rows of hair-wrapped straws.
^{[11]XResearch source} This will help your hair hold its crimped shape better when you take the straws out.
This can take several hours. If you are going to sleep with the straws in your hair, you might want to tie a head scarf around your hair, or sleep on a satin pillowcase. This will help reduce friction and frizz.
Start with the bottom-most layer. Take a straw closest to your face, and pull the hair elastic off. Grip the straw by the folded end, and carefully slide it out of your hair. Finish pulling the straws out of the bottom-most row before you move onto the next.
If you brush your hair, it will turn frizzy. If the crimps are too tight for your liking, you can fluff them out a little with your fingers.

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Question
How do you crimp your hair without braids?
Community Answer
With a crimping machine, but this would be using heat.
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Question
How long will my hair stay crimped?
Community Answer
If you wrap your hair in a head scarf, it should stay for about 3-4 weeks.
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Tips

Hairspray can help to keep the crimping in place.
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If your hair tends to get frizzy, consider adding a frizz-control styling cream into your hair before you start crimping it.
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If your hair is very straight or can't hold a curl, consider applying some styling mousse into your hair before you start crimping it.
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Warnings

Your hair must be completely dry before you take the braids or straws out. If you hair is even a little damp, your hair will not be crimped.
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