Say “crimper” to anyone who lived through the 1980s and you will get a wince and a memory of frazzled, zigzagged hair. But the crimper has grown up. The modern version, alongside its softer sibling the waver, has quietly become one of the smartest tools for adding volume and texture that no straightener or curling iron can replicate. Used well, it takes flat, lifeless hair and gives it body, movement and an editorial edge. This guide covers how to get that texture without the damage the old crimpers were infamous for, and it belongs alongside the rest of our guide to hair styling tools.
Crimpers vs Wavers
They are cousins, not twins. A crimper has plates with a tight, angular pattern that presses sharp zigzags into the hair — bold, textured and dramatic. A waver (sometimes called a triple-barrel) creates soft, rounded S-waves that look like effortless beach hair. Which you want depends on the look: crimpers for volume and statement texture, wavers for that undone, tousled finish. Many modern tools offer interchangeable plates so you can do both.
The Secret Use: Hidden Volume
Here is the trick stylists use that most people miss. Crimp only the under-layers of your hair, close to the roots, and leave the top layer smooth over the top. The crimped hair underneath acts like invisible scaffolding, lifting the smooth top layer into full, voluminous body without any visible zigzag at all. It is the fastest way to fake thick, bouncy hair, and for anyone with fine or flat hair it is reason enough to own a crimper.
Getting Texture Without the Frazzle
- Choose a tool with adjustable temperature — the old crimpers ran on one blazing setting, which is exactly why they fried hair. Modern control is everything.
- Always use heat protectant — crimper plates make firm, full contact with the hair, so protection is non-negotiable.
- Press, don’t drag — hold the plates in place for a couple of seconds and release, rather than sliding, for clean texture and less stress on the hair.
- Work on dry hair only — never crimp damp hair; the steam damage is severe.
Who Should Buy One
A crimper is a specialist rather than an everyday tool, which is why it sits lower on most people’s priority list. But if your hair falls flat and refuses to hold volume, or you love texture and statement styles, it earns its place. It is also a fun, low-commitment way to change your look without heat-styling every day — and paired with the smooth-top technique, it flatters fine hair better than almost anything else.
Texture Without Any Heat
If you love the crimped, textured look but want to give your hair a break from heat, you can get a similar effect the old-fashioned way. Overnight braids or the heatless methods in our guide to curly hair products create waves and texture with no thermal damage at all. And for soft volume rather than sharp texture, hot rollers are the gentler tool that gives bounce instead of zigzag.
The Takeaway
The crimper has earned its comeback. With adjustable heat, heat protectant and the hidden-volume trick, it delivers body and texture that other tools simply cannot — no frazzle required. It may not be an everyday essential, but for flat, fine or texture-loving hair, it is a small tool with an outsized effect.
