How to Do Crimp Curls: See Photos

When it comes to testing products, hacks, or treatments, anything involving hair is usually at the top of my list. Whether it’s a claw-clip hack or an entirely new hair-color trend, I’m typically game to try almost anything.

I’ve had my fair share of trials that didn’t end well, but for the most part, I’m happy with the results, especially if it’s something I’ve learned about on TikTok. I find myself using the platform more than any other social media app (and honestly maybe even more than Google), and it’s no joke when I say there’s always a new look popping up every other day.

My latest obsession? Crimp curls. Keep scrolling to learn what they are and to see how they worked for me when I tried the TikTok-viral crimp curls hack.

What Are Crimp Curls?

If you’ve been seeing the term “crimp curls” all over TikTok and you’ve been wondering WTF they are, don’t worry — I’m here to help. Essentially it’s a hairstyle that’s been taking over social media, and it’s a mixture of crimped and curled hair. Rather than doing just one style, people have been mixing the two looks for the perfect undone curls. They don’t look too intense, they’re subdued, but they still look put together.

I’ve been a fan ever since I first came across the trend on TikTok, but I wasn’t sure how it would look on me, or if I’d even be able to master it. Luckily, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be.

How to Do Crimp Curls

Getting the look was easy. First, I needed two tools, a curling iron and a crimping tool for mermaid waves. I went with my beloved T3 Single Pass 1.5″ Ceramic Curling Iron ($150) and the Mane 1.2″ Jumbo Hair Waver System ($98). I’m obsessed with both of these tools because the styles I get are always long lasting, and they give my hair tons of shine in the process. While my tools heated up, I spritzed my hair using the Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protection Spray ($46). I’m a big fan of this heat protectant because I can use it on dry hair and it doesn’t make my hair feel wet, greasy, or sticky. Plus, it has a great scent.

Next it was time to section off my hair. I started out by dividing it into two sections (top and bottom) and pinning the top half up with a claw-clip. While just the bottom half was left out, I started styling the left side. I took the first one inch section of my hair and styled it using my curling iron. I curled away from my head and twisted outward, almost like I was doing Utah curls. Then I picked up the following one inch section of hair right next to it and used my jumbo waver. I repeated this on the entire bottom section of my hair, swapping which tool I used each time I did a one inch section. From there, I let down the middle section, repeated the same steps, and then let down the top section.

This portion was a little trickier because I now have curtain bangs, but I ended up blowing them out using a round brush and then curling just the ends to give the style a cohesive look. Once I was finished, I sprayed everything using the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray ($52), which ensured my hair style would last — even through the dry Los Angeles heat.

The final look was pretty much perfect: it wasn’t too crimped, it wasn’t too curled, and landed somewhere solidly in the middle — a spot Goldilocks would be totally envious of. Plus, I have fairly fine hair, but this hairstyle makes everything look a whole lot fuller, especially when I add in the texturizing spray.

I’ve worn crimp curls a bunch of times since the first time I tested it out, and I always get tons of a compliments. A lot of my friends have complained to me about not being able to get a more undone look when using their waver tools and attempting mermaid waves, and I always suggest testing out this method. It’s been the perfect hairstyle for me to wear over and over again all summer long. If you’ve been thinking about testing it out, this is your sign to try it ASAP.

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.