Iconic 80s-Hairstyles Crimped Hair

I still remember the first time I tried crimping my hair—standing in front of the mirror with that sizzling iron, hoping I wouldn’t burn off a whole chunk. It was messy, a little chaotic, and honestly… kind of magical. If you’ve ever looked at those bold 80s-hairstyles crimped hair photos and thought, “Could I actually pull that off?” you’re definitely not alone. A lot of us love the drama of those zig-zag waves but feel unsure about making them look stylish instead of costume-y (trust me, I’ve been there). In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to embrace the trend without feeling overwhelmed—what works, what doesn’t, and how to get that fun, textured look with confidence. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to rock crimped hair in a way that feels modern, playful, and totally you.

80s-Hairstyles Crimped Hair

80s-Hairstyles Crimped Hair is all about bold texture and fun zig-zag waves that make your hair look big and stylish. This iconic trend brings back the playful, high-volume vibe of the classic 80s era.

Crimped Full-Volume Waves

I always say crimped full-volume waves are my personal love letter to the 80s. Every time I create this look on a model, it feels like plugging straight into that wild, carefree energy. Honestly, the moment the first crimp pattern shows up, I get that tiny spark of excitement—like “yesss, this is going to look iconic.” I’ve found that the secret is not being afraid of volume. Most people hesitate, but in my opinion, the bigger the hair, the more the crimp pattern shines.
When I’m styling it, I usually start at the bottom and just work my way up, letting the texture pile on and fluff out naturally. I swear, every time I do this style, the model starts touching her hair and smiling because the transformation is instant. If you want to try it, just commit fully—don’t stop halfway. Crimp everything, shake it out, and enjoy the chaos.

Half-Up Crimped Style

The half-up crimped style is something I always reach for when I want that perfect balance between playful and polished. To be fair, this look came to me accidentally when I had a model arrive late and I had to improvise. I crimped her hair quickly, pulled half of it up, and suddenly it looked like she stepped straight out of an 80s teen movie. The mix of sleek top and textured bottom always feels fun.
When you’re doing it yourself, don’t stress about making it too neat; a little mess actually makes it cuter. I usually grab a random section on top, tie it up, and let the rest fall wherever it wants. I’ve found that the more relaxed the half-up part is, the more natural the whole look feels. Add a scrunchie if you’re feeling dramatic—it never hurts.

Crimped High Ponytail

 

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A crimped high ponytail is one of those styles that instantly lifts the whole vibe—literally and emotionally. In my opinion, nothing screams “I’m ready for anything” like a sky-high pony packed with crimped texture. Every time I do this on my models, they get this confident bounce in their walk, and it’s honestly adorable to watch. The texture makes the pony look fuller without trying too hard.
When I style it, I crimp everything first, then pull it up tight. I love how the crimp lines fan out like fireworks. If you’re doing this at home, don’t be afraid to tug the pony a bit to create extra fluff. I’ve found that even the tiniest pull makes a big difference. And if you leave out a little face-framing crimped piece? Perfection.

Crimped Side Pony

The crimped side pony always reminds me of fun, carefree dance routines from old music videos. I once styled this on a model for a retro-themed shoot, and she kept laughing because the hair made her feel like she should break into a choreographed routine. Honestly, that’s the charm of it—it’s cute, loud, and a little dramatic.
I like choosing the side based on the model’s natural part and crimping the hair fully before pulling it over. A chunky scrunchie makes it feel even more vintage. In my opinion, the best part is how the crimped texture adds instant volume, especially on the heavier side. If you try it, don’t worry about making it symmetrical—its bendy, lopsided personality is what makes it so good.

Crimped Bangs Look

Crimped bangs are one of those styles that people either fear or absolutely adore, and I’m definitely in the “adore” category. I’ve done this look on so many models, and each time, it gives this electric 80s attitude that you honestly can’t fake. It’s edgy but still playful in a weirdly sweet way.
When I’m styling them, I always crimp the bangs quickly and lightly, just enough to create that zigzag texture without making them stiff. To be fair, this style is not about perfection. I’ve found that soft, slightly uneven crimps look the most authentic. If you’re brave enough to try it, just go for it. Worst case, you can smooth them out again—no big deal.

Micro-Crimped Texture

Micro-crimping is my little secret weapon when I want subtle texture without the huge 80s poof. I remember the first time I tried this on a model; she looked in the mirror and said, “Oh! This feels like expensive hair.” And honestly, she was right—micro-crimps give that luxe, detailed texture that catches the light beautifully.
I usually use a tiny crimper and take smaller sections than usual. It’s a bit time-consuming, but in my opinion, totally worth it. The result is this fine, airy pattern that you can leave as-is or brush out for fluffier volume. If you want something that feels retro but still modern, this is the crimp to play with.

Crimped Layered Hair

Crimped layered hair is such a satisfying style because the texture makes every layer stand out like its own little personality. I once styled this look on a model with tons of layers, and the moment we finished, she couldn’t stop shaking her head to see how each piece moved differently. Honestly, that’s when you know a style is working—when the hair starts doing its own show.
I like crimping each layer separately so the shapes pop more. When you shake it out afterward, everything blends but still looks textured and intentional. In my opinion, this style is perfect for anyone who wants volume without feeling heavy. Just crimp, fluff, repeat.

Crimped Bob Style

 

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Crimping a bob is one of my guilty pleasures because it always surprises people. Most assume short hair won’t hold that bold 80s texture, but I’ve found it actually looks even cooler on a bob. The shape becomes rounder, softer, and way more fun. One of my models once said she felt like a retro pop star after I crimped her bob—and she wasn’t wrong.
To get this look, I crimp smaller sections and keep the ends slightly bent inward to maintain the bob’s shape. If you’re doing it yourself, just work slowly and enjoy the process. The crimped bob is playful in all the right ways, and in my opinion, it’s impossible not to smile when you wear it.

Crimped Loose Waves

Crimped loose waves are my go-to when I want that casual-but-still-80s feeling. I’ve done this look countless times, especially for shoots where the vibe is soft, romantic, but still textured. The crimps loosen into these wavy, almost sun-kissed patterns that feel effortless. Honestly, this one always photographs beautifully.
I usually crimp the hair lightly, then brush through gently to soften everything. In my opinion, the key is not overthinking it—the more relaxed the waves are, the better. It’s like a crimped version of beach waves but with way more personality. It’s perfect for people who want the 80s energy without going full blast.

Crimped Party Hair

Crimped party hair is where I go all out. No rules, no worrying about being subtle—just pure fun. I love doing this for my models before big shoots or themed events because the moment their hair is fully crimped and fluffed, the whole room lights up. To be fair, there’s something about bold texture that instantly makes everything feel more exciting.
When I create party hair, I add accessories, tease certain areas, and let the crimps do their magic. You can never have too much texture here. If you’re trying it at home, just let yourself be dramatic. In my opinion, crimped party hair is all about confidence and a little bit of chaos, and honestly, that’s why I adore it.

Styling Ideas for Crimped Hair

Crimped hair gives a fun and bold texture, making it easy to style in many creative ways. You can keep it classic with 80s vibes or try fresh, modern twists for a trendy look.

• Colorful accessories (scrunchies, clips):
  Add bright scrunchies, neon clips, or glitter hairpins to give your crimped hair a true 80s feel and extra charm.

• 80s-inspired makeup pairing:
  Combine your crimped hairstyle with bold makeup like bright eyeshadow, glossy lips, or blush-heavy looks to complete the retro vibe.

• Modern chic crimped looks:
  Try soft crimped waves, sleek half-up styles, or mix crimped sections with straight hair for a cool and stylish modern touch.