The 1980s was the decade of excess. Nothing defined this era quite like the electric texture of crimped hair. It was bold, rebellious, and impossibly voluminous.
Crimping offered a unique geometric pattern. This technique transformed flat strands into a mountain of texture. It became an instant icon of pop culture and music videos.
Today, high-volume crimped locks remain a legendary look. Whether for a themed event or a bold fashion statement, these styles turn heads. Let’s explore the ultimate high-volume crimped inspirations.
1. The Classic High Side Pony
This style epitomizes the high-energy spirit of the decade. By pulling crimped hair to one side, you create a cascading waterfall of texture that frames the face.
The volume is concentrated at the crown, giving the hair a gravity-defying lift. It works best when the crimps are tight and uniform from root to tip for maximum bounce.
Finishing the look with a bright scrunchie adds that essential vintage touch. It’s a playful silhouette that maximizes the visual impact of the crimped texture.
2. The Mega-Volume Half-Up Bow
Taking the half-up approach allows for serious height at the top of the head. The bottom layers hang loose, showcasing the full width of the crimped pattern.
A large fabric bow serves as the centerpiece for this aesthetic. It anchors the top section while allowing the crimped strands to fan out in a dramatic display.
This look is all about creating a wide, triangular silhouette. The contrast between the pinned-back top and the wild, textured bottom creates a striking visual balance.
3. Deep-Side Part Tease
Shifting the hair to an extreme side part creates an immediate boost in volume. This technique forces the hair to stand up at the roots before falling into crimped waves.
Teasing the under-layers provides the necessary structural support for the height. This ensures the style remains lofty and doesn’t fall flat throughout the day or night.
The result is a glamorous, sweeping look that feels both edgy and sophisticated. It highlights the zig-zag texture of the crimping iron across the broad expanse of the hair.
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Combining straight bangs with fully crimped lengths offers a fascinating contrast. The sleekness of the fringe makes the high-volume crimping behind it look even more expansive.
Layers are essential here to prevent the hair from becoming too heavy. They allow the crimps to stack on top of each other, creating a multi-dimensional cloud of hair.
This style frames the face perfectly while maintaining a massive profile. It is a quintessential 80s look that blends precision cutting with wild, heat-styled texture.
5. The Geometric Top Knot
While many crimped styles are worn down, putting them up creates a textured bun like no other. The crimped strands add immense grit and hold to the knot.
The base of the knot is usually teased to create a “halo” effect around the head. This adds several inches of height and a very wide, textured base.
Random strands are often left out of the bun to show off the crimped pattern. This creates a messy yet intentional aesthetic that screams 1980s street style.
6. Cascading Neon Streaks
Color was just as important as texture in the 80s. Adding neon extensions or temporary hair mascara to crimped hair creates a vibrant, multi-tonal effect.
The crimping iron helps blend the colors together in a jagged, electric way. This makes the high-volume look appear even more energetic and visually dense.
This style works best with maximum length to show off the color transitions. The volume ensures that every streak of color is visible from every angle.
7. The Double High Pigtails
Double pigtails placed high on the head create two massive puffs of crimped hair. This look is incredibly youthful and maximizes the “fluff” factor of the style.
By teasing the pigtails after crimping, the hair expands outward into two large spheres. This creates a wide silhouette that was popular in dance and fitness videos.
Securing them with thick elastics ensures they stay upright. The crimping provides the necessary friction to keep the pigtails from slipping or losing their shape.
8. Multi-Textured Medley
This style involves crimping only certain sections of the hair while leaving others curled or teased. It creates a complex landscape of different shapes and volumes.
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This is a high-fashion take on the 80s trend. It requires careful placement of the crimping iron to ensure the volume is distributed evenly across the head.
9. The Ultimate Lion’s Mane
This style is for those who want the absolute maximum amount of volume possible. Every single strand is crimped and then brushed out vigorously to create a fuzz.
The brushing process turns the defined zig-zags into a massive, airy cloud. It mimics the appearance of a lion’s mane, surrounding the face in a halo of texture.
Hairspray is the key ingredient to holding this massive shape in place. It’s a bold, unapologetic celebration of the decade’s “bigger is better” hair philosophy.
10. Crimped Pixie with Height
Short hair can also enjoy the benefits of crimping. On a pixie cut, crimping the top sections creates an edgy, spiky texture that stands straight up.
The volume is concentrated on the crown, providing a modern, punk-inspired silhouette. It transforms a standard short cut into a high-impact fashion statement.
Using a mini-crimper allows for precision on shorter strands. This ensures that even the smallest sections contribute to the overall height and texture.
11. The Electric Pompadour
The pompadour gets an 80s upgrade with the addition of crimped texture. The hair is swept up and back from the forehead, creating a massive, textured “quiff.”
Crimping the hair before styling the pompadour provides the grip needed for extreme height. It prevents the hair from falling forward into the face.
The sides are usually slicked back or pinned tightly to emphasize the volume on top. This creates a sleek yet explosive look that is highly stylized.
12. Tucked and Pinned Asymmetry
Asymmetry was a hallmark of 80s fashion. This style involves pinning one side of the crimped hair tight to the head while letting the other side explode with volume.
The contrast between the flat side and the voluminous side is visually striking. It allows the crimped texture to be the star of the show on the free-hanging side.
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13. Voluminous Crimped Bob
A shoulder-length bob becomes a wide, sculptural piece when fully crimped. The blunt ends of the bob help the hair flare out horizontally, creating immense width.
This style frames the jawline with a dense wall of texture. It is a great way to make fine hair appear incredibly thick and full of life.
The volume starts right at the roots, lifting the hair away from the scalp. This creates a rounded, helmet-like shape that was very popular in 80s editorial shoots.
14. The Bandana-Wrapped Tease
Accessories like bandanas were used to manage and accent high-volume hair. Wrapping a bandana around the hairline allows the crimped hair to spill out over the top.
This creates a “fountain” effect where the texture is forced upward and outward. It’s a functional yet stylish way to wear massive amounts of crimped hair.
The bandana adds a pop of color and a bit of a rebellious edge. It’s perfect for keeping the volume contained while still showing off the electric texture.
15. Zig-Zag Parted Shag
A zig-zag part complements the zig-zag texture of the crimped hair perfectly. This style focuses on a messy, layered shag cut that is enhanced by heat styling.
The layers are crimped at different angles to create a chaotic, high-volume look. It’s a rock-and-roll aesthetic that values movement and “undone” texture.
Brushing through the crimps slightly helps to blend the layers together. This results in a cohesive mountain of hair that moves naturally despite its size.
16. The Polished Crimp-Wave
For a slightly more “formal” 80s look, crimping can be done in organized rows. This creates a series of uniform waves that still pack a massive punch of volume.
The hair is kept shiny with serums, making the crimped ridges catch the light. It’s a structured way to wear high-volume hair without it looking completely wild.
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17. Over-the-Shoulder Swell
By brushing all the crimped hair over one shoulder, you create a dense mass of texture. This concentrates all the volume into one area for a high-impact profile.
The hair at the back is often pinned or hairsprayed to stay in place. This ensures the “swell” of crimped locks remains the focal point of the style.
It’s a classic red-carpet look from the era, combining volume with a sense of deliberate styling. The texture appears thicker because it is all gathered together.
18. Frosted Tip Texture
Frosted tips—where the ends are lightened—look incredible when crimped. The light color emphasizes the sharp angles of the crimping iron’s pattern.
The volume allows the different colors to mingle, creating a shimmering effect. It adds a sense of depth to the hair that flat styling simply cannot achieve.
This look is usually worn down to let the color-treated ends bounce freely. The high-volume roots ensure the style looks intentional and modern.
19. The Braided Crimp Fusion
Incorporating small braids into a sea of crimped hair adds a “hidden” detail. The braids provide a tight, structured contrast to the loose, airy crimps.
Often, the braids themselves are crimped after being tied off. This creates a unique “linked” texture that looks very intricate and time-consuming.
The volume of the loose hair helps hide the sections where the braids start. This results in a mysterious and highly textured finish.
20. Super-Stretched Horizontal Volume
This style focuses on width rather than height. By crimping the hair and then pinning the sides out, the hair stretches horizontally across the shoulders.
It creates a very broad silhouette that mimics the shoulder pads popular in 80s fashion. It’s a powerful, assertive way to wear textured locks.
The hair is often teased heavily at the mid-lengths to maintain this wide shape. It turns the hair into a literal extension of the outfit’s geometry.
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Ribbons can be woven through crimped hair to add color and help manage the volume. The texture of the crimps holds the ribbons in place without the need for many pins.
The ribbons act as anchors, allowing sections of the crimped hair to be “puffed” out. This creates a series of textured bubbles along the length of the hair.
It’s a romantic, soft take on the otherwise edgy crimped trend. The high volume ensures the ribbons don’t get lost in the hair.
22. The Punk-Rock Faux Hawk
Crimping is the secret weapon for a successful faux hawk. The texture provides the “scaffolding” needed to keep the center strip of hair standing upright.
The sides are slicked down or braided tightly to the scalp. This forces all the visual attention—and all the volume—to the crimped center ridge.
This style is aggressive and high-energy. The crimped texture makes the hawk look denser and more substantial than if it were styled with straight hair.
23. Soft Pastel Cloud Crimp
Pastel hair colors like lavender or mint look ethereal when crimped and brushed out. It creates a soft, fuzzy “cloud” effect that is very dream-like.
The volume is kept airy and light rather than stiff and sprayed. This allows the hair to move gracefully while still maintaining its massive 80s proportions.
It’s a softer, more whimsical version of the high-volume trend. The crimping adds just enough edge to keep the pastel colors from looking too sugary.
24. Ultra-Long Crimped Tresses
For those with very long hair, crimping from root to tip creates a massive amount of surface area. The sheer weight of the hair is offset by the airy volume of the crimps.
This style often requires multiple passes with a crimping iron to ensure every inch is textured. The result is a dramatic, floor-length-adjacent wall of hair.
To keep it from becoming unmanageable, the hair is often parted in the middle. This allows the volume to fall evenly on both sides of the body.
25. The Spiked-Root Sensation
In this style, the crimping is focused primarily on the first few inches of the roots. This provides a massive “lift-off” from the scalp while the ends remain slightly smoother.
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It’s a high-fashion look that emphasizes the architecture of the hairstyle. The crimped roots act as a hidden engine for the entire style’s height.
How do I get the most volume from crimping?
To maximize volume, work in very small sections and crimp as close to the scalp as possible. Once the entire head is crimped, gently brush through the hair with a wide-tooth comb or a paddle brush to expand the texture into a voluminous cloud.
Do I need to use hairspray with crimped styles?
Yes, hairspray is essential for 80s-inspired volume. Use a firm-hold spray while the hair is still warm from the iron to “set” the zig-zag pattern, and then apply another layer after teasing to ensure the height doesn’t fall.
Can crimping be done on damp hair?
No, you should never use a crimping iron on damp or wet hair as it can cause significant heat damage and “sizzle” the strands. Always ensure your hair is 100% dry and apply a heat protectant spray before you begin styling.
How long does the crimped texture usually last?
Crimped hair is known for its longevity because the mechanical “kink” in the hair provides structural integrity. The style can easily last for two to three days, and often becomes even more voluminous on the second day after natural oils add a bit of grit.
Will crimping damage my hair?
Like any heat styling tool, crimping can cause damage if used excessively. To protect your locks, use a high-quality heat protectant and avoid using the highest heat setting unless you have very thick, coarse hair that requires it.
What is the best way to brush out crimped hair?
If you want a “lion’s mane” look, use a natural bristle brush to soften the crimps into a fuzzy texture. If you want to maintain the defined zig-zag pattern, avoid brushing entirely or use only your fingers to separate the sections.