The crimper that does not fry my hair (and why the S shape matters)
I swapped a flat plate crimper for an S shaped one. The wave is similar. What changed is that the hair sits in a channel instead of pressed against a hot bar, and there are vents that let trapped heat out.
· by Aerely Chacón
I am chronically addicted to styling my hair and I am not going to pretend otherwise. What changed is the tool. I swapped a flat plate crimper for an S shaped one and the difference is not the wave, it is how my hair feels afterwards.
Power Wave Hair Crimper
S-shaped plates, negative ions, no scalp burn. The beach waves that last three days.
Video transcript
I mean, look at that tool difference. Shout out to the girl on here that convinced us all to switch from this to this. And do not be scared, because you see how the S shape hides the hot rod? So you can put it as close to your roots as possible and it is not going to burn you. Whereas with this crimper, you are getting immediate contact with the hot rod. And I am chronically addicted to styling my hair, okay, but I will always prioritise keeping my hair healthy. So let me show you what actually sold me on this. These tiny little vents on here actually release excess heat, so unlike other crimpers you are not just sitting there frying your hair off. Which, thank God, because I cannot stand the smell of burnt hair. I really get the most compliments when I have this hairstyle. So if you are like me and you refuse to give up heat styling but you are still trying to grow your hair all the way down, this is the exact crimper you should be using.
Why does a crimper fry your hair?
On a traditional crimper the hot plate sits flat against the strand, so the hair makes immediate contact with the hottest surface along its whole length. That is fine once. It is not fine three times a week.
What does the S shape actually change?
The wave sits inside the curve of the plate rather than being pressed between two flat surfaces. Two things follow from that. The hair is not in full contact with the hottest part, and you can get much closer to your roots without burning your scalp, because the shape keeps the hot rod off your skin.
That second part is the reason I can actually use it on the top section. With my old one I always had to start a few inches down, which is exactly where you do not want a visible line.
The vents
There are small vents along the plate that let excess heat escape rather than holding it all against the strand. This is the part that sold me, and the honest test is the smell. If you can smell burnt hair while you style, something is wrong with your tool or your temperature. I do not get that with this one.
How I actually use it
- Completely dry hair. Heat on damp hair is where real damage happens.
- Heat protectant first, every time, no exceptions.
- Two inch sections. Bigger sections give you an uneven wave.
- Start near the root, clamp a few seconds, move down the length.
- Shake it out with your fingers at the end. Do not brush it, that is how you turn a wave into frizz.
Ten minutes, and on my hair it holds about three days.
Is it actually better for your hair?
Let me be straight with you. Heat is heat. A better tool reduces how much of it your hair takes, it does not make heat styling free. The vents and the shape genuinely lower the contact and the trapped heat, and that is a real improvement over a flat plate. It is not a repair treatment and nothing you clamp onto your hair is.
What it actually does is let me keep a habit I was not going to give up anyway, with less cost.
Who this is not for
If your ends are already fried, deep condition first and give it a few weeks before adding any heat tool to the rotation. If you are growing your hair out and genuinely willing to go heatless, do that instead, it will always beat any tool. And if you have very fine or chemically processed hair, start at the lowest temperature that gives you a wave rather than the highest one the tool offers.
Products in this post
Power Wave Hair Crimper
S-shaped plates, negative ions, no scalp burn. The beach waves that last three days.
Questions I get about this
Does a crimper damage your hair more than a curling iron?
It depends on the plate, not the category. A flat plate crimper presses the strand directly against the hottest surface along its whole length. An S shaped plate holds the hair in a channel instead, so contact with the hottest part is reduced. Either way it is still heat, and heat protectant plus fully dry hair matters more than which tool you picked.
What does the S shape on a crimper do?
It creates a curved channel for the hair to sit in rather than two flat surfaces pressing together. That reduces direct contact with the hottest part of the plate and keeps the hot rod off your scalp, which is what lets you style close to the root without burning yourself.
Can you use a crimper close to the roots?
With an S shaped plate, yes, because the shape keeps the heated bar away from your scalp. With a flat plate most people have to start a few inches down, which leaves a visible line where the wave begins.
How do I stop my crimped waves going frizzy?
Do not brush after styling. Shake the waves out with your fingers instead. Brushing separates the wave pattern and turns it into frizz. Also make sure hair is completely dry before any heat, because styling damp hair is where most damage happens.
How long do crimped beach waves last?
On my hair, about three days. It depends on your hair type, how much product you use and your climate. Humidity shortens it.
Watch the original: TikTok