Crimping

‘Hair crimping is a method of styling usually straight, long hair so that it becomes wavy, often in a sawtooth fashion. Crimping is usually achieved by treating the hair with heat from a crimping iron or by braiding the hair, often in multiple strands, then undoing the braids. A crimping iron has parallel heated plates designed with a flat S-shaped repeating groove.

In 1972, the modern crimping iron was invented by ‘Geri Cusenza’, the original founder of Sebastian, for Barbra Streisand's.

Crimping peaked in mainstream popularity during the mid-1980s. In 2007 at a Chanel runway show crimped hair was shown on a model, and it became more popular throughout late 2007/2008. 

Crimping's popularity has a tendency to return in ten-year cycles, although it is often seen in fashion and hairstyle shows due to its visually striking effect.’

Hair crimping (2015) in Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hair_crimping (Accessed: 3 December 2015).

Modern crimping:

Image 1 – the following images are some modern crimped hairstyles. This reminds a lot of an Elizabethan hairstyle due to its heart shape. Both buns on the head have been crimped in order to achieve volume and a frizzy texture. There’s also a plait right at the front of the head which looks a lot like a headband. The model in this image has a high hairline, again similar to the Elizabethans. I like this hairstyle as we don’t get to see much of crimped hair today, especially period looks. It’s unique in its own way and stands out from normal ‘curls’ or straight hair.

Seddon, P. (no date) PS Hairdressing - medium brown straight hair styles. Available at: http://www.ukhairdressers.com/style/index2.asp?r1=16659 (Accessed: 3 December 2015).

Image 2 – this is one of the most beautiful hairstyles I’ve ever seen. The entire hair has been crimped, and then backcombed for extra volume. The roses on the top of her head have been created using her actual hair, which I’d love to learn how. This is a look I’d imagine on Elizabeth before her crowning, when she had long charming red hair. I also love how the makeup and jewellery go so well together with the hair.

Hair ideas (2013) Available at:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/325807354263482399/ (Accessed: 3 December 2015).

Image 3 – I found this hairstyle to be quite bizarre yet interesting. The entire head has been crimped however the bottom half has been brushed out. Sections on the top half of the head have weirdly been left there, kind of falling onto the bottom half. I can’t really imagine this exact hairstyle on an Elizabethan however the texture of the hair reminds me a lot of them. What I like about this hairstyle is that with all its strangeness it still looks good and definitely something that’d rock on the runway. (When I first saw this image, I thought it was Demi Lovato but it wasn’t).

My hair & Postiche Blog: Elizabethan quote & contemporary images (no date) Available at: http://lydiaalgar20.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/elizabethan-quote-contemporary-images.html (Accessed: 3 December 2015).

Elizabethan crimping:

This is a portrait I found of Queen Elizabeth I. Her hair looks as if it’s been crimped, then brushed out to achieve volume and a sort of frizzy texture. She is wearing two buns on her head, obviously in a heart shape. She’s also wearing a jewelled adornment which could only be afforded by the wealthy as it was extremely expensive back then. This hairstyle is very similar to Elizabeth’s other ones. She didn’t tend to change her hair a lot as it was highly favoured by the public. I believe it suited her, also complimented her makeup as well.

Portraiture of Elizabeth I of England (2015) in Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portraiture_of_Elizabeth_I_of_England#/media/File:Elizabeth1England.jpg (Accessed: 3 December 2015).

This is an image of Judi Dench, portraying Elizabeth in the film ‘Shakespeare in Love’. Her hair is crimped, very similar to the above portrait of the Queen, including the jewelled adornment. The hairline and pale makeup is another historical feature of the era, representing nobility and status.

Davies, J. (no date) Judi Dench in ‘Shakespeare in Love’ | Queen Elizabeth I | sixteenth-century Britain | period makeups. Available at: http://www.themakeupgallery.info/period/c16/uk/elizabeth/shakespearejd.htm (Accessed: 3 December 2015).

Again, this was another image I found of actress Cate Blanchett in the film ‘Elizabeth’, portraying the Queen. Same goes with her hairstyle, it is crimped and in the shape of a heart. The adornment however in this image is slightly different to the ones above. Its seem to look like a net/lace headdress, placed right in the centre parting, sort of putting a line between the two buns. I personally like this hairstyle as it reminds me of a peacock for some reason. The adornment looks like wings, and Kate’s head seems to be flying. Please don’t judge me, I’m completely normal.

Maur Elizabethan (2014) Available at: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/406590672582780366/(Accessed: 3 December 2015).