Amy Abramite

Amy used a small texturizing iron to create this texturized up-do.

If the thought of using a crimper sends a little 80s shiver down your spine—you're not alone. Fortunately, that crimped-to-death, overprocessed coif you're imagining is not something we're ready to blog about. You've seen crimped looks resurfacing on the runway and on the red carpet, ranging from avant-garde to softly romantic. For our creative director, Amy Abramite, the crimper is a secret, texturizing weapon.

"My new favorite tool is a small texturizing iron," she says. It looks like a flat iron, but instead of the plates being smooth, they are triangular to form a miniature crimper. This texturizing iron's primary function is to create body and volume. It can be used in the areas of the hair that need lift. 

One such area is the crown, typically home to some serious backcombing, broken hair, and that snarly, post-party clump. Explains Abramite: "To create extra body and volume, take small sections of hair at the scalp and crimp only the first inch of the hair. This will result in an explosion of lift, with the slightest change in texture. Because the crimping plates are so small, the hair's natural texture is slightly altered in appearance, but the amount of body is amplified."

Small Texturizing Iron (SamVilla.com)

This is best for fine, straight hair in any length. It significantly amps up the volume. The crimper is also useful to give lift around the hairline framing the face. Or a vertical section can be crimped to give the hair some textural interest. "If you really want to get crazy with it you can crimp all of your hair, then use that immense volume for an updo you'll never forget," adds Abramite.

A little product before and after is helpful. Before crimping use a spritz of Shu Uemura Ample Angora Volumizing Light Foam or Kérastase Mousse Volumactive, then fix it with Shu Uemura’s Sheer Lacquer Finishing Spray or Kérastase Double Force hairspray.