How to Scrunch Straight and Curly Hair

We’re sure you participated in the hair scrunching trend back in middle school, but this popular hairstyling technique has gotten a serious upgrade. Long gone are the days of hair scrunched to the max with strong hold hair gel—thankfully. Now, in 2019, hair scrunching is all about creating natural-looking texture. Before you ask—no, scrunching isn’t bad for your hair, as long as you handle your strands with care. Of course, the perfect method to scrunch hair is dependent on your hair type. Want to give this styling skill a go? Keep reading to learn how to scrunch hair—whether you have straight or curly hair. Bonus: We’re also sharing how to scrunch hair without hair mousse!

HOW TO SCRUNCH CURLY HAIR

Scrunched hair is a classic look for those with curls, and it’s also one of the easiest, no-fuss ways to style your spirals. This technique will leave you with a head full of beautifully defined curls. Below find a step-by-step breakdown that includes for the best products and techniques for scrunching curly hair.

What you’ll need:

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle CURVE IT Elastic Curl Mousse

Hair brush

Blow-dryer with diffuser

L’Oréal Paris Elnett Precious Oil Satin Hairspray

Get the look:

STEP #1: APPLY A HAIR MOUSSE

Starting with towel-dried hair, apply a hair mousse to your strands. Gently brush through your damp hair to distribute the product evenly.

STEP #2: FLIP YOUR HAIR

Bend over, so your hair is flipped upside-down, hanging in front of you.

STEP #3: DRY AND SCRUNCH

Place your blow-dryer (with the diffuser attached) at the ends of your hair. Move the blow-dryer upward toward your scalp, moving your hair up in the process, then scrunch your ends up in the same fashion with your hands. Repeat, repeat, repeat!

STEP #4: FLIP AND SET

Stand up straight, flipping your hair back to normal in the process. Seal your scrunched hairstyle with a few spritzes of hairspray.

HOW TO SCRUNCH STRAIGHT HAIR

If you have naturally straight hair, you may feel as though you’re at a loss when it comes to scrunching your hair. The fact of the matter is, scrunching is totally doable on straight hair. In fact, it’s a great way to give straight strands more definition. It’s all about using the right technique and best products for scrunching straight hair, AKA hairspray.

What you’ll need:

Hair brush

Bobby pins

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle AIR DRY IT Wave Swept Spray

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Fine Control Hairspray

Get the look:

STEP #1: BRUSH YOUR HAIR

Beginning with towel-dried hair, brush your mane to ensure it’s free of any knots or tangles.

STEP #2: SECTION AND PIN

Turns out scrunching straight hair doesn’t involve scrunching at all! Grab a one-inch section of hair at the front of your head, twist it from root to tip, then twist the twist around itself to form a bun. Pin the bun into place with a bobby pin or two, then continue to take one-inch sections and create mini buns all over your head.

STEP #3: SET YOUR STYLE

Spritz your mane with a wave spray to set your buns. This will help hold their scrunched form as they dry.

STEP #4: SEAL WITH HAIRSPRAY

When your hair is mostly dry, seal your scrunched look even more by coating your locks in a long-lasting hairspray. This is especially important for those with naturally straight hair—you don’t want your waves to fall out midday! Leave your style to sit for another 10-15 minutes post-hairspray.

STEP #5: TAKE OUT YOUR BUNS

Gently remove your buns to reveal gorgeous, scrunched hair. Easy, right?

HOW TO SCRUNCH HAIR WITHOUT MOUSSE

What about scrunching your hair without mousse? While we covered using hairspray as a method for scrunching hair, there are a few other options. One you may be familiar with? Hair gel. Here’s how to use hair gel to scrunch your hair without getting that unwanted crunchy appearance.

What you’ll need:

Hair brush

L’Oréal Paris Advanced Hairstyle LOCK IT Clean Style Gel

Get the look:

STEP 1: FLIP AND BRUSH

Bend and flip your hair so that it hangs in front of you. Brush your strands thoroughly to remove tangles and knots.

STEP #2: APPLY YOUR HAIR GEL

Squeeze a tiny bit of hair gel into the palm of your hand, then rub your hands together. Keyword: tiny! To avoid a crunchy look, you’ll want to take the “less is more” saying to heart. Scrunch your hair with that minuscule amount of hair gel by gathering your hair at the ends and bringing it toward your scalp. Repeat and add more product as needed—but only as needed.