Re: Are Perms Back in Style?

Katcat1 · ‎07-21-2011

@Shanus I was a little older maybe preteens or 13 when I had my first perm. OMG! Yes, the smell made you gag.. One time it was left on too long and the hair slightly below the top of my head was burned off. It was less than an inch long.

kindness is strength

VenturaHighway · ‎12-10-2016

I really think it depends on your hair whether to perm or not.

Yes, back in the 80's I decided that I wanted a body perm. My hair is thick and coarse.

When I got home, my young son said "Mommy, you look like a lion".

So for me never never never again.

I believe it is personal preference.

Shanus · ‎05-17-2010

@Katcat1 Yes, that smell!! Never forget it. When my friends were getting home perms (were they called Tony's?), I felt left out since I had my own curls. Even now sometimes I'm asked where I go to get such a great perm since my curls are the loose/wavy type. I can add gel or mousse, diffuse and get a head full of "Annie" curls, too.

Left on their own to air dry with my new favorite Beekman S&C, I have softer, large, loose curls.

CritterKeeper · ‎06-21-2010

I have naturally curly/wavy hair that gets super frizzy in the humid weather. Some of my hair is curly, some parts just wavy and uneven curls. I will occasionally get a perm to help with the frizzy and unevenness. Yes, perms are much better and faster than back in the day. Plus, there are treatments you can get to seal the hair after to help with dryness.

To perm or not to perm- to each his own. I personally don't care for the straight limp hair for me. I prefer a fuller curly style.

Be sure to talk in detail with your stylist and have them evaluate your hair to see if a per is the best option.

naturalfan · ‎03-09-2010

I remember my mom giving me a permanent when I was about 8 years old (Tonette, was the brand?). I hated it and looked like a poodle not to mention that some of the solution dripped on my neck and I had a burn there for a while. But I do think hair products have improved and if you find the right hairdresser, you can probably be happy with the results. That being said, in this heat and humidity, my hair looks like a have a perm (I don't).

Lali1 · ‎08-21-2014

@CritterKeeper wrote:
I have naturally curly/wavy hair that gets super frizzy in the humid weather. Some of my hair is curly, some parts just wavy and uneven curls. I will occasionally get a perm to help with the frizzy and unevenness. Yes, perms are much better and faster than back in the day. Plus, there are treatments you can get to seal the hair after to help with dryness.

To perm or not to perm- to each his own. I personally don't care for the straight limp hair for me. I prefer a fuller curly style.

Be sure to talk in detail with your stylist and have them evaluate your hair to see if a per is the best option.

Unless someone has tight curls most people have what you describe. Some of our curls are great and some won't curl. I have seen a lot of people finger coil their curls to train them. I've seen the most amazing curls and then found out that's what they did to get their curls to look like that. I don't have the patience but I have tried perm rods with no solution on some of my curls. Usually my back is the part that is resistant to curl much.

MomCat · ‎09-12-2010

I don't think perms ever went out of style. There are just lots of women who don't need one for their hairstyle. I know plenty of women who still get them for body. I don't.

Icegoddess · ‎03-19-2010

@cindyNC wrote:
I had one at an Aveda salon a few years ago. The stylist did not give me the uber curly one I wanted and it didn't take. I was told by my new stylist that my hair is fine and that's why. He won't give me a perm. But he does cut my hair the way I want it. That's an accomlpishment in itself. LOL

@cindyNC There are perms specifically for fine hair. I remember she used to use one called Frogfur, as in it would perm hair as fine as frog fur. My hair is baby fine and I get one once or twice a year. Some people's hair won't hold one though. I had a friend who came home with a poodle look once and within a month you couldn't even tell she had ever had one. She had very straight thick hair. My hairdresser had to be out for awhile so she gave me over to one of the other hairdressers in the salon while she was out. He also happened to sing in the choir with me in church so saw me on a weekly basis. He started working on my hair and said "Girl, you got baby fine hair." I said, "Yeah, I hide it well don't I?" I actually call it spider web hair because when it gets in my face it feels like when you accidentally walk into a spider web.

Someone mentioned getting perms after they stop coloring. I do both. I realize it's more damaging and my hairdresser chooses a formula that works for that, but it is not an either/or thing.

Also, it's not becuase I want the opposite of what I have. I have sort of wavy hair. Just enough so that in it's natural state it must be styled every day to look halfway decent. So, I do it for the ease of styling and the fact that I just happen to like curly hair.

chiclet · ‎03-19-2010

I had the perms when I was a child and until my 30s. My hair is straight as a board with no body. When I started coloring it, I felt it was too much to perm and color when my hair broke off on the crown so I had to make a decision on which one I wanted to do. The color gave it body so I never permed again. I really loved the thickness and body of a perm. They probably make them a lot safer to use on colored hair now. I am bored and no one sees me so I might look into it again.

ECBG · ‎01-08-2011

I have a lot of fine hair. I can curl, and spray. In an hour, the curl is fallen. I have to have a soft perm to keep up my layers and re curl every day.

This won't stay up without help!