Will perms ever come back?

anne

I had my hair permed in 1994 and loved it, did it again one year later and never again since. Perms are so out for my age group.

But I'm getting one of my periodical desires to change my hair style, I've been thinking I'd like to have more volume around my face, and a perm might create that.

Any thoughts?

7 years ago

General

24 replies

Latest reply was from rachylou

LaPed

Veteran

anne, I think this has been on a lot of people's style radar lately. Perms have come a long way apparently -- more wave, less frizz, not so poodle-y -- and a bunch of celebs have been doing it recently.
https://www.theguardian.com/fa.....-hairdo-sh

7 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

You should post pictures of what you are thinking of. When I think of perms, it makes me think of Kylie Minogue when in Neighbours (an old Australian TV show for those who are not Australian). Kylie has once again embraced curly hair and had a perm..so you are not alone in trying perms again (photos of then and now below).

Curly and wavy hair is beautiful, so it may be a fun way to change up your hair. You do have beautiful healthy hair, so I can imagine that it would take a perm well. The only issue is - what if you don't like it? Reversing colour is far easier than a perm, that or a more dramatic chop tend to be my go-to for a change of look.

That said, you would look lovely with curls.

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7 years ago

Minah Lynn

Active Member

I think you should try it! There's no harm in trying as long as you choose the best salon that provides quality perming. Perm is good if you want to add more volume to your hair.

7 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Perms have come a long way since the 80s, and even 90s! There are many more gentle options now that focus more on giving volume and wave, rather than those tight curls of past generations. Do you have a hair stylist you like and trust? I would talk with them.

7 years ago

anne

Veteran

Thanks La Ped - I didn't know about that anyone else had been talking about it.

Bijou - I did look good with curls I thought! But then for years it was the fashion to have long straight hair and since I already had that, I just went with it (I have had a few years with short styles and bobs in between)

To tell the truth, I've been admiring your curly style, and wondering about something like that - though I presume yours is a layered cut, not a perm?

And yes, it would take a long time to grow out. I also didn't like the hair breakage that I got with my second perm.

My hair is mostly healthy, but it does have a kind of thin layer of not so healthy hair, I've tried to cut off the split ends myself, which are mostly much higher than the rest of my hair so weren't getting dealt with in my regular trims.

I should point out that I'm just musing and this is very early days..

7 years ago

anne

Veteran

Janet we must have cross posted. No, I don't have a trusted stylist. I go to one of those bargain places where you buy a ticket at the door and they only do cuts!

7 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Actually perms have been back for a while - I echo La Ped. Very popular in Asia - Korea, Japan and Hong Kong. But they are not the spiral perms of the '80s.

7 years ago

Helena

Veteran

LOL, Anne, well they might not be the best choice to try out a perm with But I agree with the group, if you can get a recommendation for a great stylist and then let them know what you are thinking, I'm sure they could give you some good options. Good luck and have fun with it!

7 years ago

Bijou

Veteran

Anne, my hair is naturally wavy and my stylist has cut layers at the front of my hair to encourage the curl. I have a ceramic straightening iron which I also use if I want to get more curl into it, or to alternatively straighten my hair. The ceramic straightening irons are quite gentle, although I do have regular trims to keep split ends at bay.

Your post reminded me of crimping irons - I remember lots of my friends liked to use those to style their hair (back in the day)! I never had one as it looked like too much hard work.

7 years ago

Gretchen

Veteran

I so hope they will come back. I had permed hair all through the 80s/early 90s, and friends from college still comment that they can’t believe my hair is straight.

It takes a lot more work to get volume on my fine straight hair without getting frizzy. I just tried a new hair dryer to see if it will do the trick.

Would love to see what you are thinking about w a perm, and gentle reminder that if you are planning a major hair change, it’s best to go w a stylist you know and trust.

7 years ago

Anonymous

Ack! I hope not. Too much trams as a child with my mother giving me home perms trying to turn me into Shirley Temple. Use products for hair volume instead. Or a wig. At least try a curly wig on to see if you really want that style.

7 years ago

Anonymous

I had perms back in the 1980s and never ever again. Even went to the best salons. I don't fight my straight hair and just make sure I get the proper cut that gives my hair fullness. Have been growing out my pixie since May and am now sporting a graduated bob that is at almost jaw length.

7 years ago

KikiG

Veteran

I permed my stick-straight hair in the 1980s. My natural hair is now the texture I paid money and endured torture and smells to have installed, and I flatiron the curl out of it. The irony is not lost on me.

I *can* scrunch product in, and get my lovely 80's long bob back, but it only lasts for a single day, and is trashed the next, so the time it takes isn't worth what I get out of it. I can wash and flatiron my hair twice a week (with a bit of a touch up here and there with the flat iron), and I can slide by on once a week, with strategic dry shampoo, if I must. This is a better return on my time.

7 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

Curls are definitely back in - dunno about perms but then again maybe it’s a “maybe she’s born with it...” sort of situation, you don’t know what’s natural and what’s enhanced.

7 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

In my fashion mags ( I buy about 4 a year, they are NZ mags not international) they have been saying perms are back for a year. It usually takes about 2 years for what they say in there to filter into the general population, or sometimes more. So in the next 1-2 years you may find more perms appearing.

7 years ago

Canada

Active Member

I say give one a try with an experienced trusted stylist..you might love it! I had one in 1979 but my naturally thick dense hair fought it all the way.

7 years ago

Echo

Veteran

A woman at school recently had her hair permed, and hers looks fab - very natural and not at all frizzy. I tried to perm my hair many times in the '80s, but my hair simply does not want to curl. All of them fell out within a week. I've finally resigned myself to the hair texture I was born with, but if my hair would curl, you can bet I'd have it done!

Realistically, who cares if it's "in" or "out"? If you like the way your hair looks curled, no one who doesn't know you will ever know you had it permed, and your friends may be surprised that something so "out" could make someone look so good.

My niece has the most gorgeous, blond, tightly curled hair. It is gorgeous. Of course, she pays to have it straightened. We always want what we cannot have.

7 years ago

lisaflex

Veteran

imho...just say NO.....if volume is what you are after, yu can get it other ways...if your hair is fine or straight...find a great stylist....they can direct you in other ways...youll be happier with a reputable stylist/salon you can trust

7 years ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Regarding stylists... I get my hair cut at Just Cuts for $30 a pop with whoever is on. Some cuts are better than others. The last one is really good. My objection to other fancier places is the $$ not being worth the satisfaction I would get from it. I would like something I spend on personal appearance to last. A haircut lasts me 6 weeks or so. $240 a year. Shoes now... I can spend what I don't spend on hair on more shoes!

7 years ago

anne

Veteran

Ok - so for all those who say "get volume other ways" please do expand and tell me what these ways are!

Jenni - I hear you. I actually think some of the people at the place I go to are quite good, judging from watching other people, thought I haven't trusted them with anything other than trims myself. Most of them don't speak english very well though, so they aren't people I'd have a discussion with and ask advice from.

For every one saying "go to a trusted stylist", if I have to get one first, then start to trust ... could be awhile before I get around to the per, (but maybe I'll take a while anyway)

Nice to hear all the perm reminicences

7 years ago

RobinF

Veteran

Interesting to hear that they may be coming back. I had perms through most of the 80's, with my hair very short on back and sides and curly on top. What I remember the most is that the curl was too tight the first few weeks and too straight the last few weeks and perfect for about a week! And I had to use a curling iron on it every morning to get the curl just right. Not worth the effort for me any more, but if perms are better now that might be a different story.

7 years ago

KMM

Active Member

I too was a childhood victim of the perm my Mom wanted me to have that made me look like a Q-tip. Then I spent so much time and $$ during the "Friends" era trying to keep my hair as non-curly as possible- keratin treatments, Brazilian blowout, you name it. I gave up about 15 years ago. My hair is curly. It's the nice kind of curly, and I like it. I don't have to do anything to style it except get regular trims, use a good leave in conditioner, and let it air-dry. I don't like to straighten it at all these days, because it makes me feel un-like myself. So basically I am exempting myself from any future hair trends that involve changing texture. I didn't know that perms were still a thing, but I like it!

7 years ago

rizamei

Active Member

Asian perms can be beautiful, subtle, and low maintenance.

I actually get my hair straight permed at a Korean salon every 12-18 months. It's not cheap, but it's worth it over time. I probably saves me 20-30 minutes of straight ironing my hair every day.

7 years ago

rachylou

Veteran

That’s an interesting question. I’m sure the process has improved a lot.

7 years ago

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