Types Of Perm Hairstyles
Back in the 80s, curls were 100% the hairstyle to have. Straighteners were out and curlers, crimpers and perms were everywhere. Girls loved their curls and why not? They brought volume, life and waves to their hair. Now, thirty years later, everything retro is back in fashion and women everywhere are realizing that the 80s rocked – especially when it came to fashion.
If you’re one of the millions of women who love wearing their hair in curls, you’ll know how much of a hassle it is too though. How many seemingly endless hours do you spend a week trying to achieve the perfect curls? How often have you found yourself wanting to throw your curlers in the trash? Curling your hair is a nightmare – fact. The solution? If you curl your hair near daily anyway and know that’s not likely to change any time soon, why not get a perm? Your curls will last for months (the tighter the curls the longer the perm) so you’ll have no more daily hassle with curlers. Your hair will look great and you’ll save yourself heaps of precious time! Win, win!
Perms aren’t just a one curl type fits all type of job anymore either. You can choose how you want your hair permed and in what style. Confused? Let’s take a look at six different types of perms you can get…
Spiral Perm
Spiral perms are created using long perm rods. The end result is extremely tight, cascading curls or ringlets. They look like tightly wound spirals or corkscrews. Of course, how tight the curls are depends on the size of the perm rod and the various chemicals used. These factors will mostly vary from salon to salon so be sure to ask – some salons will be able to provide pictures of their work as examples.
Body Perm
Body wave perms help to give volume to hair. They’re generally suited for people with thin or flat hair and the curls will be larger on women with hair that is naturally quite straight. It produces loose curls and a gentle wave which is great for adding volume and a bit of life to dull hair. It’s great for shoulder length hair or longer and suits people with square faces as it tends to soften facial features.
Spot/Plain Curl Perm
Plain curl perms (often referred to as ‘spot perms’) focus on curling a specific section of hair. They’re used generally to help achieve a certain style, for example curling only the ends or midsection of your hair. With plain curl perms, you can choose to either have tight or loose curls. The result tends to be natural looking waves depending on where you choose to have permed.
Muti-Textured Perm
If you’re worried about your perm looking a bit too uniform and unnatural, a multi-textured perm could be perfect for you. It’s created using two different sized styling rods which means the curls end up varying sizes throughout your hair. This is thought to look more natural and the uniform and defined curls you would get otherwise. Due to the nature of the perm, it’s best done on women with long hair – the result isn’t quite as flattering on short hair I’m sorry to say.
Root Perm
Root perms are perfect for women with flat, limp and lifeless hair. As the name suggests, this process involves perming just the roots. The slight curl will give your roots a bit of body which will in turn help to lift the rest of your hair, giving it volume.
Root perms can also be used on women with short hair who simply want to bring a bit of life to it. It’s perfect for giving your short hair an incredibly fashionable and retro look.
Stacked Perm
Stacked perms work better for women with hair of all one length opposed to hair with layers due to the fact it adds a lot of volume to hair. Generally, it suits women of all face types too. Stacked perms are where the stylist focuses on curling only close to the ends of the hair, giving hair volume and creating the illusion of layers.
Pin Curl Perm
As the name would suggest, pin curl pins are created with pins and curlers. They tend to create quite tight curls however you do have some control over size as you can choose the appropriate curler size to be used. The one drawback to pin curl perms are that they tend not to last as long as other perms, especially if your hair is quite long. This is best done on medium or short hair.
Loose Wave Perm
Loose wave perms are a great choice if you’re not totally committed to having super curly or wavy hair. As the name suggests, this type of perm creates loose waves which can be easily compared to the beach wave look, something which looks fab come summertime. It can be done on any length of hair but the longer the better in this case or the waves likely won’t have much effect on your look.
Partial Perm
Partial perms involve perming only the bottom half of your hair (or even just the very end if you choose) and leave the part of your hair nearest your scalp completely straight. This is a great way to add volume to your look without overdoing it and also tends to be a much manageable style than most other perms. If you’re going to be tying your hair up a lot this look is perfect for you.
Volumising Perm
Volumising perms add volume – it really is that simple. You can get them in a variety of curl styles but as a rule they tend to use quite tight curls to create extra volume. Plus, there tends to be lots of small curls opposed to a few loose big ones which adds even more volume. It’s not the easiest style in the world to manage but it is a look that is sure to get you noticed.
As you can see, you have loads of choice when it comes to what perm to get. Even within these basic perm types, all perms are different depending on the rod type and the chemicals used to set your hair. These six perms are just a few of what you can get too – there are lots more perm types out there but these are the most popular.
Now that I’ve told you about various perm types, it seems only fitting that I give you a few instructions on how to care for your new perm too. Firstly, do not – DO NOT – wash your hair for an absolute minimum of 24 hours after having your perm done. Doing so will deactivate the chemicals used to set your perm before your perm has had a chance to take hold and thus your hair will return to being exactly the same as it was before. If you don’t want your perm to be not only a waste of time but money too then this tip is a must!
Secondly, try to care for your perm will special shampoos and conditioners. These will help your perm to last longer and look better too. Perms can last for anywhere between two to six months so to give your perm the best chance of survival care for it wisely.
So that’s that! Have fun choosing which perm to get and enjoy your new style. Be sure to experiment with your new style too – just because your hair has a bit of extra volume and a few added curls doesn’t mean all your favorite hair clips and all your old hairdos need to go to waste.
Happy perming, ladies. Be sure to let me know how it goes and if you found this article useful.
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annie
August 9, 2015 at 8:20 am
Hi..i have damaged hair..i am thinking to perm my hair..is it a good idea?if not what can u recommend me..
web admin
August 9, 2015 at 7:15 pm
Perming your hair would be a terrible idea then. If your hair is damaged enough, it could literally fall out or break off after a perm. You can also ask your hair stylist if your hair will handle a perm–they would better about how damaged your hair is and if it would be too much.
Helana
July 28, 2015 at 3:54 am
Hi,
I can not afford a perm done in salons so have been looking on amazon and found some products with good reviews.What would you advise regarding perming at home.
Thanks so much for being curteous and respnding to everyone x
web admin
July 28, 2015 at 9:00 pm
Personally, I have only tried one at-home perm kit, so I am not the best person to ask. What you can do is read through the customer reviews on Amazon (make sure to look at the good and bad reviews). I really like reading through the customer reviews because other customers will often give tips on how to best use the product or other advice so that you really get your money’s worth out of it.
Bianca
July 23, 2015 at 5:45 pm
I have straight, a little longer than shoulder-length hair, what kind of perm do you think would be best for me? I just want a nice beach-y look.
web admin
July 24, 2015 at 9:33 pm
I really like the relaxed, wavy perms for beach-y looking hair. Since the curls are looser, it can be done for any hair length without losing too much of the length. Before you perm your hair, make sure to get a stylist’s advice–if you have colored your hair a lot or have damaged hair, it will not take the perm and could even cause some of the hairs to break off.
Lucy
July 22, 2015 at 8:18 pm
I really am thinking about a spiral perm! My hair is straight, with little wave, very thick, and down to about the middle of my back. Is this a good idea? Thanks.
web admin
July 23, 2015 at 6:56 am
It sounds like it would be very cute for your hair! Make sure to talk to your stylist first to make sure that it actually works for your hair type and length!
Katy
July 6, 2015 at 11:44 pm
I am thinking of getting a perm but I am trying to grow out my hair. I also get all over foils every 6 weeks. Does anyone know if I would be able to get a perm now? Or would I have to wait until my hair is done growing? Can I also get a perm if I get my hair colored?
web admin
July 7, 2015 at 1:45 am
You would need to ask your hair stylist about the foils. Colored hair is often more damaged than normal hair, so it may not be able to take the added stress of being permed. If your hair is healthy, it will probably be fine. However, if there is any damage, you will need to ask your hair stylist. As for the length, it depends on how you want your hair to look when it is done. In general, shoulder length hair or longer seems to work perfectly fine. What type of perm were you planning on getting though?
Kayla
July 5, 2015 at 8:26 am
I have very thick long hair (below my waist) and I’m wanting a spiral perm but my hairstylist said that it would not work on my hair unless I cut it to my bra strap. Is that true ?
web admin
July 5, 2015 at 6:20 pm
I am not sure about that. Perhaps you could go to another hair stylist and just ask them what they think. You can just walk in the door and ask another hair stylist that question without having to pay for anything. Your hair stylist may be right though–if your hair is extremely long, the weight may cause the tight curls to loosen up.
Tatyana
July 1, 2015 at 2:35 am
I’m sitting here reading all these comments….and the person who owns this site, I guess, and replies to everyone…how in the world does a lerm not help you? My mom’s hair is stick straight and perms curl her hair. I’m not understanding your statements.
web admin
July 2, 2015 at 12:30 am
A perm just does not do anything to my hair. My hair will not hold a curl with a curling iron or any type of device or perm. The only way to keep my hair curly at all is to use hair spray until it feels almost like plastic. My hair just wants to do its own thing for some reason. Thanks for asking–let me know if you have any other questions.
Nicole
June 16, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Hi I was thinking about getting a perm
My hair is half way down my back. Its thick & very frizzy
What would be a easy maintenance perm. I normally straighten my hair but due 2 chronic pain it’s just way 2 hard for me 2 maintain. I had perms in the 80s but it always turned out 2 be a frizzy mess.
So what would you recommend if anything
Thanks
web admin
June 16, 2015 at 8:07 pm
I have had similar experiences with having a frizzy mess. The only way I kept my hair looking good was to shower when I woke up, comb it right afterward, and put mousse in it. Afterward, it dried in curly pieces together and the mousse helped to keep it that way. Other than that, I am not sure what would work best. There are some hair serums that can help with naturally frizzy hair, but I prefer using coconut oil since it is full of antioxidants and other nutrients.
liz mcleod
June 11, 2015 at 9:49 pm
I have straight by my ear length fine very fine hair and thin. Do you think the root perm would be a good one for me?
web admin
June 12, 2015 at 9:05 pm
It is intended to work with ladies who need more volume, so I think a root perm would be an excellent idea. It would help to give your thin hair a boost and would look adorable on you. Just in case, you should ask your stylist about the types of perms that will work with your hair. If you have permed, dyed or over-worked your hair, you may not be able to perm it.
Kerie
June 6, 2015 at 11:07 pm
I now have hair down to the middle of my back, thin and limp it’s a perm or chopping my hair off like Kaley Cuoco did last yr. So, what kind of perm would you suggest? No tight curls though, looking for body just need a fuller look. Thanks
web admin
June 8, 2015 at 10:46 pm
I would go with the surfer girl style of wavy perm. It is a bit easier to care for, and only requires a bit of mousse in the mornings. You can also use a salt spray to keep it slightly clumped together for a just-left-the-beach look.
Elena
June 3, 2015 at 4:34 am
I’m thinking about getting a perm, one of the reasons actually being because I’m really into that era and want to style my hair curly and big like they did it in the 80s WITHOUT having to spend an hour and a half just to curl it every morning! But I’ve had some people tell me it’s a bad idea and not to do it, and it’s very discouraging to me all the while makes me fear of going and getting one. Also– I’m very curious as to know how short my hair will get if I get a spiral perm? Currently my hair is dark, super long and very thick. (Long as in down to my waist)
web admin
June 3, 2015 at 7:18 pm
If you love it and want to do it, do it. Trust me–if you spend your entire life listening to what other people want or think, you will have a lot less fun and really miss out.
If your hair is down to your waist right now, then it should still be longer than shoulder length once you do the spiral curls. As a side note, be prepared for spending more time on your hair. Curls and perms do not generally look perfect right when you wake up, so they are more work than throwing a pony tail in your hair. If you are fine with that, then I think that you should totally go for the perm. Curly hair is so cute, and you will get used to the change over time.
Melody
June 1, 2015 at 5:29 am
I have hair that go’s down to my sholders and I want really want super curly hair but I don’t want it short what perm style should I get???
web admin
June 1, 2015 at 2:14 pm
A spiral perm will give you the super curly, permed hair that you want. The only issue is that they will make your hair look shorter. Any time you perm your hair, it ends up giving your hair the appearance of being shorter. If you do not want your hair to be shorter than shoulder length, you will need to grow out your hair now before you get it permed. Good luck, Melody!
Kylie Daniels
May 29, 2015 at 7:35 am
I’m looking into getting a perm, my hair is so think and straight it won’t hold regular curls so I don’t even try to curl it anymore. I have medium length (just passed my shoulders)hair, was wondering would the multi texture perm work for that our would spiral? I really want curly hair.
web admin
May 30, 2015 at 1:33 am
Spiral would have it look really short, but that style can be extremely cute. If you are okay with shorter hair initially, I would go for a spiral perm. Unfortunately, I would be a little worried if your hair does not hold a curl at all. My hair does not hold a curl unless it is rock hard from hair spray. When I tried perming it, the perm would not stick. Perhaps you should go to your hair stylist first and see what they think. If the stylist thinks that it will work, then do it!
Clare
May 24, 2015 at 10:19 pm
What about trying to perm highlighted hair? Will it still work? Would love some waves for summer!
web admin
May 25, 2015 at 5:25 pm
It should probably be fine, but you should definitely ask your hair stylist first. If your hair has been highlighted just once and it was several weeks ago or more, then it should probably be fine. If you have regularly dyed or highlighted your hair, it may be too damaged.
One of the tricks you can do to check the quality of your hair can be done at home. Pick up a strand of your hair and hold it with both hands, about an inch apart. Gently start to tug at the inch of the strand with both hands. If the hair is bouncy and handles the tugging easily, then it is healthy hair. If the strand breaks and looks frizzled, then it is not in the right type of shape to handle a perm. You can always go ask your hair stylist as well, and they might do the same test to check it. Good luck!
ginny
May 16, 2015 at 11:35 pm
These are not actual perms, just fyi.
web admin
June 1, 2015 at 3:46 am
Spiral perms actually look a lot different than the surfer girl style of perm that you are used to seeing. Plus, many ladies still use a curling iron once they get a perm just to give their hair that extra level of polish. Thank you for commenting though–you are certainly right about some of the pictures!
shalda mitchell
April 25, 2015 at 9:21 pm
I love having my hair permed too.
web admin
April 26, 2015 at 12:37 am
If my hair would hold a perm, I would have curly, beautiful hair for the rest of my life. Thanks for the comment, Shalda!
JB
October 14, 2014 at 3:27 pm
I’m seriously considering a spiral perm. I rocked those in the 80’s. I’ve got long hair now and think it would be fun. I’m over my flat iron!
web admin
April 13, 2015 at 7:12 pm
They are so fun! I love permed hair so much, but my hair refuses to hold any curls. I will just have to think jealously about your beautiful hair, JB!
Charmaine
July 22, 2014 at 8:20 am
Good day please give me advice I am a breastcancer patient and on chemo tabs no hair fell out with this chemo my hair is only very thin what kind of perm can I use to give more volume.I am on Navelbine chemo caps.Kind Regards.
web admin
April 13, 2015 at 7:16 pm
Keep up the fight, Charmaine, you are a survivor! As for your hair, I am not sure what the best advice would be. Hair extensions or a wig would be a great option–although the hair extensions could pull some of your natural hair out. You could also use this as a chance to have a super crazy cut.
Sina
July 12, 2014 at 3:41 pm
I want a perm hair cos i had a perm in the 80’s and sick and tied straight hair.
web admin
April 13, 2015 at 7:18 pm
You should definitely do it! Permed hair is so ridiculously adorable. Just remember–you will have to cut your hair or wait for it to grow out before you get rid of the perm, so think through your decision!
tinny
May 23, 2014 at 8:08 pm
this is best haircut for mature and sexy women
web admin
April 13, 2015 at 7:19 pm
I agree fully–these different perm styles are wonderful for women of all ages.