Digital perm for loose curls anyone?

[MABS]

Well, that's it really, has anyone had one? I am really tempted.

[TattyDevine]

No but off to google it.

Ever done loose curls with GHD's? I can do my whole head of long hair in less than 10 minutes, and it lasts 3 days (or until you wash it really)...

[BerryLellow]

I just can't do my own hair in curls with GHDs, do you have a trick Tatty? I end up with straight hair with the odd angle thrown in. It's like my head sees the logic of how to do it but my hands do the opposite.

[MABS]

i'm same as you Berry, I try but can't get knack :(

[TattyDevine]

I'll find a video and post it, hold on...

You don't need the big fat GHD like she has - the regular ones are fine, that is what I have. I have a similar hairstyle to the model actually. I use slightly thicker sections of hair, but not too thick.

Once you have perfected this, honestly you will never look back. It stays for days. You don't freak out if the wind blows or if the air is a little moist.

[TattyDevine]

I would say I give the GHD's a slightly larger angled turn before pulling them through. But that's the only difference.

[MABS]

I will try again Tatty, but I am just so crap with my hair :( i have lots of very fine hair. you?

[lemonmuffin]

It looks like the curling action is coming from when she twirls it round with her fingers rather than just using the ghds, i think thats where ive being going wrong. Do you think it would work with other straighteners (can't stretch to ghds im afraid)

[TattyDevine]

I have fine hair, and lots of it.

Lemon, the twirling thing is not what makes the curl, no, its the fact that the GHD is at an angle. Every done curling ribbon on a gift by putting your scissors up to the ribbon, turning it and pulling it against the ribbon? Its a bit like that.

The twirling action at the end just sort of makes sure the curl forms in the right direction and sits properly - but isn't a mandatory part of the process, the main thing is getting the right angle and speed.

All I can suggest is practice practice practice. And look at lots of videos.

[MABS]

I just can't do the GHD thing :( so tempted by the perm still..

[FaffTastic]

Large heated rollers are the way to go if you can't master GHD curls. 3-4 minutes to put it, leave them in whilst you're doing you're make-up or just generally faffing for 10-15 min, 2 min to take out and ta-daa - soft bouncy loose curls that stay with a bit of hairspray. Babyliss ones are my favourite.

[MABS]

Yep, do have them but i literally have 15 mins in the moning :(

[GastonTheLadybird]

I am tempted to but at £300+ I'm not sure I can really justify it!

Can't you get up any earlier in the morning to do heated curlers or leave in non-heated ones over night?

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I can do the GHD thing and it looks great - for about 2 hours, then it falls out and ends up straighter than it is naturally Tatty - do you use any products when you do it?

[TattyDevine]

Not really whoknows...I've always had the same problem with everything other than GHDs - but GHD's stays well in my hair.

OP, if you can't master a relatively quick and reliable method that stays well and only takes about 10 minutes, much as this sounds trite, its probably just best to try and find a style that works with the natural texture of your hair. Otherwise you are just always fighting it and forking out £££ on fighting it.

Sure, try the perm but it is £££ and perms are not without their problems - particularly when they start to grow out. Back in the 80's when I had a perm (and of course they have changed a lot since then) I had trouble with one section at the front of my hair being straighter than others and it dropped quicker than the rest so I had to curl that to make it match (if only they had GHD's in those days)! and I do wonder if the digi perm would drop out quite quick.

So its not much help but is there some way you can find a cut or style that is what works with YOUR hair and just learn to love that for everyday...then you can save GHD's or tongs or that wavy thing for night's out...this may be well what you are doing already and fancy a change, so I'm probably talking crap but I've known people who have fought their curls for years just embracing it and going with it and they are glad in the end that they have just found something that works with their natural hair - its liberating. Well, this is kind of the opposite really...

I do the GHD's thing because I feel my hair should be several inches shorter and blow dried if I'm going to have long hair at my age without looking schoolgirly, but it takes so little time and its only twice a week, that just works fine for now but one day I probably will find the right choppy bob or something. And I am not pushed for time...but if you are...

[MABS]

I have to wash my hair every day, can't leave longer, so just dont have time to wash, dry completly,get curlers in/out in 20 mins :(

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

What is your hair actually like MABS, in terms of length, straightness etc? I think Tatty speaks a lot of sense about trying to find something that works with your hair's natural texture. I used to get mine permed back in the 80s and it wrecked the texture, also the front bits which are straighter than the rest used to drop fairly quickly from that too. I had mine short for years but decided to grow it again a couple of years back, it is below the shoulders, straight on top but curly from about the ears downwards, I have tried every technique and product under the sun to style it nicely, without much success but eventually, after a bit of trial and error, my hairdresser has found the perfect combination of layers, so that all I have to do is comb it through after washing and leave it to dry and the curls and waves take care of themselves perfectly. I use a Babyliss Big hair for smarter occasions or do the GHD curling thing for nights out but otherwise it is literally wash and go and very easy. It is also in much better condition because it is not being heat styled too often.

[MABS]

i do wash and go most days, Babyliss Big Hair some days if i want the 'farrah fawcett' look! and i have time. Hair is shoulder length, lots of it, very fine texture with a natural wave, v greasy at roots

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Does sound quite a lot like mine, I use dry shampoo on the greasy roots to help. Have you got layers? Mine make all the difference, I have shorter layers at the front where the hair is straighter (chin length). Perhaps go in for a chat with your hairdresser, they should be able to tell you more about the perms.

[PainSnail]

See if you have a korean salon near you. A digital perm will be a lot cheaper there as its a korean thing. If you're in London, theres plenty of choice.

[MABS]

I will go chat with her, thanks, think she will freak if i mention perms!

[iEmbarassedMyself]

yy I add a few curls in with my GHDs when it air dries and I don't fancy straightening it.
They never last the whole day, though, how do you get them to last 3 days?

[MABS]

i really really will give it another go :)