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Original poster

I want a perm

63 replies

mightycheeks · 06/01/2013 22:00

That says it all really. I have DEAD straight hair which will not hold a curl by any other means. I am 35 years old and feel that this is my last chance to experiment with my hair in a significant way - back in the day my hair has been all the colours of the rainbow and all lengths but ALWAYS straight. My hair is properly flat at the mo. Is this a really bad idea? My DH thinks it is but will not put me off. My Ma thinks that I should go for it (she has mega curly hair) as she thinks it will play on my mind and I can always crop it off. My questions are 1) will it work 2) has anyone had a good perm in London town? Hair is currently chin length shaped bob with no colour or treatments. Many thanks S&B ladies!

OP posts:
Avenue57 · 06/01/2013 22:04

I had perms decades ago (had really straight thin hair) and it gave masses of curls and great volume - looking back though the curl was too tight - yes true 80s girl!

I'd have to talk to a hairdresser about it unless you do want curly curls .. or do you want loose waves? Pretty sure anything is possible.

All I do know is that I've never had straight hair again even though my last perm was 25 years ago!

UnnamedFemaleProtagonist · 06/01/2013 22:05

No you fucking don't. HTH.

Original poster
mightycheeks · 06/01/2013 22:14

I think this is my problem. I am a true child of the 80s and avoided perms throughout that whole period and would rather avoid looking like Kevin Keegan. One of my hairdressers said he would never cut my hair again if I got a perm - a similar response to UFP which put me off but for some reason I can't get my curly hair need out of my head. I am having a midlife hair crisis at 35!

OP posts:
Karbea · 06/01/2013 22:16

My young (27) trendy friend has just had a perm, very similar to the ones I had 20 years ago. But she loves it.

beachyhead · 06/01/2013 22:17

Just remember, it's only chin length when it's straight. It will be super short when curly... I would grow it a bit, then do it! Though god knows who gives a good perm anywhere these days, not like they have a lot of practice. Grin

Whojamaflip · 06/01/2013 22:18

Just had mine done and its great! Hair dresser used the biggest rollers she could find on my dead straight hair and its worked Shock

Still getting used to it but I can dry it curly - looks like a shaggy 80's style a la Meg Ryan, dry it using large rollers to get more ringletty or blow dry it straight with loads of bounce!

My hair is highlighted and sits just on my shoulders if its any help and I'm 38

thesnootyfox · 06/01/2013 22:22

I want a perm too!

Spent the 80s/early 90s with a mop of shaggy ringlets and I was gutted when they went out of fashion. Hmm

So easy to style just stick your head upside down with a diffuser and you are done!

Perhaps we can persuade some hip young trendy celeb to go for the perm then they will be all the fashion again.

Original poster
mightycheeks · 06/01/2013 22:25

Beachyhead that is another concern - it ain't the done thing nowadays! And that it will be sticking out in all directions.... Thanks Whojamafilp - good to hear a positive experience. I am going to continue to mull on it. Shall report back if I ever pluck up the courage.

OP posts:
Original poster
mightycheeks · 06/01/2013 22:26

Whoo hoo! thesnootyfox I am not alone!!!

OP posts:
Whojamaflip · 06/01/2013 22:29

If its any help the last time I had the disaster it done was in the early 90's so it took me 20 years to pluck up the courage to have another go Grin Chuffed I did though....... it may be a regular thang from now on!

PuddingsAndPies · 06/01/2013 23:50

I want one too - have done for a few years, but I don't want to look like a poodle! My hair is like yours, in that nothing in the world can make it hold a curl... I might look into it & see what a few hairdressers reckon. In the meantime, please give it a go & tell me what happens Wink

Original poster
mightycheeks · 07/01/2013 14:52

Well I have booked in for a consultation tomorrow. Will report back!

OP posts:
HazleNutt · 07/01/2013 15:03

Have you considered what they call korean/japanese/digital perm? It does not give you the poodle look, but actual curls. Had it done a year ago and loved the look - only trouble that it did not really last like advertised on my fine European hair. Not cheap, mind.

propertyNIGHTmareBEFOREXMAS · 07/01/2013 16:53

Surely the perm must be due a revival?
I am yet to try one but I would be booking in for one if Grazia was awash with curls a Babyliss Wand style of curl could be permanently created.

Original poster
mightycheeks · 07/01/2013 20:09

HazleNutt that is what I am going to try - well enquire about anyway! They say 4 months. I am now v excited about the whole thing. I definitely think that I am fashion-forward on this.

OP posts:
HazleNutt · 07/01/2013 20:18

Yup they said 4 -6 months to me too, had curls for a month.. and a half, maybe. Still, was pretty and really easy to manage while it lasted.

readyforno2 · 07/01/2013 20:27

I got a perm a couple of years ago and LOVED it. It makes life so much easier. Wash (loads of conditioner), quick scrunch with a towel, spray hairspray and leave!! Amazing.

My hair is really heavy and think and didn't actually shorten that much.
I would have had it done again but fell pregnant, am going to get it done again before the summer.

What I would say though, if like me you do have really thick/heavy hair be prepared to hate it for the first week or so. I had to have the curls quite tight to begin with as they naturally fall after a couple of days.

readyforno2 · 07/01/2013 20:28

Mine lasted for ages.. Easily over 6/7 months

Original poster
mightycheeks · 08/01/2013 22:13

Tomorrow is the day ladies. Think of me. My mate has offered to do me a weave if it all goes wrong.....

OP posts:
bentneckwine1 · 09/01/2013 00:15

Hello...I am in my thirties and have had a perm the last three years...my hair is also naturally poker straight with no life.

When I first had it done my friend came to see what it was like...she wasn't keen on the idea originally. I opened the door and she stood there like 'oh....oh....oh its really nice...who would have thought.....oh....oh...and was touching it'!

She then went on to tell me that all the way up my path she had been practising her false smile and fake compliments and was totally thrown when she saw it!

My hairdresser thoroughly enjoyed perming my hair...she had given me a spiral perm in my teens and said that back then they would spend all day every day putting curlers in.
By the time I booked in for my recent perms she had called the juniors in because they had never seen one being done.

Good Luck!

zgaze · 09/01/2013 00:19

Marking my place because I really really want you to report back what it's like!

readyforno2 · 09/01/2013 00:38

I'm so jealous!! You're making me want to book mine now

vigglewiggle · 09/01/2013 00:44

I'm watching with interest and reminiscing about the joys of not having to wash my hair every day!

MaggieMaggieMaggieMcGill · 09/01/2013 00:45

I had one a couple of years ago on my long long hair. I don't think it lasted longer than three months but I loved it while it did.

CuriousMama · 09/01/2013 00:54

I sort of fancy one. I used to have it done in the 80s too. And did them as am a hairstylist. I'll do my own and use different size large rods or spiral rods if I do it as natural curls aren't uniform. Will rope in dp to help put the lotion on though. My hair's long so it'd cost a bomb to perm. It's long layers though so will work.

Good luck OP and all those considering it.

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