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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:
bentneckwine1 · 09/01/2013 01:02

viggiewiggle that is one of the main benefits...dries my hair up and i can leave a couple of days between washes.

Curlysueuk · 09/01/2013 08:53

I had a perm as a teenager.............i loved it but it got me my nickname that has lasted ever since!!

ScentedNappyHag · 09/01/2013 09:00

I've been wanting a perm for ages, but my hairdresser won't do it as she says I have too much dye in my hair and it will fall out HmmSad
Can't wait to hear an update and be curly vicariously Grin

CuriousMama · 09/01/2013 09:28

Scented what sort of dye? Is it bleach? Are you sure she can do perms as some people haven't trained to do them.

MrsBucketxx · 09/01/2013 09:39

If its bleach she would need an acid perm much kinder to your hair,

I would never have one I have naturally curly hair and hate it, heated rollers are your freind and no faf either.

CuriousMama · 09/01/2013 09:51

MrsBucketxx how curly is your hair? I've had good results perming curly hair with large rods to loosen the curl. Depends on the hair of course.

MrsBucketxx · 09/01/2013 11:30

I have it chemically straightened like a perm in reverse, they stretch it onto boards, I hate my curls

CuriousMama · 09/01/2013 16:26

Ahh so you don't like them at all MrsB. Yes I know about straightening glad it works.

PuddingsAndPies · 09/01/2013 18:58

Ooh, how is it? I'm so excited at the prospect - I think I need to get out more Blush What kind of perm have you gone for?

& MrsB, if you had hair like me (& the OP, I think), heated rollers don't work. The couple of times I've had it done professionally it has taken a long time, lots of product, & not held even for the duration of finishing the hair. The only way I've had anything approaching curls is when my hair has been done by a hairdresser & then pinned up to give the illusion, really, rather than proper curls. Hence the desperation!

verytellytubby · 09/01/2013 20:13

Google Sali Hughes Guardian piece on perms. She had one and it looked amazing in the picture.

verytellytubby · 09/01/2013 20:15

Digital perm.

Original poster
mightycheeks · 09/01/2013 21:01

Okay ladies so here is the Perm Report: I have to say it does look quite a bit like Sali Hughes' photo in her article on digital perms (thanks verytellytubby). So not really curly but more volume and wavy.

It did however take ages as apparently I have the most resistant hair known to science. What they do is wash your hair, then put some protective stuff on it. Then some really evil chemical stuff which they then rinse off once your hair gets "stretchy". My hair apparently took a long time to get stretchy. Then it is wound onto rollers - as my hair is short she used the smallest roller only. Then you are "wired up" to the panel. Normally it takes 5-10mins for the curls to form on the rollers. Mine took minimum 20mins to a maximum of 40 mins on some areas. This is unusual! Then you have some other magic stuff put on your hair (still in rollers) to set the curls once they have cooled down. Then your hair is washed and conditioned and dried.

Start to finish took just under 5 hours (normally takes 3). My hair definitely has the most "natural" volume it has ever had. Normally to get this much I would have had to backcomb it and use 1/2 can of hairspray plus mousse.

However it is not really curly so if you want corkscrew curls you may not get that. But if my dead straight hair can get a bend and you have the cash I would recommend! I shall report back on how it lasts. I have been told not to wash my hair for 48 hours and to use a post treatment professional conditioner and to twist the curls around my fingers the first couple of times I wash my hair. Any questions ask away.

OP posts:
readyforno2 · 09/01/2013 21:07

Might sound stupid, but, do you have ginger hair?
I only ask because I do and was told it was the most difficult hair type to do anything to..

Original poster
mightycheeks · 09/01/2013 21:23

Nope very dark brown, nearly black. Fine hair but a lot of it. The other problem was that because of the bob I have had a lot of chopping into the layers which made winding my hair around the rollers tricky for the poor stylist.

OP posts:
CuriousMama · 09/01/2013 21:28

When I had choppy layers to perm I just used large end papers. Don't perm often now but who knows it may come back? I prefer colour and cutting.

Glad it turned out ok Smile Your hair's probably not dyed is it? And in good condition. You have very flat cuticles along your hairs and these need to raise to get the perm solution in. Sounds like a good salon you went to though.

Original poster
mightycheeks · 09/01/2013 22:13

No not dyed my hair for a long old time - over 4 years. The salon was very good and the girl took ages over it to make sure that it worked well without killing my hair; heating it 5 mins at a time and then rechecking. It was slightly anxious making when the rollers came out though Smile

OP posts:
CuriousMama · 09/01/2013 22:15

Yes I can imagine it would be a bit worrying.

CuriousMama · 09/01/2013 22:16

Dyed hair can take in a flash as the cuticle is raised and sometimes rough. It's like scales along your hair.

jackstini · 09/01/2013 22:21

Marking place to see how it lasts - have been considering this too Smile

PuddingsAndPies · 10/01/2013 00:38

With the struggle to get it to take & your description of colour / texture of your hair... Are you sure you're not me?! It's uncanny!

Do you mind me asking how much it cost? & you had it done in London, yes? I'm in the Midlands, but can only find one place which seems to do it - I haven't yet ruled out travelling, depending on how well it stays in your hair for the next couple of weeks. I really want lovely, bouncy hair.

CuriousMama · 10/01/2013 13:54

Pudding don't Toni and Guy do it?

schnauzerfan · 10/01/2013 14:35

I want one too!! I love curls!! I am going to bite the bullet and get it booked!!!

JanuaryJunes · 10/01/2013 14:40

I want one like sali Hughes. Anyone know a south London salon who offer digital perms?

PuddingsAndPies · 10/01/2013 17:50

Ooh, really? I did some preliminary googling, but they didn't come up in the search. I'll have another proper look when I can get to the laptop. That would make life easier!

Original poster
mightycheeks · 10/01/2013 20:40

Puddings certainly sounds like we are hair twins! It cost £250 but looking around I have seen quotes starting at £130 in London (google YumikoJones digital perm) I got it done at Myla and Davis which is in South London January. It really depends on how long your hair is. On day 2 still curly and lots more volume. Many complements from everyone at work. Haven't washed hair yet - am leaving to Saturday morning so has had full 48 hours. Doesn't feel greasy though and I usually wash my hair daily.

OP posts:
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