Thinking about getting a perm...

[Jane2479]

I'm thinking about getting a wavy/soft perm and wondered if anyone had experience with this? I have really straight hair and want to jazz it up!

I want one too! But worried I'll look like I'm from the 80's

I did it last year. My hair went way frizzer than I anticipated, but then it fell out within 2 weeks. However, I had dead straight hair than never held any style before but after it holds some waves etc so I was happier that I could style it, it's pretty much back to dead straight now though.

Me too!! I get laughed at by my most people when I mention wanting one! Google is no help with real example images to go by!

Mummy is your hair quite fine? What condition is it like now? I've heard perms can be quite damaging?! 2 weeks doesn't sound very long! How long are they normally supposed to last for?

Nooo! Get a good layered cut and use heated rollers.

I got one a few years ago and loved it

It was fairly harsh on my hair so I ended up cutting a chunk of the ends as they were heavily colored too

I ended up with a lovely curly bob that was so easy to style

I want to get another but need to grow out my straight short bob a good bit first

@Mammajay that sounds like a lot of effort I want to be able to roll out of bed with volumous, bouncy hair rather than my boring straight mop! Although, how long do the heated rollers take to work?

You need to be careful about the type of perm lotion. I had one about a year ago and it was very soft, didn't frizz and gave me exactly the kind of body in my very fine hair that is impossible to achieve without perming. I had another one recently which was much harsher and does go very frizzy unless I'm careful. Hairdresser has made clear notes not to use the 2nd one again.

Just worked out how to tag names!

@ForumUsername yeh I've heard it's quite harsh on hair. How long did yours past for? Also how long does it take to get done?

I have very straight hair and had lots of perms in the 80s. I would hope they are softer now but haven't dared try. In humid/ damp they woulddrop and frizz. When growing out a poker straight fringe with curly sides isn't a good look!

@MrsCollinssettled that's useful advice, thank you! So it's best to ask for a soft lotion perm? My hair is very fine too.

@halulat I can imagine the straight fringe with curly ends would have been rather interesting!!

@Jane2479 it took a couple of hours to get done and the smell was awful!

It lasted surprisingly long too
Even though I've poker straight hair it seemed to relax gradually rather than grow out of you know what I mean

After about a year I ended up getting a permanent blow dry to fully relax it out

Loved being able to bounce out of the shower and let my hair dry naturally into a curly nice mess

@ForumUsername thank you for the info! I'm sold will call my hairdresser tomorrow to book an appointment.

Goodbye straight hair, hello curls!

Didn't really damage my hair I didn't think. I think some people they just don't take in which seems to be the case for me. They usually last several months I believe.

How long are they normally supposed to last for?

Well they're meant to be PERManent! Although the last one I had (over 20 years ago) lasted about an hour

OP can you please share some before and after pics?

I've booked a consultation for next week before going ahead! The hairdresser pre-warned that she wouldn't be able to do it if I had bleach in my hair which I do as I had highlights put in almost a year ago but hey ho, we'll see what they say on Tuesday!

@MaryBoBary will do :)

Oh no - I hope they will still do it for you - I’m looking forward to seeing the results!

YOU CAN HAVE A PERM WITH HIGHLIGHTS IN, JUST CHOOSE A SPECIAL ONE FOR IT,WHICH IS MEANT FOR HIGHLIGHTED HAIR
Sorry caps n by accident