I keep hearing about "new" perms, has anyone had one? are they any good? In fact, has ANYONE had a perm done in the last 10 years????

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Apparently instead of winding the hair around traditional cylinder shaped rollers, they use large cone shapes which produce a more natural curl. They're supposed to be great for the long loose wavy curl look.

I have very long absolutely straight hair, I've been thinking aout getting one of these for a while but haven't heard of anyone else having one. I do not want a poodle perm! I have a round face, some volume would look good as my hair currently is a bit like Neil off the Young Ones, but I don't want an 80's tragic do.

Any experiences?

Not really but, I think perms must be making a comeback, I know at least 3 people who are thinking of having one done. They are quite expensive though.

Mmm, particularly with long hair. But any shorter (its halfway down my back) and I'd end up with an enormous curly bob. Essentially, I don't want to look like Jack Osbourne used to.

do you curl it anyway hun? I use spiral winders (heated ones) But I have long layers in my hair.

hope you get some advice soon.

Yikes!!

if it's loose curls it won't look like that hun lol

I don't usually curl it as when I tried it in the past the weight of my hair pulled the curl out after an hour or so, but that may just be because I didn't use the right styling products. I'm not very clever with my hair. I tend to just shampoo it, toweldry, give it a brush and um... yeah. That's it.

I had a few long layers in but haven't had it cut for 6 months so it's looking pretty out of shape. I was holding off getting it done thinking I might get a spangly new perm instead.

James I think we have the same hair! I did think about a perm a while a go but was talked out of it by the hair dresser who suggested heated rollers or GHDs (straighteners that you can your to create curls, much like curl ribbon with a pair of sissors!) instead, but I wouldn't know how to use them and am rubbish at tonging.

Got is all chopped off instead and now have a boring neck length bob that takes even more work than when I have it long. Like you when it's long I just wash and go!

Want to grow it again but the hairdresser says I have a long face and should never have long hair .

So, no help really but just wanted to sympathise!

James - I've got exactly the same hair issues as you. Completely straight, long hair, it's quite fine as well AND I have a round face, so I do need the volume (particularly on top). More often than not I put my hair in two plaits at night, mainly so it doesn't end up tangled and knotted in the morning. It looks lovely when I take out the plaits and just run my fingers through it a bit, but doesn't last unless I've put some kind of product on beforehand, or hairspray it afterwards. I'd very much like that kind of effect permanently. I had been toying with the idea of having a perm lately.

I used to have loose spiral perms when I was younger, and my hair was shoulder length (it didn't grow any longer than that, until I was pregnant). However, because my hair is fine it did sometimes break off at the root during the perming process - the worst time this happened was when I had a perm done on those soft bendy things instead of curlers. It's the breakage, (as well as the price) which makes me a bit wary about perms. However, I'd also be interested in hearing any recent positive perm stories!

Yeah, pricewise I reckon we're talking the best part of £100 these days. There's a hairdressing college nearby who have a salon for the trainees at massively reduced prices but it's not like having a dodgy trim, if they messed up the perm solution you could end up with a Leo Sayer-esque do! Or worse as you say, it breaking off from the root. eek!

Doesn't MN have over 11,000 contributors? Somebody must have had a perm in the last ten years! or are there any hairdressers around who can tell us more?