Do women still perm their hair?

[1rockinmamato2]

I'm in a hairstyle funk.

From the time I was in the 5th grade until I was about 20, I had always had a perm in my hair. Then, straight hairstyles became the thing so I let my hair go natural and have had a short cut that looks great with a lot of work.

However, it seems my hair is really not suitable for a straight style. I have a lot of hair, but it's fine so it goes flat if I don't pouf and style with tons of styling product. What I end up with is a "do" that is stiff and doesn't move.

I've mentioned to my hairdresser that I would like a perm, but she just ignores me. I just want loose curls and BODY in my hair. Plus, it would help camouflage my gray. Plus, I need something EASY to fix because I have a limited amount of time to fix myself up these days! My hair is now about medium length and now would be a perfect time to perm it.

So, I'm wondering if perms are in again?

 

[jbthi]

Nope, perms aren't in. But I do have one. My hair is baby fine and thin.

My stylist doesn't believe in perms but even he agreed that maybe I should try one. I just had to swear I wouldn't tell anybody he did it. He owns the salon and when he made the appointment for me, he wrote down color and told me to remind him it was a perm. He didn't want to write perm in case somebody else saw it and thought he was doing perms and scheduled a perm appointment for him.

 

[clutter]

My hair sounds like yours. I keep it VERY short, and I have to use a blow dryer and a curling iron. Then I don't have to use so much product. It's like I have to damage my hair to get it to hold a style. And if it gets too long, it's all over. Short, damage, that's the key.

btw, I like it this way much better than when I permed. At least when it grows in, I don't have to deal with permed ends.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I had a friend who got a perm last year. She looked like a poodle...which wasn't flattering at all. I tried my level best to talk her out of it, to no avail.

Maybe you could post photos of you and everyone could give you some ideas.

 

[Christine]

No, I don't think perms are in.

BTW, I think you must be my twin sister when it comes to hair. I've got the same issues going on with the products. I have lots of very fine, soft hair and it will not hold a style. It then "falls" and I look kind of "butch."

Anyway, I've noticed at a few of the salons they are offering a "texturizing" service that lasts 6-8 weeks. I think it is much like a perm but without the full curl put in. I think they put some type of solution and rods in your hair that just kind of "roughs" it up. Maybe some of our DIS-residents stylists can chime in on this because I haven't heard much about it except that I've seen the posters for it in the salon.

 

[1rockinmamato2]

I went for it. I got the perm and my hair hasn't looked this great in YEARS!

I finally talked my hair stylist into giving me a body perm. I just knew I needed one since my hair never got the memo that it no longer needed a perm to look alive and not glued to my head.

The perm gave me loose, sexy curls and then my hair stylist cut my hair into a layered bob. She also covered my grays and did my brows.

I've had a self-confidence boost and I feel like I've had an extreme makeover.

 

[Hedy]

I went for it. I got the perm and my hair hasn't looked this great in YEARS!

I finally talked my hair stylist into giving me a body perm. I just knew I needed one since my hair never got the memo that it no longer needed a perm to look alive and not glued to my head.

The perm gave me loose, sexy curls and then my hair stylist cut my hair into a layered bob. She also covered my grays and did my brows.

I've had a self-confidence boost and I feel like I've had an extreme makeover.

Awesome! Now that's what matters, not whether perms are "in."

 

[beavismom]

Well, you already did it, so good for you. I hate when everyone is obsessed with "in" hairstyles. It is much more important to have a style that suits your hair type and face and if that means you get a perm so be it. I am probably biased though since my hair is naturally straight as a board and I keep it permed. I happen to have a round face and it is not flattered by straight hair or short hair.

 

[Cool-Beans]

A friend of mine just got one. She looks great.

Perms look good on me for a while and then my hair turns into a giant frizball, so I've sworn off of them.

I think life is short and people should do what makes them happy. Who cares if it is "in?"

 

[Gurgi]

I went for it. I got the perm and my hair hasn't looked this great in YEARS!

I finally talked my hair stylist into giving me a body perm. I just knew I needed one since my hair never got the memo that it no longer needed a perm to look alive and not glued to my head.

The perm gave me loose, sexy curls and then my hair stylist cut my hair into a layered bob. She also covered my grays and did my brows.

I've had a self-confidence boost and I feel like I've had an extreme makeover.

PICTURES!

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, the frizzy perms from the 1970's aren't "in", but I have to imagine that there are things now that don't end up looking like that, that will give your hair the body and bounce you want without the 70's look.

 

[MomNeedsVacay]

results? pics? Bueller?

 

[Pirate Me]

As long as you feel great with it.

 

[minniecarousel]

I gave up perms several years ago. I used to think it camoflauged my gray hair, but...not so much! It took a few years for my hair to grow out & I need the roots colored every 4 weeks (I'm at 5 weeks now & the roots are sooo white!) My 90 year-old mother gets her hair permed 4X a year. Her hair is very fine and she looks very nice.

As long as you're happy & it appears that it has given your hair some body - just keep in mind to get the ends trimmed and hold off as long as you can before you get another one.

 

[Marion]

I fall into the fine and limp hair category and always have a perm in just so I have some volume going on. My hair is fairly long and my hairdresser gives me a spiral perm.... I hate my hair otherwise

 

[DebbieB]

My hair is very straight and I get perms for body. 4 times a year, 2 cuts in between. I'm due for one now, it's driving me crazy. I have an appt on Friday.

 

[cybrkitn]

I have baby fine hair that has a little wave to it. I had short hair for a long time and finally decided to let it grow long. Then I found out that I couldn't do a darn thing with it and decided to get a perm. That was in 1988. I started out with getting a perm every 6 months. Then years later I went for a body wave perm and that lasted me about 1 year to 1.5 years before needing another one. Yeah, I looked like a poodle at times and DH would joke around with me and I'd play along and say to him "You're poodle is back."

I finally gave up my permed hair around 2003 or so and went with a haircut that was easier to take care of. I now have shoulder length hair that I curl under when drying (making it bob). It was getting too much with my baby DS (now 5) always pulling at it that I knew it was time for a change.

 

[MagicalMom]

My hair has been permed for years. It's not a kinky kind of perm but more long & curly. I can't stand my hair to be long & straight, it's just too flat.