We have some very specific memories stored when asked “What is a perm?” This is usually asked by a younger person who has not had a chance to experience permed bangs, big hair, and Aqua Net which are better to be left in the 80’s. Instead, let’s say “hello” to the cool modern hairstyles for permed hair!
Perm Hair Update
Modern perm is not restricted to extra voluminous frizzy hair of the past. Now you can vary the size and tightness of your curls ending up with a personalized hairstyle that does not shout “Oh, yeah, it’s a perm!”
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- Miss Jessie's Multi Cultural Curls may work for those who live in a climate with a good amount of moisture in the air, but this product will DAMAGE the hair of people who live in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, the Middle East, etc.
- The spiralled shape of your curls forces the cuticle open, making this curl type vulnerable to dehydration that can leave them looking dull and frizzy. Bouncy, buoyant and pretty damn cool, the tight curl type is the rascal kid on the curly block. Hydrated it’s full of spring, stretch and unparalleled.
#1: Dynamic Irregular Perm Waves
Curls are anything but regular and symmetrical. In fact, the thing that makes curly hair so mesmerizing is that it’s never the same anytime you style it. A perm will give you permanent waves, and because of the irregularity of curls, you may enjoy completely new hairstyles everyday!
#2: Shoulder-Length Medium Perm Curls
These bouncy shoulder-length curls don’t look like the old perm hair at all. The mane is healthy and free of frizzies, and the subtle highlights add definition and texture, contributing to the overall sense of volume and thickness.
Instagram / @jewelssims
#3: Over 40 Perm Lob for Gray Hair
Loose curls are voluminous and flattering on most women. They frame the face and neck softly camouflaging imperfections that come with age. The side part and peek-a-boo bangs do an excellent job in this direction.
#4: Medium Perm Hair with Highlights
There are many curl pattern options for medium length hair because you have enough length to do tight or loose curls, and you don’t have to worry about them being too heavy around your face. Curly bangs can sometimes look childish, so pin them back to show off your face.
#5: Permed Bob
Don’t be afraid of too much volume or texture in short perm hairstyles. As long as you have layers throughout your cut, you don’t have to worry about it looking like a poodle or being too curly. This is a way to keep you cut looking current.
#6: Acid Perms
It can be scary to use harsh chemicals on your hair. If you are in search of less harmful perms for medium hair, then an acid perm is the best option for you. Those who are new to this procedure should try it first because it lets you achieve loose s-shaped waves with less damage to hair than with alkaline perm.
#7: Beachy Blonde Waves
Nothing says boho beach babe like long blonde waves! This wavy perm is perfect for someone wanting a low maintenance, natural-looking coif that’s full of volume and personality. TIP: Layers throughout will help cut down on the poof!
#8: Off-Center Curly Highlighted Hairstyle
There are many different types of perms, so you are not restricted solely to super kinky ringlets. You may opt for a wavy perm that sits nicely when kept at the shoulder length. Part your hair a little off center to let the loose curls fall where they may.
Instagram / @lucyjacobi
#9: Perm Bob with Large Curls
If you’re looking for a short hair perm with big curl, you can find it in the pretty, slightly messy chin-length bob. The shapely tendrils roam around the face and add a sassy edge to the feminine hairstyle.
#10: The Traditional Perm 2.0
These days women with perms are showing off new ways to rock them, with the future in mind. These skinny curls snake around to give volume, depth, and body to the shoulder length hair. Bangs in front offer a glowy effect, as the whole face in accented by bright blonde curls.
Instagram / @salon_grace
#11: Long Blonde Balayage Shag with Perm Waves
It’s every girl’s dream to have permanent waves that look very natural. So why not give the beach wave perm a try? Perms for long hair tend to ooze shaggy, 1970s vibes, perfect for hair with a bright blonde balayage. With this style, don’t be afraid to let your natural roots show.
#12: Root Perm
In desperate need of volume? Ask your stylist about a root perm (and remember to always bring in pictures, like this one). This sort of perm increases height directly at the root, bringing life and body back to limp locks.
Instagram / @alyssaweinzap
#13: Black Layered Perm Waves
Wavy perm can provide an exciting twist to ordinary straight hair because it adds extra body and life to otherwise flat and dull strands. The locks look natural and shiny and can be parted on the side or in the middle, depending on your mood. The hairstyle is also long enough to pull up into a bouncy ponytail or a loose curly updo.
#14: Large Loose Perm Curls
If you have a more classic vision and prefer big, loose permed styles, you’ll love the look of these large bouncy curls. Spiral perms aren’t for the faint-hearted, for you’ll have to wear this hairdo with all the confidence of an ‘80s pop star! To make the perm look a little bit more natural, run your fingers lightly through your locks to separate some of the curls.
Instagram / @hairbysharonbreault
#15: Shoulder-Length Ash Blonde Perm Hairstyle
A short hair perm is a great way to amp up the natural volume in your hair. Lovers of the tight curl are already flocking to hair salons to get this style. Finding the right length when dealing with perms can be tricky, but as a general rule of thumb, you should always anticipate about half an inch of shrinkage.
#16: Medium Layered Curls with Bangs
The medium perm creates cute shaggy ringlets that extend down to the clavicle, and the golden blonde highlights add definition to each tendril. Curly bangs frame the face. Tighter curls look best on medium layered hair.
Instagram / @susanleestylist
#17: Silver Fox Perm
Silver hair already makes a bold statement, but take it to greater heights (literally) with mountains of giant curls! This perm hair was achieved using a larger rod, resulting in big curls that gorgeously snake all around the head.
#18: Shrinking Curls
Great for medium hair, these spiraled curls start loose and get tighter towards the ends. The subtle blonde highlights create depth, which helps make it look like you have twice as much hair as you actually do… yes, please!
Instagram / @simondale.salon
#19: Beautiful Perm Lob for Gray Hair
This gorgeous gray permed hair retains a youthful appearance. The white combover frames the face and creates some flattering extra height to elongate and slim down the face. The lowlights add a natural touch of color and contribute to the sense of fullness and depth.
#20: Permed Bob
This coif has it all: a rich color, a great cut, and curls for days! Pairing a perm with a bob cut is pretty much guaranteed to result in a sweet and sassy coif that’s full of life and personality. The gorgeous deep maroon shade is just an added bonus.
Instagram / @teresa_k808
#21: Short Bob with Body-Boosting Curls
Curly Howard
The modern bob is rather waved and tousled than sleek and perfectly straight. Permed hair gives the much needed update to the classic cropped style. A body perm provides natural root lift that won’t fall throughout the day. Keep the layers simple with this style, for the curls will give you all the volume you need.
#22: Bob with Thin Roots-to-Ends Perm Curls
Not into huge, thick ringlets? Thin, abundant curls can provide you with the same amount of volume as the typical large chunky curls do. You can achieve this ‘do with a diffuser attachment or with a perm. The latter option is for low-maintenance girls.
Instagram / @studio106hairsalon
#23: Long Dark Wavy Hairstyle with Highlights
In case you have naturally fine hair that needs a bit of lift, consider a body wave to provide extra texture and volume. If you’ve once had your straight hair in a tight spiral perm, you know you lose a lot of length in the process. Choose to perm your hair in looser, wider curls and gain all the length back with a decent level of bounce and visual interest added. The black curly hairstyle looks healthy and shiny.
#24: Tousled Wavy Perm Bob
A lob haircut is a great base for a perm. Whether you opt for a straight hair perm or loose perm curls, you’ll get a cute hairstyle that doesn’t need additional styling, unless you have a favorite product that makes your hair even more beautiful. Then apply a dab of your styling solution and be ready to shine through your day.
Instagram / @sabrinafunz
#25: Long Layered Perm Hairstyle
Do you look in the mirror at your long wavy hair and feel like it’s missing that extra “oomph”? That’s because styles for long hair usually focus on the length instead of emphasizing healthy shine and overall shape. A light perm enhances your natural curl pattern without sacrificing the length you’ve achieved. Your long brown hair appears luxurious and full of volume, and the bronze highlights add some lovely shimmer.
#26: Asymmetrical Messy Perm Bob
Women with thick, unruly hair should go with the flow and embrace their independent nature. Perm hairstyles are the perfect solution. Let your wild curly ringlets crown the head and tumble in the front in a peek-a-boo fashion. The ash brown color is enhanced by the beautiful white-blonde highlights that run through each loopy curl.
Instagram / @mahrithemaven
#27: Side-Parted Lob with Tousled Curls
A messy curly perm is a carefree style you can choose when looking for a new hairdo. Part your hair deeply to the side and let some curls fall into your face for a sassy peek-a-boo effect. Don’t worry about your curls being perfectly shaped, because the messier, the better!
#28: Short Soft Permed Bob
Perms may also produce modern disheveled curls. If you want something on the softer side, choose well-blended, subtle ringlets that work great with a bob. Opt for long side bangs that flow beautifully into the rest of your hair.
Instagram / @ritualsinhairandskin
#29: Gray Perm Bob with Blonde Highlights
If you’re old enough to have some gray hairs, you’re probably also old enough to remember the time when getting perms meant a head full of super-tight curls. Things have changed over the years. Now it’s possible to try a perm that leaves your hair with textured loose waves and none of the unwanted kinks.
#30: Blonde Perm Hair with Thin Defined Curls
It’s no question why perm hair is particularly common among those with naturally curly hair. The treatment calms frizz, allowing your hair’s texture and natural definition to really shine through. Opting for small, thin curls gives you the wet hair look without ever touching water.
Instagram / @segroshairport
#31: Short Curly Perm
Short styles are super cute when they are curly. Since you get to choose your curl pattern, be sure to opt for large curls so they don’t look too wiry or immature. Also, don’t forget to incorporate layers — especially around the nape of the neck — to provide definition.
#32: Bouncy Brown Perm
Perms are created with a solution that breaks down the bonds of keratin in your hair and restructures your locks once they are placed on a rod. To achieve these sexy spirals you will need to have your locks wrapped around large rods to make sure that the curls aren’t too tight.
#33: Tousled Wavy Black Bob
For thin hair, you will want to make sure your permed hair doesn’t sit flat on your head. Ask your stylist for a partial perm. This gives your locks permanent movement and texture without overwhelming them with curls that don’t look very natural or overly sweet.
#34: 1920’s Flapper Perm
Cute, short permed hairstyles are not poodle-like anymore. Here is a great version of a style we have seen for ages. Being a bit messier, this short hair style is easier to keep up with and great for warmer climates. It keeps your neck free, while the small V-shaped section at the nape lengthens it to create a more dramatic silhouette of the cut.
#35: Bobbing for Apples Perm
This take on the classic stacked bob gives a bit more length in the front, creating a frame for your face and drawing the eye up the wedge in the back to the nest of curls. The stacked layers offer you an easy-to-manage yet elegant style that will work with a dress or your favorite tank and jeans.
#36: Windswept Mamma!
Having medium length hair gives you tons of options, so how do you choose? Perm hairstyles today are much more fun than the original perm look. Check this “I just got off the motorcycle” style: the delicate curls build upon one another with just the right pizazz.
Instagram / @colourplacementaustralia
#37: Loose Perm
It’s a common misconception that curls have to be tightly spiraled, and this stunning mane is the perfect example of an alternative. Giant, loose waves are great for long hair, resulting in tons of body and movement that’s striking, but doesn’t overwhelm.
#38: Medium Cut with Tousled Perm Curls
For medium hair, you don’t want to go with too tight curls when choosing a good permed style for your texture. With hair of this length, it’s best to opt for a loose wave rather than coiled curls. Your hair will be easier to manage on a daily basis.
Instagram / @chelseavowell
#39: The Perfectly-Imperfect Perm
When you say “perm,” a lot of women picture giant ‘80s hairstyles and cringe. But that’s no longer the case. There are modern types of perms you’d never know were made in a salon. For example, the body perm. This variety includes loose, tousled waves curled in various sizes, which give a full, tousled effect that looks completely natural.
#40: Loose Curls for Straight Hair
If you are not a fan of a straight perm but don’t want curly hair either, consider loose natural-looking waves, like in the photo. For thin hair, it’s a great way to add texture and body. You’ll walk away with perfect beach waves without the use of a sea salt spray.
Instagram / @alyssa.euphoriastudio
#41: Very Long Hair with Loose Bottom Curls
Hammer Curls
At the core, perm hairstyles help create more defined locks, and this doesn’t always mean coiled curls. You can have a perfectly permed style with just the ends of your hair curled. For black hair with subtle highlights, this style is a beautiful way to show off the dimension of your color.
#42: S-Shaped Curls
If you’re crazed for curls, consider this hair perm. The hair is wrapped around the rod creating a specific s-shape that is guaranteed to texturize your coif. The dark roots are broken up by blonde highlights, which add depth and allow the spiral curls to standout.
Instagram / @totalbeautybyerica
#43: Permed Pixie
Although generally thought of being paired with long hair, perms for short hair add a convenient texture that take you from shower to finished in practically no time – perfect for the no-nonsense gal who wants a quick, smart, sophisticated look.
#44: Medium Bronde Curly Hairstyle
The tight curl style is very popular among those with thicker, coarser textures. The perm technique lets you keep the texture of your hair under control and avoid problems with styling, so you aren’t fighting with those unruly ringlets anymore. If you’re also looking to spice up your color, opt for blonde highlights and let some of your roots show through.
Curlsmith
Instagram / @dena_miranda
#45: Wet Perm Curls for Bob Cut
The wet curly bob style is a great low-maintenance look that requires little to no fuss in the mornings. It’s a great refreshing hair idea for summer. Looking vacation-ready has never been easier!
#46: Spirals on Spirals
Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s a spiral perm… here’s another style that could pass for natural. Soft spiral curls that go from root to tip provide a delicate, natural impression. Warning: people will ask to touch!
Instagram / @bianca.lux
#47: Shoulder-Length Perm
Sometimes fine, shoulder-length hair requires some man-made pizazz, and a light, wavy perm is a great way to achieve this. Ask your stylist for a few layers to avoid too much weight at the bottom, and to keep the look current. TIP: It’s is a great option for camouflaging thinning hair.
#48: Loose Ombre Perm
Beachy texture meets beachy color. This combo of fading warm blonde shades with loose permed waves creates a boho babe appeal that you don’t need to spend hours in the sun or salty water to achieve.
Instagram / @p.erris.t
#49: Soft Ombre Perm
Probably the most desirable of permed hairstyles, a plain curl look is natural and suits many face shapes as well as different hair colors. By letting the curls float around the bottom, you can create volume that doesn’t overpower.
#50: Prom Perm
Cults
Perms were popular back in the day as a prom hairstyle — and many wish to forget that time in their lives! But, you don’t have to shun the look altogether, it’s just about how you wear it and what size your rods are. A loose perm will work well with long hair that needs a soft style.
Curseforge
Instagram / @thecombsg
Curling
Perm hairstyles of shorter length are no longer your only option! Is your mind racing with ideas? Then, grab the phone, and make an appointment with your hairstyling expert today! Get ready for compliments from everyone who is brave enough to approach you!