Nothing boosts your confidence like a good old hairstyle. And if it’s permanent, there’s no maintenance hassle too. A perm is a way to go if you’re bored of your hair and looking for something long-term, even when you get out of the shower.
Article summary
The most common types of perms include loose curls, long hair, and spiral ones. Each different type will have its place where it looks the best.
Some of the other options and topics we’ll cover include the following:
- Ombre effect
- Windswept
- Products to use
Continue reading
Let’s look at all the different types of perms: loose curls for long hair, spiral, and more.
What is a perm?
A perm is short for a permanent hairstyle. It involves treatment of anywhere from 2 hours to 5 hours. The treatment is used to break down particles of your hair. The result is your natural texture changing into your desired style. Typically, your perm should last you about three to six months with care.
Types of perms
You can get several different types of perms to change up your look! Back in the day, limited options were costly to achieve. With the number of resources, you can practically get a makeover overnight at your home!
Let’s look at all the variety to choose from.
Body wave
No, it’s not anything like the dance move. But yes, it does add some bounce to your hair’s body. With the body wave, you’re looking at adding a little bit of wavy texture to otherwise very straight or boring hair.
For four to five months, you can expect a full-body wave style that will make you look stunning.
Straight
Also known as a reverse perm, this one is for those with wavy or curly hair types but who desires a sleek look. The bonds in your strands are broken down and cause them to look sleek and shiny from without.
Nowadays, this process is also achieved through Rebonding or Smoothening.
Spiral perms
The spiral type has been one of the most popular since the heydays of perming. You can expect tight neat tiny curls with this style. Since this style will require a lot of chemicals to be used, it is best suited for those with healthy hair. This means your strands shouldn’t be brittle. It’s not for those who are suffering from hair loss or hair fall issues.
Multi-textured
If you’re looking for a change in your hairstyle but also want to go offbeat, a multi-textured look is a way to go. This look is achieved by using many rods of varying lengths and sizes. Keep in mind that you’ll need an expert stylist for this one. It’s difficult to achieve at home by yourself unless you are quite the pro!
Stacked
It’s the most natural-looking one there is! Since curly-haired women do not usually have hair that gets curly from the roots themselves, a stacked perm looks quite realistic. Here the style involves straight hair from the roots and curls towards the ends of the length of hair. Long hair of equal lengths is preferable for this hairstyle as the look that will be achieved will already be of layered style.
Spot
Just like it sounds, a spot perm curls only one section of your tresses permanently. If you’ve got a layered haircut, you can get the curls on one layer of your hair. This adds a little bounce without too much hassle and volumizes it instantly.
Root
Add volume to your tresses by only curling the roots. This is especially useful when your hair is thinning out and making your face look flat. It can also act as a touch-up for a previous perm that is now growing out.
Volumizing
No visible curls, just good old bounce to the hair. A volumizing perm is perfect for those looking to achieve the best volume without a complete change in hairstyle. Just add a lift of bounce with this type, and you don’t have to worry about maintaining it for another 4-5 months!
What is the loosest perm?
Beach waves are very loose curls that will look natural. If you want something less loose, you can go for stacked curls. They start a couple of inches below the roots with large curls, unlike spirals.
Multi-textured perm
A variated style that uses multiple sizes of rods. It achieves a natural look since not all strands are uniformly curled. The variety comes in not only the rod sizes but also how it can be achieved. You can use rods or fabrics or even rollers.
Partial perm
Also known as spot perm, this type is unique as it only targets a specific section of your hair. If you’ve got layers in your hair, you can choose to add curls to only one layer. Or you can target just the roots for volume in thin-looking hair. Or you can only curl the ends of your tresses.
The validity is about three to six months. The treatment will. However, take just as much time as a full perm. You can expect to be in the salon for three to five hours.
Perm that doesn’t damage your hair
There are a couple of options you can go for in damage-free perms. Thioglycolate is a harmful chemical that is used in the effective perming of hair. Without this, it is difficult to achieve a long-lasting result. Nowadays, there are options like natural perming with only natural ingredients and no parabens or sulfates.
You can also opt for styles in perming that use fewer chemicals and hence cause less damage. For example, a digital perm will use solutions that have milder chemicals than thioglycolates. It will last only 3-4 months but you’ll be satisfied knowing it hasn’t caused much harm.
Spiral types of perms
Spiral perms were all the rage back in the ’90s and ’80s. Getting a perm back then was a luxury and not one many could afford. The tell-tale sign of a prosperous life was then a perm.
Tight spirals curls were all the rage back then but are also sported nowadays.
You can choose the tightness of your curls and the type of spiral perm.
Regular spiral
The typical 90’s perm. This one is a tight style that leaves your locks super curly and full of volume. The process can take up to 5 hours for the treatment to finish.
Ombre effect
Give your spiral perm an even more trending look. You’ll look like a hundred bucks with a new color at the bottom.
Windswept
You can also experiment by giving your spiral perm a brush through. Once you do this, the result is a windswept look like on a beach or atop a hill. Keep your tresses to one side and see the magic.
Products needed for a perm
While you need to book appointments and can’t just waltz into a salon and ask to get your hair done, there are other options. You can also get a perm done at home by yourself. Take a look at the products you’ll need:
Protein shampoo
A good hairstyling session always starts with a deep cleanse of the scalp from root to tip. For this, you’ll need good shampoo. A protein shampoo is recommended to protect your hair from the intense treatment it is about to receive.
The goodness of black rice
A highly rated option by the users of Amazon, Nexxus KeraPhix Black rice shampoo for damaged locks makes for a great damage control treatment. It uses the science of Proteomics research and puts it into practical everyday hair-care usage.
| Specifications | Description |
| Brand | Nexxus Keraphix |
| Hair type | Damaged |
| Main Ingredients | Keratin Protein and Black rice |
| Technology | Proteomics |
Pros
- Visibly healed hair with keratin treatment
- Glutamic acid restores the health of your hair
- Hair grows fast
- Visible results after only a single use
- Evens out frizzy hair
Cons
- it doesn’t foam as much as regular shampoos
Sulfate-free and healthy
Wholesome natural ingredients are what you sometimes need to cancel out the harmful chemicals from coloring or heat treatments to your hair. Give yourself the goodness of blackberry and quinoa to boost it up before you get a perm!
| Specifications | Description |
| Brand | Aveeno |
| Main Ingredients | Blackberry and quinoa protein |
| Key points | No dyes. no parabens, no sulfates |
| Other variants | Oat milk, apple cider vinegar, fresh greens, Rose water and chamomile, Almond oil blend, Kefir probiotic, Cotton lightweight |
Pros
- No sulfates, parabens or dyes
- Color-treated hair is prevented from fading away fast
- The scalp is nourished with oats goodness
- Strands are smoothened
- Smells amazing
- Customers reported hair loss stopped with repeated use.
Cons
- Not suitable for dry hair. Try other variants for this.
Endpaper
You’ll also need some endpapers to cover your tips. The endpapers are wet and used to cover the ends of your hair. When the rod touches the hair, the endpaper enables the chemicals to rapidly infiltrate the locks without any chemical damage.
You can buy a set of 1000 papers for less than $5.
| Specifications | Description |
| Name | Graham True Wave Roller Ends |
| Number of papers | 1000 |
| Features | Tamper proof, value for money, maintains strength when wet. |
Pros
- Trusted by professionals in salons too
- It works despite all the moisture!
- Super value for money – they’re costing 1 cent per roll!
Cons
- Might be tough to use for someone new.
Rollers or rods
Your rods will depend on the size of your hair. But each curl rod also results in a different type of curl.
If you’re looking to style medium or small hair, a rod set should be more than enough. Rods without any rubber bands are the best since breakage is avoided. No-heat rods are the best of all as they also don’t cause any heat damage.
All sizes of cold wave rods
Now whether you’re growing out your length or cutting it short, there is no need to buy a set of new rods each time! Buy this one with all six sizes suited for long, medium, or short hair.
| Specifications | Description |
| Name | Willbond 56 hair piece cold wave rods |
| Contents | 56 pieces – 12 each of 6 different sizes |
| Material | Plastic |
| Dimensions | 6 different diameters – 0.59 in, 0.63 in, 0.75 in, 0.79 in, 0.87 in, 0.98 in |
| Colors | Mixed |
Pros
- Different sizes for all lengths of hair
- Different diameters for varied ringlet sizes
- Durable and long-lasting
- Great for both home and salon use
Cons
- You might need a youtube tutorial if you’re a beginner!
Variety pack with rubber bands
Clips like these also cover the entire length and cling to it. It has several vents for better saturation. All the different sizes mean you can use them at different lengths of your tresses. Whether you have long or medium hair, this is the only buy you’ll ever need.
| Specifications | Description |
| Name | COTU brand perm rod variety pack |
| Number | 48 pieces |
| Contents | 12 pieces of Small, 12 pieces of Medium, 12 pieces of Large and 12 pieces of Jumbo |
| Additional | Rubber bands included |
Pros
- Perfect for all kinds of hair – short, medium and length
- Can create all types of curls – voluminous, body or wavy
- Value pack ensures longevity
- Great quality that can be reused
- More than 1K satisfied customers
Cons
- Not suitable for those who only want one dozen of rods.
Acidic Perm solution
Based on your hair type, you will require a solution. There is a difference between acidic and alkaline perm solutions. Now, this is the solution that will do most of the work. You will need a solution for breaking down structure bonds to re-adjust them to your liking.
Argan oil enriched
If you’ve got locks with low elasticity, or coarse or thick Asian hair, an Acidic solution is the one for you. Try to choose one that has a natural moisturizing agent like this one with Argan oil. The best part is it can combine with lotion or water to make the perfect combination for you.
| Specifications | Description |
| Name | Zotos Quantum Extra Body Acid Permanent Hair treatment |
| Pack includes | Waving lotion, neutralizer, activator |
| Waves last | 5-6 months |
| Ideal for | Short hair |
Pros
- Great at-home solution if you don’t want to buy all the way from a beauty supply store
- Long-lasting for months
- Great fragrance that removed perm odor
- Hair also looks healthy
Cons
- It must be carefully applied on thin and fine hair for a shorter duration.
Alkaline solution
If you’ve got locks that are colored or tinted, damaged or fragile, an alkaline solution will work best for you. Some alkaline solutions will be exothermic and therefore self-heating. They’ll be doing half the job for you.
Feels so lively
This is one such solution by Zotos. It’s self-warming and does a lot of the job for you. Since it’s alkaline, it is milder on the scalp than its acidic counterpart.
Pros
- Self-warming
- Mild solution for fine and thinning hair
- High 4.4 star rating
- The curls last a very long time!
Cons
- The smell is overwhelming sometimes!
Flexible options
This one by Quantum is rated Amazon’s Choice because of its splendid results. Not only can one expect the best of curls after using this product, but also expect minimal damage.
Pros
- Adds great volume and texture to even the most dull hair
- Varied porosity of hair doesn’t matter to this product
- The curls are resilient and firm
- Argan-infused neutralizer means great nourishment along with the treatment
Cons
- It does not come with ends wraps.
Neutralizer
This is usually part of the perm solution you are using. Applying a neutralizer is the last part of the whole process. It has the effect of sealing the cuticle and rebonding the structure of the hair. The desired texture is then achieved.
Shampoo and conditioner for the chemically treated scalp
You will need a shampoo meant for a chemically treated scalp to maintain your hair. There are also special shampoos in the market for curly hair that will add an extra bounce to your locks.
Curly hair treatment
This shampoo set is a great option for newly curled tresses. It maintains the hair’s porosity and strength, adds a shine, and gives it a bouncy lift. Nobody wants curls with deadweight that makes it look droopy.
Pros
- Sulfate-free shampoo!
- Coconut oil targets the dehydration that occurs from curling treatments
- Vitamin B1 detangles and controls frizz.
- 7x more hydrates curls than non-conditioning shampoos guaranteed
- No parabens, dyes or mineral oil.
- Leaves hair smooth and smells great!
Cons
- Hard to find in stores.
The curl next door
The most desired curl next door is the way to any curly-haired girl’s heart. We love the reviews and takes on this one. Not only is it anti-frizz, but it’s also vegan and cruelty-free. It comes with a shampoo and conditioner as well as a curl-defining cream.
Despite all the love it gives your hair, it is bereft of phthalates, sulfates, parabens, and talc. Shea butter, aloe vera, and argan oil infuse the goodness of nature into your curls.
Pros
- No phthalates, sulfates, parabens or talc.
- The nourishment from aloe, shea butter and argan oil is unmatched
- Cruelty-free and vegan too!
- Super lightweight formula
Cons
- Curl shampoo and conditioner don’t make as great curls as the Curl Friend Curl Cream does.
Beach wave perm rods
Beachy waves are a type of very loose curls that give the effect of no-effort carefree natural wavy hair. There are quite a few ways you can achieve them. Some people like to leave their locks in a braid after washing them overnight.
You can also curl your length with a curling rod and leave a couple of inches out to achieve this effect.
But if you are looking for something permanent, you can also get a perm.
Any good solid rods can be used for this purpose. All that differs is the method of wrapping your lengths around the rod. Instead of wrapping it closely and tightly, you will wrap it around with much more distance.
Pros Of Extra Large Perm Rods for Beachy Waves
- 18 pieces that are more than sufficient for a full head
- Does no harm to your hair unlike heat treatments
- Quality non-slip, easy to operate plastic rods
Cons
- Long haired people might need more than one pack
Why trust us and how we picked?
Indeed it is true that nothing boosts your confidence like a good hairstyle. That’s why we have done our part of the research on different types of perms – loose curls & spiral. We have consulted several hair stylists and salons. And even the life experiences of people, who have already done it, were taken. Our team has also short-listed some of the best products so that you can look your best!
Factors to consider
Condition
Before getting the perms done, your hair needs to be in good condition. If there is heavy coloring or too much damage in your hair, you should probably hold and wait for the hair to regain its good condition.
Length
Perms look good only if you have long hair. Short hair can also accommodate perms but it won’t last for a very long time.
Care
The care routine for perms is different than those for regular hair. The specific type of shampoos, conditioners, hairsprays, etc. has to be used to make sure that your perms stay intact.
Coloring
Do not ever make the mistake to color your hair right after or before getting perms done. A gap of at least a month has to be taken for ensuring your perms are the best.
How much cost?
You can expect to pay anywhere between $60 to $100 for a typical perm. The price range goes all the way up to $200 depending on the size of the curl, the length, and other factors.
FAQ
Let’s take a look at some of our top user questions.
It depends on your face cut, hair type, cut, and personal preference. Back in the day, the spiral was all the rage. However, now beach waves are in. All favor large loose curls as compared to the high-maintenance tight curls.
This style can last four to five months in high-quality condition. If you take great care in its maintenance, it can even last six months.
You sure can. Nowadays, you can get everything from a partial to loose curl perm. Everything is possible in the world. All you need to do is decide!
If you’ve got straight locks and want a change of scene, you can go for the full spiral look. With tiny ringlets, your locks will look stunning. If you’ve got a long, wavy, or curly type, you can also go for a straight option.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $60 to $100 for a typical perm. The price range goes all the way up to $200 depending on the size of the curl, the length, and other factors.
