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Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Perm. Written by a Qualified Perm Tech with 39 Years of Experience. 

Although perms have been around for over a century, and back in the ’80s, they were the  big thing. While they took a backseat for a while, in recent years, perms have made a full comeback, with new techniques and styles popping up all the time—some classic, some totally fresh. With so many different types of perms out there, it can be tough to keep up. So, let’s break it all down! Here’s everything you need to know about the modern perm.  

The History Behind the Perm: 

My name is Abby Birbari, and I am a qualified Perm Tech and hairstylist with 39 years of experience. Back in my early days as a new stylist, perms were everywhere—everyone wanted big hair, and they got a perm, even if their hair didn’t need it or couldn’t handle it. Needless to say, there were some tragic cases of fried, frizzy hair from improper perm use. But not all perms were awful! The 1980s and ’90s were the golden age of perms. Bigger was better, and perms were all about volume, curls, and dramatic texture. Some of the most popular perm styles, the Spiral Perm, made famous by Sarah Jessica Parker, ( Sex and the City). Then there was the Body Wave Perm, which gave a looser, softer alternative to tight curls—perfect for adding bounce and volume to otherwise straight hair. And let’s not forget the Afro Perm, which dominated in the late ’70s and early ’80s. This perm was all about super-tight curls all over, creating that frizzy, fluffy look. And here’s a wild fact—back then, we used to place the rods in the hair and apply the perm solution at the same time! That meant our hands were exposed to the solution, and let me tell you, it burned like hell! So many hairdressers actually left the industry because they developed allergies to perm solutions and other harsh chemicals. 

When Did Perms Fade Out?

Perms started fading out in the late '90s with the popularity of the sitcom, Friends. Straight styles like those worn by Courteney Cox and Jennifer Aniston became the most-wanted looks, and big, curly hair took a backseat. No more big curly hairstyles, no more scrunch drying, no more permed hair—sleek, flat styles were in! Hairdressers had to pull out their hairdryers, round brushes, and flat irons. By the late '90s and early 2000s, the only people getting perms were grannies and the occasional perm lover with fine, flat hair! 

When Did Perms Make a Comeback?

Like all trends, perms made a slight comeback around 2011 but by 2017, I started noticing the resurrection—people wanted low-maintenance, easy-to-style hair. No-fuss styles were in, straight hair was getting boring, and those with naturally curly hair were done fighting their texture and started embracing it and straight hair wanted carefree curls. By 2019, guys jumped on the perm train too, growing out their hair and adding curls for a more effortless, textured look. Suddenly, every salon that knew how to do perms was buzzing! But here’s the catch—most stylists under 40 had no clue how to actually DO a perm. Sure, they learned it in beauty school, but with no real practice, there were some tragic perms out there. Fast forward to today—modern perms offer endless possibilities with new techniques and improved perm formulas! As a Perm Tech with over 39 years in the field, I have even created my own custom perming techniques developed through my years of experience.

What is a perm?

A perm (short for permanent wave) is a chemical process that uses a curling tool—such as rods, bender foam, or other types—where a chemical solution is applied to the hair. This process reshapes the hair’s natural texture by breaking and reforming the bonds in the hair structure, creating curls, texture, or waves. The size of the curling rod determines the final result, ranging from tight coils to soft waves, allowing for a customized curl pattern that lasts for months.

Let’s take a look at the curling rods.  the Foundation of  Every Perm.

Perm Rods: The most commonly used perm curlers are cold wave perm rods, which follow a universal colour-coded system to indicate size. These rods are easy to use and versatile, making them ideal for creating different curl patterns. I primarily use these rods for all my perm styles. When it comes to achieving a desired perm style—whether tight curls or big waves—the size of the perm rod makes all the difference. The curler size and hair length determine the final curl result. Smaller rods create tighter, bouncier curls, while larger rods produce looser, more relaxed waves.


Simply put—the smaller the rod, the curlier the hair! Choosing the right rod size ensures the perfect curl pattern, giving you the perm style you want.  Although perm rods play a big role in creating beautiful perm styles, achieving the perfect curl isn’t just about the rod size—it’s also about the wrapping technique. The way the hair is sectioned and positioned when rolled onto the rods directly impacts the final look.

Now, let’s talk about the different wrapping techniques used to create different perm styles.


Understanding Perm Wrapping Techniques

Let’s do a quick breakdown… There are many different perm wrapping techniques, and they are all done using a specific type of perm rod placement format. The two main formats used to create most perm styles are either a horizontal or vertical placement wrap. What does this mean? It refers to how the hair is rolled and how the curlers are placed on the head when finished. The placement—either vertical or horizontal—directly affects the final curl pattern. Here’s the difference: Vertical wraps create cascading curls and body, while horizontal wraps result in bubbly, voluminous curls.

Now, let’s go into a little more detail. A horizontal placement means curlers are rolled horizontally and positioned flat across the head in straight rows. The side sections are also wrapped in straight rows downward, the Basic Perm Wrap follows this method.  With the vertical placement curlers are rolled at an angle and placed vertically flat on the head. This is your basic Angled wrap, with the exception that the curlers on top are rolled back horizontally. These two techniques are mostly used to create a variety of common curly styles for all ages and genders.

These are easy wraps and are considered the less expensive perm styles.

Then you have Specialty Wraps. These advanced perm wraps can range from simple to complex, depending on the type of curly perm style. A simple vertical wrap uses moderate amounts of hair rolled onto the curler at an angle, with curlers placed flat on the scalp. This creates a natural flow of curls that cascade downward. More complex vertical variations use smaller sections, with small amounts of hair rolled and curlers positioned vertically—but with a big difference in placement. Only the top clasp of the curler rests against the head, creating a look similar to pinecones hanging on a tree. Vertical wrapping combined with small sections allows for more curlers to be added to the set, creating structured layers of curls. This technique is used to achieve beautiful perm styles like spiral, pyramid, and multi-textured perms, along with other creative specialty perm styles. When it comes to cost, basic perm wraps are generally more affordable, while specialty wraps tend to be pricier due to the extra time, materials, and skill involved.

Check out the chart below, showcasing different perm wraps

How to Know What Perm Is Right for You? The best perm for you depends on your hair type, length, and the type of curl you're after. Start by looking up perm styles you like—you’ll find plenty of examples throughout this blog as you scroll. But be realistic—choose styles that fit your hair type and length. If you have fine, thin hair, don’t expect full, voluminous curls like someone with thick hair. The name of the perm or the technique used isn't as important as the final result you want. As a perm tech, my specialty is creating the curl style you're after. To get started, I suggest my clients text or email me a few pictures of their hair, along with a few pictures of the curl style they want. This is the best way to guide them toward the right option for their hair type.

Who Shouldn't Get a Perm? Do not consider a perm if your hair has been chemically straightened, heavily highlighted with bleach or an all-over bleach treatment, either recently or within the last 6 to 8 months—unless your hair is short and the damaged sections have been trimmed off. It’s also a no-go if you have any signs of damage or hair loss. Perm solutions are high on the pH scale, and even with low-pH products, the end results will be disastrous!

Can You Have a Perm and Still Colour Your Hair? As mentioned earlier, perming heavily bleached or highlighted hair is generally not recommended. However, all-over colour or semi-permanent colour is perfectly fine, as long as the hair isn't overly dried out or damaged. Low-volume, bleached, highlighted hair can be permed, but a lower pH, specialty perm solution should be used. Things to keep in mind: the chemicals in the perm solution can lighten the colour, so it’s best to schedule your colour touch-ups about two weeks after your perm. It’s also important to visit a qualified perm tech if you are perming highlighted hair.

How Long Does a Perm Take? The time varies depending on the perm type. Basic wraps on short to shoulder-length hair typically take about 1.5 to 2 hours. Specialty perms, like spiral or multi-textured wraps, can take 2 to 3 hours, with thick, long hair possibly extending to 3 or 4 hours. This timing is based on my experience, and other hairstylists may not work as quickly or efficiently.

Why Do Some Perms Fail? Creating the perfect perm style depends on several key factors. Let’s start with the most important—healthy hair. The condition of the hair plays a major role in how well it responds to perming. Just as important is using the proper wrapping technique and selecting the right curler size to accommodate the hair length and create a balanced curl formation. Even when all the right tools and techniques are used, the number one reason a perm fails is the improper use of perm solution. One common mistake is not applying enough solution, which leads to uneven saturation and poor curl development. For longer or thicker hair, two or even three bottles of solution may be needed to ensure full saturation and even coverage.

Another issue is choosing the wrong perm solution for the hair type. Using an alkaline perm on fine or fragile hair can cause over-processing, while using an acid perm on resistant or coarse hair may lead to under-processing. Another important factor is that not all perms process at the same rate, which is why performing a test curl is essential to determine when the hair has reached the desired curl formation.

Here are a the Names of the Most Popular Perms

Basic Perm, Angled Perm, Beach Wave Perm, Pyramid Perm, Spiral Perm, Multi-Textured Perm, Piggyback Perm, Brick-Layered Perm, Ombre Perm. 

What Do These Perms Look Like? Lucky for you, I have photos of each perm wrap and the finished styles! Check them out to see which one catches your eye.  

Basic Perm Wrap: The Basic Perm wrap is a classic, structured perming technique that creates uniform curls. The wrap follows a basic straight-row pattern, with the curlers placed horizontally on the head. This is a universal wrap used to create many common curly styles. 

Rod Size & Final Look. The size of the rod determines the final result:

  • Small rods → Tight, coiled curls (ideal for short hairstyles).
  • Medium rods → Bouncy, defined curls (Curly Perm).
  • Large rods → Soft, voluminous curls (Body Perm).
  • Jumbo rods → Loose texture with movement (Body Textured Perm).

How the Curls Fall & Styling: Since the curlers are placed horizontally, the finished curls flow outward, creating volume and curl. This perm is versatile and ideal for enhancing straight hairstyles with added texture, body, curly fullness, or tight curls, depending on the curler size used. It’s great for styling, adding volume, or creating longer-lasting blowouts. You can scrunch-dry with a diffuser for defined, voluminous curls, air-dry for a tousled, effortless look, roller-set or use a round brush blowout for a softer, more polished style. This mannequin style is considered a Body Wave Perm and was left to dry naturally.

The Basic Perm wrap is typically an affordable way to try a perm, though pricing increases based on hair length and the amount of perm solution used. Lifespan: 3 to 6 months, depending on rod size and hair length.  

Basic Angled PermWrap: The Basic Angled Perm Wrap is also a classic technique that creates uniform curls with a slight variation in placement. The curlers on the sides are placed vertically, while the top and back are wrapped horizontally. Just like the Basic Perm, the Basic Angled Perm is a universal wrap used to create many common curly styles. However, setting the rods on the sides at an angle instead of horizontally allows the curls to flow away from the face, adding volume with movement at the sides. 

Rod Size & Final Look. 

The size of the rod determines the final result: The same as the Basic Perm, but with a different side finish.

  • Small rods → Tight, coiled curls (ideal for short hairstyles).
  • Medium rods → Bouncy, defined curls (Curly Perm).
  • Large rods → Soft, voluminous curls (Body Perm).
  • Jumbo rods → Loose texture with movement (Body Textured Perm).

How the Curls Fall & Styling: In the basic angled back perm, the curlers on the sides are placed vertically, while the top and back are wrapped horizontally. The result is outward volume at the top and back, with smooth, flowing curls on the sides. This perm is perfect for enhancing most hairstyles, adding volume and movement, or maintaining long-lasting blowouts. It’s a versatile option, ideal for those seeking basic curls or added texture. 

The Basic Perm wrap is typically an affordable way to try a perm, though pricing increases based on hair length and the amount of perm solution used. Lifespan: 2 to 4 months, depending on rod size and hair length.  Basic Angled Wrap

Beach Wave Perm Wrap: The Beach Wave Perm creates soft, loose waves that mimic the carefree, tousled look of sun-dried, wind-blown hair. This style is effortless, relaxed, and perfectly imperfect—like a day at the beach. Unlike tighter, more defined curls, this perm gives natural movement with airy, undone waves that flow freely, making it a go-to for an easy, low-maintenance style with a laid-back, beachy vibe.

Wrapping Technique: This perm is typically done with either large to jumbo-sized curlers or long foam curling rods. In this picture, jumbo green curlers were used. The front to the crown section is rolled backward in a horizontal placement, while the side sections and all of the back below the crown are rolled at an angle and placed vertically. This perm wrap starts at the back and works upward toward the top. Some hairstylists create this perm using horizontal placement, but I prefer a vertical wrap, which allows the waves to fall downward more naturally. **This description reflects the perm wrap shown here. The curler size can vary based on hair length and the desired curl outcome**

Who Is This Perm For? This perm is perfect for adding body wave and movement without creating tight curls, making it an ideal choice for those who want a casual, low-maintenance style, with minimal daily upkeep.

Things to Know: Although this perm is considered a specialty perm, the wrapping technique is not time-consuming because large or jumbo rods accommodate thick sections, allowing for fewer curlers to be placed. Pricing may vary depending on the amount of perm solution needed. Two perm units were used on this client's long hair.

One of the best things about the Beach Wave Perm is how effortlessly it grows out—there are no harsh lines or awkward transitions, even if your natural hair is straight. The waves gradually soften over time, blending out seamlessly as the curls relax and grow out.

Lifespan: 3 to 6 months, depending on rod size and hair length.  Learn About The Beach Wave Perm

Beach Wave Perm With Foam Rods: This perm uses long foam rods to create a cascade of well-formed yet relaxed curls, striking the perfect balance between structure and movement with a laid-back, sun-kissed feel. The curls are loose yet defined, mimicking the effortless, wind-blown texture of hair after a day at the beach. Unlike tighter, more structured perms, this technique allows waves to fall naturally, adding soft volume and fluid motion without looking overly styled. The result is a carefree perm,  perfect for those who want effortlessly beachy wave with a touch more curls and bounce.

Wrapping Technique: Creating the Beach Wave Perm with foam sponge rods results in a different type of  beachy curl. Unlike cold wave perm rods, long flexible foam curlers create a slightly different type of finish. Using the same winding technique, the front-to-crown section is rolled backward in a horizontal placement, while the side sections and the entire back below the crown are rolled at an angle and placed vertically. Smaller rods are used in a few rows at the bottom section to add curl and lift. This perm wrap starts at the back and works upwards.             **This description reflects the perm wrap shown here. The curler size can vary based on hair length and the desired curl outcome**

Who Is This Perm For? This perm is perfect for adding body, curls, and movement. It’s an ideal choice for those who want a casual, easy-maintenance style with minimal styling upkeep.

Things to Know: This perm is considered a specialty perm. The wrapping technique with flexi rods takes more time because more rods are placed in the hair. Pricing may vary depending on the amount of perm solution needed. Two perm units were used on this client’s long hair.

One of the best things about the Beach Wave Perm with foam curlers is that it lasts longer but still grows out moderately over time or trimmed out. Lifespan: 4 to 8 months, depending on rod size and hair length. Learn About The Beach Wave Perm With Sponge Rods

 

Multi-Textured Perm Wrap: The Multi-Textured Perm creates a luxurious blend of curls with varying sizes and directions, mimicking the look of naturally voluminous, curly hair. The result is a dynamic, bouncy texture with effortless movement—full of life, body, and a touch of wild elegance. This perm enhances dimension, creating a soft yet voluminous finish that flows beautifully, giving a perfectly imperfect, carefree curl pattern.

Wrapping Technique: This is a specialty perm wrap.  This wrapping technique starts at the back nape area and works upward to the top. Curlers are place at an angle, small amounts of hair are rolled in a crisscross pattern, finishing in a vertical placement on the head.  this winding pattern creates curl that pop out and flow downwards, with volume and movement. The vertical rod placement combined with smaller sections allows for a high volume of curlers to be packed into the wrap, ensuring maximum curl definition and fullness. Although similar to a Spiral Perm, the Multi-Textured Perm, uses two to three different rod sizes and alternates the direction of the curlers in opposing directions.             **This description reflects the perm wrap shown here. The curler size can vary based on hair length and the desired curl outcome** 

Rod Size: For the best results, medium curlers are used on shorter layers, while larger curlers work best to achieve the pop-curl effect that makes this style stand apart from traditional spiral curls.

Final Look & Suitability: Alternating rod sizes and opposing wrap directions create a variety of curl sizes and movement, resulting in a voluminous, wild textured curl pattern that looks natural and carefree. This technique enhances layers with body and bounce while maintaining a lived-in, effortless feel. This perm is best suited for hair that falls slightly below the shoulders or longer. Long layers help the curls  to lift stand out naturally, which is key to achieving an authentic, natural curly look.  This is  a low- maintenance perm, perfect for anyone wanting a natural looking , multi-dimensional curly style.

Styling & Maintenance: The Multi-Textured Perm is a long-lasting perm that requires minimal styling effort. For styling options , Air dry to enhance the natural curl pattern.  Scrunch dry with a diffuser to bring out the pop-curl effect and add volume. Expect to spend 3 to 4 hours in the chair—and this perm comes with a well-deserved price tag. Lifespan: 6 to 8 months, depending on rod size and hair length.

Spiral Perm: The Spiral Perm delivers lively, springy corkscrew curls that cascade beautifully, creating a bold yet elegant look. Full of movement and texture, these well-defined curls add volume and flair, making it the perfect choice for those who love a touch of wild, effortless beauty.

Wrapping Technique: This specialty perm wrap starts at the back nape area and works upward to the top. Small sections are carved out, and the hair is wrapped around the rods at an angle, from the top of the rod to the bottom. This helps create the perfect spring-like curl that is signature to the spiral perm style. The vertical placement, combined with smaller rods, allows more curlers to be packed into the wrap, creating mega curls.The size or the curler determines the curl tightness. Smaller rods create tight, springy curls. Medium rods give a looser, more relaxed curl. **This description reflects the perm wrap shown here. The curler size can vary based on hair length and the desired curl outcome** 

Final Look & Suitability: The end result? A stunning, textured coil of curls from roots to end, with plenty of volume and movement! While spiral perms are ideal for longer hair, they can also add gorgeous ringlets and volume to shoulder-length hair. Spiral perms are perfect for those wanting structured springy corkscrew curls

Styling & Maintenance: The spiral Perm can be air-dried for a naturalcarefree look or scrunch-dried for extra volume and bounce. They require minimal daily upkeep, making them a great low-maintenance option for those who want long-lasting curls without the hassle. A true tight spiral perm (done with small rods) will last until it's cut out over time. Looser versions may relax slightly but will still hold their shape until trimmed away.

Expect to spend 3 to 4 hours in the chair—and this perm comes with a well-deserved price tag. Lifespan: 8 months to 1+ year, depending on rod size and hair length. Learn About The Spiral Perm

Pyramid Perm Wrap: The pyramid perm creates a pyramid-shaped finish with voluminous layers of compact curls stacked on top of each other. This technique enhances fullness by creating a structured shape—wider at the bottom and midsection, tapering into a voluminous peak at the top. Natural full body curls all around.

Wrapping Technique : This specialty perm wrap starts at the back nape area and works upward. The hair is wrapped around the rods at an angle and placed vertically, following a circular pattern to create the pyramid shape. The vertical placement, combined with medium to large rods—such as white, purple, sand—determines the curl tightness. This technique allows the curlers to stack on top of each other, creating well-defined, voluminous curls. 

**This description reflects the perm wrap shown here. The curler size can vary based on hair length and the desired curl outcome** 

Final Look & Suitability: The result? Plenty of volume and movement! Depending on hair length and the size of the rods used, the pyramid perm can add either well-defined or looser, carefree big curls. It works best on shoulder-length or longer hair, making it ideal for those who want structured yet easy-to-maintain voluminous curls.

Styling & Maintenance: The pyramid perm can be left to air dry for a natural look or scrunch-dried for extra volume and bounce. It requires minimal daily styling but is otherwise low-maintenance. This perm lasts between 4 to 7 months, depending on rod size and hair length. Curls will naturally relax over time or can be trimmed out. Expect to spend 2 to 3 hours in the chair—this perm takes time and typically comes with a slightly higher price tag.

Brick Layered Perm Warp: This perm wrap follows a wrapping pattern similar to how bricks are laid on a wall. The key is to create a seamless blend of structured curls without visible straight lines, ensuring an effortless curl pattern. The staggered placement of the rods helps prevent harsh straight lines, creating a seamless structure of defined curls.

Wrapping Technique: This perm wrap can be done in two ways: vertical placement or horizontal placement. Vertical Wrap (as shown in this demo): The perm wrap starts at the back, with rods placed in a staggered brick-layered pattern. Each row is slightly offset from the previous one, eliminating visible straight lines. Curlers can also be placed in opposing directions to create an unpredictable curl pattern.

The difference: Horizontal placement. This method is quicker and produces a voluminous structure with bouncy curls. Vertical placement creates structured, cascading curls. **This description reflects the perm wrap shown here. The curler size can vary based on hair length and the desired curl outcome** 

The Finial Look and Suitability: The result? Seamless volume and movement! This perm blends effortlessly into the hair, making it ideal for those who want a natural, unstructured curl pattern. It works on most hair lengths and can be styled as loose waves or used to create long-lasting blowouts.

Styling &Maintenance: The Brick Layered Perm offers versatile styling options—it can be left to air dry for a natural look, blown out for extra volume, or scrunch-dried for more bounce. Depending on the desired style, it may require some styling but remains relatively low-maintenance if left to dry naturally. This clients hair was scrunch dried with a diffuser. 

Lifespan: This perm lasts 3 to 6 months, depending on the rod size and hair length. The curls will gradually relax over time, settling into a softer curl  as the hair grows.

 Piggyback Perm Wrap: The Piggyback Perm is a technique where subsection of hair is wrapped using two perm rods, stacked on top of each other—hence, the name "piggyback." The bottom rod at the base of the scalp , is usually smaller while the top rod, rolled midway, is slightly larger. This method is ideal for long, heavy hair, ensuring curl distribution, lift at the roots and volume .

Wrapping Technique:  A Piggyback Perm uses an overlapping technique to create uniform curls. This perm is great for someone with long, heavy, thick, straight hair looking for textured curl and volume, particularly at the roots. The first rod, which is the smaller size, is wrapped from mid-length to the scalp. The remaining half of the hair, from mid-length to ends, is left out and wrapped around a second, slightly larger rod, rolling from the tips down to the base of the first rod, overlapping directly on top. This technique continues until the entire head is wrapped in a piggyback fashion.

**This description reflects the perm wrap shown here. The curler size can vary based on hair length and the desired curl outcome** 

Final Look & Suitability: This perm is perfect for long, heavy hair that struggles to hold a curl or lacks volume at the roots. It creates texture, lift, and movement, depending on the curler size used. In this photo, white and purple rods were used to create textured waves with lift and volume. Smaller curling rods can be used to create a curlier finish. Unlike the Spiral Perm, which results in corkscrew curls, the Piggyback Perm offers less of a springy, spiral effect and more of a textured wave/curl pattern. 

Styling & Maintenance:  Can be air-dried for a soft, natural finish or diffused for extra volume and bounce. Lifespan: 3 to 7 months, depending on hair length, rod size used. This is a specialty perm that requires precision in curler placement and wrapping. Expect to spend 3 to 3.5 hours in the chair. There is also a higher price-tag for this technique.

 Tight Coiled Perm Wrap: This perm, also called an Afro Perm, creates densely packed, springy ringlets that closely mimic natural Afro-textured or extremely curly hair. This technique can be customized using different rod sizes to achieve varying levels of curl tightness, from ultra-coiled Afro curls to slightly looser, highly textured ringlets. This perm is done using the spiral wrapping method , here is two rod size variations:

  • Small Blue Rods → Create tightly coiled, high-density Afro-textured curls with maximum shrinkage and volume.
  • Pink & Grey Rods → Produce slightly larger, defined curls that mimic natural, extremely curly hair, with less shrinkage but still very textured and voluminous. 

Wrapping Technique: Hair is sectioned into small, precise subsections and wound vertically around the rods from tip to root. For longer hair, the double-wind method (wrapping from tip to root, then back up and down) ensures consistent curl formation throughout the finish style.

Final Look & Suitability: Blue Rod Perm → Creates intensely coiled, Afro-style curls with extreme volume and a dense, structured shape.Pink & Grey Rod Perm → Produces natural-looking, well-defined ringlets with a looser but still very curly appearance. Since this perm requires strong curl retention, the perm solution is left on longer to fully process and lock in the curl shape. 

Both styles offer dramatic transformations, but the blue rod version results in the tightest curls with the most shrinkage, while the pink/grey version is slightly softer and more natural-looking.

Styling & Maintenance: Best when air-dried or diffused on low heat. Lifespan: Both styles last until cut out, as the tight curl structure does not loosen significantly over time. Expect to spend 3 to 4 hours in the chair. This perm  is a premium perm service, but the long-lasting results is worth the price tag!  Ti

Pop Curl Perm Wrap: The Pop Curl Perm is a type of perm that creates defined, circular, bouncy, and voluminous curls with a noticeable "pop" effect. These curls spring back into shape when stretched, giving the hair a lively, full-bodied appearance. This look can be achieved using foam curling rods or large perm rods, resulting in floppy yet well-formed curls rather than uniform, tight ringlets. The goal is to add texture, movement, and a playful bounce to the hair.

Wrapping Technique: The Pop Curl Perm wrap is done using large perm rods or foam curling rods to create big, defined curls with minimal visible part lines. Hair is sectioned into thick, wide sections (which is easily done using longer foam rods) and rolled horizontally onto the scalp. The horizontal placement allows the finished curl to spring back into a bubbly, “pop-like” shape rather than a downward spiral. Since larger sections of hair are wrapped at once, this method helps blend the curls, preventing harsh separations or structured curl lines. In this demo, foam curling rods were used to roll large amounts of hair onto each rod, ensuring a full-bodied, natural curl pattern. Different-sized foam curlers can be used to customize the shape and size of the curls, allowing for a voluminous, tousled, yet structured curl finish.

Final Look & Suitability: The Pop Curl Perm is perfect for those who want noticeable, bouncy curls with a natural, voluminous effect. Unlike spiral or tightly coiled perms, this style focuses on soft yet structured curls that spring back when pulled. It works well on medium to shoulder-length hair, while longer hair may require a different perming method for optimal results.

Styling & Maintenance: Can be air-dried for a soft, tousled look or diffused for extra bounce and definition. Lifespan: Lasts 3 to 6 months, with curls gradually softening over time. The Pop Curl Perm is relatively quick and easy, as thick, wide sections are rolled, making it less time-consuming than other perms. Expect to spend around 2 hours in the chair.

 Ombre Perm wrap: The Ombre Perm is designed to create a gradual loose-to-defined curl effect, where waves start softly from the scalp to mid-length, transitioning into a more defined curls toward the ends. The result is a soft, cascading curl pattern that adds volume and a modern, effortless look—mimicking the effect of a large-barrel curling iron rather than the traditional permed curls.  

Wrapping Technique: The Ombre Perm wrap uses large perm rods or foam curling rods to create a seamless transition from soft waves to well-defined curls. Hair is sectioned into thick, carved-out sections for a fuller, blended curl pattern. Curlers are placed three to four inches away from the top of the head and wrapped in a circular motion, forming a band of rods around the head. The top section remains unwrapped and is gathered into large sections at the lower sides and back, then rolled and placed vertically. This technique ensures a gradual descent from soft waves at the mid-top, transitioning into more defined curls through the mid-lengths and ends.

**Different-sized sponge curlers can be used to adjust the curl size and shape for a customized finish.**

Final Look & Suitability:  The Ombre Perm is perfect for those who want a relaxed, layered curl pattern without uniform curls throughout. It works best on medium to long hair, where the gradual transition from wave to curl can be fully appreciated. Unlike traditional perms, the Ombre Perm is considered a "fun perm" rather than a long-lasting style. It offers a temporary, effortless curl  that grows out naturally without harsh regrowth lines. 

Styling & Maintenance: This perm can be air-dried for a soft, tousled finish or diffused for extra bounce and definition. Over time, the curls will blend seamlessly as they relax. The lifespan of this perm is typically 2 to 3 months. The Ombre Perm is a relatively simple perming technique

516 Plains Rd E, Burlington ON L7T 2E1 ( located inside Silk Hair Salon)  905 689 8549 

Classic Hair Design is a beauty service located in Burlington, proudly serving the communities of Burlington, Waterdown, Dundas, and Ancaster for over 39 years. 

With over 39 years of experience, hairstylist Abby Birbari offers advanced haircutting for ladies and men. Specializing in colour correction, colour makeovers, foil highlights, ombre highlights, balayage highlights, shadow highlights, silver highlights, grey blending, and hand-painted highlights. A qualified perm technician specializing in body wave perms, spiral perms, beach wave perms, multi-textured perms, pyramid perms, piggyback perms, and ombre/balayage perms. Curly hair specialist, specializing in curly haircut and style, and permanent hair straightening.