Perms.

[RetroBabydoll]

What is the horror story with permanent hair dye and perming? I want to hear a horror story..

This is what my teacher told me......
A student in the past had a client. It was a sweet old lady who wanted her short hair permed. The student gave her a perm, but after a week the lady came back and her hair was going bald in the middle. My teacher got the neutralizing shampoo and helped the lady. The student forgot to use the neutralizing shampoo so the lady's hair kept processing to the point it was falling out. Poor lady.

 

[desi_de_lu_lu]

This is what my teacher told me......
A student in the past had a client. It was a sweet old lady who wanted her short hair permed. The student gave her a perm, but after a week the lady came back and her hair was going bald in the middle. My teacher got the neutralizing shampoo and helped the lady. The student forgot to use the neutralizing shampoo so the lady's hair kept processing to the point it was falling out. Poor lady.

Sheesh. I heard neutralizing shampoos are good for other things too.. as well as the conditioner... any tips?

 

[deadpandiva]

What is the horror story with permanent hair dye and perming? I want to hear a horror story..

I didn't do a perm but when I had red hair I put the strongest relaxer I could find in it. I had a chin length bob and ened up with one of those short layered cuts with the flipped out ends that everyone was wearing a few years ago and even then I still had split brittle ends.

My sister got a relaxer right after putting blond streaks in her hair. She ended up with a bald spot and had to do a come over till it grew back.

 

[ohairas]

Well girls, I don't know everything, that's for sure! And no one can guarantee results on anyone, and everyone is different! But I do like to try and help when I DO know from experience that something will definitely NOT work.

DPD, I don't know what your hair looks like naturally, but perhaps if you brushed/dried the top like my SIL, then set the bottom while it was still damp.... I think it would turn out much like my set where I used the wave clamps on top?
Nikki

 

[~*Red*~]

The great thing about perms are, it will make flat hair have life. If you don't have time to be curling your hair every day and you can't stand it being flat and straight, it's a wonderful thing. If you want to set it, it will practically curl itself around the roller. For those reasons, perms are a great idea!

One never really knows what is going to happen once you apply the solution and let the process start. Sometimes they take, sometimes they don't, so on and so forth, agghh, the variables! But generally the same thing happens to everyone, you get a nice "s" curl out of it. Some tighter than others.

You just have to decide if you don't mind living with curly/wavy hair every day, or if you want it straight, do as the wavy gals do...Either way...

If you are trying to decide for a body wave(looser) or a perm (tighter), I suggest looking at a beauty supply and seeing the perm rods they have there. Don't let them tell you that purple or white is a body wave. (because they might and they lie!) I've brought my own green rods before. That was truly a wave.. all it did was put a bend in my hair. NO curl at all.. but it had wave! Ask what kind of rods they use (diameter or color). And if you can get a consultation.. do it.. at least that way you aren't locked into anything! And you have a bit more time to process and think about it before you make the final decision.

Perms are not bad! Perms done badly are bad!

 

[RetroModelSari]

My hair-dresser also suggested to me that a perm would be good for keeping my hair curly as I have very straight hair. I´m just a bit scared of my hair getting broken eventhough he assuredme that it´s unlikely to happen unless I perm it more often than once a year. hmmmm.... I have "virgin hair" exept for some tiny bleached stipes in my front hair so I might give it a try....

 

[thebadmamajama]

wahoo! join the dark side!

 

[MegamiOrchard]

I am another one considering a perm - I have long (well, past shoulders) dead straight hair. Also, since I ride a pushbike to work, I am not really in a position to style my hair everyday, and I have to wash it when I get to work. So, questions for the experts:

If I wash my hair everyday (sweaty from riding my bike) is that going to 'trash' the perms?

While my hair is dark, I would love a version of Grace Kelly:

Is it possible to achieve this subtle curl/wave with a perm?

And finally (sorry for all this) - if not the Grace Kelly, can someone post some pictures of what looks from the late 40s/early 50s are achievable for longer hair with a perm? Preferably something that can be worn tied back and down. I am willing to be a guinea pig here!

 

[pretty faythe]

I havent had a perm in........geez like 8 years at least!! I know I havent had it permed since I got into my current field. Now, I am so wanting one. Been thinking about it for quite some time. I'm just trying to figure out what to ask for. I dont want a body perm and not quite a curly curly perm. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[kamikat]

I havent had a perm in........geez like 8 years at least!! I know I havent had it permed since I got into my current field. Now, I am so wanting one. Been thinking about it for quite some time. I'm just trying to figure out what to ask for. I dont want a body perm and not quite a curly curly perm. Any suggestions? Thanks

It depends on the length of your hair. On short hair, purple rods will give a body wave, on shoulder length hair, it would be curly. Since your hair is up in your avatar, it's hard to tell. On clients who are hesitant about getting too curly, I usually do a combo of different sized rods. It tends to look more natural that way. For more curl than wave on shoulder length hair, you could go with alternating purple and orange. For more wave, orange and peach. It also depends on how your hair takes them. I got a perm last winter when my hair was just above shoulder length and the orange barely gave it any wave. Back in the spiral perm days, I had to have mine permed on teeny tiny rods to get any curl.

 

[pretty faythe]

My hair is just past my shoulders now, at some points. It seems to angle down in the middle more. I got the perm, and since I wanted not curly curls, they suggested the body wave. She used purple rollers. After the three days are up and I can wash my hair, I will post the final results. Right now, I am not very happy. blah!

 

[desi_de_lu_lu]

I guess you took the photos down, PrettyFaythe.. but I saw them and your hair looks great? Why are you dissapointed?

 

[ohairas]

Depends on the porosity of your hair. If it's overcolored, ect... even a large rod can give a more "crimped" effect than curl. Esp. if the stylist left the solution on too long.
Or an orange rod perm can take more like a white rod perm.

It's a tricky business. Still, even if you don't like how the curl turned out Faythe, you'll have extra body to support a set, or to wear up this summer.

Had I permed your hair I would've used peach rods on top and orange in back most likely. Perhaps a purple rod just in the bang.

Let's see a pic so we can help you style it! What's it like? Too curly? Didn't take?!
Nikki

 

[pretty faythe]

The guy I wanted to do my hair wasnt in. Its someone I work with, and when I took my daughter in to get her straightening perm, he did really well. But I think he may have finished with school. GRRR. I thought I had a pic of my hair on this computer, but for the life of me I cant find it, and i erased it off my phone already. So I have this one to give a lil example, you can see the sort of crimpiness in the ponytails. (took the pic to send to family showing off the new glasses lol)

 

[MissAmelina]

Anyone tried a perm?

Sorry if there is already a thread pertaining to this--i could not find one.

I know perms have changed alot over the years---I have not had one since 1990---and I was wondering if any of you gals had tried a pin curl perm or some other kind of wave to help you either set your curls or just wash and wear? I am heading overseas for a few weeks and would prefer to not worry about setting my hair. I have pillow rollers just in case. Thoughts?

 

[anabolina]

I got a perm almost 2 years ago and loved it. I like the curly hair look, but it can take awhile to acheive. I'll admit though that when it grew out and lost its curl a bit at 8 weeks, I was ready for a change. Nice while it lasted and wasn't too damaging to my hair.

 

[LelaViavonie]

This is some freat stuff!
I attempted a Body wave on my hair a while back.. and NADA!
I was soo upset.. all it did was make my hair frizzy! LOL

All this information is making me think that mabey I should try it again... not myself.. but save up some money and have it done.

MY hair is naturally wavy... but when brushed out.. its straight and frizzy... really wierd!
So... when trying to use hot rollers.. the curls fall right out!

I need to find a good hair dresser to do my body wave.. I think it would make my life easier and wont have to set my hair almost every night.. and that takes forever! cause I have long hair..

Thanks for all the info ladies!

 

[ClaraB]

Hi Ladies,
I'm happy to find this thread as I am once again considering a perm. Sigh.
I've had a perm twice in my life, once as a little girl and once as a foolish teen, both perms were a disaster. My perm as a girl was gone with in hours after leaving the salon and my perm as a teen was done on very damaged hair and resulted in a poodle-like curl, some hair loss and straight ends.

So now I am, perhaps somewhat foolishly, considering a perm once again. My hair is in very good condition now, it is quite thick, has some natural wave and a bit of body but I've never been satisfied with the texture. Lately I am finding that hot roller curls just aren't lasting and I no longer have the time and patience to pin curl/wet set my hair.

So now, with all that said, I have a few questions. What if I went into the salon with a diagram, say this:
http://www.miss-vintage.com/marilyn/ask-mmdiagram.gif
Requesting that the perm is set in this way with very large rods. This is more or less how I set my own hair when using foam rollers, is it inconceivable to have my hair permed this way?
Also I generally push a wave into the front of my hair when wet to achieve a sort of Rita Hayworth like look, would this be an issue with a perm?

Thanks for any advice you ladies can provide.

 

[RebeccaMUA]

Hmm...well I have positive and negative thoughts on perms

When I was 10-12 years old my mom thought it would be nice for my sister and I to get spiral perms (as opposed to "normal" perms) since full curly hair seemed to be en vogue.

Since my hair is naturally wavy, I must admit it looked really good as my hair looked full and "mermaid like" with the spiral curls cascading down my back. I think my having wavy hair to being with was the key to it's success.

Fast-forward 10 years and I began working with a girl who was sweet as can be. She was tired of her stick-straight hair and decided to go have a perm done. It looked great for the first 4 weeks or so. Then the roots started growing back in and about the 6-8 week mark she had root growth of straight hair that met with her grown out perm.

Our boss unabashedly told her she looked like a cocker spaniel. Since we worked for a makeup company, we all had to have our nails, makeup, clothing and hair done nicely, whether it was a nice color and we styled it for work or a natural looking straightening or curling.

My co-workers hair apparently did not meet with these standards and she ordered her to either get it chemically straightened again or re-permed. When she told her hairstylist this the stylist claimed that either process would do something to her hair that would look worse than the grown out perm.

So for the next 2 1/2 months my poor co-worked had to straighten her hair every morning or put it up somehow. This is something I tell anyone who wants to get a perms whose roots grow in straight.

 

[~*Red*~]

Hi Ladies,
I'm happy to find this thread as I am once again considering a perm. Sigh.
I've had a perm twice in my life, once as a little girl and once as a foolish teen, both perms were a disaster. My perm as a girl was gone with in hours after leaving the salon and my perm as a teen was done on very damaged hair and resulted in a poodle-like curl, some hair loss and straight ends.

So now I am, perhaps somewhat foolishly, considering a perm once again. My hair is in very good condition now, it is quite thick, has some natural wave and a bit of body but I've never been satisfied with the texture. Lately I am finding that hot roller curls just aren't lasting and I no longer have the time and patience to pin curl/wet set my hair.

So now, with all that said, I have a few questions. What if I went into the salon with a diagram, say this:
http://www.miss-vintage.com/marilyn/ask-mmdiagram.gif
Requesting that the perm is set in this way with very large rods. This is more or less how I set my own hair when using foam rollers, is it inconceivable to have my hair permed this way?
Also I generally push a wave into the front of my hair when wet to achieve a sort of Rita Hayworth like look, would this be an issue with a perm?

Thanks for any advice you ladies can provide.

HI ClaraB!

I recently (3 weeks ago) had a perm done at the local beauty school, and I am THRILLED with my results. I love it so much I haven't even bothered with doing vinage styles, I am just loving the body my hair has and playing with my "curls" I use that term LOOSELY.

I brought in my own rods (orange, peach and a few purple for the neck hairs). I told the girl where I wanted it parted and what direction I wanted it set. Mine setting was very similar to your diagram, just that I had my rods all going down from the part. (as opposed to that face row going all one direction from one side of the head to the other.)

My hair was a good 80% virgin hair, meaning 20% still had tint on it, so the ends were damaged, but nothing horrible. The wave has fallen since the first days of the perm, so it is looser now, but I can tighten it up some with the proper hair product and diffusing. I have heavy hair.

The little old lady that runs the beauty school was trying to talk me out of it, saying I had beautiful hair and wondered why I wanted to mess up my hair (lol) but I told her I like to style my hair in vintage styles with waves and pin curls and she nodded her head in understanding. I will tell you she nearly had the tar scared out of me, and I almost cancelled my apt for the following morning, so being a hairdresser myself, and knowing I had a long hair dollhead at home, I went and bought my rods and perm solution and did a test. I cut the doll's hair to a similar length to mine , (just an inch or so longer) and rolled her up and processed her. I did a few spiral curls just for testing's sake and the rest I rolled the regular way (croquinole) in the pattern I wanted. I will send you a slide show of the pics I took of it, and my hair as well if you'd like.

The key for me was using the correct size of rods. I did NOT want curly hair. I wanted wavy hair. And this means it has body and wave.. not bigger curls. Curly hair is really just smaller tighter waves. (unless natural and spiral, which is really just a different direction) curls are not the same with rollers and perms.