Into the flood again: Hair Permanents/Body Waves -- I want one.

October 6, 2012 7:58 AM

What is the state of chemical curls these days? Who makes the gentlest product (Aveda?) What options do I have? Any comments/advice/direction is apprecited!

As a former big-hair-dance-queen-in-the-disco-inferno, I left my crunchy permanent-waved 80's hair behind in 1991 (it was hard to let go).

After a few decades of long, straight hair... I would like to give the chemical process of garnering waves another go. Only, I am just looking for body/loose, beachy curls this time.

What is the state of curls these days? Who makes the gentlest product --- Aveda? What options do I have? Any comments/advice/direction is apprecited!

posted by caveat empress to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (5 answers total)

Best answer: I know Redkin salons have this new kind of perm that ends up in loose waves. I don't know the name, sadly. My stylist had one and disliked it, although I thought it looked super cute. (I was also a tight curled crunchy perm girl of the 80s.) I don't think of Aveda products as super gentle, either. Natural does not necessarily mean non-irritating. Their products smell great; however, I have dropped all Aveda hair products and processes because my scalp became so red and itchy. Good luck!
posted by Malla at 9:09 AM on October 6, 2012

Response by poster: Thanks - I will start investigating your Redken lead!
posted by caveat empress at 9:37 AM on October 6, 2012

Best answer: I've used Wella Headlines with good result:

This one

Lucky you, it's now available in the US (I had to buy mine from someone in UK). It's a gentle permanent texturizer; doesn't fry hair, leaves very natural waves.
posted by Ender's Friend at 2:55 PM on October 6, 2012

Response by poster: The Wella looks great -- if I do it myself and am aiming for loose-beachy waves, what rods and type of wrap would you suggest? And other tips?
posted by caveat empress at 3:36 PM on October 6, 2012

I just bought the products online (Texture Fluid, for normal or colored hair, and Texture Freeze) and took them to a friend of mine who is a hair stylist, she did everything. As far as I remember, she used the plastic rods like for regular perm (in two sizes, for a natural effect); no wrap.

Looking through the internet, I'm not even sure anymore the Wella salons in the US are offering it - you'd have to ask around. I know for certain it's more popular in Europe, that's where I got it the first time, and the UK message boards mention it often.
posted by Ender's Friend at 8:41 PM on October 6, 2012