• Make sure your hair is as healthy as possible before you perm! Perms dry out your hair considerably, resulting in more damage. The chemical process of getting a perm can be hard on damaged hair, making your curls look and feel drab and unhealthy. Invest in a nurturing hair mask like Color Therapy to hydrate and nourish permed hair once a week.
• Timing is everything. If your stylist doesn't allow the perm to process for the right amount of time, your hair can either get too curly (making your perm look frizzy) or not curly enough (resulting in limp, loose waves). Depending on hair length, getting a perm should take around two to three hours.
• Healthy hair responds best to chemical processes, both curling and straightening. So show your locks some love with lots of nourishing care from roots to ends. Don’t get a perm if your hair is overly dry (see above).
• Be clear about what you want—there are many different types of perms and many different curly hair looks. Spiral perms create tight, romantic ringlets, while perm rods yield more natural-looking, beachy curls. Bring along pictures and make time to discuss with your stylist. As the saying goes: before you perm...confirm.