Is the perm back?

For the past week, this is question that has been on all our lips. With celebrities such as Sarah Harding all starting to wear the perm, yes, the perm is well and truly back.


According to hairdressers more and more customers are coming in and requesting a perm and famous High Street store, Superdrug, claim their sales of perm home care kits have raised by a shocking 50%. Hairdressers strongly advise you get a perm by a professional in a salon, but these can cost around £60 to £100. Yet the High Street shops say you can achieve the same look from home.

But with so many of us obviously buying these home kits, I find myself researching just how easy they are to work. So, it seems pretty easy, first you wash your hair, next pop it into rollers. Then add the chemicals, sit for around 25 minutes in a plastic cap and viola you have a perm. But does it really work? I’m afraid I’m too scared myself to give it a try…yet.

80’s inspired designs on the catwalks have encouraged the return of the perm, as well as programmes such as Ashes to Ashes. Ashes to Ashes is a new BBC program set in the 80’s starring Keely Hawes as cop Alex Drake. Following the success of the show, the style of Keely’s character has brought 80’s fashion back to life. The perm was to women in the 80’s what the Wonderbra was to them in the 90’s.

No longer is a perm related to nightmares of frizz and Cher, with advance techniques and procedures they can give you gorgeous loose girls, rather than the tight fuzz you are imagining.

Perms are now a lot more gentle and safe; you can now buy a lot of products to help your perm look salon fresh and frizz free. On fine, flat hair a perm can add volume and texture for a revitalising lift. Coarse, out-of-control hair can be restrained and textured for a softer look.

It is safe to say the perm has bounced its way back into fashion. With high profile celebrities sporting the retro look, the perm seems set to be the must have hair do of spring 2008.