Must Hair Perms Result In A Terrible Scraggy Mess?
Lounge By emmascakes Updated 9 Sep 2007 , 6:55am by emmascakes
I have long hair and would like it to have a bit more 'oomph' a bit of wave - not NOT NOT bubble curls. I had a few disastrous perms when I was younger. I'm wondering has perming got a bit better since then? Is it a reasonable option for people who don't want to look like a poodle? I'd love some kind of shaggy natural look - any hairdressers have any ideas? Any people with wonderful hairdos have any tips?
I'd like something like this:
http://uk.music.yahoo.com/ar-44676023-videos--Kate-Nash
My hair is poker poker straight
If you have thin, straight hair it might be best to go with a shorter style in order to get more body. Blow dry it using a large barrel brush, use a very light condition and some texturizer and you should get more volume. My girlfriend just got a pixie cut that is longer in front and shorter in the back . . . it looks amazing on her and really shows off her georgeous hair and neck.
I have a haircut very simiar to the one you want . . . only I have super thick, wavy hair. It takes a lot of work to keep my hair looking soft and to get those big, loose curls you see. I have to dry my hair straight and then use HUGE hot rollers to get body like that. I do a layered look for a few reason . . . my hair is so thick that the longer it gets, the heavier it is . . . I wanted a fuller look insted of having hair so heavy I had a Brady Bunch flat part at the top and then a thick mop at the bottom, etc.
It might help for you to talk to a good quality hair stylist. I love mine because she is always honest with me . . . if I want something that just isn't going to work with my hair type she is not afraid to tell me so.
DON'T DO IT!!!!! I got a body perm in April and my hair has been falling out ever since. I would gladly pay the $70 it cost for the perm if it would get me my old flat lifeless hair back!!! At least I had hair back then!!!! From your avatar, it looks like you have very pretty hair!!! Don't "fix" something that isn't broken!! 
Good luck!!
Anna
I have straight but not thin hair - there's a lot of it! Maybe I'll talk to a good hairdresser - but Anna, you've put me off. Maybe I should be happy with what I've got.
Your hair looks very nice in your picture. I have had perms before and they didn't come out terrible, but they didn't come out like nice and neat either. If you have time to spend, you could always curl it with big-barrelled curling iron or use those big huge velcro rollers. I think it looks nice how it is though 
Find a good hairstylist who will work with your hairtype as opposed to trying to force your hair into submission.
When I was bringing pictures into salons I was always disappointed. I stopped that, went out and found a good hairstylist and now I just let her do what she thinks is best. She gives me a cut that works around my cowlicks (sp?), dry hair and outdoor/active lifestyle. Since I started doing that, I've not been disappointed. You'll probably have to pay some $$ for a good stylist, but it's worth it.
A good cut makes all the difference.
yes....it is possible to get a perm without damaging results....it all depends on the stylist and you being aware of what she is doing and what you want. The pic you showed is a lot of texturing....more than likely razored with natrual body and rollers.....your hair body doesnt seem (from the pic in your avatar) like its far from that.....have it textured first.....then try rollers, if its still not the look you want then get a perm but ask for the LARGEST rod for perming ( I believe its orange...its been a few years since I left the salon 
, but Im pretty sure its orange or peach) ....which will give you some curl but enough body. If you do perm it and they use anything less then a purple rod....of course a lot of this depends on how well your hair takes the curl......you will get more of a curl like Shakira on the top right of the link you put in.....also one of the biggest mistakes some stylists makes is leaving the solution for 20 min because you can.....have them check it every 5 to 7 minutes....especially if your hair is color treated or really takes to a curl....that mistake is 90% of what leads to frizz or perm drama.
even after the perm though.....it wont give you that curl in the pic...thats body with rollers.......with the perm youre getting body
Hope that helps! or at least gives you a start 
I have to add my 2 cents. I just got an awesome perm. I've got very straight thin hair and I need the body. Believe me, I've had some horrible perm experiences. The thing that works best for me is to get the perm first and then get it layered. I tried the orange rollers and it just wasn't enough curl for me. I like the purple rollers. It looks pretty curly the first week, but then it loosens up. After a week or so, I get about 4-6 inches cut off and it is just the right amount of curl. It looks a lot like the picture you posted (only a little shorter). I don't have to curl it or blow dry it or anything. Just wash and go. I love it.
Good luck.
Renae
That hairstyle looks like a midlength with very well done layers, and hot rollers! I dont think a perm would give you that look. I think you'd have to be willing to have it cut. You could do a temporary wave and see how you like it. But I wouldnt perm it. Like I said, it doesnt look like she rolled out of bed with that, I guarantee she used hot rollers!!
I was a stylist in my former life. . .I wouldn't perm if I were you. Even if someone knows what they are doing it still damages the hell out of your hair. With a perm you can use large rollers but the weight of your hair will usually pull the curl out. As long as yours is, I'd say that would happen. I have terribly unruly hair and tons of it. I used to curl it or flat iron it which took forever. Sometime last year I discovered curl defining cream (my hair has just an annoying frizz when its dry) I brushed my hair out as usual and fluffed with my hands. I was amazed how wavy my hair dried! Long story short, I'd try a couple more things before I permed. I attached a pic of my hair with the cream. Good luck Emma!
Elle
Elle ... what brand is your curl defining cream? I have hair similar to yours, and that cream sounds like just what I need!!!
It's Biolage Curl Defining Creme. I get it at my local salon supply for about 5-6$$$. In a regular salon it would be about 12 bucks. It's almost like a lotion. It's not sticky like mousse or gel. I love it! Just flip your head over, apply it all over your hair and go. My hair dries in about 30-45 minutes, no frizz but curls I never knew I had! I call it my 2 minute hair-do. 1 1/2 minutes is brushing this long mop out! Get some Jess, I guarantee you'll love it!
Elle
Thanks so much Elle! I can't wait to get some! I'm going to make a trip to the salon supply store tomorrow!
Sadly my hair really is straight as a die, there's no way I could get curl into it - no matter how much it was cut, layered or slathered in any wonder product. I think I'm going to learn to love what nature gave me.
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