Summer Hair (Part 2 of 3) - The Perm

Last week, I chopped my hair into a long bob (Part 1 here). Since my hair is naturally straight, I wanted to add texture and volume without spending any time on it in the morning, which is why I got a digital perm.

This is my fifth perm, so I'm going to answer the top five questions I've received!

1. Why do you choose digital vs. texture perm?
My mom always got texture perms, so I associate more mature, wavy hair with that style. Digital perm applies heat to your hair, and creates softer, beachy curls, which is the look I'm going for.

2. How long does a perm take?
3-5 hours depending on hair length, attentiveness of hairstylist, and additional services. This time, I had my hair cut at an earlier appointment, collar-length hair, and a diligent stylist, so the appointment was about 3 hours.

3. Does a perm damage your hair?
Any chemical service will damage your hair, and a perm definitely does. I get my hair trimmed every few months to eliminate split ends. Then I use deep conditioner (Coco de Soleil), hair oil (Caudalíe), and leave-in conditioner (Acure) obsessively. I'm always looking for moisturizing products, so I'd love your recommendations!

4. Where do you get your perm done?
In Seattle, I've gone to Ten Pachi twice (Stella and Saori are both fantastic) and been pleased with the service and results. I've had three perms in Hong Kong at various "street" salons, and while it's about half the price, the stylists are definitely not as detail-oriented and chemical solutions seem to be lower quality.

5. How long does your perm last?
The results are ideal for about six months. Waves will last for almost year, but the volume will be limp by then. I get a perm done once a year.

If you have any more questions about perms, feel free to ask me in the comments!

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