Thread: Perm for big curls?

This is the best place I could think of to address this question:

Can permanent waves produce big, loose curls? I'm growing out my hair and have been using a curling iron buuuut my hair is really thick and it takes forever. The barrel of my iron is 3/4" across if that gives you an idea of the curl size I'm going for.

Curls are nice because I don't have to wear a hat to be presentable.

I wanted the same effect, but got a 3 barrel waver curling iron instead... it's like 3 curling irons on one stick. I have super long hair, but I can get it all curled in only 10-15 minutes. I just got a cheap revlon one from target and it works great on the lowest setting for me.

You can get what's called a "body" perm. Less intense formula is used, as are the largest, non-concave rollers. Aveda's is very good. If you're near an Aveda Institute, it's less expensive and difficult to mess up this perm, even if done by a strictly supervised student.
I had one a long time ago and was pleased with the results. Layers also helps relieve the weight to enhance more curl.
Then maintain with "Frizz Ease" or "Be Curly" products.

I hope you'd chime in Azhia since you're a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge. Thank you for the tip on Aveda though I'm confused about the rollers you describe...nonconcave as in just tube shaped? It's good to know that body waves are gentler since I color my hair.

Lesedi, is the appliance you use a crimper that produces deep waves?

Yes! This is completely possible. Essentially its the exact same process as the bad 80's style perms but they use big rollers now... so you end up with permanent (until they grow out) large sexy curls. I know this because 1) two of my good girlfriends got it done and their hair looks like Jessica Simpson's 24/7 and 2) I'm part Asian, so my hair holds NO curl whatsoever... My hairstylist is waiting another 6 months before we large-perm mine (just a matter of getting some extra length so that when the hair curls it isn't too short for my tastes).

Originally Posted by Doozer

I hope you'd chime in Azhia since you're a veritable encyclopedia of knowledge. Thank you for the tip on Aveda though I'm confused about the rollers you describe...nonconcave as in just tube shaped? It's good to know that body waves are gentler since I color my hair.

Lesedi, is the appliance you use a crimper that produces deep waves?

I like your chicken image.

Good that you mentioned colouring your hair. When was your last touch up? *If* you have to double up on processes it is best to wait awhile (weeks, I'm thinking) between processes so as not to stress the hair too much. Both processes penetrate the cortex of the hair strand, which can result in a lot of damage.

I believe the largest size rod is not concave, but it could be. Concave, meaning the size of the rod decreases towards the center of it. Straight rods do not have this concave shape and are an even sized tube. The concave rods make the curl tighter, which is what you don't want.

My recommendation since you colour your hair is to go with the styling implements described in this thread, rather than 2 processes, but opt for ceramic tools (less damage to the hair strand) and definitely use with a thermal protector product beforehand.

Oh!

I would say the *safest* way to get the curls you desire is to wash the hair, apply styling lotion (if you can still get it at the beauty supply stores; best modern day equivalent would be styling mousse), and while wet, take a section of hair, TWIST IT loosely, and then curl and pin it to the head using double prong clips. This is how I curl my hair when I don't want to use heat. When the hair is all up in clips, you can run it over with a hair dryer or sleep over night and it should dry by morning.