[zumarrad]

Perm technology has changed a lot, I believe, in recent years, but I can tell you this: it sounds like your hair is likely quite resistant, and that means you need a smaller rod - that means a tighter curl - for a perm to work. It will probably then hold a set better - ie, you put your wet curly-permed hair on large rollers to make the curl larger and looser, every time you wash. Then you have to wait for it to grow out.

To be honest I would never recommend a perm to anybody these days unless they want really curly hair and their hair is straight. They're a pain in the arse to do and to get, and all most people want is big loose waves anyway and a perm alone will NOT give you those.

You want lasting waves, do a traditional set with wet hair and setting lotion and make sure it's bone dry before you take the rollers out. You want pretty waves just for one evening, use tongs or hot rollers. If your hair is layered it will probably wave up better, since the top layers will not be so heavy.