Am I crazy for considering perming my hair?

Mrs.Jason.9.15.07

So, I recently cut my hair shoulder length so a perm really isn't an option right now.....I think I would end up looking like a q-tip.  

But anyway, if I grew my hair back out, would it be crazy to get a perm?  My hair is soooooo straight and really lacks body so I think a body wave (do they still call it that) might help me out.  I don't want one of those 1988 sprial perms, just soft waves.  My hair is so boring. 

So in your opinion, would this be a good idea?  Or are you laughing at me for even considering getting a perm, LOL? 

nicoleg1982

I think you would do less damage to your hair by just learning to use hot/velcro rollers or a flat iron to achieve the same look.

Mrs.Jason.9.15.07

nicoleg1982:

I think you would do less damage to your hair by just learning to use hot/velcro rollers or a flat iron to achieve the same look.

Well, I have tired that.  The thing is my hair is so fine that it won't hold a curl for more than 20 minutes with the hot roller/curling iron approach.  I was thinking that a perm would be more permanent......but like you said it would do damage to my hair.  

Oh, IDK, I probably won't do anything and continue to hate my boring straight hairstyle, LOL! 

I am envious of people who can keep curl in their hair! 

TAMPABRIDE12

a little perms are so rough on your hair the chemical is the same in strength as an oven cleaner, there are some perms that give more of a wave and require less chemical that you can try but its not as long lasting.

Have you tried a texture spray? or a root lifter/volumizer? I think we can get your hair to curl but it would take quite a bit of products and tools but I can help  if you'd like

Mrs.Jason.9.15.07

TAMPABRIDE12:

a little perms are so rough on your hair the chemical is the same in strength as an oven cleaner, there are some perms that give more of a wave and require less chemical that you can try but its not as long lasting.

Have you tried a texture spray? or a root lifter/volumizer? I think we can get your hair to curl but it would take quite a bit of products and tools but I can help  if you'd like

In years past I have used those products but I haven't even attempted to curl my hair in years.  Way back when, I use to sleep with those pink foam roller things with damp hair and curling spray.  That was the best process that I found curling my hair.  But it hurt to sleep with them in and by the end of the day my hair would be just about straight.  

Any tips you could give me would be appreciated!  I don't even know where to begin with my hair!  It's so freakin' straight and fine I feel hopeless!   

alzi

YES

nicoleg1982

We must be hair twins.  And from my own personal experience in 2000 w/a body wave, don't bother.  Within a month my hair was straight as a pin again.

Have you tried product and rags at night?  http://www.wikihow.com/Curl-Hair-with-Rags

Have you tried a flat iron to curl your hair?  There are a bajillion videos on youtube you can use as reference.  This is the only quick curl I can get my hair to hold for more than a few hours.   

tashaandsage

I wouldn't get a perm. If I recall you and I have the same hair situation- very fine textured, but a lot of it (I'm pretty sure I remember this from a hair conversation from back on the Nest). My hair is also very straight. About 6 years ago, I wanted to get a perm to get loose waves. They used very big rods and it still came out very tight- not soft waves at all. And it was frizzy. So most days I wound up having to blow it out sraight with a round brush and flat iron it for it to look decent. It was a PITA  and not something I'd do again.

Mrs.Jason.9.15.07

Thanks for the feed back everyone.  I think I will put my perm idea to rest.  Thanks for talking some sense into me!

k8elee03

::the idea of me giving beauty advice is seriously laughable::

Try hot rollers again. Here's what you need.

--Use the smallest rollers you can find, and use as many of them as you can. Yes, I'm serious. Especially with fine, straighter-than-straight hair. it might look a little big/tight curly/etc., at first, but give it a few minutes. It dies down quickly.

--I usually use a mix of small and medium, with more medium in the back. Definitely throw a couple of small ones on the bottom. It's a learning curve kind of a thing; you have to play a few times before you get it right for your hair and its current length. 

--Leave 'em in for 20-ish minutes, take 'em out, finger comb and shape it. You live humidity, right? Spray the crap out of it with John Frieda's Moisture Barrier hairspray. It's the only thing I've found that will hold curl in Florida. 

--After it dries, pull it apart and shape it how you want it.