It depends on the size rod and how the hair is cut and styled.

How long is your hair? The smallest rods I would use are the peach colored ones. I have a friend that has wavy hair and wanted the same thing you're describing so we permed hers with green ones (size up from the peach). It helped control her wave better and she was happy with it. The peach will actually give you more of a defined curl.

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They make larger rods than the green but I haven't found them be worth using.

I did! My hair is mid length and can be bodiless. Like you I hmmmed and hawed for a long time then finally bit the bullet and went for it. It lasted about 8 months and I loved it. I still have just a tiny bit of curl left but am seriously considering going in for another one. I think you should go for it.

I'm not sure what you mean by passe. If you mean it will look out of style to not have the flat, unlayered, bangless straight hair that's been the rage for so long, I've noticed some curls and full bodied hair recently. Even seeing some bangs around. Not that I really follow it all consciously. It was just surprising to see a change! Personally, I think an awful lot of people don't really look very good with the very flat straight hair. Maybe it's very easy for most people? I would wear whatever suits your looks and lifestyle. Any hair type, curly or straight, can look current. Besides, it's the whole package, not just the hair style. You could start a new trend!

What I am worrying about, because I believe I'll be needing a perm in order to wear my hair down again, is the chemicals. Also hate the smell and the way it dries and changes my hair color. Last I had one, they were much gentler but wore off so quickly at the roots. Whole lot of troubles and expense with the perming.

It's funny, but I have noticed that in the past, oh, at least 10 years, I have not seen a single person getting a perm at any salon that I've been to. I used to get perms occasionally when I was age 20-30 but then decided to just go with my hair's natural condition (um, except for coloring!).

I don't know that they are passe, but I agree with Sue, I rarely see anyone actually getting a perm. I tried to think if any of my friends have perms and couldn't think of anyone.

But, like a couple shared here, if it is something that really works for your hair, then why not? I don't know if you color your hair, but take that into consideration. Also, I think before I did definitely decide on the perm route, I'd find someone really skilled in cutting hair and see if a good cut made any difference. I, too, am a believer in going with what my hair wants to do, rather than trying to change it (natural wavy hair which used to be natural curl - that at times I tried to straighten LOL).

tina

I think one of the reasons we're seeing fewer perms is a lot of salons don't even offer them anymore. After one too many butchered haircuts, I started trying higher priced salons. Two I really like, one I stuck with the longest in the past 10 years or so. Early on in my visits to each I asked about a body wave and the response was the same: 'we don't do perms, they are too damaging to the hair.' (They don't even carry the supplies to do a perm.)

Part of me wonders tho, if that's just not an image/advertising thing. With the straight flat-ironed trend that latched on and has clung strong, maybe the higher priced salons want nothing but 'latest trend' cuts & styles walking out of the shop? (Nothing personal to those who have them, but I can't stand a basic bob/ends turned under cut. On the right shaped face & hair, it's stunning, on me, don't like it. But at my Chicago salon, when the bob made a big comeback a couple years ago, that's about all I saw stylists doing on their female customers. I had to tell my stylist 'no' when she suggested it.

I haven't had a perm since the early 80's. My only experience is via my mother. She loved her perms, and I found a nice shop for near her home. Something must have improved with the ingredients, because she got nice curl, no frizz, and even toward the end of it's life there wasn't that nasty frizz of the past.

Personally, I'm a little bored with all the stick straight no bangs styles. (Tho I've worn bangs all my life except for teen years.) I googled 'hair trends 2011' and saw a lot of the top fashion magazines showing 'runway' hair for coming spring and fall. I was pleased to see thick bangs, but casual waves and curls making a return. I've always viewed curls and waves as so pretty.

But really, if it works for you (I'm a no fuss hair person too), go for it! If it's done well, a nice body wave wouldn't look salon done, but like your own hair. And put you in the very early stages of a returning trend ;)

Just a general comment and my opinion, perming is no more damaging than bleaching and coloring can be. They make many different types of perms now and the stylist needs to make sure they pick the right one and don't over process. There's a right way to do all of those, plus how the person takes care of their hair on a daily basis. Straight hair is really in right now (constantly flat ironing isn't great for hair either) but if perms ever make a come back, I'm sure those salons will start it up again.

If you decide you want a perm just make sure you find a good salon.

I forgot to mention that shee, that those same salons who don't do perms do color (multiple processes, highlights, glaze, etc.) on almost every customer that walks in. (Another reason it made me think it's more about following trend.) I tend to agree, if it swings from flat to curly, they're going to be creating curls in hair that doesn't have it just to meet the demand.