Best perms for short hair in Singapore
Perms are often sought after as the solution to limp and lifeless hair. Although most of us associate perms with long, flowy curls, it doesn’t always have to be long.
Short perms are becoming more and more requested, as Korean stars like Kim Ji Won and Song Hye Kyo successfully pull off the chic shorter curls.
Find out what are the best perm styles for short to medium length hair to help you take your short hair to the next level!
1. Korean Wave Perm
“I want the Korean celebrities’ type of curls!”
Korean wave perm on Korean actress, Han Hyo Joo
When we talk about short perms, the Korean wave perm pictured above is one of the first few images that come to mind.
Ideal for those looking to achieve a feminine, doll-like look, the Korean Wave Perm gives your hair lots of volume as the curls are very airy.
Korean Wave Perm by Picasso Hair Studio @ Bugis
Although voluminous, the hair is not excessively curly, as you can see from the Korean Wave Perm done by Picasso Hair Studio. In fact, Jeremy from Picasso Hair Studio shares that the curls are actually rather versatile.
To achieve the look above, blow dry your hair to 70-80% dry, and on the days you prefer more curls, blow dry it to about 20% dry and then leave it to dry naturally.
Korean Wave Perm by Style NA Korean Salon @ Parkway Parade
Its versatility and curly-yet-not-too-curly look makes this perm Agent G’s favourite style.
This style is usually not suitable for ladies with very dry or frizzy hair.
This is because hair that is too damaged are not able to sustain such defined curls for a long time. Also, the perm can possibly make the hair even more dry and frizzy.
Tokio de Sinka Perm by Act Point Salon @ Midpoint Orchard
However, Tokio de Sinka Perm can possibly help.
With fullerene, amino acids and various treatments within the perm itself. your hair is moisturized so much so that it doesn’t get that frizzy after a perm.
2. Hollywood tousled waves
“I want the Hollywood #iwokeuplikethis type of beachy waves that is not as ‘pong’ or voluminous.”
While Korean waves are all the rage at the moment, the Hollywood-inspired tousled waves is the classic curl that never goes out of fashion.
At almost any red-carpet event, you will be able to find celebrities wearing this casual and chic medium hair length hairstyle.
How is it different from the typical Korean Wave Perm?
Well, you’ll find that the tousled waves are actually longer, straighter and not as voluminous. This gives a more natural feel as opposed to the heavier Korean wave perm.
This is how it looks like on Asian hair:
Tousled waves using Direct Perm by Salon Vim
Although celebrities often achieve this look via styling, we were surprised that we can actually wake up to this sexy beachy wavy hair via Salon Vim’s proprietary technique: the Direct Perm.
This perm takes only 1.5 to 2 hours, which is really fast - making it a convenient perm for ladies who just want that bit of volume and waves.
Do however note that the tousled waves will last for a shorter period of time: 1.5 months to 2 months compared to normal perms and you probably need some minimal styling (twisting and blow drying) if you want to make it more defined.
3. Big Wave Perm
“I want to see more curls on my hair without looking Aunty. Hopefully the hair ends can be big waves instead of tight curls.”
Rebonding Perm by Picasso Hair Studio @ Bugis North Bridge Rd
For a perm to exude the natural-looking effect, texture and movement is necessary, which is what this perm does really well.
Picasso Hair Studio calls it the Rebonding Perm because volume rebonding can be done at the top to eliminate natural waves and curls on the roots and frizz while the ends are given bigger waves for a more voluminous effect.
This makes perms a viable option even for those of you with naturally curly hair; it subdues your curls and reshapes it to make it more manageable.
Big Wave Perm by Pro Trim Korean Salon @ Jurong East JEM
Although it may look similar to the Korean Wave Perm, the Big Wave Perm has perceptibly bigger waves.
What this means is that bigger sized rods are used during the perming process to achieve the bigger curls.
Big Wave Perm by Act Point Salon @ Shaw Towers
Do however note that the the curls are not as defined and may look like waves when the hair loosens up!
Big Wave Perm by Hair Mori @ The Centrepoint
4. Top Layer Perm / C Curl Perm
“I want a bob-haircut, but my hair is quite flat and straight. I want more volume to my bob, and very slight waves to create more texture and movement to my hair.”
Top Layer Perm by Picasso Hair Studio
Perms are usually thought of as a chemical service that creates curls.
However, contrary to popular belief, a perm can add volume to the hair without any visible curls; such as top layer perm.
It looks especially good on a bob haircut as it takes it from flat and straight to subtly wavy and voluminous by creating more texture and movement to the hair.
If you are looking for an almost zero-maintenance hairstyle, go for the top layer perm!
Volume C Curl Perm by Kenaris Hair Salon
To make it even easier for you to maintain it, you can also request for a C curl inwards, or outwards as you prefer.
As you can see, these perms do not have very obvious waves at all. It simply gives your hair some lift and volume.
One Curl Perm by Bump Hair Design at Holland Village
Perfect for those of you who want volume WITHOUT any curls.
Volume C Curl by Color Bar Full House Salon @ Tampines Central
5. Volume Rebonding + C Curl Ends
“I don’t want the curls to be too high. I only want a bit of waves at the hair ends.”
Styling Perm by Picasso Hair Studio @ Bugis North Bridge Rd
There are multiple names for it. We call it the Volume Rebonding + C Curl Perm but Picasso Hair Studio calls it the Styling Perm.
Unlike the Top Layer perm above (which does not have rebonding in the top part of your hair), this Volume Rebonding + C Curl Perm will require volume rebonding to be done at the top part of your hair and a half-curl perm at the ends.
Volume Rebonding + C Curl Perm by Style NA Korean Salon @ Bedok Mall
It’s suitable for ladies with frizzy hair or with kinky curls that start at top, as the volume rebonding will eliminate the frizz and tame the curls at the roots area!
Volume Rebonding + C Curl Perm by Hair Mori @ The Centrepoint
Do however note that as rebonding is done on the top part of your hair, the hair may not be as voluminous as the Korean wave perm.
Volume Rebonding + C Curl Ends by Koinonia Hair Salon @ Orchard Pacific Plaza
This is however, easy to maintain as only the hair ends are permed.
Volume Rebonding + C Curl Perm by AVENTA Hair Salon @ City Hall Stamford Court
This is considered the “entry level” type of perm as there is only half a curl at the ends. Therefore, it is unlikely to be too curly for you.
Amplified Rebonding + Perm + Haircut by Chez Vous Hair Salon
6. J Curl Volume Perm
“I want a lot of volume AND strong curls at the hair ends.”
J Curl Volume Perm by Picasso Hair Studio @ Bugis North Bridge Rd
Add volume to your bob haircut with strong curls at the ends with a Volume Perm + J Curl.
Since the curls are very defined and the perm creates a lot of volume, it’s perfect for those with flat hair.
Note that this not suitable for customers with thick hair as it can make the hair look even more puffy!
7. Spiral Perm
“I want more curls! The curlier the better!”
Short Direct Perm by Timen from Salon Vim @ 313 Somerset
Popular in the 1980s-1990s, this perm creates the tightest curls among the various types of perms out there.
Short Perm by Art Noise Japanese Hair Salon
Although it is most often worn by ladies above 40, the voluminous, slightly messy look can make you look stylish if you manage to pull it off!
Mid-length Spiral Perm by Act Point Salon
You can pair it with longer hair length although we think it looks best with a chin length bob!
8. Asymmetrical Rebonding Perm
While asymmetrical haircuts are trendy and a good way to stand out from the crowd, take your look a little further and spice it up with an asymmetrical perm.
The curls and waves fall a little differently on each side, which we think makes for a cool side profile picture!
Amplified Rebonding + C Curl Perm + Asymmetrical Haircut by Chez Vous Hair Salon
Although most asymmetrical perms can only be worn one way, you can also request for your stylist to change their perspective a little to give you a little twist that allows you to wear it more than one way.
Hope this helped you to better understand what type of short hair perms you can be suitable for.
If your hair is a tad bit dry, do remember to go for Tokio de Sinka Perm or a hair treatment like Tokio Inkarami to keep the perm moisturized and bouncy weeks after the perm.
Volume Rebonding + Tokio Inkarami Hair Treatment by Koinonia Hair Salon
Visit beautyundercover.sg for hair and beauty tips.
