Yes, the perm is back. Get inspiration from Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, or Sarah Jessica Parker.
Oh, the big, luscious locks of the 90s. Do you remember her? Tightly coiled and peppy, they were the opposite of the other hair trend of the time (sleek and ultra-straightened) and worn by all the cool girls, including Julia Roberts, Sarah Jessica Parker, Drew Barrymore, Mariah Carey, and Nicole Kidman. This trend, which is synonymous with uncomplicated hair, is now on the rise again, along with a general movement that emphasizes (and highlights) our natural texture.
"People learn to accept their curls," says hairstylist Luke Hersheson. "The lockdown has led many to discover what their natural hair really looks like after stretching and straightening it for so long - and they loved it and wanted to learn how to put what they had into perspective. " A number of celebrities - from Zendaya and Selena Gomez to Emily Ratajkowski and Yara Shahidi - have also flaunted their natural locks lately, and the original curly hair girls SJP and Kidman are both back in the spotlight, creating a wave of nostalgic longing for triggered her 90s mane.
The 90s curls are still current and present in 2021: volume for the roots, defined (but not too defined) spiral strands, and often, but not always, length. Think of the girl next door rather than something too artificial. Roberts is still an excellent figurehead for this hairstyle today, thanks to its curved parting and its fresh finish. Whatever you're equipped with, it's about playing with it and making it bigger and better: "Scrunch a lot and air dry," says Hersheson. "Everyone has different curly hair, but those who do know how to show off their curls, for example with a diffuser or microfiber towel to reduce frizz.
Indeed, this trend towards the desirability of wavy hair has made perms more attractive, and hairdressers report that the demand for retro treatments has increased from zero to a handful per week. The technique hasn't developed much since its heyday in the 80s, the only difference being that you can now create looser, softer curls that will still last for months.
"The most important thing about perm is to keep the haircut really simple. When people hear the word perm they think of Barbra Streisand's spiral, bubble version, but that's actually because of the haircut," says Hersheson, "when you think about the treatment a lot Doing longer, non-layered hair results in a softer curl. The perms of the past were made with tiny chopsticks, while today's hairdressers use larger, pliable foam rollers that create a smooth, relaxed curl rather than something solid.
While perm is great for those who want more texture (and you can create anything from a gentle wave to a tight wrap - the choice is yours), it dries out the hair. If you enjoy getting bleached often or if your hair is already badly damaged, this may not be the right treatment for you.
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