Temporary Perms: Change Up Your Hairstyle

Changing up your hairstyle offers endless amusement, but it isn't so funny if you end up with a horrendous hairstyle that you can't change. For women with straight hair, many might want to try on curls for size, but are wary about getting a perm, lest it turn out poorly. Enter, the temporary perm.

The temporary perm is reminiscent of the late '80s perms, but like the name suggests, it isn't completely permanent. Depending on the type of perm, it'll last between six and twenty shampooings before the curls fall out. For those who are wary of getting a real perm or who just want curls for a week or two, a temporary perm is the way to go.

Recently, I found a couple boxes of One 'n Only's temporary perms at a local dollar store (A temporary perm for a dollar? I'll take it!). They aren't usually sold there-these perms must have been overflow inventory from some store-but you probably could find them at certain other beauty supply stores, too. Also, many salons offer a temporary perm, which would be more professional-looking than what the home perm kits have to offer, but which will also cost you more. One example, the ISO Nexture Treatment is offered in some salons and reportedly costs around $200, although I haven't tried it out myself.

I did test drive the One 'n Only temporary perm. It pretty much worked the same way as a regular home perm kit, although not as strongly. I definitely had some nice curls the first two days, but by the third day, I only had soft waves. Then again, my hair is pretty resistant to curls, so it might work out better on someone else whose hair is less resistant to curls.

The temporary perm worked the same way a normal home perm does: first you wrap up your hair in curlers, then soak your hair in the perm solution, wait for the specified amount of time, then add neutralizer and rinse out with water. You can't shampoo your curls for two days after, which is pretty standard.

The perm didn't smell nearly as strongly as a traditional perm, although there is still a faint smell. I've read that temporary perms are also less damaging to the hair than traditional perms, which dries out the hair.

If you're feeling adventurous and want to change up your hairdo for the short term with some curls, give a temporary perm a try. It's amusing, if nothing else.