Korean fashionistas, style icons, and beauty gurus have been shaping everything from the clothing we wear to the skincare we use for years now. But if there’s one area where Korean trends have had the biggest impact, it’s in hair styling – particularly when it comes to hair perms.
Korean hair specialists have proved that perms can be infinitely versatile. They don’t have to create huge bouncy curls, or generate endless frizz. A great Korean hairstylist can match your perm to your needs, whether you’re looking for simple waves or targeted volume.
Here, we’ll show you just how versatile Korean perms for women can be, with styling ideas sure to suit hair of any length, type, or colour.
The Benefits of Korean Perms for Women
Before we cover some of the top Korean perm styles you can explore today, it’s worth highlighting what makes a Korean perm different (and better) than a standard perm.
Korean perms are all about customization and natural results. Stylists use modern variations of traditional cold perming and digital perming techniques to add volume and texture to your hair. What really makes this perming strategy stand out is that every style is unique.
Your stylist will work with you to create curls, waves, volume, and texture throughout your hair, creating a natural look. That instantly separates Korean perms from traditional perming strategies, which often focus on creating consistent, uniform curls.
Most Korean perms focus on creating looser curls and waves, rather than ringlets, but depending on your stylist, there’s no limit to what you can do. Compared to traditional perms, Korean perms:
- Enable customization: Your stylist can adjust the shape of your hair to your specific requirements, creating curls, waves, or even straightening your hair.
- Offer targeted options: A Korean perm doesn’t have to be applied to all of your hair. You can use it to add volume or shape to your roots or bangs instead.
- Are easy to maintain: Because they’re designed to look natural, Korean perms are relatively easy to maintain, and can last longer than some traditional perms.
- Are more flexible: Korean hairstylists can use a combination of hot and cold perming techniques to create the right look, and reduce unnecessary damage to your hair.
- Suit any hair type: You can get a Korean perm regardless of whether you have naturally straight, frizzy or curly hair, and they’re suitable for short and long hair too!
Korean Perms for Women: 8 Great Styles to Explore
As mentioned above, there’s virtually no limit to what you can achieve with a Korean perm, provided you choose the right stylist. However, there are some types of Korean perms for women and techniques used during the perming process that are particularly popular.
Here are some of the top options you can consider for your next hair treatment.
The Classy C-Curl Perm
The C-Curl perm is by far one of the most popular Korean perms for women. Worn by K-Pop idols and celebrities alike, this style is all about creating voluminous, C-shaped waves, particularly throughout the lower sections of your hair.
For girls with shorter hair, the C-Curl perm is a great way to add bounce and vitality to your look. It can be the perfect way to frame your hair, or add texture and depth to slightly thinner-looking locks. If you’re searching for an effortlessly chic, low-maintenance, and sophisticated look, then the C-curl perm is a great choice.
The Sensual S-Curl Perm
As you might expect from the name, the S-Curl perm focuses on creating long, flowing “S” waves in your hair. You don’t get as much uniform structure here as you would with a C-Curl, but the resulting look is usually more natural, and wonderfully feminine.
When it comes to popular Korean perms for women, the S-Curl perm is usually most popular among girls with longer hair, as long hair will show off the shape more effectively. However, S-Curl perms may not last quite as long as the C-Curl, depending on how quickly your hair grows.
The J-Curl or Body Wave Perm
The Body Wave or J-Curl Perm is a modified version of the Korean S-Curl Perm. It creates slightly more structured waves, with less of the diversity you’d get in an S-Curl perm. Where the S-Curl perm creates waves that move in different directions, for more texture, most of the waves in a J-Curl perm follow the same directly, creating uniformity.
If you’re looking for a highly put-together, and luxurious hairdo, this could be the perfect option for you. You might also find you spend less time styling your hair with this look, as your waves should naturally fall into place.
The Hippie Perm / Jelly Perm
If you want something a little bolder than the soft waves most Korean perms for women create, the Hippie Perm (also called a Jelly Perm) could be the perfect option. This is the Korean version of the standard cold perm, traditionally used to build larger curls and ringlets.
Your Korean stylist may use a combination of hot and cold perming techniques to create this look, but you should end up with more defined ringlets and tighter curls. It’s a great option if you’re looking for a serious volume boost, or want to enhance already curly hair.
The Playful Bonnie Perm
Perfect for people with shorter hair styles, or those who love the “bob” look, the Bonnie perm is a Korean perming strategy that combines C curls on the back of your hair, with S curls towards the side. This perming technique is often used to give straight and wavy hair more structure.
It’s a great choice if you want to make sure your waves are perfectly framing your face, and still want a boost of volume towards the back of your hair. We love this perm for anyone in search of a more subtle look that will naturally enhance their features.
The Korean Bangs Perm
Currently all the rage on TikTok and other social media channels, a Bangs perm is one of the more focused types of Korean perms for women. It concentrates exclusively on adding volume and texture to your bangs (at the front of your hair), leaving the rest of your hair untouched.
If you’re tired of constantly trying to train your bangs to fall in the right position, this could be the perfect option for you. Plus, it’s a great choice if you’re worried about damaging your hair with chemicals, as it only exposes a small portion of your hair to the perming solution.
The Lively Korean Roots Perm
A Korean roots perm is another fantastic, focused type of perm that concentrates on adding volume to your roots. It’s a good choice if you already love your hair’s shape, but need a little extra lift. This perm essentially gives you a permanent blowout style and is excellent for all types of hair, whether frizzy, curly, or straight.
Plus, it’s a lot more affordable than many other perming options, since you’re only treating a small portion of your hair. The downside is that your roots might grow out quickly, meaning you’ll need additional touch-ups. However, if you have lifeless hair, it’s worth giving a roots perm a try.
The Sleek Korean Straight Perm
Sometimes referred to as a “magic perm”, the straight perm (or straightening perm) is one of the most interesting Korean perms for women on this list. Unlike most perms, it doesn’t create curls – it removes them. A straight perm will smooth bouncy ringlets and frizz, giving you pin-straight hair instead.
The straightening process can take a while, depending on the length of your hair, and you’ll need to make sure your locks are healthy before you begin this treatment. However, if you’re looking for ultra-straight, smooth hair, this is the style for you.
Choosing the Perfect Korean Perm for You
As you can see, there are plenty of different Korean perms for women to choose from. No matter your style or hair goals, the best Korean hairstylists can make your dreams a reality. Whether you’re looking for pin-straight hair, natural curls, or bouncy ringlets, PERFECT X HAIR can help.
With a range of perming solutions to suit every need, we’ll help you achieve the perfect look. Contact our team today to learn more about our services, and book your hair transformation.
FAQs
What Korean perm should I get?
The ideal Korean perm for you will all depend on the look you want to achieve. An S-Curl, C-Curl, or Bonnie perm could be the perfect choice for waves with body and volume. Alternatively, if you’re looking for bolder curls, you might choose a hippie perm instead.
Are Korean perms damaging for your hair?
All hair perming procedures can cause damage to your hair, since they involve the use of harsh chemicals. However, when they’re applied properly, and paired with the right aftercare, Korean perms shouldn’t cause any lasting issues. Your stylist will do their best to minimize damage during the perming process, and customize your treatment to your hair needs.
How long does a Korean perm last?
How long your perm lasts will all depend on the type of perming process used and the style you want to achieve. A full perm can last anywhere from 3 to 6 months, depending on your hair growth rate and how well you maintain your hair. Targeted perms, like a bangs or root perm, will usually last up to 3 months.
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