Modern Day Curl Perms - Anybody Have One?

Good morning fellow LHCF family! I'm writing because I have been natural for over 6 years now and I am still not in love with how my hair turns out. I like being natural but I have more bad days that good, more single strand knots, its time consuming, dry, tangles, too many products I've purchased - its just too much. I have fine mostly type 4 hair - with type 3 in the kitchen area and behind my ears. My hair works like a charm if I pile a whole lotta gel on it and put it in a bun on top. Of course there is the shrinkage so I look less mature and sophisticated unless I add a ponytail. Most twistouts turn into an exercise in futility - where's the definition and my style has no shape. I try to work out at the gym but having to go thru the whole cowash and detangle and style late at night is a mess.

I said all that to say that I'm (yet again) threatening to get texlaxed for more manageability and shine. I then ran across some threads discussing perm curls and wave nouveau but these posts were at least 5 - 13 years old. I'm wondering, is anyone rocking a perm curl nowadays (not the juicy jheri curls of old) but something cute, natural looking and low maintenance? Any former users want to tell us why you gave up on it? Were you able to transition to a straight style without damage and with ease? I'd love to hear about your experiences and any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Bumping ....

bumping for more responses. I thought about getting a curly perm once, because I went to summer camp with a girl that had the most beautiful deep wavy hair. I thought it was natural, but she told me it was a Wave Nouveau

When I asked my potential stylist about this option she said "No Comment"

LadyPBC said:

When I asked my potential stylist about this option she said "No Comment"

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lol. I have seen one or two recently at my hairdresser but tbh they looked

A co-worker has one (some sort of curl process). She wears it very short (no more than an inch). I guess her hair is thin, because her scalp is always exposed.

Did you look for a texlaxed thread? I see it mentioned all the time, so someone's getting them.

@nothidden - I was trying not to get a relaxer. I like having my natural hair. I just want to have more manageability and less maintenance.

My new idea is to try the maximum hydration method - we'll see how that goes. Thanks for responding @nothidden, @LeftRightRepeat and @Prettymetty !

Try reading this thread.

This fotki could be useful.

I'm trying to find threads or bloggers who still do it or had long term positive experiences, but I'm not finding much. From what I read, the process is long, touchups are tricky, and dryness is common.

LadyPBC said:

My new idea is to try the maximum hydration method - we'll see how that goes. Thanks for responding

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I think you should. It's kinda not fair to give up on your hair. I mean, you said yourself that your twist outs don't be coming out right... maybe the problem is your technique, not your hair. MHM will help you figure out which.

LadyPBC said:

@nothidden - I was trying not to get a relaxer. I like having my natural hair. I just want to have more manageability and less maintenance.

My new idea is to try the maximum hydration method - we'll see how that goes. Thanks for responding @nothidden, @LeftRightRepeat and @Prettymetty !

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I followed the original MHM last summer. I stopped when it got too cold for WnGs. Good luck!

Honey Bee said:

I think you should. It's kinda not fair to give up on your hair. I mean, you said yourself that your twist outs don't be coming out right... maybe the problem is your technique, not your hair. MHM will help you figure out which.

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I agree. Plus there is maintenance involved with the chemicals (touch-ups). The thought of that makes me tired. Oh and that line of demarcation is terrible and requires extra care.

Definitely work on moisture if needed. It sounds like you might need a trim as well. That will give your twist out and fro some shape. A good trim does amazing things for your hair.

Now I mainly twist my hair to stretch it, then I fluff it out. So I'm fine with more a fro than a super defined twist out. You can adjust your expectations if needed.

Save the detangling for once a week or less. Don't do that every night if it's taking up too much time.

Have you considered using a blowdryer on low to stretch your hair, then twist it? Especially since you wash at night - my hair wouldn't be dry in the morning.

If you're washing your hair daily, cut back and save yourself some time. You could run the dryer on low on your scalp to dry your hair after working out. Or maybe dry shampoo?

Or learn to love your shrinkage. But I'm not about that wash and go life myself .

I'm guessing that is what will happen with me @nothidden. I tried it last night, my hair felt like heaven but:
1) I am not a morning person so I can't see myself getting up extra early to do all that to my hair
2) after all of that I will still have a wet or damp head of hair, okay in warm weather I suppose
3) don't love wash n go's with my hair (my hair hangs down not out) so I'll have to figure out another style I can wear that is more becoming
3) in no way am I willing to do this in the winter - I am a total freeze baby

nothidden said:

I followed the original MHM last summer. I stopped when it got too cold for WnGs. Good luck!

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@pretteyinpurple - thanks for your reply - my comments are listed below...

prettyinpurple said:

I agree. Plus there is maintenance involved with the chemicals (touch-ups). The thought of that makes me tired. Oh and that line of demarcation is terrible and requires extra care. Yeah wouldn't be looking forward to dealing with that.

Definitely work on moisture if needed. It sounds like you might need a trim as well. That will give your twist out and fro some shape. A good trim does amazing things for your hair. I've been thinking of doing that but I like wearing top buns so I am nervous about getting a cut, I definitely need a trim and moisture seems to be just what the doctor ordered!

Now I mainly twist my hair to stretch it, then I fluff it out. So I'm fine with more a fro than a super defined twist out. You can adjust your expectations if needed. Hmmm - may not love that look on me but we shall see!

Save the detangling for once a week or less. Don't do that every night if it's taking up too much time.

Have you considered using a blowdryer on low to stretch your hair, then twist it? Especially since you wash at night - my hair wouldn't be dry in the morning.

If you're washing your hair daily, cut back and save yourself some time. You could run the dryer on low on your scalp to dry your hair after working out. Or maybe dry shampoo? I will definitely cut back after my 7 day trial of the Maximum Hydration Method. I love the way my hair feels after the first day and the visible improvement. I tend to shy away from dryers except if I am deep conditioning.

Or learn to love your shrinkage. But I'm not about that wash and go life myself .

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@Nightingale - you are doing the most and I am not mad - thank you sooooo much! You rock! (update) I reviewed both links and Awwww - I so wanted someone to say it was the best thing since ice cream. I wanted the curly perm to be my panacea.

Dag @Honey Bee - I've been at this for 6 years, I thought I had given it a good run but I suppose you're right. I have come to the conclusion that although I like some cone-ladened products, the use of some of products with glycerin, cones, and minerals, etc. are not good or the best for my hair. I always loved how my hair responded to Terresentials Mud Wash but got too lazy to use it on the regular. I will start use fewer products and devote quality time to a healthy head of natural hair (even though I thought I was). I suppose convenience and style sometimes wins out to my quest for healthy hair. I appreciate your input.

LadyPBC said:

Dag @Honey Bee - I've been at this for 6 years, I thought I had given it a good run but I suppose you're right. I have come to the conclusion that although I like some cone-ladened products, the use of some of products with glycerin, cones, and minerals, etc. are not good or the best for my hair. I always loved how my hair responded to Terresentials Mud Wash but got too lazy to use it on the regular. I will start use fewer products and devote quality time to a healthy head of natural hair (even though I thought I was). I suppose convenience and style sometimes wins out to my quest for healthy hair. I appreciate your input.

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Aww, I didn't mean to make you feel no kinda way. I'm a new natural- what do I know? Personally, my hair loves clay but took off when I started washing (yes, with shampoo) twice a week like the old days. So I modified my MHM regimen and stuck with the shampoo. I know it's discouraged around these parts, but the hair wants what the hair wants.

If your hair likes clay, try to copy the recipe (naptural85 has a good one). When your hair likes something, stick with it.

That's all I got, girl.

LadyPBC said:

I'm guessing that is what will happen with me @nothidden. I tried it last night, my hair felt like heaven but:
1) I am not a morning person so I can't see myself getting up extra early to do all that to my hair
2) after all of that I will still have a wet or damp head of hair, okay in warm weather I suppose
3) don't love wash n go's with my hair (my hair hangs down not out) so I'll have to figure out another style I can wear that is more becoming
3) in no way am I willing to do this in the winter - I am a total freeze baby

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Then don't do the original. Try the modified (clay and gel/styler and leave-in if you feel you really need it). Get it all done in 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Then just style your hair any way you want. If you don't like gel, try a curling cream or a oil based balm.

@Honey Bee - I will listen to you because you have a beautiful head of hair. But your hair loves shampoo huh? Interesting. Mine doesn't hate it but it feels so much better after the Terr Mud Wash. I love naptural85 so I will look for her recipe, that Terr Mud Wash gets to be expensive.

@faithVA - I am definitely looking for a more expedient way to get it done. I will try the modified version but I want to finish the 7 days first. I like gel for my top knot bun cuz it lays everything down (well the EcoStyler gel does). I will experiment though. I like heavier products but my hair is fine so that's probably not best for me. Is that a roller set you have in your profile pic? Its looks so full and shiny and healthy!

@LadyPBC, ever just try the curly girl method as described in the actual book by Lorraine Massey?

Check out the fall/winter wash n go challenge. There a lot of tips in that thread. I'm a new natural. I bc'd on August 2nd. All I do are wash n goes. My hair has started to hang I'm so happy. I did wash n goes through the whole winter with no ill affects. I don't like heavy gel. I can stretch my wash n goes for 7 days now. When I started I was doing everyday so it has been a learning process. I was determined to get it down. When I get up in the morning I let my hair get wet at the end of my shower and just shake my hair. My hair dries in a couple of hours usually fully dry by lunchtime. I don't add additional product. My favorite products are as I am conditioner and curling jelly. I co wash with as I am coconut co wash, Aussie moist, Pantene co wash, creme of nature argon shampoo occasionally. I have also used Camille rose curl maker and mop top curling jelly with good results. You just have to find out what works for you.

No I haven't @nothidden - I wonder if that is the same as the MaxHydraMethod (abbreviating)? I have completed 4 days of that so far and I'm noticing improvement. I know I ran across the curly girl method before but for some reason didn't think it was right for me. I'll look into it again to be sure. Thanks for the suggestion!

nothidden said:

@LadyPBC, ever just try the curly girl method as described in the actual book by Lorraine Massey?

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Awright now @stephanie75miller - I see your coils poppin'! I will check out the fall/winter wash n go challenge even though I can't imagine wearing one in the frigid midwest during the winter. I'm a real freeze baby. Funny - I have a serious stash of tried or will try products and the only one you mentioned that I actually have is the As I Am cowash.

stephanie75miller said:

Check out the fall/winter wash n go challenge. There a lot of tips in that thread. I'm a new natural. I bc'd on August 2nd. All I do are wash n goes. My hair has started to hang I'm so happy. I did wash n goes through the whole winter with no ill affects. I don't like heavy gel. I can stretch my wash n goes for 7 days now. When I started I was doing everyday so it has been a learning process. I was determined to get it down. When I get up in the morning I let my hair get wet at the end of my shower and just shake my hair. My hair dries in a couple of hours usually fully dry by lunchtime. I don't add additional product. My favorite products are as I am conditioner and curling jelly. I co wash with as I am coconut co wash, Aussie moist, Pantene co wash, creme of nature argon shampoo occasionally. I have also used Camille rose curl maker and mop top curling jelly with good results. You just have to find out what works for you.

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There is a LONG THREAD over at BHM that has 69 pages of reading.

chile who's gonna 'fess to having a jheri curl?! That said, my uncle has one and has kept one since the 80s.

These days tho, half of these chicks are using jheri juice and doing styles that remind me of jheri curls anyway, so why not just go and get one?

I know - right?!@jamaraa! Well I have decided to go in a different direction for now. Everyone seems to be totally against it besides I'm seeing noticeable improvement with my 7 day MHM trial. Who knew?! Now I want to get my natural shaped. I just don't want to cut all of my hair off to get a tapered look even though I drool over most of those styles. I'm still going to look at the site @yaya24 shared though - couldn't hurt. Thanks a million LHCF friends!