Services
Perms in Abingdon, Didcot, Wantage & Oxfordshire
Perm Appointments in Abingdon
Perms are back and more popular than ever at Wisteria Avenue Hair Salon! Our Abingdon hairdressers are always up-to-date with the latest hair trends for perms. So whether you are looking for a fashionable modern perms, body waves, beach waves or a pin curl perm, our consultations are a helpful tool to help deliver a the best perm to suit you.
Our perm appointments are by consultation only. Consultations are designed to help identify whether you might be an ideal candidate for a perm, to answer any questions and to test your hair strength.
Fashionable perms are really popular right now. Check out our fashionable perms blog for inspiration. Looking for a haircut? We also specialise is curly haircuts! Visit our curly haircuts service page for more.
Perms
Perms are a type of hairstyle achieved by setting the hair into a permanent curl or wave. They typically appeal to clients lacking volume or seeking a permanent curl pattern without the ongoing maintenance of having to do it each day. Perms can be loose, much more defined, structured or creative and fashionable! The ongoing maintenance is not huge while the length of time a perm last for is usually determined by hair growth. On average clients tend to revisit once every 3-6 months.
Example Perm (in 17 seconds!)
The Perm Process
- Perm Rods: Perm rods are the finger-like pieces where your hair is wrapped around to help achieve a curl. Perm rods are not all the same, in-fact there are many different types and these can be identified usually by colour and size. Not all perms are the same, so these different sized rods are really important to achieve your chosen perm. If you don’t know which rods are for you, don’t worry you aren’t alone (here’s a secret, nobody else does either!) however your Stylist will work with you to find that out!.
- Natural Wave: The most popular perm for men and women is a ‘fashionable perm’ which is very similar to a beach wave (think natural looking loose curly hair). To achieve this curl pattern, two types of perm rods are required, one bigger and one smaller). Why? Because different sized perming rods achieve different sized curls throughout the hair, so why should a perm be any different?
- Perm Lotion: Once the rods are in, the lotion is applied. There are two factors when your Stylist decides how long this needs to stay on for; existing hair type and desired perm. Some hair types and desired perms require longer time to process than others. For a looser curl the lotion is required for less time than say, a tighter curl pattern. The way to think about a perm lotion is that it restructures the hair from its natural form into a curl.
- Neutraliser: Once the perm lotion has been applied and the processing time is over, the hair is rinsed with water and the neutraliser is applied. This neutraliser then ‘sets’ the curl in place ensuring that it’s fixed. This is a fairly quick process.
- Aftercare: Over the next few days, avoid washing hair entirely. This includes any at-home treatments. The accepted norm within haircare is to avoid any products in the 48 hours that follow, however if you are more conservative then 72 hours isn’t beyond unreasonable either. After then? Once washed, your hair will continue to return to its new curl texture!
Perms FAQ's
What is a perm?
If you’re looking to add texture, volume, and bounce to your hair, a perm might be the perfect solution. Perms have come a long way from their retro image and have evolved into a versatile hair treatment that offers beautiful, long-lasting curls and waves. Whether you have naturally straight hair and want to experiment with a new look or you desire to revive your limp locks with some added oomph, a perm can be a fantastic option.
A perm, short for “permanent wave,” is a chemical treatment that alters the structure of your hair to create curls or waves. During the process, your hair is wrapped around perm rods and treated with a chemical solution that softens the hair’s internal bonds. The hair is then neutralized to lock in the new shape, resulting in beautifully textured curls or waves that can last for several months.
Why are perms so popular?
Perms remain popular due to their ability to provide long-lasting curls or waves, offering a low-maintenance way to achieve a textured and voluminous hairstyle. Modern perm techniques also contribute to their popularity, allowing for more natural-looking curls and reduced damage to the hair.
What is the difference between a perm and curling your hair?
The main difference lies in the permanence and method. A perm involves chemically altering the hair’s structure to create lasting curls or waves. Curling your hair, on the other hand, is a temporary process using heated styling tools, such as curling irons or rollers, to achieve curls that last until the next wash.
The type of and number of curls usually differs too.
What does a perm do to your hair?
A perm chemically alters the hair’s structure by breaking and reforming its protein bonds. This process allows the hair to take on a new shape, resulting in curls or waves. The chemicals used can have drying effects, so proper care, including a moisture-based shampoo is essential to maintain the health and vitality of permed hair.
What is the downside to a perm?
The downside to a perm includes potential damage to the hair, as the chemical process can lead to slightly dryer hair than you might be used to. Whilst not a significant downside, the smell of the chemicals during the perm process and the commitment to a semi-permanent style are considerations to take into account.
How much does a perm cost?
A lot of salons no longer deliver perms. A combination of a lack of knowledge, day-to-day practise and the lack of hands on experience even among experienced Stylists mean that many salons no longer offer the service.
The cost of a perm varies based on factors such as the salon’s location, the stylist’s experience, and the length of the hair. On average, perms in Abingdon hair salons can range from £80 to £150 or more with central Oxford prices being higher. Wisteria Avenue’s average perm cost this year was £90.
It’s recommended to consult with a stylist for a personalised quote based on your specific hair needs and desired outcome. Additionally, some salons may offer packages that include post-perm treatments and maintenance.
Where are we?
Address
Wisteria Avenue Hair Salon
4 East St. Helen Street,
Abingdon,
Oxfordshire,
OX14 5EA
Opening Hours
Tues: 10:00 am – 16:00 pm
Weds: 11:30 am – 20:00 pm
Thurs: 11:30 am – 20:00 pm
Fri: 10:00 am – 18:30 pm
Sat: 9:00 am – 17:00 pm
Contact
T: 01235 534705
WhatsApp: 01235 534705
Email: [email protected]
Perms
Perms come in all shapes and sizes. Whether it’s a fashionable perm with different sized and shaped curls, or tighter curl. Perms offer a variety of options from body waves, beach waves to pin curl perms. However they are a brilliant option if you want to introduce change!
We would always recommend a consultation before booking to identify what can be achieved with our help. Costs can vary dependent on finish, hair length and hair thickness.
Fashion Perm
Fashion perms have a more natural look. Curls are achieved using rods which achieve the curl. Standard perms use identical rods which enable symmetry. Whereas a fashion perm has different sized curls which can be achieved by using different sized rods both big and small.
A spiral perm offers a more natural and loose appearance.
Consultation
Perms are a great choice for permanent curls. However there are a range options to suit all lifestyles, styling choices and looks. Whether this is your first time or you have experience of having hair permed, a consultation is as valuable for us as it will hopefully be for you! We are here to answer any questions whilst happy to try and help you plan for your perfect perm!
Need more inspiration?...
Here's more options!
Your Questions,
Answered.
A perm can be booked in a number of ways.
This can be done by booking online, over the phone, in-salon or by WhatsApp.
Our latest availability can be found at www.wisteriaavenue.co.uk/bookings
Alternatively, we find the second most popular method of booking is to speak with someone via telephone. The salon opens Tuesday to Saturday and across our standard opening hours we can be reached on 01235 534705. Alternatively we can also be contacted by email at [email protected] (if emailing, please ensure that you detail a contact number).
If you have a WhatsApp account, by creating a contact in your phone and using our landline number 01235 534705 you can send Wisteria Avenue a message about a booking enquiry.
Any perm, up do or hair colour, whether it’s perm or not carries with it a consultation.
This is to ensure that it is safe to perm the hair, but to also ensure that this service is right for you!
Sometimes clients book in for a service which isn’t the best option. For this reason a consultation highlights this (no pun intended!).
Yes! We stock JOICO products in salon and we can recommend products which are bespoke to your perm.
We also offer in-salon treatments to help with improving the end result both in terms of colour and condition of your balayage.
Perms aren’t the same for every client.
We don’t expect clients to know the terminology of every type of perm! However, pictures always help. If you have a vision in mind, we encourage you to bring this with you to your consultation.
Usually the differences between perms don’t affect the price too much, unless it’s much thicker or longer hair.
Balayages aren’t the same for every client.
We don’t expect clients to know the terminology of every type of balayage! However, pictures always help. If you have a vision in mind, we encourage you to bring this with you to your consultation.
Usually the differences between balayages don’t affect the price too much. For example, the ‘money piece’ is a popular addition right now. This is a great option yet doesn’t affect the price.
We occasionally run promotional offers and discounts for select hair colour and haircut services.
These often carry a timeframe before they are invalid and are at the discretion of the salon.
Usually these do not run across December, however if you are unsure please check with the hair salon before booking.
We don’t currently have any trainee or junior level stylists in the salon.
Yes!
Most of our clients are either new to perms or haven’t had a perm in a long time.
Our Hair Stylists are here to help specifically to breakdown any hairdresser jargon into plain English. If you are unsure what would work for you, just ask. We can show you pictures, run ideas past you and through a consultation together we can typically find something that would help.
For curly haircuts, more information can be found here.
New client? Sign up for a free consultation
Want to know more about a perm?
Complete the below and a staff member will contact you at the earliest opportunity with further information about our perm options. Any questions, call or send a WhatsApp to the salon on 01235 534705 or book your appointment online.
Permed Hair Consultations
As one of the best perm hair salons near me in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, we would love to discuss your plans with you! To book your hair appointment or consultation, get in touch with Wisteria Avenue Hair Salon by booking online or calling us on 01235 534705.
Wisteria Avenue on instagram
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Our hair trends blog looks at the latest hairdressing trends, hair styles, hair colours, gents haircuts, ladies haircuts, perms, seasonal styles and much, much more!
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