Perms in Kansas City
Curls are back, and so is the perm.
Curls are back, and this classic salon service is making a comeback. More people are embracing texture. If your hair is naturally straight, a perm can give you the wave or curl you've been wanting. If your hair is naturally curly, a perm can even out curl that's inconsistent or has relaxed over time.
What "perm" means here
"Perm" is short for permanent, and in the salon it can mean two things: a curly perm that adds texture, or a relaxer that straightens hair. On this page, "perm" means the curly perm.
And the good news? Nothing in hair is truly permanent, because hair is always growing. There's no reason to fear a perm. With the right stylist and the right look, you'll love your locks.
Perms for everyone
We perm all hair lengths, for women and men.
Curly perm
Adds curl or wave to straight hair, from short cuts to very long hair.
Men's perm
Adds texture to longer styles on top or all over.
Spot perm
A mini version that treats only the areas where your natural curl is weaker, so your curl looks even.
Body wave
Adds soft volume and movement. We usually don't recommend it because most women have hair color, but it can be a great fit for fine hair with no color.
We don't offer digital perms.
How short is too short?
Short hair can be permed as long as it's long enough to wrap around a perm rod at least two to three times. For shorter hair, we use a smaller rod. Body waves need more length, so we don't do body waves on short hair. If the hair can't wrap around the rod at least twice, the wave won't take.
How long does a perm take?
Most of a perm appointment is wrapping time, so the longer your hair, the longer the visit.
- Mini perm (top only): about 1½ hours
- Medium perm: about 2½ hours
- Long hair: 3 to 4 hours, so plan on the whole afternoon
Perm pricing
Perms are priced by time, because most of the appointment is wrapping.
Mini perm
$130+. Top of the head only, great for cuts with short sides and longer hair on top.
Medium perm
$180+. About 2½ hours.
Long hair perm
$300+.
A perm is a chemical service, just like hair color, so a SalonScale fee is added to cover the cost of the products used. You'll get your exact quote at your consultation.
Perms and curly hair
We do a lot of natural curl care, and we know curly hair can be inconsistent. A perm can help even out curl or wave, and as we age, curl can relax. A perm can help keep it.
Perms and hair color
- Demi-permanent and permanent color: yes, you can have both, but plan ahead. The chemicals in a perm strip color and make it fade fast. You'll want to use pigmented shampoos or get your color refreshed right after your perm, so time your appointments together.
- Bleach and highlights: we don't recommend perming bleached or highlighted hair, and we very rarely do it.
- Box color: we can't perm over box color. Box color can contain metals that react with perm solution.
Perm consultations
A consultation is best practice for any chemical service, because it lets us see your hair in advance. Your $50 consultation is where we tell you honestly what will work. The consultation fee is due whether or not you book the perm. In some cases we may apply it to your perm service.
- Women: a consultation is required before your perm.
- Men: a consultation is strongly suggested.
- Returning perm clients: if you've had a perm with us before, you don't need another consultation.
A perm is a serious chemical service
A perm restructures the keratin bonds in your hair so it holds a shape it doesn't naturally have. It's a chemical service, and when it's done right, the results are beautiful. That's why we take it seriously, and we ask you to as well.
Every head of hair is different. The rod size you saw on social media may not be the right one for your hair. At your consultation, your stylist will look at your hair's length, texture and condition and recommend the rod size and plan that will work for you. Trusting that professional advice is the best way to get the curl you're hoping for and keep your hair healthy.
Perm aftercare
Don't shampoo for the first 48 hours after your perm. This gives your new curl time to set.
To keep your curls looking their best, we recommend the curl products we carry in the salon from L'Oréal Professionnel Curl Expression. Your stylist will show you which ones fit your hair.
Your perm stylists
Book your perm with Olivia or Zoe.
Book your perm consultation
Your first step is a consultation. We'll talk about the look you want, check your hair's condition and build a plan that fits your hair and your lifestyle. After your consultation, we'll book your perm appointment.
Have a quick question first? Call us at (816) 756-1187.
Read more: The Man Perm Returns