What You Need To Know Before Getting A Perm

So, you’re interested in getting a perm, huh? Be aware that getting a perm isn’t just something that you should do on a whim. There are many things that you should know before taking the plunge.

In today’s article, we’ve listed down what you need to know before getting a perm.

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Have your hair checked by a stylist

The best thing to do before getting a perm is to get your hair checked by a trusted stylist.

Hair differs from person to person, and what worked for your friend may not work for you, or your hair. An experienced stylist can give you expert advice and recommendations, especially regarding the condition of your hair.

Damaged hair can’t get permed

(c) Unsplash

And speaking of the condition, your hair’s current condition is the most important thing to consider before getting a perm. Simply put, damaged hair can’t be permed.

Sure, you can go ahead and still do it yourself if you insist, but no proper stylist will do a perm on hair that’s obviously damaged. Perms can be very taxing on your strands, so not only will the perm not turn out correctly, it can even further damage your hair.

A perm can weaken or damage your hair

Even if your hair wasn’t damaged to begin with, you have to understand that perming is still a harsh chemical treatment that literally changes the structure of your hair.

A perm, like any other chemical treatment out there, can weaken your strands. Or if they were already frail from the start, a perm could be your hair’s death sentence. It’s a must to understand the risks before choosing to push through with the perm.

Recently rebonded hair can’t be permed

(c) Pixabay

If you’ve recently had your hair rebonded, be aware that you can’t have it permed, not in the coming months, at least. These two are both very harsh treatments that use strong chemicals, so doing them one after the other is a suree recipe for disaster.

You can’t have chemical treatments after perming

In relation to this, you also have to know that you can’t have any chemical treatments after perming. For instance, if you wanted to get your hair colored, you have to wait for about 4-6 weeks before you can push through with it. 

And let’s say you didn’t like how your perm turned out and would like to undo it. Well, you’ve got no choice but to just wait for the time to pass, because again, no proper stylist will give you another chemical treatment right after doing one.

A perm changes your entire haircare routine

If you already have an established hair care routine now that you’re used to, just know that a perm will change that entirely. And by that, we don’t mean just the practices. The actual products you use will also have to change.

After all, now you should be using products that were specifically formulated for curly hair. That is, unless you want to make your perms fall flat.

For more perm-related articles, don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog!

PUBLISHED 12TH MARCH 2020

Different Types of Perms

Did you know that there are actually different types of perms? The difference lies in the kind of wrapped that was used to create the perms. Depending on the wrap, your hair could turn out very differently.

In this article, we’ll talk about different types of perms, or more specifically, the wraps used for the process.

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Spiral Perm 

Spiral perm is the term used for the kind of perm wherein the perming rod is placed into the hair in a vertical fashion. The result is lots of corkscrew curls.

Based on your personal preferences, you could use different sizes of rods to control how curly you want your hair to be. Larger rods result in looser curls, while smaller rods result in tighter curls.

Spot Perm

Spot perm is what we call the kind of perm wherein the rods are only used in certain spots of the hair, hence the term ‘spot’. This is very common nowadays with those who only prefer a perm in the lower parts of their hair.

One of the most popular hairstyles in the 70s and 80s is a type of spot perm where only the roots are permed to achieve a volumised hairstyle. 

Pin Curl Perm

Pin curl perms are usually done on shorter hairstyles since they can add plenty of bounce in the hair. If you’d like to spice up your lob, you might want to get this kind of perm.

Body Wave

Body waves look a lot like beach wave hairstyles–you know, the kind that looks kinda like ocean waves and is also extremely glamorous and fashionable at the beach? In order to achieve this soft, loose look, larger rods are used. The only downside is that body waves usually last less than other types of perms.

Multi-Textured Perm

Like the name suggests, this method of perming ensures different textures throughout the hair. In a way, this is also the most natural-looking one since it reflects the look of naturally wavy or curly-haired individuals. If you’re going for a -woke-up-like-this look, then this is likely the perfect perm for you.

Now you know some of the different types of perms! Which one are you interested in getting? Let us know your thoughts here on the ZALA blog!

PUBLISHED 10TH MARCH 2020

Perms: All You Need To Know

If you think about it, perms have never really gone out of style. They’ve always been around. If you’ve never gotten a perm, then maybe it’s time to finally try one this year!

In today’s article, we’ll tell you all you need to know about perms!

zala-perms-all-you-need-to-know

What’s a perm?

The first question that needs to be answered about perms is what a perm is in the first place.

A perm is a treatment done to your hair in order to permanently make your strands wavy or curly. The term comes from the word ‘permanent’, since the effect typically lasts until you cut it off or until your hair falls out. Of course, if you don’t take proper care of it, your perm will eventually lose its form.

Are all perms the same?

There are actually plenty of different types of perms. The difference usually lies in what kind of wrap was used for the perm.

Is it hard to care for permed hair?

In a way, it’s still the same as when you’re caring for regular hair, or any other treated hair. But of course, there are a few additions. Similar to other chemically treated hair, permed hair is a bit more high-maintenance than regular, non-treated hair after all.

After getting a perm, your stylist will likely give you some words of advice. Here are just some of them:

  • Don’t shampoo hair for at least 3 days after getting a perm. The chemicals used in the perm need some time to set in. By washing your hair immediately, you’re not allowing them to set in properly, which could lead to your perm not turning out correctly or getting ruined.
  • Less shampoo, less mistake. Permed hair is very prone to becoming dry. If you want to keep your hair from drying out, you should only shampoo a couple of times per week.
  • Replace your hair products with products formulated specifically for permed hair, which tends to differ from those created for regular hair in mind.

What should I know before getting a perm?

Alright, so let’s say you do feel like you want a perm now. The thing is, there are a couple of things that you need to check first before you should get a perm.

The most important thing to check is the condition of your hair.

Is it dry? Is it frizzy? Do you suffer from a lot of split-ends? If your hair suffers from any sort of damage, then you should probably not get a perm, at least for now. Try to get your hair treated first and once it manages to bounce back, that’s the time when you should be getting a perm.

We’ll also talk about this topic in more detail in a separate article, so be sure to check it out.

As you can see, perming isn’t something that you should do on a whim. It requires a lot of planning and thinking beforehand. If you really want to get a perm, you should be ready in all aspects.

For more perm-related articles, don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog!

PUBLISHED 8TH MARCH 2020

Pixie Cut Dos and Donts

Long hair is often seen as high maintenance, but very short hair can be just as high maintenance too. This is what a lot of women who get pixie cuts realize shortly after getting one. Of course, it’s all worth it in the face of haute-couture!

But before you get one, it’s still always better to know what you’re getting into. Here are some pixie cut dos and don’ts you should always keep in mind!

Do research about it beforehand

Pixie cuts aren’t just something you get and then forget about. You have to do research on what exact style you want precisely before you even go to the salon. Plus, you also have to do your research on how to care for it properly. Does it match your lifestyle? Can you afford the maintenance? Make sure that you know full well what you’re getting into before you jump into it.

Don’t just jump into it

After doing your research, wait for a while to see if your feelings are still going to change regarding the matter. Don’t make a hasty decision just because you felt one day that you wanted a pixie cut. We know people say, “It’s just hair, it will grow back,” and in a way, we do agree. But have you ever actually tried waiting for your hair to grow longer again after cutting it short? It’s the most excruciating wait ever. So be sure that you 100% want very short hair before actually getting one.

Do familiarize yourself with your hair type and texture

It’s important to familiarize yourself with your hair type and texture, especially when you’re getting a haircut as drastic as a pixie cut. See, the thing is, pixie cuts don’t always work the same for people with different hair types and hair textures. Knowing your hair in and out can help you see which style will fit you. For instance, if you have naturally thick hair, you’ll need a cut that will lessen the bulk and give you a more sophisticated look.

Don’t be too negative

Although it’s a growing trend, it’s actually surprising to see how few people recommend pixie cuts to their friends or family. You can try it yourself. Tell your friends that you’re thinking of getting one and if you’re like most women, you’ll get varying degrees of “What? Why?” “What are you thinking?” and “Are you okay?”

Their concern is, of course, valid, since it’s such a drastic cut after all, but don’t let it get you down. Be a little positive. If you think it’s going to look good on you and your hairstylist agrees, then why not get one? You only live once, don’t miss out on experiences just because other people said so.

Pixie cuts can be really classy and sophisticated, even if they might be a bit high maintenance at times. As long as you do your due diligence though, you’ll be sure to enjoy yours in the months to come! 

For more hair tips and tricks, don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog.

PUBLISHED 7TH FEBRUARY 2020

Tips For The Perfect Valentine’s Day Hair

It’s February, and you know what that means, right? The day of hearts is coming soon! With all the love in the air, it would be very nice if you could also share some with your crowning glory, your very own hair.

Everyone knows preparing for Valentine’s Day takes more than 24 hours, so best prepare in advance! Here are some of our best tips for the perfect Valentine’s Day hair.

1. Visit the salon

A visit to the salon is a good way to start your preparation for Valentine’s Day. Make sure to cover everything that needs to be covered. 

If you’ve got split ends, go for a trim. If you’ve got grey roots, or discolored roots in any case, get a touch-up. And if you think you’re in need of a fresh cut, then don’t hesitate to get one. Now’s the best time to do so, if any.

2. Get enough sleep

During sleep is when our body takes the time to heal and repair itself. Of course, that includes our strands too. Without proper rest, your body won’t be able to do its necessary maintenance.

If you’ve only been getting 3 hours of sleep each night, no amount of hair masks or even haircuts can transform your hair overnight. Make sure to always get enough sleep even if you’re not preparing for the perfect Valentine’s Day hair.

3. Maintain your hair care routine

Maintaining a hair care routine reduces the need to visit salons often, as we’ve already mentioned before in this blog. In addition, it also helps avoid damage and breakages that will undoubtedly affect the appearance and texture of your hair. 

Keep in mind that breakages are impossible to fix and the only way to actually remove them is to cut them all off. So if you don’t want to suddenly appear at your candlelit dinner with a rush bob, then you better start a good routine now.

4. Deep-condition your hair often

While you should typically deep-condition your hair on a regular basis anyway, you’ve got more reason now that you’re preparing for something as special as Valentine’s Day. 

Unless you want your hair to appear dry, dull, and limp on your date, it’s best if you can deep-condition your hair every other day for a week or two before your special day. Doing this ensures that your hair is well-nourished and moisturized, which makes it smoother, softer, and more beautiful.

5. Find the best romantic look

Have you already decided on the look you’re going for on Valentine’s Day? If you haven’t yet, well, it’s time to get on with it! And the only way to know which one looks best on you is to try some of them on yourself. We’ve already posted several ideas here on our blog before, so feel free to browse around for the best romantic hairstyles. You can also check out our Instagram for more inspiration.

Need more hair tips and tricks? Don’t forget to check out our ZALA blog!

PUBLISHED 1ST FEBRUARY 2020