It’s been awhile since my last perm. I let it grow out and chopped off the curls last summer. Now that my hair has gotten longer, I found myself missing the easy maintenance and volume of having a digital perm. However, I was nervous to do anything too drastic because of our upcoming engagement photo session.
I had been disappointed with how frizzy and tight the curls I got were the first time I got a digital perm. The second time I went to a different Korean salon for it, and she ended up giving me a traditional setting perm >.< Well, third time's the charm! After doing some research on local Korean salons, I made an appointment at Fox Hair because of their great Yelp reviews. I figured that even if the curls were too tight, they would relax by the time we take our photos.
My stylist, Claire, and her assistant/interpreter, were fabulous! In fact, everyone working in the salon looked like they had just walked off the set of a Kpop video. I immediately felt like I was in good hands. The digital perm process is LONG (~3 hours), but it’s so fascinating that it goes by pretty quickly. They also supplied me with a pillow, stack of magazines, and yummy green tea to help pass the time.
Digital Perm: Before
My boring, limp, straight hair.
Digital Perm: During
My hair stylist was concerned about how damaged my hair was at the ends (from my failed diy ombre attempt), so she had to trim a lot more than we originally planned. She still didn’t know if my hair would hold the curl because of the damage, but tried a special perm solution for damaged hair. The digital perm process, for me, involved:
- a haircut to add some layers and texture
- treatment to add nutrients to the hair before perm damage
- perm solution, medium-sized rollers, then hooked up to the infamous digital perm machine
- shirley temple curls
- some sort of spray to relax the curls
- shampoo, oil for my damaged ends, and blowdry
Digital Perm: After
Loose, natural curls–EXACTLY what I wanted!
I’ll post more about Korean digital perms, how to style them, and pictures of my hair in the daylight tomorrow, but for now, it’s time to celebrate the weekend and veg out in front of the TV with my man!!
Denise Kruse says
SO many elements of surprise here. 1) How well it turned out. 2) The fact that you were able to find three Korean salons in N. Texas. 3) Your iPhone case HAS EARS. *applause*
geekglam says
LOL! There are lots of great Korean places in the area!! I’ll have to give you the ktown tour during your visit.
Gina says
Could you give me some tips on styling digitally permed hair? It takes forever for my hair to dry and I’ve tried blow drying and air drying and I still get a frizzy mess. Its been one week and i still havent figured out how to style it. I’m so frustrated with my hair that I keep tying it up!
geekglam says
Hi Gina! Mine was pretty frizzy for the first few weeks, too– it does calm down eventually. My tip for you would be to use some moroccan argan oil or other hair treatment in your hair while it’s wet and put your hair in two braided pigtails while it air dries! After you unbraid your hair, spray some beach wave stuff or leave-in conditioner and scrunch a little bit.
igus says
I am in north Dallas area and don’t knownwhere I could go for digital perm. Anywhere in dallas fort worth area would be fine so if you know of any Korean salons that offer digital perm let me know.
Stephanie says
There are several places in carrollton, Fox Hair and Hmart– they also opened a new Hmart in Plano that might have a hair salon! In the Royal lane/I35 area there are some as well.
Unicorn27 says
Hey I just had a quick question.
Do you know anything about digital or magic straight perms working on African American I already use regular perms so I’m familiar with perming but I would like to try the magic perm thing. And where would be a good place to go. live in the Dallas, Fort Worth area. The help is very appreciated thanks!!!
Stephanie says
Hi Erin-
I think the magic straight and digital perms should work on your hair if you’ve had regular perms, but I would just make sure your hair isn’t too damaged from the other perms before you get another one. I got my digital perm too soon after damaging my hair with color and it got pretty fried. My favorite place to go is Fox Hair in Carrollton. Also Hair Mode in Dallas (I35/Royal Lane area)
Cori says
I’ve been looking into getting a digital perm in the DFW area, and I was wondering, how much did it cost for your digital perm at Fox Hair? My hair is fine and i’m mixed Caucasian and Mexican and I’m wondering if the digital perm would be a good solution for my hard to curl hair. I’m trying to decide between the digital perm and the full body wave perm. Thanks!
Jordan says
I live in around the MN and WI area and was wondering if this perm would work on my hair I curl my hair everyday and it gets really annoying and fried , I’m white and my hairs sorta thin and shoulder length and tends to hold a curl pretty we’ll ..I just don’t want the curls to not turn out nice and I want them to look good right out of the shower meaning I could leave the house and they would dry nice and curled