Top Trending Hair Perm Styles in Korea 

Cover Photo Credit: IG @haum_style

As I grew up in the States, when I thought of a perm, I immediately imagined my grandma’s go-to poodle curls. I never really imagined myself getting a perm because I didn’t want to look like I played bingo every Friday. Even today living in Seattle, most hairstylists only know how to do the spiral perms as well as a magic perm. But after hearing that a lot of Korean celebrities are getting their hair permed, I was surprised. They didn’t have the classic labradoodle hair, instead they had these beautiful big curls that framed their faces so nicely. It looked like they got a blowout with voluminous curls. Korea as always is ahead of the game when it comes to the beauty industry. Now with their new techniques and technology, they are able to give you temporary permanent curls. So no more styling your hair for hours while damaging it with heat, all you have to do is dry your hair in a circular motion. How easy is that? It’s giving the literal definition of “effortless beauty”. You are able to choose from a variety of styles, that accommodate what type of curls/waves you prefer for your hair. I took the time to look through multiple hair salons in Korea and found the latest trending styles. 

Things to know before getting a perm

As these are Korean-styled perms, I must mention that these type of perms are meant for more Asian-type hair. This would mean, it’s catered towards people with more relaxed/straight hair. This is why it’s great for people who want to add extra volume. There are also a few other points that I should mention before getting a perm: 

• Do not color/dye your hair before the perm session. As the perm solution can actually cancel out the color. 

• You cannot dye and perm your hair on the same day. You must wait at least 2-3 weeks before dying your hair. As it can mess with your perm and take away the original style. 

• Look into what styles best suit your face shape. 

• Getting a perm does make styling your hair easier, but it still takes some effort. If you are the type who gets lazy to put any product or blow-dry your hair, I would think over if perming is right for you. As your perm will look like how it looked when you came out of the salon, once you blowdry as the stylist instructs you. 

• Perms last from 6 months to a year. 

Are perms worth it? 

The reason why I felt like getting a perm is right for me is because my hair lacks a lot of volume. Although many people say they would prefer to have straight hair like me, I’ve noticed that it tends to look dull if I don’t style it. It also doesn’t help my face shape as it makes my facial structure look wider and longer. Plus, styling every day with heat can be stressful as sometimes I have days where my hair is not coming out the way I want it. I’ve noticed that hair can do a lot for you, which is why it’s important to do what matches your face shape the best. There are multiple things you have to consider before getting a perm, as it’s not a cheap service. Most salons in Korea charge between 200,000-500,000 won (200-500 USD).  Which is why you have to ask yourself how beneficial it would be for you.

라블펌 (Lovely Perm)  

For the ones looking for a slight wave for a more natural daily look, I recommend trying out this “lovely” perm. Just like it’s name, it gives off a lovable appearance that adds gentle texture to the hair. It looks mostly great on medium to long hair, but even short medium hair can pull it off. It’s very subtle but definitely brings life to your hair. Perfect for that effortless everyday look. 

Elizabeth Perm (엘리자벳 펌)

The Elizabeth perm is a great style for those who want to bring more of a classy clean look. The symmetrical loose waves bring a more sophisticated yet feminine look. I especially recommend this style for the ones looking for a more voluminous style without looking too crazy. With some face-framing pieces in the front and light layers, it will make people think you take hours to style your hair when really all you got to do is blow-dry. 

Jelly Perm (젤리 펌) 

The Jelly Perm is a fun, bubbly, and cute look that brings out a more youthful appearance. The mermaid waves start close to the roots and continue all the way down to the ends. This is a style that will make your face appear smaller, as the waves in the hair take up more space. It’s one of the more trendier looks lately as it softens the appearance due to its cutesy style. 

Wave Perm (웨이브 펌) 

The wave perm is a classic go-to for first-time perm clients. It is very similar to the Elizabeth Perm, except the waves are directed more outwards, giving off a more free and chillaxed look. I would definitely say this fits into the “Goddess” style that many people have been talking about lately. It gives off a “girl next door” vibe where the hair brings a more free yet gorgeous look. 

Recommended Hair perm salon in Busan - ZS Hair Salon

• Website: bit.ly/3NIiYuh

• Instagram: @zshair_hs

• Address: 21, Jungang-daero 691beon-gil, Busanjin-gu, Busan Metropolitan City, 4-5th floor

• Contact Details: 010-7535-7113

• Operating Hours: 11:00 ~ 20:00

ZS Hair Salon specializes in personalized hair services tailored to your scalp condition, facial shape, and hair type. Our professional stylists provide customized cuts that complement your face and head shape. We also offer color treatments that suit your skin tone, as well as perms tailored to your hair's texture and level of damage.

If you're tired of leaving the salon with a perfect style only to struggle with maintenance at home, ZS Hair Salon is here to help. We strive to create styles with high reproducibility, making it easier for you to manage and style your hair on your own.

For those who have concerns about uneven coloring or seeing reddish-orange tones despite repeated dyeing attempts, we offer specialized toning and coloring techniques exclusive to ZS Hair Salon. We're dedicated to addressing your concerns and finding solutions for you.

ZS Hair Salon stands for ZONE & SECTION, embodying the belief that creativity is not limited to extraordinary circumstances but can be found in everyday life.

To create personalized hair experiences for each customer, we always give our best effort. We support parking for our customers at the nearby Won Young Parking Lot, and we cover the parking fee as well. The salon is located at 32 Sasang-ro 212beon-gil, Sasang-gu, Busan, just a 2-3 minute walk from the parking lot.

If you have any further inquiries or would like to book an appointment, please let us know. We're here to assist you.