Short permed hair is having a big moment — and for good reason. These styles build instant body, hold shape with minimal effort, and cut your morning routine in half.
If perms once gave you 80s flashbacks, breathe easy — today’s techniques are gentler, more customizable, and deliver those chic, touchable curls you actually want.
- Who this guide is for
- How to pick the right haircut
- Quick product or styling tip
Hairstyles to Try
1. Textured Permed Short Hair
Airy, touchable texture gives this short cut movement without looking overdone. The lift at the crown flatters round faces and keeps your profile lively.
Diffuse on low heat with a curl cream, scrunching gently; hands off once it’s dry to avoid frizz.
People love it because it’s an effortless everyday look that still reads styled and put-together.
- Face Type: round/oval
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: medium/thick
- Occasion: casual/versatile
- Product Recommendation: mousse — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
Also Read: How to Diffuse Curls Without Frizz
2. Mohawk Permed Hair with Curls
Curly volume on top meets sleek, short sides for a rockstar vibe that’s still surprisingly wearable day to day.
Work a pea of curl gel into damp roots up top, then diffuse upward for lift and definition.
People love it because it’s bold yet versatile — brunch-ready, gig-ready, and everything between.
- Face Type: oval/heart
- Hair Type: curly/coily
- Hair Texture: medium/thick
- Occasion: trendy/casual
- Product Recommendation: gel — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
3. Black Short Perm with Permanent Waves
Defined waves flow around the face, softening strong features while keeping the shape neat and compact.
Rake in a light curl cream and air-dry; scrunch at the end with a few drops of oil for gloss.
People love it because it softens square jawlines and looks luxe on darker hair tones.
- Face Type: square/oval
- Hair Type: straight/wavy
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: professional/versatile
- Product Recommendation: cream — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
4. Brown Permed Short Hair with Full Curls
Tight, bouncy curls build maximum volume and energy — a gorgeous match for rich brunette shades.
Apply a curl-defining mousse root to tip, then diffuse while scrunching upward.
People love it because it turns fine hair into big, glossy curls with serious presence.
- Face Type: oval/heart
- Hair Type: curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: casual/party
- Product Recommendation: mousse — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
5. Cute Permed Short Hair for Women over 50
Soft, manageable curls add youthful lift and fullness while staying easy to style day to day.
Use sulfate-free shampoo and a hydrating leave-in; refresh with a water + conditioner mist between washes.
People love it because it flatters every face shape and works beautifully with changing hair textures.
- Face Type: oval/round/heart/square
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: everyday/professional
- Product Recommendation: serum — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
6. Spiral Perm Hair with Waves
Defined spirals that relax into beachy waves as they grow out — the best of both curl worlds.
Use curl cream on damp hair and scrunch; avoid brushing to keep the pattern crisp.
People love it because it delivers long-lasting texture that gets prettier with time.
- Face Type: oval/heart
- Hair Type: straight/wavy
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: versatile/casual
- Product Recommendation: cream — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
7. Gray Pixie Permed Hair
A modern pixie softened by curls — silver and gray shades make the texture sparkle.
Emulsify a pea of curl balm in your hands and scrunch through the crown for lift.
People love it because it highlights cheekbones and adds oomph to finer strands.
- Face Type: oval/heart/square
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: professional/casual
- Product Recommendation: balm — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
8. Textured Permed Hair with Bangs
Face-framing fringe with tousled curls gives an effortlessly cool, editorial vibe.
Dry bangs with a small round brush and finger-twist the rest with light mousse.
People love it because it balances longer faces and adds instant personality.
- Face Type: long/oval
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: casual/trendy
- Product Recommendation: mousse — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
9. Messy Permed Hair
Perfectly imperfect curls with lived-in texture — the five-minute routine of your dreams.
Spritz sea-salt spray on damp hair, scrunch, and air-dry; hands off once set.
People love it because it’s low-effort, high-impact, and suits almost everyone.
- Face Type: oval/round/heart
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: casual/versatile
- Product Recommendation: sea-salt spray — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
Also Read: Easy Morning Curl Routines
10. Bleached Short-Permed Hair
Bright blonde makes curl patterns pop — airy, luminous, and eye-catching.
Deep-condition weekly and use a purple shampoo to keep brass at bay.
People love it because it looks ethereal while staying light and bouncy.
- Face Type: oval/heart
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: trendy/party
- Product Recommendation: serum — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
11. Cute Permed Short Hair for Women over 70
Soft, airy curls add volume and frame the face beautifully with a natural, elegant finish.
Use a light hold mousse and a wide-tooth comb; refresh with curl spray on non-wash days.
People love it because it’s graceful, youthful, and effortless to maintain.
- Face Type: oval/round/heart
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: everyday/professional
- Product Recommendation: mousse — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
12. Short and Curly Permed Hair
Ultra-short length with tight curls all over — fearless, fun, and full of energy.
Scrunch gel into soaking-wet hair (praying hands method), then diffuse to set.
People love it because it shows off bone structure and keeps styling time minimal.
- Face Type: oval/square
- Hair Type: curly/coily
- Hair Texture: medium/thick
- Occasion: trendy/casual
- Product Recommendation: gel — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
13. Blonde Curly Permed Hair with Curly Bangs
Sun-kissed curls with a soft, curly fringe for balance and a playful finish.
Define bangs with a fingertip of curl cream; avoid heavy oils to keep them light.
People love it because it flatters heart-shaped faces and photographs beautifully.
- Face Type: heart/oval
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: casual/party
- Product Recommendation: cream — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
14. Simple Centre-Parted Permed Hair
A clean center part with gentle waves keeps things timeless, wearable, and chic.
Dry with a diffuser, then pinch ends with a light serum for definition.
People love it because it works for any occasion and streamlines styling choices.
- Face Type: oval/round
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: professional/formal
- Product Recommendation: serum — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
15. Shoulder-Length Chic Permed Hair
Longer short — soft waves at shoulder length for movement with a modern, feminine vibe.
Curl foam on damp hair, diffuse, then scrunch out the crunch for touchable softness.
People love it because it’s a perfect entry point if you’re perm-curious but not ready to go very short.
- Face Type: oval/heart
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: versatile/casual
- Product Recommendation: mousse — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
Also Read: Beginner’s Guide to Modern Perms
16. Gray Full Rounded Permed Hair
A rounded silhouette gives polished volume, while gray tones make curls gleam.
Dry with a diffuser and shape with a wide-tooth comb; finish with a light shine spray.
People love it because it adds body to thinning hair and looks sophisticated.
- Face Type: round/square
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: professional/everyday
- Product Recommendation: serum — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
17. Brunette Permed Curly Hair with Fringe
Glossy brunette curls with a soft fringe lend movement and a flattering frame around the eyes.
Finish with a glossing spray or clear glaze to deepen shine and color richness.
People love it because it’s photogenic and easily dressed up or down.
- Face Type: heart/oval
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: medium
- Occasion: formal/casual
- Product Recommendation: serum — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
18. Thick Gray Permed Hair
Gentle waves amplify natural fullness for a plush, voluminous look that celebrates gray.
Nourish with a weekly mask and use violet shampoo to keep tones bright.
People love it because it’s radiant, full, and wonderfully low-maintenance.
- Face Type: oval/round
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: thick
- Occasion: everyday/professional
- Product Recommendation: mousse — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
19. Short Spiral Permed Hair
Tight spirals create eye-catching texture and bounce that frames the face beautifully.
Set with gel on wet hair, then diffuse without disturbing the curls to lock the pattern.
People love it because it packs major volume into a compact, flattering shape.
- Face Type: oval/heart
- Hair Type: curly
- Hair Texture: fine/medium
- Occasion: party/casual
- Product Recommendation: gel — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
20. Permed Short Hair for Thin Hair
Designed to maximize body on finer strands, this cut leans on a tighter curl pattern for fuller-looking hair.
Layer a lightweight volumizing mousse under a soft-hold gel, then diffuse for lift that lasts.
People love it because it turns “flat” into “full” with minimal styling time.
- Face Type: oval/round
- Hair Type: wavy/curly
- Hair Texture: fine
- Occasion: everyday/versatile
- Product Recommendation: mousse — apply lightly to enhance movement and shine.
Best Picks by Face Shape & Hair Needs
Round faces shine with height at the crown and longer pieces near the cheekbones — try Textured Permed Short Hair or the Mohawk Permed Hair with Curls for a lifting effect. Heart-shaped faces love balance across the forehead and eyes, so Textured Permed Hair with Bangs or Blonde Curly Permed Hair with Curly Bangs are smart picks.
For hair needs, thin or fine textures get instant body from Brown Permed Short Hair with Full Curls or Permed Short Hair for Thin Hair. If you prefer minimal styling, Messy Permed Hair and Simple Centre-Parted Permed Hair keep routines quick while staying polished.
- Round face: Textured Permed Short Hair for balanced volume
- Fine hair: Permed Short Hair for Thin Hair for fuller shape
- Thick hair: Short and Curly Permed Hair for manageability
- Low maintenance: Messy Permed Hair and Simple Centre-Parted Permed Hair
Final Thoughts
Modern perms are wearable, chic, and designed to fit real life. Choose the curl size and shape that suits your face and routine, save your favorite inspo photos, and ask your stylist about the best rod size and maintenance plan for your texture. With the right cut and care, short permed hair turns every day into a good hair day.