Spiral Perm
Cosmetology school had just been perms, perms, perms! This one is the spiral perm and it comes out the cutest of them all in my opinion. Like a lil Shirley Temple updo.
The types of perms we’ve done are the basic perm, bricklay, spiral, helicopter, and soft curl reformation.
During my cosmetology training, I found spiral perms to be one of the most versatile and charming styles to work with. Unlike traditional perms that create loose waves or uniform curls, spiral perms give hair a distinct, springy curl pattern that's perfect for adding volume and bounce. What makes them special is the way the hair is wrapped around long, thin rods vertically, allowing the curls to spiral down the strands elegantly. I personally loved how the outcome resembles the classic Shirley Temple updo — playful yet polished. One tip I picked up is that spiral perms work best on medium to long hair because the length accentuates the beautiful vertical curl stretch. For clients with shorter hair, the effect is still lovely but results in tight, corkscrew curls. Applying a deep conditioning treatment before and after the perm can help maintain hair health, as chemical processes can sometimes leave strands brittle. In my experience, spiral perms can also be combined with layering or soft curl reformation techniques to customize texture, especially when clients want a balance between volume and manageability. It's fascinating to compare it to other perms like the bricklay or helicopter, which offer different curl patterns and can suit various hair types and styles. Ultimately, spiral perms remain my favorite because they add a timeless, youthful look with curls that hold beautifully and feel natural.