6 Best Types of Hair Perm for Different Face Shapes: Find Your Perfect Look

6 Best Types of Hair Perm for Different Face Shapes: Find Your Perfect Look

POSTED ON April 3, 2025

Hair perms are a timeless way to add volume, curls, and texture to your hair, but choosing the right perm isn’t just about style! It should also complement your face shape. The right perm can enhance your features, creating a more balanced and flattering look.

In this article, we’ll break down 6 different types of perms, how they work, and which face shapes they suit best. Whether you’re after soft waves, tight curls, or added volume, there’s a perm for you!

What Is a Hair Perm?

A perm (short for permanent wave) is a chemical treatment that reshapes the hair to create curls, waves, or volume that last for months. The result depends on the technique used, the size of the curling rods, and your natural hair texture.

Modern perms use various techniques like cold perms, digital perms, and root perms, each creating a different curl pattern and style.

How to Choose the Right Perm for Your Face Shape

Your face shape plays a crucial role in determining which perm style will look best on you. Here’s a quick guide:

Round Face → Opt for perms that add height and length to elongate your face.
Oval Face → Almost any perm works! Experiment with different curls and waves.
Square Face → Soften sharp angles with loose, flowing waves.
Heart-Shaped Face → Balance a wider forehead with curls that add volume near the jawline.
Long Face → Choose voluminous curls to add width and balance.

Now, let’s explore 6 of the best perm styles and which face shapes they flatter the most.

1. Body Wave Perm

✅ Best for: Oval, Square, and Heart-Shaped Faces
✔ Creates: Loose, natural-looking waves

A body wave perm uses large curling rods to create soft, subtle waves that add volume without looking overly curly. This style adds a natural, effortless texture and balances strong jawlines (square faces) while also adding fullness to the lower face (heart-shaped faces).

2. Spiral Perm

✅ Best for: Oval and Round Faces
✔ Creates: Tight, bouncy curls

A spiral perm uses long curling rods to create springy, defined curls with lots of volume and movement. These curls give the hair height and texture, which works well for round faces by elongating them and creating a more defined look.

3. Beach Wave Perm

✅ Best for: Round and Square Faces
✔ Creates: Loose, tousled waves for a casual look

A beach wave perm mimics natural, sun-kissed waves, giving you a carefree, relaxed style. It creates soft, loose waves that resemble the texture you might get after a day at the beach. This style softens strong jawlines (square faces) and adds texture and volume to round faces, making them appear less full.

4. Ceramic and Digital Perm - Most Popular ❤️

✅ Best for: Oval, Heart-Shaped Faces
✔ Creates: Soft, natural-looking curls with a modern touch

Both ceramic and digital perms use heat to create natural-looking waves and curls, but they differ in technique and results. A ceramic perm uses ceramic rods or plates, applying gentle, evenly distributed heat for smooth, shiny curls with less frizz. A digital perm, on the other hand, uses a combination of heat and chemicals to create more defined, longer-lasting curls.

Both perm styles are well-suited for oval and heart-shaped faces. For oval faces, the soft curls from either perm enhance the natural features without adding bulk. For heart-shaped faces, the volume added near the jawline helps balance the wider forehead, creating a flattering, harmonious look.

5. C-Curl and S-Curl Perm

✅ Best for: Heart and Oval Faces
✔ Creates: Soft, polished curls at the ends

C-Curl Perm: Adds inward or outward curls at the ends, giving your hair a sleek, defined look.
S-Curl Perm: Forms S-shaped waves, adding natural movement and volume.

Both styles help to frame heart-shaped faces and add volume near the jawline, which balances a wider forehead. They also provide softness to other face shapes, creating a gentle and feminine look.

6. Japan/Korea Perm - Most Recommended 👍

✅ Best for: Long and Square Faces
✔ Creates: Fuller, bouncier hair without tight curls, often associated with Japan-Korean hair trends

A volumizing perm focuses on adding lift and body rather than creating tight curls, giving hair a thicker, fuller appearance. This style is inspired by the popular Japan-Korean perm, known for its natural, soft volume and bounce. It helps add width and volume to long faces, making them appear more balanced and proportional. The gentle lift creates a light, airy texture without the need for tightly defined curls, making it perfect for those with fine or thin hair who are looking for extra bounce and fullness.

Perm Care Tips for Long-Lasting Curls

✔ Use sulfate-free shampoos – Protects your curls from dryness and frizz.
✔ Deep condition regularly – Keeps permed hair moisturized and healthy.
✔ Avoid excessive heat styling – Heat tools can weaken and loosen perm curls.
✔ Sleep on a silk pillowcase – Reduces frizz and prevents curls from flatteni

Book An Appointment

Honestly, with so many types of perms, and some even combining different techniques, it can be overwhelming to figure out the best one.

That’s why we recommend consulting with a professional stylist at our salon. The right perm style can enhance your face shape, adding balance, volume, and movement to your hair. Whether you prefer loose waves, tight curls, or extra root volume, there’s a perm technique that will work for you!

Ready for a hair transformation? Book a FREE consultation with us today, and let our expert stylists help you find the perfect perm for you!

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