Perm? Yes, We Perm.

Perm? Yes, We Perm.

The modern men's perm has nothing to do with the 1980s. It's texture, movement and volume that looks like you woke up with it — and it's the fastest-growing thing we do in the shop. Straight hair that won't hold a style becomes hair that styles itself. Here's the whole guide: what the perms are called, how the appointment actually goes, and how to live with one afterwards.

Before and after, from our chair

Same client, same day, one perm. Flat, straight hair on the left — movement, volume and shape on the right. No filters, just the wall of the shop.

Watch the reveal

The perm reveal — filmed in the shop

Pick your perm

Soft perm (loose wave) — subtle waves, not curls. The "is that natural?" perm: it adds movement and body without announcing itself, and it's the easiest one to live with. If it's your first perm, or your hair is straight and flat and you just want it to do something, start here.

Korean perm — structured volume with direction; the K-drama look. The curl is set to push the hair up and forward, so the style holds its shape all day instead of collapsing by lunchtime. Made for dense, straight hair that shrugs off every product you've tried.

Wolf cut perm — the shaggy, layered cut everyone's searching this year, with the texture built in. The perm does the work the blow-dryer used to: the layers separate and move on their own. If you want the rockstar version of curly, this is it.

Down perm — the opposite trick: instead of adding curl, it relaxes puffy sides so the cut sits close and clean against the head. Quick, subtle, and the reason some of the sharpest heads you've seen look that tidy. Ask us if your sides fight you.

Textured crop perm — short on the sides, permed on top. You keep your fade or taper exactly as tight as you like it; the perm lives only in the top few inches. Maximum texture, minimum morning effort — a few seconds of styling cream and you're out the door.

How the appointment goes

First, the consultation — we look at your hair's condition, your cut and how you actually live, and tell you honestly which perm fits (and if your hair isn't ready for one yet, we tell you that too, and get it healthy first). Then the hair is wrapped section by section on rods sized to the curl you chose, the setting lotion goes on, and it does its work while you sit back. Rinse, neutralize, and finish with the cut that shapes it. Plan for a couple of hours in the chair — in exchange, the style lasts for months.

Living with your perm

The first 48 hours: leave it alone — no washing, no tight hats, let the curl settle. After that, it's the easiest hair you've ever had: wash with a gentle shampoo, keep a little conditioner in your routine so the curl stays soft and healthy, and style with sea-salt spray or a light cream on damp hair. Air dry, done. When it looks flat mid-day, a splash of water brings the curl right back.

The questions everyone asks

How long does it last? Three to six months, fading out gradually — no harsh grow-out line. Most people re-perm two or three times a year.

Will it wreck my hair? Modern formulas are far gentler than the old ones — and we check your hair first. If it's not ready, we'll tell you honestly and get it ready before we perm it.

Does my hair need to be long? No — a few inches on top is enough for a textured crop. The looser the wave you want, the more length it needs; we'll tell you exactly where your hair is in the consultation.

Can I keep my fade? Yes. Perm on top, tight sides — they work together. The perm is applied only where the curl goes.

How do I maintain it? Barely. Sea-salt spray or a light cream, air dry, done. That's the point.

The perm chair at Land of Barbers belongs to Joe — every wave on this page is his work. Consultation first, always: he reads your hair, your face shape and your patience level, and tells you which perm is actually yours.

Where

Land of Barbers, 146 Franklin Street, Greenpoint, Brooklyn — minutes from Williamsburg. Soft perms, Korean perms, wolf cut perms, down perms and textured crops — eleven years on Franklin Street.