Decades of observation have taught us that what once fades can just as certainly reemerge, often without our consent. Consider the resurgence of the once-contentious trend of slim denim jeans, or the seemingly harmless return of grandmother-endorsed makeup items like baby-pink blush or earthy brown mascara. Regardless of your stance, trends are making a significant comeback in 2025, and the hair scene is no exception.
Take, for instance, the 1980s hairstyle that’s been slowly creeping back into the spotlight, threatening to bring forth nightmarish flashbacks of past hair salon misadventures and temporary texture experiments: perms. Thankfully, it seems the perm’s reign of terror may not be making a comeback after all.
Perms have now become a part of pop culture lore, a punchline for those who remember the 1980s proms. Although more contemporary, less intense versions of the perm have occasionally made their way into hair salons in recent years, the extreme perms of yesteryear are still avoiding us, and we’re hopeful they continue to do so, for the sake of society and our hair’s health.
The perm machine was first invented in the early 1900s, and the perm machines of the 1930s were akin to an over-the-top medieval contraption. They were commonly used to achieve the curly short bob that was all the rage during that era.
Salon chemical “permanents” became a widespread hair fashion about half a century ago, reaching its zenith in the 1980s, alongside lavender eye shadow, shoulder pads, and the iconic hammer pants. The resulting coiffure was a voluminous, fluffy mane of tight, spiral curls that were often teased to dramatic effect.
Once professionally applied, perms typically lasted between three to six months, requiring a certain level of dedication to maintain the style. The trend endured through the 1990s, mimicking Elizabeth Berkley’s iconic ‘Saved by the Bell’ look and Julia Roberts’ natural, wild curls, and even into the early 2000s, where it was highlighted in Reese Witherspoon’s “Legally Blonde” courtroom scene.
More recently, pop culture has brought the perm hairstyle back into the limelight, but for specific, trendy reasons. Gen Z teen boys have been opting for loose, large-barrel perms to achieve a voluminous, wavy short hairstyle, while adventurous women have been requesting similar, looser perms for a beachy wave look or a convincing curly hair illusion. Thankfully, none of these styles resemble the dreaded 1980s perm, suggesting we are in the clear from its chemical-laden, fluffy grip. For now, at least.
