A blowout that lasts three months? Hello to semipermanent waves

Fierce blowouts -- straightened hair that has been hot-curled into gentle waves -- are the reason women hightail it to the salon once, sometimes twice, a week, and especially before special occasions. But what if you could get the same look and forfeit those salon trips for up to three months?

The trendlet

Semipermanent-curl processes are the latest hair phenom to give women the just-left-the-salon look every day. Think of it as a Keratin treatment, but instead of bone-straight hair, ends are curled into a bouncing and behaving style.

Where does it come from?

The modern-day semipermanent treatment has its roots in the old-school ’80s curly perm. (My, haven’t we come a long way?)

In 2012, celebrity stylist Nick Arrojo developed the American Wave. However, instead of the harsh ammonia scent associated with perms, Arrojo’s solution smelled like eucalyptus. Back then, stylists were partial to the small-curl look. But these days, it’s all about soft, Kardashian waves.

The popular “beach wave” hairstyle. (Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)

Whether using American Wave, Digital Perm or a process by L‘Oreal, the steps are the same. A certified stylist applies a solution on washed tresses. Then she rolls the hair using big curlers for soft, full-bodied waves or smaller ones for tighter curls.

After about 20 minutes, the rollers are removed and the hair is finger-combed into a style.

This year, the semipermanent curls had a bit of a resurgence when Allure magazine reported that Dancing with the Stars’ Julianne Hough used Olaplex Bond Multiplier No. 1 to achieve her effortless, beach-wave look.

Those who want to forgo salon trips should expect to spend $400 and three hours. If you typically go twice a week for a blowout and pay an average of $35 a trip, that’s about $840 over three months. Compare to semipermanent, and you’ve got about a $440 savings.

(Tribune Content Agency)

By Elizabeth Wellington

The Philadelphia Inquirer