I went to a local hair salon on Wednesday (3rd Dec) to get a perm. I wanted the "curly blow" look, which I love. I'd showed the stylist a photo of how I wanted it to look when booking my appointment, and she'd quoted me a price of £48.

Long story short, the perm didn't "take". When I told her I couldn't see ANY curls, she assured me they were there. She trimmed the ends, (which she said had gone frizzy,) then quickly blow-dryed my hair, scrunching it up with a lot of products, (mousse, lots of hair-spray, etc.) which left it feeling like straw. She then told me not to wash it for "at least a week" as the perm was "still developing"!?

I left it for 52 hours before I had to wash all the gunk out. I used a mild shampoo for chemically treated hair, and conditioner, (as it was drier than normal, which I expected.) I gently afro-combed it while damp and left it to dry naturally. NO curls!

I went back to the salon. My stylist wasn't there, so I showed her friend my hair. First thing she said was, "You weren't supposed to wash it!" I didn't have any curls when I left the salon, I'm not going to magically develop some (without rollers!) by leaving it unwashed for a week!

But she took my contact details. (I haven't been 'phoned.)

I'm going back in later today. I want a refund as I haven't got the result that I paid for. Not even close! But I get the feeling they're going to try and blame me by saying I've washed the curls out!

She seems like a nice person, but what do I do if that's what she does?

Can any hairdressers please advise me? I've never been in this situation before. My hair is coloured, but in great condition and has always taken perms well.

Thank you very much for reading.

Name and shame if you don't get another perm or refund.

No professional advice by the looks of it. Google "perm did not take" and you will find many similar tales all with different causes and cures.

Don't think you need professional advice you paid for curls and you have not got any simple. Demand your money back.

I would ask for the type of products used and the type of method then you can google what to be expected.

As you say you showed a picture so there is no confusion about what you should be expecting.

If this was a Hair do for a Party you cant say you can wait for the curls to develop can you ?

I don't do perms myself so the process is not my thing, but i would ask for a refund or give them the opportunity to put it right.

Hairdressers if i'm correct do not need any type of qualification / certificate to cut hair. (now takes cover, I was told that a few years ago) so experience my be all they need to do it.

I've never heard of curls developing over a week! I'm not a hairdresser but I just don't believe the baloney you've been fed. I always thought it was the opposite and perms relaxed as time went by, not got curlier.

Maybe contact a hairdresser that has been in business for a long time and see what they have to say, then go back to the person who permed your hair armed with all the info and ask for your money back.


Just googled about perms and from what you've described, it would seem that the perm was over processed which would account for the lack of curls and very dry hair

Ask to speak to the person in charge of this salon.Tell her what your complaint is about.Get your money back ,dont get the perm done again if they offer.
She has made a cockup of your hair but wont admit it.
Then if you are a facebook member.Have a hunt on there for a decent hairdresser in your area.
Next step would look at there reviews on there.
keep us updated on this.would interesting to know the outcome.x

OK, so I went in today. She wasn't there, but I spoke to her on the 'phone.

She said she used a mild perming solution on me, and wanted to try again with a stronger one and tighter rollers. But I turned this down explaining I didn't want my hair to become over-processed, and with no guarantee of success. She then said she do a test strand, but I asked if I could just be refunded instead. She's said that's no problem. She was very apologetic about the whole thing.

So we've arranged to meet at the salon tomorrow, so she can take a look at my hair and give me my refund. I feel relieved... I thought I'd have a fight on my hands!

Thank you all very much for your support! I'll keep you posted.

I got a full refund. She examined my hair, to "check it's elasticity" and to make sure it's not damaged, (thankfully it's not.) And she apologised saying the perming solution must have been too mild for me, and that she should have used a "number 1".

Maybe if she had, I wouldn't have ended up with such a "number 2" result!

I'm disappointed that I didn't get what I paid for, and annoyed that I wasted my time, but I'm happy that I got my money back.

Thank you all again for your kind advice and support!

Good stuff.