Modern perms for men: How to get the perfect tousled texture
Natural-looking curls and waves are one of the biggest hair trends of 2026 for men.
Those of us old enough to remember the first time perms became fashionable may be alarmed to hear that permanent hair curling treatments for men are back. But, fear not, the 1980s ‘poodle perm’ has been consigned to the history books in favour of a much more subtle approach.
“Men are realising a perm isn’t ‘80s hair’ – it’s a tool for modern grooming,” says Hayley Kemm, men’s hair expert at Paul Edmonds London. “Old perms created curls. Modern perms create shape, movement, and style. They’re designed to complement the haircut and face shape.”
You might also be surprised to learn how many men nowadays are getting what’s called an ‘invisible perm,’ a treatment tailored to their hair type which “can create a really natural look without it looking like it’s been permed,” Hayley says. Think ‘I woke up like this’ tousled texture and just the right amount of volume for an effortlessly cool vibe a la Paul Mescal’s mullet or Timothée Chalamet’s floppiest mop.
“Very undone, hot, sexy,” is how artistic director Zoe Rodgers – the salon’s resident perm expert – describes the 2026 perm trend for men. “I do a lot of perms for men, and they want it to look as natural as possible.”
So if you want to look hot and sexy (and, really, who doesn’t?), should you consider getting a perm? Here, the team explain everything you need to know about modern perms for men…
WHAT DEFINES A MODERN PERM FOR MEN?
Unlike traditional perms from the 1970s and 80s, which were designed to create defined curls, modern perms are focused on adding soft texture and waves.
“Old perms were about tight, uniform curls with an overly rounded shape to the hair,” Hayley says. “We used small curling rods and a strong perm solution, whereas perms now create a customised texture rather than tight curls. We use larger rods or a mixture of sizes to replicate natural movement.”
It also helps that the chemicals used in the modern perm process are less harsh, Zoe says. “They're a lot softer on the hair and less likely to make it frizzy. Plus, we now have a protective cream we can put on any damaged bits whilst doing a perm.”
WHAT KIND OF PERMS ARE ON TREND FOR MEN IN 2026?
Celebrities are hugely influential in terms of perm trends for men in 2026. From musicians to movie stars, these famous guys all have the kind of hair that can be created with the invisible perm technique.
First up, K-pop stars such as BTS – who feature on the March cover of British GQ – have made 90s-style boyband hair cool again.
“Curtain bangs are a popular look with a lot of male influencers,” Zoe says. “They may have naturally very straight hair, but they want the boyband look – a curtain bang with a kink.” Hayley refers to this as the Korean wave perm, which creates a soft S-shape.
Actors like Dev Patel and Timothée Chalamet are often cited as inspiration for “controlled texture with shape,” Hayley says. “Perms have become more versatile, and a lot of guys want that textured look.”
The mullet is still going strong, too, as seen on actor Paul Mescal and rapper Jack Harlow, which Hayley describes as relaxed curls with volume. “We might do a root perm for more lift, a spiral perm for defined curls, or a texture perm for messy movement. These looks appear really effortless to the eye.”
There’s also the ‘partial perm,’ which involves only treating some of the strands, Zoe explains. “Some clients’ hair texture is uneven. They may have curly hair at the top and straight underneath or vice versa, so then I would advise a perm on the bits that need to match the rest of the hair.”
Another option is ‘texture mapping,’ which means looking at the wave pattern in one part of the hair and recreating it throughout, she says. “You use the existing wave pattern as a guide, but you still vary the waves around the head so it won’t look like an obvious perm.”
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE GETTING A PERM?
Before getting a perm, it’s important to understand how the process, which takes around one to two hours, can impact your hair.
“Because you wind the hair on a roller, then put the perm solution on, it molecularly changes the structure of the strand,” Zoe says. “Then the next step, the neutraliser, sets the shape so it lasts until the hair grows out.”
However, frequent washing, especially in the first couple of weeks after the perm, can loosen the waves, which is why Zoe always asks about a client’s lifestyle during a perm consultation. “I ask if they swim or wash their hair a lot, if they’ve had a perm before, and if they know how to look after it. Then we talk about how wavy they want it, and hopefully they'll show me inspiration pictures.”
An allergy test isn’t necessary for a perm, but people with bleached or coloured hair can’t have perms, Zoe says. “It's not advisable because that's two chemical services, so the hair would go really dry and frizzy. If a client’s hair is naturally very dry, I wouldn't advise it either.”
On the other hand, a perm can actually help to control frizz, because it uses the same chemical process as a straightening treatment, but with rollers. “I would advise somebody with naturally slightly frizzy hair to have a soft perm. Putting a larger roller through slightly frizzier textured hair will change the structure to make it softer and more manageable.”
As for when to get your hair cut alongside a perm, Zoe says there’s no hard and fast rule. “It could be before, it could be after, or it could be a week later. Sometimes I say to clients, ‘See how you feel. Give it a few weeks, then if you want it shaped, come back in.”
HOW SHOULD YOU STYLE A MODERN PERM FOR MEN?
The right washing and styling products are key after a perm to ensure your hair is perfectly groomed, whatever the texture.
“You don't necessarily need to use a curling shampoo or conditioner because some might be for frizzy hair, and that could weigh the perm down,” Zoe says. “If the client has fine hair, I would still recommend a shampoo for finer hair followed by Shu Uemura Tsuki Shape or Izumi Tonic spray for extra thickness.”
Hayley is a big fan of Kevin Murphy’s styling creams for men’s hair: Killer.Curls is for thicker hair and lightweight Killer.Twirls is for “an air-dried look” on finer hair types. She also recommends Oribe Curl Shaping Mousse. “All should be applied to wet hair. Some clients like to leave their hair to air-dry, some like to blow dry with the diffuser. Everyone is different in their approach."
If your hair needs a bit of extra taming or definition, finish with a few spritzes of Oway Sea Salt Spray or by rubbing a small amount of Oway Bungee Fibre between your palms and using it to shape your style.
Why Paul Edmonds London is the best salon for a modern men’s perm
It takes a skilled hairdresser to create that perfectly tousled texture on men’s hair using the invisible perm technique, and with decades of experience under her belt, our resident perm specialist Zoe is second to none.
From S-wave perms to texture mapping, Zoe knows how to create cool, natural-looking waves expertly tailored to each client.
Want to make tousled texture a permanent fixture? Book a perm consultation with Zoe at Paul Edmonds London.
