Definition
Short for permanent wave; a chemical hair treatment that uses heat and chemical solutions to create long-lasting curls or waves in naturally straight hair. Perms were especially popular in the 1980s and 1990s as a way to achieve voluminous, curly styles.
Example Usage
My mom got a perm at the salon and kept that style for years.
Origin
The permanent wave was invented in the early 1900s in Europe, but became a mainstream beauty standard in the mid-20th century and peaked in popularity during the '80s and '90s.
Fun Fact
While perms fell out of fashion for much of the 2000s, they have experienced a modest revival in the 2020s, particularly among younger people embracing retro aesthetics.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
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