CAROL'S
COLUMN

PERMANENT SOLUTIONS

As a natural curly-girlie myself I can't imagine why anyone would pay good money to go curly but what do I know? Having spent my childhood begging my mother to iron my hair under brown paper (not recommended!) and a fortune in my adult life on straightening products. I'd give anything for sleek, shiny straightness. But we're women - its our job to want what we haven't got, right! Anyway, according to hair designer Terrence Renati perms are back and have never been more versatile.

Perms have lost favour over recent years but new and improved methods promise that poodle - perms are a thing of the past,. The emphasis lately has been on colour and condition but stylists claim that advanced methods mean that all but the most fragile of hair can benefit from a perm. They claim it can enhance the texture and appearance of your style without sacrificing its condition or affecting its colour.

Before deciding on a perm though its vital to visit the salon to check your hair's condition. The stylist may recommend a good trim and a conditioning programme to follow for a few weeks to get your hair in tip-top condition. And remember, tight curls will make your hair appear shorter than it actually it so bear this in mind if your hair is already short.

Once you’ve had your perm its vital to follow a few simple rules to keep it looking its best, but this should take no longer than your usual routine.

1. However tempted you might be don't wash newly permed hair for at least 48 hours after processing. If you have a special occasion coming up try to have your perm done a few weeks before so that you're comfortable about managing it.
2. Always use perm-friendly shampoos and conditioners to prolong the life of your curls. There are plenty on the market - ask your stylist if she can recommend one.
3. After washing, detangle very gently with a smooth-ended wide tooth comb whilst your conditioner is on. Never, never brush wet hair, especially permed hair.
4. Wrap hair VERY LOOSELY in a towel to remove excess water before styling but DO NOT RUB.
5. If possible, leave hair to dry naturally for a while (indoors) then finish using a diffuser attachment. Tipping head upside down whilst drying will gift lift at the roots. If you have chosen spirals or ringlets don't disturb too much with your fingers whilst drying. If you want softer more subtle curls or waves tease your fingers very gently through hair during the last stages of drying.
6. If curls start to frizz during drying, gently work in some taming serum and continue on a really low setting.

When you visit your salon for your perm make sure your stylist is clear on what you're after. Do you want tight spirals or soft waves - maybe taken a picture to show what you'd like, it will make a difference to the size of perm-rod used. Also tell him/her what your future plans for your hair are, are your going to colour, cut or grow it - ask for advice on how to dress your new style for an alternative look. And if you do run into a problem with after-care, pick up the phone! Most stylists will offer advice over the phone on how best to look after your style. So go on, opt for a permanent solution and enjoys your curls!

Views & tips from your side of the counter........

ONCE IS ENOUGH

If I hear that saying one more time I'll scream! You know the one - "Its only this once", followed by a pathetic impression of Bambi thats fooling no-one, least of all hard-hearted cynical, clinical me! Okay, you’ve guessed it. I'm mad! Mad as in furious, livid seething! Actually, that’s an understatement. It would not take even the greenest of student psychologists long to diagnose that I have underlying homicidal tendency's, accompanied by elaborate, intricate fantasies of terrible torture. His torture, I mean I'm sure Freud would be in his element if he could analyse my present mood. Its not a pretty sight, let me tell you. That line they use in films 'You look great when you're angry" definitely does not apply to me. Then again, I don look half as bad as he looks in my imaginative fantasies. A shaved head, no ears and missing some of his more vital bits certainly does not suit him. However, the tattoo reading 'half-wit' on his forehead definitely does (Isn't the imagination a wonderful thing!)

I've always considered myself a very cool, calm and collected individual but there's only so much a girl can take. It's irrelevant really what the 'just the once' refers to - it’s the fact that the saying is highly over-used and wearing more than a little thin. Well, it is with me anyway.

The problem is I don't really have any counter attack. I can't think of a single thing that I want to do 'just this once'. Well, a date with Patrick Swayze maybe or a quick snog with Pierce Brosnan, but other than that - nothing. I never want to 'put in extra time at work, have an all-night Playstation tournament or go to a Status Quo concert . Maybe its time I did! Maybe its time I dug out the flares and 'just this once' went to an imitation Abba concert. I could organise an all-night nail painting marathon - just to catch up with all those 'mates' I've lived quite happily without for the last ten years. I could pretend to support Arsenal so I could spend the day in the pub, drinking beers and learning new words. Just the once, of course. Maybe I'll take an interest in boxing so that I can stay up till four in the morning to watch Tyson win in thirty seconds and practice some of the new words I learned in the pub!

Of course this minor domestic upset does give me some leverage with the hair-chopping argument. If I appear tomorrow with a Sinead O'Connor I don't think he'd dare utter. If I make an entrance looking like GI Jane I truly think he'd pretend not to notice, discretion being the better part of valour when you’ve had your manhood threatened with an eye-wateringly sharp bread knife!

And of course if he does grow a spine and brave a comment, I could easy say "Never Mind Love, its just this once!"