Whether you were keen on giving yourself a makeover or were just plain lazy with regards to styling your hair, you’ve taken the plunge and ended up with a Korean perm that oozes with versatility and style. Although Korean perm hairstyles for men in Singapore is nothing new, maintaining this new look can definitely be daunting for permed hair newbies! Here are some essential tips and tricks to ensure your locks stay curled and managed.
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Overview of tips to maintain a Korean perm for men in Singapore
| Tip | Details |
| Avoid immediate washing | Wait at least 48 hours to allow curls to settle and avoid stripping natural oils |
| Use gentle shampoo | Choose shampoos catered to permed or chemically treated hair to cleanse without damaging curls |
| Use conditioner | Apply conditioner after shampooing to moisturise and reduce frizz |
| Avoid combing/rubbing wet hair | Air-dry or gently blot with a microfiber towel to prevent frizz and breakage |
| Use diffuser attachment | Diffuse hair for faster drying and defined curls |
| Apply curl creams/leave-in conditioners | Use leave-in conditioners and curl creams for extra hydration and hold |
| Avoid caps/headphones | Avoid tight-fitting accessories for a few days to prevent disrupting curl pattern |
Essential tips to maintain your Korean perm at home for men in Singapore
1. Don’t immediately wet your hair
As tempting as it might be to wash your hair in the days after getting your perm, doing so can strip the chemicals and natural oils present! Not immediately washing your hair is important for maintaining Korean perm for men in Singapore, which requires you to pay extra attention within the first few days.
For starters, upon leaving the salon, hairdressers often recommend that you protect your hair from water for at least 48 hours to allow the curls to settle in. Also, make sure you avoid contact with chlorinated water – that means no swimming! Chlorine can dehydrate your hair by seeping into hair cuticles and prevent it from regaining its natural moisture.
2. Using the right shampoo for permed hair
Here are some perm-friendly shampoos to keep an eye out for! The KEVIN MURPHY ANGEL WASH (available on WOOSHOP Singapore) is supercharged with soothing ingredients like lavender extract, antioxidant-rich green tea, oat protein and tangerine oil that gently cleanses your scalp. Alternatively, consider the Pantene Pro-V Shampoo (available on P&G Official Store). The colour and perm lasting care variation target the restoration aspect as a new protective layer is generated around every strand of hair. This can work wonders if your hair is badly damaged by the chemical treatment!
3. Learning to use conditioners
Check out Grafen’s Cica Care Treatment (available on GRAFEN.kr) and HASK Curl Care Detangling Conditioner (available on Watsons Singapore Official Store)! Both conditioners counter the moisture stripping aspect of most shampoos and focus on moisturising the hair so it’s able to stay elastic and radiant. In fact, the HASK conditioner can even help to detangle those curls after showering which prevents further breakage and gives you frizz-free curls! Moreover, natural ingredients help protect the hair from exposure to parabens and silicone found in many shampoos. These conditioners guarantee you won’t have to worry about overall hair health, even after going for multiple sessions for Korean perm for men here in Singapore!
4. Avoid combing or towel-rubbing permed hair
You might naturally consider towel-rubbing and using a comb to detangle your wet hair. This is a sure-fire way to ruin your perm as the hair cuticles will be damaged and your hair can get frizzy from the friction. Trust the good ol’ air-drying method instead! It avoids ruining the perm’s curls and gets your hair dry without applied heat from any hairdryer. If you must speed up the air-drying process, switch to a microfibre towel (available on Jean Perry Official Store.SG) and use the blot and squeeze technique to dry your hair. Compared to regular bath towels, microfibre towels have a texture that’s comparable to silk. These fine fibres thus allow you to dry your permed hair without damaging them the way bath towels can.
5. Using diffuser attachments with your hairdryer
Tired of waiting for your Korean permed hair to naturally air dry in the Singapore heat? For guys with lengthier or thicker hair, consider investing in a diffuser nozzle instead! Diffuser attachments like this Laifen Swift Diffuser Nozzle (available on Laifen Singapore) are specifically designed to evenly spread airflow from hairdryers. With hot air being dispersed over a larger area as compared to a concentrated area, there’s less risk of hair frizz and you get naturally defined curls! This allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds as your hair dries faster without getting damaged by the extra heat.
6. Applying curl creams and leave-in conditioners
Curly hair requires extra hydration, especially if you get a Korean perm. To make them last in their best condition, try using leave-in conditioners. Compared to normal conditioners that would be washed out after your shower, leave-in conditioners are meant to be applied on damp hair to provide extra moisture to your strands even after your hair dries. We recommend using the Sheamoisture Strengthen & Restore Treatment Leave-In Conditioner (available on Unilever International) to soften and protect those strands in our humid weather!
For styling purposes, using curl creams like the DASHU Daily Volume Up Curl Cream (available on DASHU_official.sg) that brings extra hydration and maintains your waves throughout the day.
7. Avoid wearing caps or headphones
To make the most out of Korean perms for men in Singapore, we suggest not wearing any hair accessories like caps or even using headphones for at least a few days after your perm. Opt for an earpiece instead, so your hair’s curl pattern stays intact. Still unsure when you can start wearing caps? It never hurts to ask your hairdresser!
What is a Korean perm?
If you watch Korean dramas or have seen male K-pop idols like V from BTS, you’ll notice the subtle textured waves in their hair that gives them the “I woke up like this” look. According to popular Korean hair salon Kimage, the Korean perm creates effortless waves that look voluminous whilst looking natural and soft. Korean perms for men usually last about six months in Singapore. But it’s also largely dependent on how well it is taken care of.
Types of Korean perm hairstyles for males
But wait! Before you take a leap of faith and give yourself a new head of curls, get acquainted with the types of Korean perm hairstyles that are suitable for males in Singapore. This really depends on the type and length of your hair, and how tight you want your curls to be. Here’s some of the most popular Korean perm hairstyles for males in Singapore:
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As or S Perm
The As Perm or ‘S’ Perm is just as its name suggests – it creates short curtain bangs that frame the face, in a shape reminiscent of the letter ‘S’. Unlike the Parting Perm, the As Perm doesn’t expose as much of the forehead. This creates a more casual and summer-friendly look. Did you know that it’s also been dubbed the “boyfriend perm” in South Korea? It’s also suited for any hair type. This is one of the best perm hairstyles for males who want to impress the ladies in Singapore!
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Parting Perm
This perm became a big hit after Korean actor, Gong Yoo was spotted with it in the 2016 drama, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God. In fact, as he went on to promote the series on various red carpets, the Parting Perm quickly became popular for its dashing and polished look! This wavy, parted hairstyle has also been worn by heartthrobs like Thai actor Bright Vachirawit. However, this Korean perm hairstyle for males requires longer locks, which might feel warmer and uncomfortable in Singapore.
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Shadow Perm
If you’re looking for something that looks subtle but still textured, try the Shadow Perm. At first glance, they appear to be extremely natural. However, this Korean perm hairstyle for males actually comes in layers of soft curls, which is great for men in Singapore who want to be more lowkey with their makeover. Moreover, the Shadow perm is great for people who have thin hair or less hair density, as it can help create more volume!
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Perm with undercut
Want to look both effortless and edgy at the same time? The perm and undercut combo is here to bring you the best of both worlds! It’s a Korean perm hairstyle for males who want to give off a tousled and casual look, while looking polished and neat at the same time. However, with how textured it is, there’s a risk that our humid weather might ruin the definition of your curls. In fact, men with thin or fine hair should think twice before trying this. Your locks might not be able to hold the curls for long!
Making the most of your Korean perm for men
Congratulations, you’re now equipped with the knowledge of making Korean perm for men last! Now that you’ve successfully tried a new hairstyle, why not upgrade your wardrobe style too? Dress to impress with these guides on old money summer-style outfits and how to style oversized shirts! Build your #OOTD while being financially-savvy; snag amazing promotional deals on fashion items during our monthly sales!
This article was updated on 20 June 2024. Additional research done by Chari Deguzman.
