Phrases › At the Hairdresser › Vorrei fare la permanente.

Vorrei fare la permanente.

I'd like to get a perm.

Pronunciation

Stress 'per-ma-NEN-te'. Clear, evenly spaced syllables.

When to use it

Use this if you want a permanent wave treatment to add curls or waves to straight hair. Note that perms were very popular in Italy in the 1980s and are making a comeback.

What it means

'Permanente' (short for 'ondulazione permanente') = perm. It's both an adjective meaning permanent and a noun for the treatment. 'Fare la permanente' = to get a perm. Modern perms are gentler than 1980s versions: 'permanente morbida' (soft wave perm).

Variations

Voglio dei ricci naturali.

I want natural curls.

Stating the desired outcome.

Voglio le onde, non i ricci stretti.

I want waves, not tight curls.

Specifying the curl type.

Quanto dura la permanente?

How long does a perm last?

Asking about longevity.

Mini Dialogue

— Vorrei fare la permanente. Ho i capelli troppo lisci. — Che tipo di ricci vuole? Morbidi o definiti? — Morbidi, naturali. — Perfetto. Le faccio una permanente leggera. Durerà circa sei mesi.

— I'd like to get a perm. My hair is too straight. — What type of curls do you want? Soft or defined? — Soft, natural. — Perfect. I'll give you a light perm. It'll last about six months.

Cultural Note

The perm ('permanente') was the defining hair treatment of Italian 1980s culture. Stars like Raffaella Carrà and Loredana Berté made big curly hair iconic in Italy. After years of being out of fashion, 'ondulazione' (soft wave perms) are making a strong return in Italian salons, marketed as 'permanente 2.0'.

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Vorrei farmi la frangia.

I miei capelli si stanno diradando.

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