It's finally happened - the perm is officially back.
It's a day we never thought we'd see (outside of 80s throwback movie nights and dubious themed costume parties) but it's 2018 and permed hair is most definitely having a moment.
Scared? You needn't be.
Despite previously only being acceptable in vintage photos of your mum wearing a shell suit and bafflingly large glasses, with a new wave of celeb perms comes a whole new 2018 take on the curly hairstyle.
Gone are the days of super tight ringlets, hair so frizzy you could basically see through it, and curls so set with hairspray even the news that Kylie just gave birth couldn't move it. These days, perms are all about the lazy girl curl that's effort free. Think Jaime King and Emma Stone and you've got the modern perm du jour.
The latest celeb way to wear it? The 80s prom permed updo.
Donned by everyone from Ashley Graham to J Lo, the curly quiffed chignon is making the rounds on the red carpet. You know the rules for the ultimate Jason Donovan mullet - business in the front, party in the back? Well, 2018's 80s hair is all about breaking the rules and doing the opposite.
Channelling major Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman vibes, Ashley Graham's AmfAR Gala updo was all about working a sleek and super neat chignon in the back, and a curly perm sideswept swoosh in the front.
Following suit, A-list hairstylist Chris Appleton created a similar look for J Lo that was more 80s glamour than Grace Jones wearing a Balmain power suit and hoop earrings so large you could wear them as bangles. Yup, it really was that glam.
Perms yes, but these were anything but frizzy mum hair. Gone are the frazzled ringlets of the 80s and in their place are waterfalls of glossy, defined curls, and classic French twists.
If the prom perm vibes are a little too on the nose for your chosen sartorial references, do as Olivia Culpo does and opt for a smooth version of the updo. Keep the side swoosh and voluminous chignon for a more subtle nod to the 'more is more' decade.
