The idea of a perm often brings to mind images of 80s frizz, but modern techniques have come a long way.
If you’re like me, the desire for effortless texture is sometimes mixed with a little hesitation, as the thought of a chemical treatment can feel like a big commitment.
But the right curl can completely transform a short cut without requiring hours of daily styling. So I’ve rounded up 40 pretty permed short hairstyles that pass the “chic” muster and will help you embrace the curl with confidence.
1. Short Spiral Permed Hair
While black hairstyles haven’t taken over this list, it’s certainly not because they lack style.
I mean, just look at this—it completely outperforms so many other looks. I’m calling it now: this side profile alone proves it’s a total winner.
2. Gray Pixie Permed Hair
This is exactly what I mean when I say short perms are a game-changer for seniors.
Just like this stunning model shows, rocking a gray permed look is totally possible and honestly? It’s beyond adorable.
3. Short Bleached Curly Permed Hair
If you tend to gravitate toward classic styles, this short permed look might just be your new go-to.
The curtain bangs really elevate the allure, making it a total no-brainer for anyone with brown locks.
4. Textured Permed Short Hair
Adding texture to a short perm might sound like a bit much in theory, but in practice? It’s effortlessly chic.
It looks incredibly lovely and serves as the perfect way to kick off our roundup.
5. Simple Centre-Parted Permed Hair
If you are committed to your middle part (we get it!), you don’t have to give it up to get a perm.
You might keep the roots a bit straighter, but honestly, who is analyzing your hair from above anyway?
6. Permed Coils for Older Women
Going ultra-short with your perm creates this chic, mini-pixie vibe that is just perfect for seniors.
Keep it brown and you’ve got one of the most endearing short hairstyles on this entire list.
7. Wavy Cropped Permed Hair
Curly perms seem to get all the love, but let’s not sleep on wavy perms—they are just as cute.
Even from this simple side angle without any major tweaks, you can tell it’s a winner; now just picture it styled with curtain bangs.
8. Chic and Simple Permed Hair
Getting a wavy perm on a cut that barely covers your head seems tricky, but this look proves it’s not only possible but totally amazing.
The simplicity here is almost more stunning than the structure itself, but you can decide for yourself.
9. Cado Cut Permed Hair
I might not know every technical detail about the Cado cut, but I know one thing: I love it.
It adds unparalleled bounce and volume, and if you wear it with a smile like this, you belong on this list.
10. Curl Bowl Cut and Baby Highlights
This look does a fantastic job of demonstrating just how good a perm can look.
Plus, those subtle highlights really work to elevate the charm without feeling out of place.
11. Blonde Permed Hair with Texture and Bangs
A textured permed bob might be the last thing you expected to find here, but it ended up being one of the cutest.
Between the gorgeous blonde hue and those flawless bangs, this style is a solid 10/10.
12. Beautiful Permed Hair with Messy Bangs
Brown perms seemed tough to beat, but I honestly haven’t seen anything quite this darling yet.
Those perfect curls pair so well with messy bangs to create a flawless vibe that really makes this look pop.
13. Double-Toned Permed Short Hair with Bangs
We’ve been seeing a lot of single colors, but what happens when you mix them?
Honestly, this looks even better than most ideas I’ve come across, and I’m sure those charming bangs are playing a huge part.
14. Classic Permed Short Hair for Older Women
Here is another lovely option for seniors wanting to give short perms a try.
It features a classic blonde shade with a cool part that gives the entire hairstyle a beautifully balanced finish.
15. Short Permed Hair with Undercut
The perm here works overtime to create an illusion of major volume, while the undercut brings the chic factor.
But personally? I’m more interested in that natural Mohawk vibe—it is truly outstanding.
16. Thick Gray Permed Hair
Just because the brunette styles look amazing doesn’t mean gray can’t look just as good—or even better.
I won’t say this one is definitely superior, but hey, I’m just the messenger; beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
17. Permed Hair with Bouncy Curls
The simplest way to get that bouncy texture we all love is with curls, and the easiest route to curls is a perm.
So, it’s really no surprise that this hairstyle is this adorable—it was destined to be.
18. Permed Short Hair for Thinner Hair
These might not be the most defined curls in this roundup, but that doesn’t make the look any less charming.
When you realize this is on a 70-year-old, you just appreciate the style that much more.
19. Shoulder-Length Chic Permed Hair
Honestly, who needs a center part when you can make a permed style look this cute without one?
As long as you wear it with a smile, you might just find yourself featured on a list like this.
20. Permed Short Hair for Thin Hair
One thing I absolutely adore about perming is how it breathes new life into thin hair that needs a boost—like this idea.
And when you add those bangs? It is impossible to resist.
21. Curly Hair and Fringe on Fine Hair
With the right definition, a curly fringe always seems to stand out, and it never fails to make the style instantly pop.
For this permed look, the fringe totally defines the vibe, and I am here for it.
22. Natural-Cut Permed Hair
“Permed” and “natural” might sound like a contradiction, but tell me a better way to describe this look.
It completely skips that synthetic vibe most permed styles have, which makes its uniqueness truly remarkable.
23. Cute Permed Short Hair for Women over 50
When we said “for all women,” you didn’t think we’d skip the seniors, did you?
If you thought short perms wouldn’t look amazing on older women, well, the joke is on you.
24. Silver Pixie Haircut
If you love pixies like many seniors do, this silver permed cut should be right up your alley.
It manages to be a pretty pixie, an adorable perm, and a striking gray style all wrapped into one.
25. Short Pixie Perm for Oval Face
We saw a short wavy perm earlier, so we know it’s possible, but here is another idea proving it works beautifully on black hair.
You might also notice it’s a pixie cut, like most of the short styles at this length.
26. Cute Permed Short Hair for Women over 70
At 70, hair often thins out, but somehow there is still room for a perm to shine.
This style might not look groundbreaking at first glance, but compare it to other looks for septuagenarians and you’ll realize its allure.
27. Blonde Curly Permed Hair with Curly Bangs
We’ve seen how much better a permed style gets with bangs, but this idea illustrates it perfectly.
I love how the curls create a busy texture, making for a totally charming hairstyle overall.
28. Gray Full Rounded Permed Hair
Here is yet another example proving you can make a permed style work as a senior.
I’m not usually a lover of short hairstyles, but when you present it like this, it’s really hard to say no.
29. Textured Permed Hair with Bangs
At this point, I seriously doubt there is anything you can’t make more alluring by adding bangs.
Here is a black textured perm looking twice as good just because of the tiny bangs; it is easily a 10/10 look.
30. Short Permed Hair with Cropped Fringe
This short permed hair is one heck of an adorable style, and that is not even a hot take.
When you throw in the impact of that essentially perfect cropped fringe, you understand exactly why this cut made our list.
31. Light Blonde Cropped Curly Hair
This short light blonde look creates a pixie-like vibe that highlights the promise of perms, and I am obsessed.
It also seems like it would work for guys, but too bad they aren’t here.
32. Classic Black Permed Hair with Permanent Curls
I can’t be the only one fascinated by the idea of perms on fine black hair.
They tend to look unique—the kind of unique that makes you wish for thin hair just so you can get this look.
33. Brunette Permed Curly Hair with Fringe
Gray isn’t the only outstanding color for short perms—not even close.
It might be the bangs, but I’m sure you’d agree this brunette permed style is in a league of its own: 10/10.
34. Spiral Perm Hair with Waves
This isn’t one of the shortest styles on the list, but it is way too cute to ignore.
If you already have brown hair and you’re looking to perm, this idea is a total no-brainer.
35. Classic Wavy Perm
If the wavy perm from the last look seemed okay to you, this one should look even better, especially if you’re a black hairstyle person.
It’s amazing how it just looks adorable in a totally different way.
36. Messy Permed Hair
This isn’t the messiest style I’ve seen today, but it is well into messy territory.
I think I love it more as brown permed hair than a messy perm, but different strokes for different folks, my dear.
37. Beachy Short-Permed Hair
This beachy perm is more wavy than curly, but it is undoubtedly a charming look nonetheless.
The blonde color is a proven classic, which partially explains why the overall style has a sort of 90s vibe to it.
38. Very Short Permed Hair
The whole idea of this compilation is to showcase the best permed short hairstyles, but if you average everything out, this is the look you get.
The brown hue is an acceptable middle ground between brown and blonde, and it is simple but alluring.
39. Shoulder-length Thick Hair with Curls
You can use your hair’s volume to your advantage when getting short perms, as thick curls tend to make the style look more enticing.
If I needed something casual for everyday wear on black hair, this would be my top choice.
40. Black Short Perm with Permanent Waves
Sometimes the best way to get a perm is to simply get the perm. This black idea, for example, shows you don’t need bells and whistles to make a statement.
Conclusion
Permed short hairstyles can look remarkable when done well, but doing it right requires a guide. You can see this compilation as your cheat sheet to show you what works, so you can model your style after them.