Step Back in Time with This Iconic Beauty Tool!
August 6, 2024
Source: Reddit
Do you recall the gentle sound of the hairdryer and the expectation of owning beautiful curls worn in the hair? I used to watch my grandmother curl her hair with those vibrant plastic rollers in the kitchen as if it were a salon. The aroma of hair setting lotion has not been forgotten to this date; the chemical smell with a touch of lavender conditioner, which was to give one a new look to complement the new confidence.
Perm rods or commonly referred to as hair curlers have been used in beauty regimes for many years. Although curling hair has been practiced for many years, it is the modern perm rods that gained much fame in the middle of the twentieth century. These were small, clamp like plastic bars that were used to set curls and waves in the hair depending on the preference of the user. These were a means of women getting salon like hair styles from the comfort of their homes; it was proof of the ‘do it yourself’ era.
These came in different sizes and colors and these rods were used to create different types of curls. The smaller rods were ideal for the tight and bouncy curls, on the other hand the larger rods gave a smooth and elegant waves. For the perm, parts of hair were wrapped onto the rods and a chemical solution was put on the hair before it was left to set to give curls. It was an activity that demanded time and accuracy, usually done by a group of people who could be friends, or relatives during beauty treatment.
During the 50s and the 60s, the perm then became famous and represented the fashion and the womanhood. It was influenced by the societal changes since women wanted to be unique and adapt to the new fashion trends. Perm rods were relatively affordable and versatile; they enabled women from various classes to play around with their hair, which was not possible with the previously mentioned hairstyles. This was a time of liberation, especially for the youth, and hair stood as one of the most important aspects of individual’s image.
The perm rods were not just styling tools; they were the mirrors of social change. The perm became fashionable at the same time as the appearance of youth subculture, the impact of cinema, and the development of the beauty business. Curtains like those of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn, girls wanted to have such curls that were fashionable in those days. Curling hair thus changed from being a way of styling hair to a way of tending to one’s hair and asserting one’s self.
Reminiscing the good old days I can still picture the women talking and giggling as they sat in the saloon waiting for their hair to dry. What makes these memories so comforting to so many of us is the feeling that life was once simpler, and people closer. Perm rods with their bright plastic and the guarantee to change one’s hair are just a part of this depiction of the past.
Over the years the tools and methods of hair styling have advanced but the satisfaction of designing a perfect curl is the same. Today, there are more effective and quicker methods; however, the craze for the traditional perm rods still exists. They speak of the days when every woman used to look forward to getting a new look with the same excitement as one gets with the new movies.
Picture entering a room where there is the smell of setting lotion, and the only sound is the whirring of a hairdryer. There is a certain energy in the room as women of different ages hold plastic rods of different colors in their hair, waiting for the time when they can release their new curls. This scene is similar to one that was once common and speaks to the beauty practices that united people and created precious moments.
Thus, returning to the seemingly simple object like the perm rod, we cherish not only a piece of beauty equipment but also a piece of the history of change and freedom. Therefore, the next time you find those curlers that you used in the past, it is essential to look back at how they were and the good memories that they bring.