permanent wave

[/ˈpɜːrmənənt weɪv/]
nounpl: permanent waves
permanente
1. A chemical treatment applied to hair to create long-lasting waves or curls that remain in the hair until new hair grows
She got a permanent wave at the salon last week and her hair looks beautifully curled.
Ela fez uma permanente no salão semana passada e seu cabelo ficou lindamente ondulado.
2. The resulting wave or curl pattern produced by this chemical treatment
The permanent wave gave her straight hair a glamorous wavy texture.
A permanente deu ao seu cabelo liso uma textura ondulada glamourosa.
Permanent waves were extremely popular from the 1920s through the 1980s, particularly among women seeking glamorous, long-lasting curls. While less common today due to modern styling alternatives and concerns about hair damage, the treatment remains available in salons worldwide. In Brazil and Portuguese-speaking countries, 'permanente' is the standard beauty industry term. The treatment represents a significant investment in hair styling and maintenance, often associated with special occasions or personal grooming standards.
NYC Slang
perm
Synonyms / Sinônimos
permpermanentwave set
Antonyms / Antônimos
straightening treatmentrelaxer

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
permanente
Most common term used in salões de beleza across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
permanente
Standard usage; sometimes informally called 'perm'
São Paulo
permanente
Preferred professional term in salons
Portugal
permanente
Same usage as Brazil; also 'ondulação permanente' for formal contexts

Related Words

perm rodwave solutioncurlwave patternhair treatmentsaloncosmetology

Related Idioms & Phrases

get a permanent wave
have a permanent wave
permanent wave set
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