The Modern Curly Shag with Cold Wave Perm
We are absolutely obsessing over our latest salon transformation right here in Melbourne! If you’ve been scrolling through your feeds looking for the ultimate 2026 hair inspiration, you already know that the beauty world is moving toward Natural Texture Celebration and Low-Maintenance Luxe.
Our gorgeous client came into the studio looking for a complete style upgrade—something with maximum texture, effortless bounce, and a bit of a rock ’n’ roll edge. The answer? A beautiful, customized Cold Wave perm paired perfectly with a trendy, modern shag. The results speak for themselves!
The Style Breakdown: Cold Wave Meets The Modern Shag
The Modern Curly Shag is the undisputed king of 2026 haircuts. It features intense, deliberate layering all over the head, focusing on adding volume at the crown while maintaining playful, face-framing pieces. It’s a major trend because it completely removes heavy, blocky bulk, allowing curls to spring forward and frame your natural features.
To achieve this texture from scratch, we utilized a Cold Wave Perm technique. Unlike hot perms, a cold wave perm is a classic method done on damp hair that creates incredibly defined, sculptural, and bouncy curls. It builds a beautiful, soft ‘S-shape’ pattern that looks wonderfully lived-in from the moment you step out of the chair.
✨ Stylist Secret: How to Keep Your Perm Bouncy & Hydrated
Want to know how our top stylists keep perm curls looking fresh and glossy instead of crunchy? It’s all about the post-salon routine. For 2026, the old school heavy gels are out, and soft touchability is in!
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Hydration First: Permed hair loves moisture. Swap to a hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner to keep your new curl pattern soft and resilient.
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The “Damp-to-Diffuse” Method: Apply a lightweight curl cream or leave-in conditioning spray while your hair is still damp.
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Embrace the Diffuser: Blow-dry your hair using a diffuser attachment on a low-heat setting. This encourages natural volume at the roots and locks in beautiful, frizz-free curl definition without disturbing the shag’s effortless shape.
Ready to Unleash Your Inner Cool Girl? 🪐
Whether you want to breathe new life into your natural waves or completely transform straight hair into a textured, low-maintenance dream, our talented team is ready to curate a look that is uniquely yours.
Let’s design a cut and texture that fits your lifestyle, hair type, and personality perfectly.
👉 Book your transformation at Assort Melbourne here! ✨
Location: 73/77 Wellington St, Collingwood VIC 3066
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