Perms have come a long way from the tight curls I used to picture, and I’m especially fond of how a few face-framing layers can soften the shape and add movement around a round face.

The right mix of curl size, length, and layers can make a perm feel personal rather than overly set.

I’ve gathered styles with different moods, from loose and relaxed to a little more defined, so you can see how much variety there is beyond the classic perm image.

Short Curly Perm With Face-Framing Layers

A short, layered shape keeps these curls lifted at the crown while wispy pieces sweep across the forehead and cheek. The side fringe breaks up the outline around a round face, and the shorter nape gives the style a tidy finish.

I’d keep the curl pattern loose and touchable so the layers stay distinct rather than bunching into one shape. A little curl cream can help define the pieces around the face without weighing them down.

Tousled Chin-Length Perm With Face-Framing Layers

Loose curls give this chin-length bob a rounded shape, while longer pieces near the front soften the outline around the cheeks. The warm auburn color also picks out the bends in the perm, so the texture stays noticeable without looking too uniform.

For a round face, I’d keep the front layers loose rather than cut them into a short, blunt fringe. That leaves room to part the hair slightly off center and lets the curls fall at different lengths.

Wavy Shoulder-Length Layers With Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs blend into loose, shoulder-length layers, giving this cut a rounded shape with a slightly tousled finish. The lighter pieces around the front bring attention to the eyes without creating a heavy fringe.

I’d keep the waves relaxed so the layers don’t look too arranged. For a permed version, a loose curl pattern would suit the cut better than tight, uniform curls.

Long Layered Waves With Face-Framing Pieces

Long, loose waves give this hairstyle a relaxed shape, while lighter pieces around the front soften the transition from the part to the lengths. The subtle layers keep the hair from reading as one heavy curtain, a useful detail for a round face.

For a permed version, I’d keep the curl pattern loose and ask for the face-framing layers to blend into the rest of the hair. That way, the front pieces sit naturally rather than forming a separate, short layer.

Shoulder-Length Perm With Side-Swept Layers

Loose, defined curls give this shoulder-length cut a rounded shape, while longer layers sweep across the forehead and curve along the cheeks. The deep side part lifts the roots on one side and keeps the curls from forming a single wide shape around the face.

I’d keep the curl pattern relaxed rather than tightly set, so the layers stay distinct as they fall toward the shoulders. A dark brown base with subtle caramel pieces also helps show the bends in the curls.

Short Curly Perm With Side-Swept Layers

A short, rounded cut keeps these curls full around the sides, while the swept fringe breaks up the shape across the forehead. The layers around the cheeks help the curls fall in a more relaxed outline rather than forming one solid mass.

I’d keep the part slightly off center to let the fringe blend into the curls. This shape could suit someone who wants a lively perm at a manageable length, though naturally dense hair may need careful layering to keep the sides from feeling too bulky.

Long Shaggy Layers With a Loose Wave

Long, airy layers give this brunette hairstyle a full shape while keeping the ends loose and wispy. The long curtain fringe blends into shorter pieces around the cheeks, a nice way to keep the face-framing detail visible in a perm.

I’d keep the wave relaxed rather than tightly curled so the layers don’t bunch together. For a round face, those longer pieces can draw the eye down the sides of the face, while the lift at the crown keeps the silhouette from looking too wide.

Layered Copper Bob With Side-Swept Fringe

A chin-length bob with loose curls has a rounded shape, while shorter layers around the cheeks keep the ends from looking too bulky. The side-swept fringe blends into those pieces rather than forming a heavy line across the forehead.

For a permed version, I’d keep the curl pattern relaxed so the layers stay easy to see. The warm copper color also picks up the bends in the hair, though this shape can be adapted to other shades.

Loose Updo With Face-Framing Tendrils

A loose updo keeps the hair gathered at the back while a few long, wavy pieces fall around the cheeks. Those tendrils break up the shape around the face, which can be a nice detail to keep in mind when adapting a permed style for a round face.

I’d keep the curls relaxed rather than pinning every strand tightly in place. That lets the face-framing pieces sit naturally and gives the updo a softer outline.

Long Curly Perm With Loose Face-Framing Pieces

Long curls gathered into a high ponytail keep their fullness visible while a few loose tendrils curve along the cheeks and jaw. That softer outline is a nice option for a round face, especially if you want to keep your length rather than add a fringe.

I’d keep the curls loose and defined instead of pulling them too tight, so the face-framing pieces stay part of the shape. The dark brunette color also makes the curl pattern easy to see without distracting from the layers around the face.

Long Layered Perm With Face-Framing Pieces

Loose curls fall past the shoulders, while shorter pieces around the front soften the shape near the cheeks. The center part keeps the layers balanced, and the relaxed curl pattern gives this perm a natural, not-too-rounded silhouette.

For a round face, those longer front layers can help draw the eye downward rather than adding width at the cheeks. I’d keep the curl loose and defined like this so the layers stay visible instead of blending into one full shape.

Short Curly Perm With a Center Part

A rounded chin-length shape gives these tight curls plenty of presence, while short ringlets across the forehead break up the center part. The curls sit close around the cheeks, so the outline feels compact rather than wide and heavy.

For a round face, I’d keep the fringe pieces loose and separated instead of shaping them into a solid row. That little bit of space lets the curl pattern show through and keeps the front from feeling too dense.

Long Beachy Waves With Face-Framing Layers

Long, loose waves start below a center part, with lighter pieces around the face blending into the rest of the length. The relaxed texture keeps the shape from looking too uniform, while the layers let the front fall softly around the cheeks.

For a round face, I’d keep those shorter front pieces below the cheekbones so they connect naturally with the longer waves. A loose perm could give straight hair a similar texture, though the result will depend on your natural hair and the size of the rods.

Tousled Copper Waves With Short Fringe

A short, wispy fringe sits above loose, shoulder-length waves, giving this cut a relaxed, slightly shaggy outline. The face-framing layers blend into the waves rather than forming a sharp line, which helps the shape feel soft around the cheeks.

For a perm, I’d keep the curl pattern loose so the fringe and side pieces don’t feel disconnected from the rest of the hair. The copper color also makes the different bends in the waves easy to see.

Long Wavy Braid With Face-Framing Pieces

Loose waves and a relaxed side braid give this long style an easy, soft shape. The curled pieces left around the cheeks keep the front from looking pulled back too tightly, while the braid gathers most of the length to one side.

For a permed version, I’d keep the wave pattern loose so the braid stays supple rather than bulky. The face-framing layers can also be left out when you want the curls to show around the part.

Short Layered Perm With Sweeping Fringe

A chin-length cut with a softly stacked back keeps this perm rounded and full through the crown. Longer, side-swept layers curve across the forehead and blend into the pieces around the cheeks, giving the curls a clear direction.

I like the mix of a short neckline and longer front layers, since it keeps the shape from feeling too uniform. The loose curl pattern and subtle brown highlights also help the layers show through without making the style look overly set.

Tousled Layered Bob With Curtain Fringe

A tousled, chin-to-shoulder-length bob gets its shape from airy layers and a loose, natural wave. The longer fringe parts near the center and sweeps into the sides, keeping the front from feeling too heavy on a round face.

I’d keep the perm loose rather than tightly curled so the layers stay easy to see. The lighter pieces through the waves also help show off the cut’s uneven, textured ends.

Curly Updo With Wispy Bangs

The hair is gathered into a loose, curly updo, with short bangs and curled tendrils left around the face. Those fine pieces keep the shape from feeling too pulled back, while the pinned curls add height at the crown.

For a round face, I’d keep the tendrils light rather than letting them form wide curls at the cheeks. The updo also gives natural curls a polished option when you want them off your neck.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Which perm works best if I want my round face to look a little longer? A: Ask for loose waves with volume near the crown and longer layers that fall below your cheekbones. That keeps the shape from getting too wide at the sides.

Q: Will a perm make my hair look too full around my cheeks? A: It can if the curls are tight or cut to chin length. Longer face-framing layers and softer curls help keep the fullness from landing right at your cheeks.

Q: Can I get a perm if my hair is already colored? A: Often, yes, but coloring and perming can be rough on your hair when done close together. Tell your stylist what treatments you’ve had so they can check your hair’s condition and suggest safe timing.

Q: How should I style my perm on busy mornings? A: Scrunch in a little curl cream while your hair is damp, then let it air-dry or use a diffuser on low heat. Try not to brush it once it’s dry, since that can puff up the curls.