Medium permed hair has such a lovely in-between feel.

You get enough length to play with, while soft body waves add movement without making every day feel like a full styling project.

I’m drawn to the modern versions because the waves can look loose and touchable rather than overly set.

The shape of the cut and the way the curls fall make a real difference, so I’ve gathered ideas with a few different moods and finishes.

Some feel relaxed, some a little more polished, and all give medium-length hair a fresh bit of bounce.

Medium Brunette Waves With a Deep Side Part

A deep side part gives these medium-length brunette waves an easy, swept-over shape. The loose bends start around the mid-lengths, while the layered ends keep the hair from sitting in one heavy block.

For a soft body-wave perm, I’d keep the curl pattern relaxed so the waves still feel natural around the face. The side-swept front can also be adjusted to suit your natural part.

Shoulder-Length Blonde Waves With Curtain Bangs

The shoulder-length cut has loose, body-wave curls and soft curtain pieces that part around the eyes. Subtle layers keep the ends from forming a blunt shape, while the darker roots give the blonde color a natural-looking transition.

I’d keep the waves relaxed rather than tightly defined so the face-framing pieces blend into the rest of the cut. This shape also works well with a side part if you want a little more lift at the roots.

Medium Perm With Loose Face-Framing Layers

Loose, irregular waves give this shoulder-length cut a relaxed shape, while the longer layers keep the ends from forming a heavy line. The off-center part and sweeping front pieces blend into the waves rather than sitting like a separate fringe.

I’d keep the finish a little tousled so the perm’s varied wave pattern stays visible. The ash-brown base and lighter ribbons also help show the layers through the sides.

Medium Perm With Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs blend into collarbone-length layers, giving these soft waves a relaxed, rounded shape. The warm auburn color also brings out the bends through the sides and ends.

I’d keep the finish a little loose rather than setting every curl in place. That lets the fringe sit naturally around the eyes and keeps the layered ends from looking too uniform.

Layered Blonde Bob With a Deep Side Part

A deep side part sweeps the bright blonde pieces across the crown, while the shoulder-grazing layers keep the bob from looking too blunt. Loose body waves bring out the contrast between the darker roots and lighter strands.

I’d keep the wave pattern relaxed so the ends still show the cut’s soft, layered shape. It’s a nice option if you want a medium perm with visible texture but no fringe.

Center-Parted Medium Waves With Face-Framing Layers

A center part and loose, shoulder-grazing waves give this medium cut a relaxed, balanced shape. The layers around the front blend into the length, while the softly curved ends keep the silhouette from looking too blunt.

For a perm, I’d keep the wave pattern loose so the layers still sit naturally around the cheeks and jaw. The brunette color also makes the gentle bends easy to see without taking attention away from the shape.

Medium-Length Brunette Waves With Face-Framing Highlights

A center part and long, softly layered waves shape this medium-length style, while lighter caramel pieces brighten the sections around the face. The loose, full waves give the ends a rounded silhouette without making the layers look choppy.

I’d keep the curl pattern relaxed so the highlights remain easy to see through the lengths. This shape could suit someone who wants a soft body-wave perm with a little extra brightness near the front.

Shoulder-Length Brunette Perm With Sunlit Highlights

Loose waves give this shoulder-length cut a relaxed shape, with longer pieces around the face and a softly layered outline. The lighter strands through the brunette base help show the bends in the hair without making the color look strongly contrasted.

I’d keep the part slightly off-center so the front pieces fall naturally across the forehead. This kind of loose perm works best when the wave pattern stays relaxed rather than tightly curled.

Tousled Medium Waves With Wispy Bangs

Wispy bangs and loose, shoulder-grazing layers give these medium waves a relaxed shape. The tousled texture keeps the ends from looking too blunt, while the shorter pieces around the face blend into the fringe.

I’d keep the waves loose rather than setting them into uniform curls, so the layers stay easy and piecey. A soft body-wave perm could offer a similar texture, though the fringe may need a quick touch-up to sit neatly.

Short Brunette Perm With Rounded Layers

The short, jaw-length bob has a rounded shape, with shorter layers at the nape and longer pieces around the sides. Loose brunette curls give the ends a full, tousled finish rather than a sharply defined outline.

I’d keep the part slightly off-center to let the front curls fall naturally around the face. This cut is a good option if you want a medium perm with a shorter neckline and plenty of curl through the sides.

Shoulder-Length Brunette Waves With Side-Swept Bangs

The side-swept fringe blends into loose, shoulder-length waves, giving this cut a gently layered shape around the cheeks. Fine lighter pieces through the brunette hair pick out the bends without making the color look overly striped.

I’d keep the wave pattern relaxed so the layers stay visible and the ends don’t bunch together. A loose perm could offer a similar shape, though the result will vary with your natural texture and hair density.

Medium Brunette Perm With a Twisted Half-Up Style

The medium-length brunette hair is gathered into a loose twist at the back, while curled pieces stay free around the face and shoulders. Those soft waves give the updo a relaxed shape that suits a perm, rather than pulling the hair into a tight, formal style.

I’d keep the front sections loose when trying this, since they show off the wave pattern and soften the pulled-back shape. A few warm highlights also help the twists and curls stand out.

Shoulder-Length Brunette Perm With a Deep Side Part

A deep side part gives these shoulder-length brunette waves a fuller shape on one side, while the loose curls keep the ends from looking too uniform. The layers begin around the face and blend into the rest of the cut.

I’d keep the curl pattern relaxed to preserve the easy, rounded silhouette. This shape could suit you if you want a perm with visible texture but not a tightly curled finish.

Collarbone-Length Blonde Waves With a Center Part

Loose waves give this collarbone-length cut a rounded shape, while shorter pieces around the front blend into the rest of the hair. The center part keeps the face-framing layers balanced on both sides.

I’d keep the finish a little tousled rather than setting every wave in place, so the ends stay relaxed. The pale blonde highlights also make the bends in the hair easier to see.

Medium Brunette Perm With a Low Ponytail

Loose, shoulder-length waves gather into a low ponytail, with a small section of hair wrapped around the tie for a neat finish. The warm brunette color has lighter pieces that stand out through the curls.

I like this relaxed way of wearing a perm because the waves stay visible while the hair is tied back. Leave a few face-framing pieces loose to keep the shape soft around the sides.

Shoulder-Length Brunette Perm With Loose Waves

Loose waves give this shoulder-length cut a relaxed shape, while the center part lets the curls fall evenly on either side. The lighter pieces through the ends pick up the bends, so the texture doesn’t read as one solid block of color.

I’d keep the curl pattern open rather than tightly set to preserve this soft, tousled finish. It’s a nice option if you want a medium perm with visible texture but still prefer a natural-looking outline.

Copper Medium Perm With Curtain Bangs

Curtain bangs sweep out from a soft center part, blending into shoulder-length layers that keep the shape airy around the cheeks and neck. Loose waves through the lengths give this copper perm a relaxed, tousled finish rather than a tight curl pattern.

I’d keep the ends a little undone so the layers don’t lose their natural shape. The warm copper color also makes the bends in the hair easy to see, especially around the fringe.

Shoulder-Length Brunette Waves With Wispy Curtain Bangs

Wispy fringe parts loosely near the center and blends into long, face-framing layers. The shoulder-length cut keeps its shape rounded, while loose waves give the ends a relaxed bend.

I’d keep the finish soft rather than making every wave uniform, so the layered shape stays light around the face. Warm highlights through the brunette base help the different lengths stand out.

Shoulder-Length Brunette Waves With a Center Part

A center part keeps these shoulder-length waves balanced, while the softly layered ends stop the shape from feeling heavy. The loose bends suit the relaxed body-wave look of a medium perm.

I’d keep the wave pattern broad rather than tightly curled so the ends stay easy and natural. A few subtle caramel pieces through the brunette hair bring out the texture without changing the overall low-key feel.

Layered Shoulder-Length Blonde Waves With a Side Part

A side part sweeps the longer front layers across the forehead, while the shoulder-length cut curves softly around the neck. Blonde highlights pick out the loose bends through the ends, giving this version of a medium perm a relaxed, airy shape.

I’d keep the finish soft rather than setting the waves too tightly, so the layers can fall naturally around the face. It’s a nice option if you want visible body without a uniform curl pattern.

Collarbone-Length Brunette Waves With a Center Part

A center part and loose, uneven waves give this collarbone-length cut a relaxed shape. Lighter strands around the face stand out against the brunette base, while the softly layered ends keep the bob from looking blunt.

For a medium perm, I’d keep the curl pattern open and varied so the hair still feels like these natural-looking waves. The face-framing pieces can be left a touch straighter for an easy contrast.

Shoulder-Length Brunette Waves With Wispy Bangs

Wispy bangs blend into shoulder-length layers, giving these brunette waves a relaxed, slightly undone shape. The loose bends start around the cheeks and continue through the ends, rather than forming tight, uniform curls.

I’d keep the finish soft and separated so the fringe doesn’t feel too heavy against the waves. This shape is a nice reference if you want a medium perm with visible texture but still want the length to sit around the shoulders.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does a soft body-wave perm usually last? A: Most perms keep their shape for a few months, though the wave may loosen gradually. Use a gentle routine and avoid frequent heat styling to help the texture stay soft.

Q: Can I get a body-wave perm if my hair is color-treated? A: Often, yes, but hair that’s heavily bleached or already fragile may not handle the chemical process well. Ask your stylist to check your hair’s condition and do a strand test before booking.

Q: How should I style medium permed hair in the morning? A: Smooth in a little leave-in conditioner or curl cream, then scrunch your hair while it’s damp. Let it air-dry, or use a diffuser on low heat if you’re short on time.

Q: Will a body-wave perm make my hair look much curlier than the photos? A: It should give you loose movement rather than tight curls, but your result can vary with your natural texture and the perm rods used. Bring a few reference photos and ask your stylist to choose a wave pattern that suits your hair.