Growing out a perm can feel a little like having two hair textures negotiating for space.

I think the prettiest approach is to work with that contrast rather than fight it, using blended root transitions that help the new growth meet the curls more gently.

The right cut and shape can make the in-between stage feel intentional, while still giving your perm room to loosen over time.

I’ve gathered styles with different lengths and curl patterns, so you can spot ideas that feel like you, not like a waiting room for your next haircut.

Short Curly Pixie With a Longer Top

A short pixie keeps the sides and nape close while leaving the top long enough for defined curls to sit up and sweep forward. The darker roots blend into warm blonde highlights, so the growing-out texture feels like part of the shape rather than a separate phase.

I’d keep the curls loose and a little irregular instead of trying to make every ringlet match. That texture gives the longer top a natural outline, while the shorter sides keep the overall cut neat.

Curly Bob With Blended Highlights

Loose, chin-length curls give this bob a rounded shape, while the lighter pieces around the front pick out individual spirals. The darker roots blend into the highlights, so the color transition looks natural as a perm grows out.

I’d keep the part slightly off center to let the curls fall in different directions around the face. That variation helps the bob feel relaxed rather than overly uniform.

Shoulder-Length Waves With Blended Roots

A soft center part and loose waves shape this shoulder-length cut, while the longer layers keep the ends from looking too blunt. The darker roots blend gradually into blonde lengths, a useful color transition as a perm grows out.

I’d keep the waves relaxed rather than tightly curled so the root contrast and layered shape stay subtle. The face-framing pieces also help the style sit naturally as different textures grow in.

Long Layered Waves With Blended Roots

Long, loose layers keep these waves from forming a heavy shape at the ends. The darker roots blend into lighter brown highlights, which help show the curl pattern as it falls down the back.

For growing out a perm, this kind of layered length can make the change from curlier roots to looser ends feel less abrupt. I’d keep the layers soft and avoid taking too much length off, so the natural texture has room to settle as it grows.

Shoulder-Length Curly Layers With Blended Roots

Loose curls fall around the shoulders, with shorter pieces around the face and a gentle side part. The darker roots blend into warm brown and coppery ends, so the curl pattern stays the focus as the color shifts down the length.

For growing out a perm, this kind of layered shape can help the roots and curled lengths feel connected rather than sharply divided. I’d keep the layers soft, since too much removal around the crown can make curls spring up unevenly.

Curly Pixie With a Voluminous Top

The close-cropped nape keeps this curly pixie neat, while the longer top gathers into loose, defined curls. Lighter pieces through the brown hair help show the curl pattern and soften the transition from darker roots.

I’d keep the sides and neckline tidy as the curls grow, letting the top stay longer for a blended shape. The contrast between the short back and fuller crown also gives this cut a clear silhouette while growing out a perm.

Long Curly Layers With Blended Roots

Long, loose curls keep their shape through the lengths, while lighter pieces around the face break up the darker roots. That gradual color shift is a useful reference for growing out a perm, since it lets the root area blend into highlighted waves rather than creating a sharp line.

I’d keep the layers long so the curls stay substantial as they grow and change. A little extra definition around the front also helps the lighter pieces show through without needing a dramatic color update.

Layered Wavy Bob With Wispy Bangs

The shoulder-length layers keep the shape loose, while the wispy bangs blend into longer pieces around the face. Natural waves give the ends a slightly tousled finish, so the root transition feels gradual rather than sharply defined.

For growing out a perm, I’d keep the layers soft and avoid a blunt line that makes different textures more noticeable. The side-swept pieces also give you room to style the fringe away from your face as it grows.

Short Curly Pixie With a Tousled Top

Tight curls give this short pixie a rounded, airy shape, while the closely cut sides keep the outline neat. Lighter brown pieces through the top pick up the curl pattern and make the roots blend naturally as a perm grows out.

I’d keep the curls a little loose rather than shaping them into a uniform finish. That lets the changing texture near the roots feel like part of the cut as it grows.

Shaggy Shoulder-Length Curls With Side-Swept Bangs

A full, layered shape keeps these shoulder-length curls from looking too rounded, while the side-swept bangs blend into the pieces around the face. The darker roots transition into a warm auburn shade through the curls, making this a natural option for growing out a perm with a softer root line.

I’d keep the layers loose rather than sharply defined so the curls can settle into their own shape as they grow. A little lift at the roots helps the longer top blend with the rest of the style.

Short Curly Bob With Blonde Highlights

A chin-length curly bob has a rounded shape, with tight curls sitting close around the sides and nape. Lighter pieces through the curls make the dark roots noticeable, so this is a useful reference for growing out a perm with a blended transition.

I’d keep the cut fairly even at the ends so the curls hold their shape as they grow. The natural root color also makes regrowth feel like part of the overall color rather than a sharp line.

Long Wavy Layers With Blended Roots

Long layers keep these loose waves from forming a heavy shape, while the lighter pieces around the face help the hair fall naturally as it grows. The darker roots blend into warm brown lengths, so new growth can sit comfortably with the rest of the color.

For growing out a perm, I’d keep the layers long and let the natural texture guide the styling rather than trying to make every wave match. A little variation between the roots and ends can make the transition feel more relaxed.

Wavy Bob With Blended Roots and Curtain Fringe

The collarbone-length bob has loose waves, long face-framing layers, and a wispy fringe that parts softly across the forehead. Its darker roots blend into warm brown lengths, so it’s a natural option for growing out a perm without a stark line of regrowth.

I’d keep the layers long and the fringe light so the shape stays relaxed as the curls loosen. A little scrunching while the hair dries can bring out the wave pattern without making the ends look too set.

Curly Ponytail With Blended Blonde Roots

The loosely gathered ponytail keeps the natural curls together while leaving a few wavy pieces around the face. Darker roots blend into blonde lengths, so the growing-out color transition feels connected to the texture rather than sharply defined.

I’d keep the tie low and let the curls stay a little undone, since a very tight ponytail would hide much of their shape. It’s a simple way to wear longer permed hair while the roots continue to grow in.

Curly Shag With Wispy Curtain Bangs

Loose, shoulder-length curls give this shag a rounded shape, while the short, wispy fringe parts naturally across the forehead. The lighter pieces through the brown curls make the layers easier to see, including as the roots grow out.

I like that the fringe blends into the shorter pieces around the face, so it doesn’t look disconnected from the rest of the cut. That kind of layered shape can help a growing perm feel more intentional as curl patterns shift.

Long Curly Layers With a Half-Up Top Knot

Long, defined curls keep their length while lighter blonde ends blend into darker roots. Pulling the top section into a loose knot leaves the curls around the face and shoulders free, making this an easy way to wear grown-out roots without hiding them.

I like the relaxed shape here, especially how the loose tendrils keep the knot from looking too neat. It’s a useful option while a perm grows out, since the curls can stay loose and natural rather than needing to match perfectly from root to end.

Layered Curly Bob With Wispy Bangs

The shoulder-length curls sit in soft layers, with shorter pieces around the crown and cheeks giving the shape a slightly tousled finish. Wispy bangs blend into the front layers rather than forming a heavy line across the forehead.

For growing out a perm, this kind of layered shape can help new growth sit more naturally alongside the curl pattern through the lengths. I’d keep the fringe light and textured so it can blend into the rest of the hair as it grows.

Short Curly Updo With Blonde-Tipped Curls

The curls are gathered into a rounded updo at the back, while shorter tendrils stay loose around the hairline. Dark roots blend into warm blonde ends, giving the shape definition as the curls wrap around the updo.

For growing out a perm, I like this as a way to wear different lengths together rather than trying to make every curl match. The loose pieces can show off the natural texture around the face, while the gathered shape keeps the back looking tidy.

Shoulder-Length Curls With a Natural Gray Blend

The shoulder-length curls fall into a rounded shape, with shorter layers around the crown and face giving the hair plenty of curl definition. Silver strands are woven through the darker roots and lengths, making the transition from a previous color look gradual rather than stark.

I’d keep the part loose and let the curls sit naturally, since a very precise part can make root contrast more noticeable. This shape also gives growing curls room to settle without losing their overall outline.

Long Curly Layers With Blended Root Color

Long curls fall well past the shoulders here, with face-framing layers that keep the shape from feeling too heavy. The darker roots transition gradually into warm brown highlights, a useful approach for growing out a perm since the root line looks less stark.

I’d keep the layers long when blending a perm with straighter new growth, so the different textures can sit together without a sharp change in shape. A loose center part also lets the curls fall naturally on both sides.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does it take for the perm to grow out? A: You’ll see your natural roots as they grow, but the transition can take several months or longer depending on your hair length and how much you trim. Blended layers and loose styles can make the difference in texture feel less noticeable along the way.

Q: Can I use heat to blend my roots with the permed lengths? A: Yes, but use a heat protectant and keep the temperature moderate. A quick pass with a curling iron or diffuser can soften the contrast, though frequent heat styling may leave permed ends dry.

Q: Should I cut my hair while I’m growing out a perm? A: Regular small trims can remove dry ends and help the two textures sit together more naturally. You don’t have to go short all at once. Ask your stylist for layers that work with both your natural roots and the remaining curl.

Q: Can I get another perm while my old one is growing out? A: You can, but perming previously treated lengths may cause extra dryness or breakage. Talk with a stylist first, especially if your ends already feel rough or fragile.