Broccoli Haircut for Straight Hair: Everything You Need to Know About Getting a Perm
Got straight hair but want the broccoli cut? Here's your complete guide to getting a perm, what to expect, costs, maintenance, and whether it's worth the commitment.
You've seen the broccoli haircut everywhere. TikTok. Instagram. Every guy at the gym. And you want it.
There's just one problem: your hair is straight as a board.
Here's the reality. The broccoli cut is defined by voluminous curls on top. Without curls, you can't get the look. But straight hair doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. With a perm, you can achieve the exact same style as guys with naturally curly hair.
This guide covers everything you need to know about getting a broccoli haircut with straight hair. The process. The costs. The maintenance. And whether it's actually worth it.
Can You Get a Broccoli Haircut with Straight Hair?
Yes. But not without chemical help.
The broccoli haircut's signature look comes from tight curls or waves piled on top of faded sides. That floret silhouette everyone talks about? It's created by the volume and texture of curly hair springing upward.
Straight hair lies flat. It doesn't have the structure to hold the rounded, bushy shape that defines the style. No amount of product, blow-drying, or styling technique will make straight hair behave like curly hair.
You need a perm.
A perm chemically restructures your hair to hold a curl pattern. Once permed, your straight hair will behave like naturally curly hair. It will hold the broccoli cut shape. It will respond to curl products. It will give you that TikTok-ready look.
What Is a Perm and How Does It Work?
A perm (short for "permanent wave") uses chemicals to break and reform the bonds in your hair, reshaping it into a new pattern. This is also known as a zoomer perm in Gen Z circles.
Here's the basic process:
Step 1: Hair preparation. Your stylist wraps sections of your hair around rods of various sizes. The rod diameter determines how tight your curls will be. Smaller rods create tighter curls; larger rods create looser waves.
Step 2: Chemical application. A perming solution (usually containing ammonium thioglycolate) is applied. This breaks the disulfide bonds in your hair that give it its natural shape.
Step 3: Processing time. The solution sits on your hair for a specific amount of time, usually 15-30 minutes. This is carefully monitored to avoid damage.
Step 4: Neutralizing. A neutralizer is applied to reform the bonds in their new, curled position. This locks in the curl pattern.
Step 5: Rinse and style. The hair is rinsed, the rods are removed, and you have curls.
The whole process takes 2-4 hours depending on your hair length and the style you're going for.
Types of Perms for the Broccoli Cut
Not all perms are created equal. For the broccoli haircut specifically, you'll want to discuss these options with your stylist:
Cold Perm (Traditional)
The most common type. Uses ammonium thioglycolate at room temperature. Creates defined, springy curls that look tighter when dry than when wet.
Best for: Achieving the classic tight-curled broccoli look.
Digital Perm (Hot Perm)
Uses heat along with chemicals to create curls. The curls are looser when dry and more defined when wet. Less common in Western salons but popular in Asia.
Best for: A softer, more natural-looking wave pattern. Less "floret-like" than the cold perm.
Spiral Perm
Hair is wrapped vertically around long rods, creating corkscrew curls that hang down rather than spring up.
Best for: Longer broccoli cuts with more dramatic curl definition.
For the true broccoli haircut look, most stylists recommend a cold perm with medium-sized rods on the top section only. You don't need to perm the sides if they'll be faded anyway.
Finding the Right Stylist
This is critical. A perm is only as good as the person doing it.
Look for:
Experience with men's perms. Women's perms are more common. You want someone who understands the broccoli cut specifically and has done similar styles before.
A portfolio. Ask to see before-and-after photos of their work, especially on straight-haired clients.
Consultation willingness. A good stylist will discuss your hair type, the look you want, and any concerns before booking the appointment.
Honest feedback. If your hair is too short, too damaged, or otherwise unsuitable for a perm, a good stylist will tell you.
Avoid any salon that:
- Won't show you examples of their perm work
- Rushes through the consultation
- Doesn't ask about your hair history (previous chemical treatments, etc.)
- Quotes significantly below market rate
Cheap perms often mean inexperienced technicians or corner-cutting on products. You don't want to learn this lesson on your head.
The Appointment: What to Expect
Here's a typical timeline for a broccoli cut perm:
Arrive with clean, dry hair. Don't use any product that morning.
Consultation (15-30 minutes). Your stylist confirms the look, selects rod sizes, and examines your hair's current condition.
Cutting (if needed). Many stylists prefer to cut your hair first to the right length, then perm. Others perm first and cut after. Both approaches work.
Rod wrapping (30-60 minutes). Each section of hair is carefully wrapped around rods.
Chemical processing (20-45 minutes). The perming solution is applied and timed precisely.
Neutralizing (10-15 minutes). The neutralizer locks in your new curls.
Rinse and style (20-30 minutes). Rods are removed, hair is rinsed, and your stylist may apply initial styling products.
Total time: 2-4 hours. Bring headphones or a book.
Immediately After: The First 48 Hours
The first 48 hours after a perm are crucial. Your curls are still setting.
Do not:
- Wash your hair
- Get your hair wet at all
- Brush or comb your hair
- Put it in a ponytail or hat
- Use any styling products
- Touch it excessively
Do:
- Let it air dry naturally
- Sleep on a silk pillowcase if you have one
- Accept that it might look wild for a couple days
Your hair will look tighter and more defined immediately after the perm. It will relax slightly over the next few days into its final curl pattern. Don't panic if it looks too curly at first.
Costs: What to Budget
Perm pricing varies significantly by location and salon type.
Initial perm:
- Budget salons: $60-100
- Mid-range salons: $100-150
- High-end salons: $150-250+
Maintenance perms (every 3-6 months):
- Usually 10-20% less than the initial perm
- Some salons offer package deals for returning clients
Additional costs:
- Pre-perm haircut: $20-50
- Post-perm products (curl cream, leave-in conditioner): $20-40
- Regular haircuts to maintain the fade: $20-50 every 3-4 weeks
First-year total estimate: $300-500 including the initial perm, 1-2 maintenance perms, products, and regular cuts.
This isn't cheap. But it's comparable to what some people spend on skincare or gym memberships. If the broccoli cut is important to your style, it's a reasonable investment.
Maintaining Your Permed Broccoli Cut
Once you have your perm, maintenance becomes essential. Permed hair requires more care than natural curls. For a complete care routine, see our maintenance guide.
Daily Routine
-
Don't shampoo daily. Wash your hair 2-3 times per week maximum. Permed hair tends to be drier, and overwashing strips essential oils.
-
Use sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates are too harsh for permed hair and can loosen the curl pattern over time.
-
Condition every wash. Use a moisturizing conditioner, focusing on the ends. Permed hair needs the extra hydration.
-
Apply curl products to damp hair. Curl cream or mousse applied to towel-dried hair helps define curls and reduce frizz.
-
Scrunch, don't rub. Scrunching your hair upward encourages curl formation. Rubbing with a towel creates frizz.
-
Air dry or diffuse. A diffuser attachment on your blow dryer adds volume without disrupting the curl pattern. Air drying works too but takes longer.
Weekly Deep Conditioning
Permed hair benefits from a deep conditioning treatment once a week. Look for products specifically formulated for chemically treated hair. Leave-in treatments and hair masks help maintain moisture and prevent breakage.
Products You'll Need
- Sulfate-free shampoo
- Moisturizing conditioner
- Leave-in conditioner or curl cream
- Mousse (optional, for extra volume)
- Diffuser attachment for your blow dryer
- Silk or satin pillowcase (reduces friction while sleeping)
When to Get a Maintenance Perm
Your roots will grow in straight. After 3-6 months, you'll have a noticeable difference between the curly permed sections and the straight new growth.
Options at this point:
- Root perm: Apply perm solution only to the new growth, blending it with existing curls
- Full perm: Redo the entire head (though overlapping with previously permed hair can cause damage)
- Grow it out: Let the perm gradually grow out and cut it off
Most people opt for root perms every 4-6 months. This maintains the look while minimizing damage.
Potential Downsides and Risks
Perms aren't perfect. Consider these factors:
Hair Damage
Perms chemically alter your hair structure. This inherently causes some damage. With proper care, the damage is manageable. But if your hair is already compromised (from bleaching, excessive heat styling, etc.), adding a perm can push it over the edge.
Signs of over-processed hair:
- Excessive breakage
- Hair that feels gummy when wet
- Loss of curl definition
- Straw-like texture when dry
If you've recently bleached your hair or have significant existing damage, wait before getting a perm. Let your hair recover or cut off the damaged portions first.
Not Loving the Result
Sometimes perms don't turn out how you imagined. The curls might be tighter or looser than expected. The shape might not suit your face as well as you thought.
Unlike a haircut, you can't just cut off a perm you don't like (well, you can, but you'll lose all your length). You're committed for a few months until it grows out.
This is why trying an AI visualization tool before committing is smart. See yourself with the curly broccoli look before you spend 3 hours and $150+ making it permanent.
Lifestyle Adjustments
Permed hair requires behavior changes:
- Swimming in chlorinated pools without a cap will damage your perm
- You can't just "throw your hair up" as easily
- Morning styling takes more time than with straight hair
- You'll spend more on products
If low-maintenance hair is important to you, a perm might not be the right choice.
Alternatives to a Full Perm
Not ready for the commitment? Some options:
Temporary Styling Methods
You can create temporary curls with:
- Curl sponge/twist sponge
- Finger coils with gel
- Flexi rods or perm rods without chemicals (heatless curls)
These wash out but can give you a preview of the curly look. They won't last through the day as well as a perm, but they're risk-free.
Partial Perm
Perm only the very top section, leaving a larger area unpermed. This is less dramatic but also less commitment. If the faded sides are short enough, no one will see the unpermred sections anyway.
Texturizing Products
Heavy-hold texturizing products can add some movement and volume to straight hair. You won't achieve the full broccoli look, but you might get a vaguely similar vibe. Worth trying before going the chemical route.
Before and After: Realistic Expectations
Let's set realistic expectations for what a perm can and can't do.
A perm CAN:
- Transform straight hair into curly hair
- Give you the broccoli cut silhouette
- Last 3-6 months with proper care
- Be maintained with root perms
A perm CANNOT:
- Make your hair magically thicker
- Work on very short hair (need at least 2-3 inches on top)
- Look exactly like naturally curly hair (permed curls have a slightly different texture)
- Fix damaged hair
The best perm results come from healthy hair that's long enough to wrap around rods. If your hair is in good condition and you have realistic expectations, you'll likely be happy with the results.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bottom Line
Getting a broccoli haircut with straight hair is absolutely possible. It just requires a perm.
The process takes a few hours. The cost adds up over time. The maintenance is more involved than leaving your hair straight. But if you want the look, these are the tradeoffs.
Millions of guys with naturally straight hair have successfully gotten perms and rocked the broccoli cut. There's no reason you can't be one of them.
Just do your research. Find a skilled stylist. Take care of your hair afterward. And maybe try an AI preview first to make sure you'll actually like the look before you commit the time and money.
Your future broccoli-headed self will thank you.