Like any form of fashion, hairstyles can also go out of style anytime. A couple of years ago, the 'Afro' look had become very popular. In those days, if you happened to have straight hair, you'd probably need a permanent wave to create that unique 'wash and wear' Afro look. Even today, permanent waves also known, as perms have not really gone out of style because they are what you would call – timeless!

Quite possibly, the only thing that Diego Maradona, the famous Argentinean footballer and Madonna, the legendary singer, would probably have in common is the Perm or permanent wave. It was originally created to provide support and hold to make blow-drying easier, the curls were just a side effect, but this effect has somehow become an iconic style statement. A few years back, when it seemed like the whole world had waved good-bye to most popular hairstyle of the seventies, the permanent wave is back again! Yes, since the beginning of the millennium, women have been going to hair styling salons to get their hair straightened, but with Madonna sporting her brand-new perm not so long ago, perms have been resurrected.

Fortunately, these days women who opt for those gorgeous curls by getting their hair permed a la Sienna Miller and Madonna don't have to endure anymore of those horrendous tortures that were inflicted on women in the name of fashion and beauty when the perm was first invented in 1906 by a émigré German hairstylist.

The first public demonstration of how a perm machine works was given by Karl Nessler at his Oxford Street salon in London. Yes, women with straight are now grateful for the existence of the permanent wave.

There is a not a single hair cut or even hair color or even a styling aid that can surpass or equal the crowning effect of a permanent wave. Having a permanent wave can definitely make a world of a difference between appearing dull and plain faced and looking striking and beautiful. What's more, with a permanent wave, you don't even have to do up your hair every day! How cool is that?

In addition, with a perm, you could probably have any other hairstyle that you want. Once you have your hair styled, it won't even look like your hair was permed, especially if you hair has been professionally blow-dried.

On the football fields, the perm was epitomized by the great footballer Kevin Keegan in the 1970's. Since then, many stars and celebrities like Catherine Zeta-Jones, Martin Shaw, David Bowie, Meg Ryan and even Jon Bon Jovi have all sported permanent waves. In the 80's, the 'bubble perm', which would be a head of very tight curls, made waves all over and was even adopted by stars like Kylie Minogue and the band Bananarama. The end of the twentieth century however heralded the demise of the permanent wave, as women all over the world preferred a more natural straight look.

However, the permanent wave has been in and out of fashion throughout the history of hairstyle trends, and has even received a lot of bad press, but somehow this style will never really be over – it is a legendary style!

Yes, in the last few years, the permanent wave had relaxed and taken a back seat, but now it is making its comeback and is all about creating texture and movement. The permanent has finally come of age.