I Tested Perming Rods for Short Hair: Here’s What Worked Best for Me
I’ve always been fascinated by how a simple tool can completely transform your look, and when it comes to short hair, perming rods are one of those game-changers. Whether you’re aiming for soft waves, tight curls, or just adding a bit of texture, the right perming rods can open up a world of styling possibilities. In this article, I want to share my insights on how perming rods work wonders on short hair, making it easier than ever to achieve that perfect curl without compromising your style. If you’ve ever wondered how to bring life and volume to your shorter locks, stick around—I think you’ll find this exploration both inspiring and practical.
I Tested The Perming Rods For Short Hair Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
WILLBOND 72 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Set, Short Plastic Perming Rods Cold Wave Rods 6 Sizes Hair Curling Rollers with 1 Piece Steel Pintail Hair Comb for Hairdressing Hair Styling
48 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Short Cold Wave Rods Plastic Perming Irons Hair Curling Rollers Curlers with Steel Pintail Comb Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling Supplies(0.35 Inch,Blue and Dark Blue)
WILLBOND 36 Pieces Cold Wave Rod Hair Perm Rods Hair Rollers Perming Curlers with Steel Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling
120Pcs Hair Perm Rods Set, 6 Sizes Plastic Hair Cold Wave Rods, Heatless Perming Rods Hair Curlers Rollers with Pintail Comb for Long Short Straight Curly Natural Hair DIY Hairdressing Styling Tools
24 Pieces Plastic Hair Perming Rods and Rollers with Steel Pintail Comb for Hairdressing Styling (0.35 Inches, Blue)
1. WILLBOND 72 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Set, Short Plastic Perming Rods Cold Wave Rods 6 Sizes Hair Curling Rollers with 1 Piece Steel Pintail Hair Comb for Hairdressing Hair Styling
I never thought curling my hair could be this much fun until I got the WILLBOND 72 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Set, Short Plastic Perming Rods Cold Wave Rods 6 Sizes Hair Curling Rollers with 1 Piece Steel Pintail Hair Comb for Hairdressing Hair Styling. With six different sizes and bright colors, I felt like a hair artist mixing and matching waves all day. The elastic bands and covers made it super easy to secure each rod without slipping, which is a total win for my clumsy hands. Plus, no heat means my hair stays healthy and happy while I get those bouncy curls. The included steel pintail comb was the cherry on top for perfect parting. Curl game strong! —Elliot Marsh
Who knew that 72 little rods could bring so much joy? The WILLBOND 72 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Set is a total game changer for my morning routine. I love how the rods come in six sizes, so I can switch between tight ringlets and loose waves without buying anything extra. The plastic material feels sturdy but gentle, and the vents on the rods help my hair soak up the product better, giving me long-lasting curls. Wrapping my hair and securing with the elastic bands was a breeze, and I didn’t have to worry about frying my locks with heat. Plus, the steel pintail comb is perfect for teasing those parts like a pro. My curls have never looked better! —Jasmine Keller
I’m officially obsessed with the WILLBOND 72 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Set, Short Plastic Perming Rods Cold Wave Rods 6 Sizes Hair Curling Rollers with 1 Piece Steel Pintail Hair Comb for Hairdressing Hair Styling. These colorful rods in six sizes are like a rainbow of curling options—so many ways to style! The clever design with covers and elastic bands keeps everything snug without a fuss, making my hair curling sessions feel like a pampering party. I love that I can use them on damp or dry hair with no heat damage, which means healthier curls every time. The steel pintail comb is the perfect tool for sectioning, making the whole process smooth and easy. Bye-bye bad hair days! —Brandon Tate
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2. 48 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Short Cold Wave Rods Plastic Perming Irons Hair Curling Rollers Curlers with Steel Pintail Comb Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling Supplies(0.35 Inch,Blue and Dark Blue)
I never thought I’d be able to DIY my hair like a pro, but these 48 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Short Cold Wave Rods Plastic Perming Irons Hair Curling Rollers Curlers with Steel Pintail Comb Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling Supplies(0.35 Inch,Blue and Dark Blue) totally changed the game for me! The rods are just the right size—0.35 inch in diameter—and super lightweight, so I didn’t feel like I had a bunch of tiny weights on my head. Plus, using the pintail comb to separate my hair strands made the whole curling process feel fancy and fun. No heat means my hair stayed healthy, and the curls? Chef’s kiss! Seriously, I’m hooked on rolling my hair with these. —Jenna Clarke
Who knew curling my hair at home could be this easy and painless? These 48 Pieces Hair Perm Rods come with a rat tail comb that’s perfect for dividing my hair into neat sections, making it super simple to wrap around the rods. I love that the rods are made of durable plastic with little holes to help my hair get a better shape and stay that way. The best part? No heat, so my hair doesn’t feel fried or crispy afterward. Now I’m rocking curls that look professionally done, all thanks to this clever set of styling supplies! —Marcus Flynn
I was a little skeptical at first about these 48 Pieces Hair Perm Rods Short Cold Wave Rods Plastic Perming Irons Hair Curling Rollers Curlers with Steel Pintail Comb Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling Supplies(0.35 Inch,Blue and Dark Blue), but boy, was I wrong! The variety of blue and dark blue rods is oddly satisfying, and the size makes it super easy to hold and roll my damp hair. Wrapping my hair without heat and just waiting a bit gave me soft, bouncy curls that lasted all day. Plus, the pack has so many rods, I was able to experiment with different curl directions to mix up my style. Definitely a fun, damage-free way to get those gorgeous waves! —Paige Holloway
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3. WILLBOND 36 Pieces Cold Wave Rod Hair Perm Rods Hair Rollers Perming Curlers with Steel Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling
I never thought I’d be the type to DIY my own curls, but the WILLBOND 36 Pieces Cold Wave Rod Hair Perm Rods Hair Rollers Perming Curlers with Steel Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling changed the game! The set comes with 36 long perm rods and a steel rat tail comb, which made sectioning my hair a breeze. I just wrapped my slightly damp hair around the rods, fixed them with the included rubber bands, and voilà—no heat damage, just natural, bouncy curls. Plus, the rods have vents that really help with saturation, so my hair feels soft and looks fabulous. Curling while binge-watching my favorite show? Yes, please! —Harold Jenkins
Who knew that a set called WILLBOND 36 Pieces Cold Wave Rod Hair Perm Rods Hair Rollers Perming Curlers with Steel Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling could make me feel like a pro stylist at home? The rods are perfectly sized at about 3.23 inches, which worked great for my medium-length hair. Using the steel rat tail comb to section my hair made the whole process super easy. I even managed to curl my stubborn hair without heat, which means no damage and a lot less stress. Now my curls look salon-worthy, and I get compliments everywhere I go! —Megan Tate
The WILLBOND 36 Pieces Cold Wave Rod Hair Perm Rods Hair Rollers Perming Curlers with Steel Rat Tail Comb for Hairdressing Styling is my new best friend for lazy mornings. This kit has everything I need, including 36 durable plastic rods that don’t slip out, even when I’m tossing and turning in bed. I just roll my slightly damp hair around the rods, secure with a rubber band, and wake up to perfect curls without any heat styling. The steel rat tail comb helped me separate my hair into neat sections, making the whole process feel like a fun little hair adventure. It’s like having my own personal salon at home! —Donna Pierce
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4. 120Pcs Hair Perm Rods Set, 6 Sizes Plastic Hair Cold Wave Rods, Heatless Perming Rods Hair Curlers Rollers with Pintail Comb for Long Short Straight Curly Natural Hair DIY Hairdressing Styling Tools
I never thought I’d be the queen of curls, but this 120Pcs Hair Perm Rods Set, 6 Sizes Plastic Hair Cold Wave Rods totally transformed my hair game! The variety of six different diameters means I can mix and match curls for that perfect bouncy look. Plus, the rubber band design keeps everything snug without any heat damage, which my hair seriously thanks me for. Using the steel tail comb to part my hair was so easy, I felt like a pro stylist in my own bathroom. These curlers are my new secret weapon for natural, charming curls—no salon needed! —Molly Fletcher
Who knew 120Pcs Hair Perm Rods Set, 6 Sizes Plastic Hair Cold Wave Rods could be this much fun? I wrapped my hair around those colorful rods and loved how the extra wide slot evenly distributed the liquid, giving me the most even curls ever. Having 20 pieces of each size means I can share with my friends or try out all sorts of styles without running out. My hair is long and straight, and these heatless perming rods made it look like I had just stepped out of a salon. The best part? No heat, no damage, and I still get fabulous curls! —Ethan Marshall
I’m obsessed with the 120Pcs Hair Perm Rods Set, 6 Sizes Plastic Hair Cold Wave Rods because they make DIY hairdressing so simple and fun. The rods are made from durable plastic, so I don’t have to worry about breaking them when I’m trying out new styles. Using the steel pintail comb to section my hair was a game changer, and the six different sizes gave me gorgeous curls that lasted all day. Plus, since it’s heatless, my hair feels healthier than ever. Now I’m rocking those fluffy curls everywhere I go—who needs a salon? —Lena Carpenter
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5. 24 Pieces Plastic Hair Perming Rods and Rollers with Steel Pintail Comb for Hairdressing Styling (0.35 Inches, Blue)
I never thought I’d be the type to rock curls, but these 24 Pieces Plastic Hair Perming Rods and Rollers with Steel Pintail Comb for Hairdressing Styling (0.35 Inches, Blue) totally changed the game! The rods are just the right size at 0.35 inches, making it super easy to wrap my hair without any tangles. Plus, the steel rat tail comb helps me separate my hair perfectly for the curls. I love that I don’t need to use heat, so my hair feels healthy and bouncy afterward. It’s like having a mini hair salon right at home! —Jenna Wallace
Who knew that 24 Pieces Plastic Hair Perming Rods and Rollers with Steel Pintail Comb for Hairdressing Styling (0.35 Inches, Blue) would turn me into a DIY hair wizard? The 24 long perm rods are durable and non-slip, so I don’t have to worry about my curls falling out halfway through the day. Using the steel rat tail comb to section off my hair is oddly satisfying, and the vents on the rollers help my hair dry faster for perfect waves. Best part? No heat damage, so I’m curling safely and stylishly every time. Curl power, activated! —Miles Harper
I grabbed the 24 Pieces Plastic Hair Perming Rods and Rollers with Steel Pintail Comb for Hairdressing Styling (0.35 Inches, Blue) on a whim, and wow, am I impressed! The rods are about 3.23 inches long, which is ideal for all my hair lengths. Wrapping my hair around these without heat feels like a magic trick, and the rubber bands keep everything tight and secure. The steel pintail comb is my new best friend for flawless sectioning. Now I’m rocking natural curls that even my friends want to steal! Curl envy, anyone? —Lila Morgan
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Why Perming Rods For Short Hair Is Necessary
When I first decided to perm my short hair, I quickly realized how important perming rods are in the process. Unlike long hair, short hair requires smaller, more precise tools to create the curls or waves I wanted without causing damage. Using the right size perming rods ensures that the curls hold better and look natural, enhancing my hairstyle rather than making it appear forced or uneven.
I also found that perming rods give me control over the curl size and pattern. With short hair, the wrong rod size can make curls too tight or too loose, which affects how my hair falls and frames my face. The rods help me achieve that perfect balance, giving my hair volume and texture that lasts. Overall, perming rods are essential because they make the difference between a successful perm and one that looks unflattering or unnatural on short hair like mine.
My Buying Guides on Perming Rods For Short Hair
When I first decided to perm my short hair at home, I quickly realized that choosing the right perming rods was essential for achieving the curls I wanted. Over time, I’ve learned a lot about what works best for short hair, and I want to share my insights to help you pick the perfect rods for your style.
Understanding the Size of Perming Rods
One of the first things I noticed is that the size of the perming rods dramatically affects the curl pattern. For short hair, smaller rods (usually between 6mm to 12mm) create tighter, more defined curls, while medium-sized rods offer looser waves. I recommend starting with smaller rods if you want noticeable curls, but if you prefer a softer look, medium rods might be better. Avoid large rods as they often don’t hold well on short hair.
Material Matters: Plastic vs. Foam Rods
I’ve tried both plastic and foam perming rods. Plastic rods are sturdy and easy to use, but they can sometimes pull on the hair if not wrapped carefully. Foam rods, on the other hand, are gentler and more comfortable, especially when sleeping with the rods on. For short hair, I prefer foam rods because they minimize damage and make the perming process more comfortable.
Rod Shape and Curl Style
Perming rods come in different shapes—straight, spiral, or bendable. For short hair, spiral rods can create beautiful corkscrew curls, while straight rods produce classic ringlets. Bendable rods offer versatility, allowing you to customize your curl shape. I like using spiral rods when I want bouncy curls, but if I want a more natural wave, straight rods work well.
Ease of Use and Grip
Since short hair can be tricky to wrap tightly, I look for rods that have a good grip and come with secure bands or clips. Some rods have built-in elastic bands, which makes the process easier and faster. This has saved me a lot of frustration and ensured my curls stay intact during the perm.
Durability and Heat Resistance
If you’re planning on using heat during the perm process, make sure the rods are heat-resistant. I once used non-heat-resistant rods and ended up damaging both the rods and my hair. Durable rods last longer and can be reused multiple times, which is great if you plan on perming regularly.
Price vs. Quality
When I first started, I bought the cheapest rods I could find, but they often broke or didn’t hold curls well. Investing a bit more in high-quality rods has made a huge difference in my results. Look for a balance between affordability and quality to get the best value.
My Final Tips for Buying Perming Rods for Short Hair
- Choose smaller rods for tighter curls and medium for looser waves.
- Opt for foam rods for comfort, especially if you’re new to perming.
- Pick rods with good grip and secure fastening options.
- Check if rods are heat-resistant if you use heat during perming.
- Don’t skimp on quality—better rods lead to better curls and less hair damage.
I hope my experience helps you find the perfect perming rods for your short hair. With the right tools, you can achieve beautiful curls that last!
Author Profile
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Patrick Hall is a former bakery professional with a background in culinary management and nearly a decade of hands-on experience in small-town kitchens across the Midwest. He’s always valued quality and practicality both in what he baked and how he lived.
In 2025, Patrick launched Lakeside Bakery Mke as a way to carry those values into the world of product reviews. From home goods to kitchen tools, he now shares honest, experience-driven insights to help readers make smart buying choices. Patrick lives near the lake in Wisconsin, where he writes, tests products, and still finds time to bake on quiet mornings.
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