The textured, curly top with shorter sides is one of the most popular men’s looks right now, and it’s a big reason men search for a Manchester perm. It’s a great style on the right hair, but getting it to look natural depends on more than the curl itself. The cut around it, the size of the curl and how you style it at home all decide whether it looks deliberate or overdone.
Our Manchester perm page explains our approach to curl and wave in general, including why we often start with a texture-led cut. This guide is specifically for men: what the look needs, how the appointment works and how to keep the curls looking good as they grow.
What a men’s Manchester perm look needs
The curly-top style works because of contrast. Curl and volume on top sit against a cleaner shape at the back and sides, so the head looks balanced rather than round. That means the cut matters as much as the curl. If the sides are left too long the shape goes wide, and if they’re taken too short too soon the curl on top looks stuck on.
Curl size matters too. Tight, defined curls give a bolder look, while looser waves look more lived-in and are easier to wear to work. Your hair type decides a lot of this. Fine hair can hold a curl but may look sparse if the curl is too tight, which is where the ideas in our post on volume-boosting cuts help. Thick, coarse hair often has natural movement that only needs the right cut to show it, as our guide to cutting thick hair to remove weight explains.
What to expect from your appointment
Every appointment starts with a consultation. Your stylist will look at how your hair behaves when it dries naturally, how much wave is already there and how you style it day to day. A lot of men are surprised to find their hair has hidden movement that has been cut out or flattened by heavy products. Where that’s the case, a scrunching-style cut and the right drying method can give you curl without chemicals, and with no hard regrowth line as it grows. Where hair is genuinely straight, we’ll talk through whether a perm suits it and what upkeep to expect.
The sides are then cut to suit the curl, whether that’s a soft taper or a sharper fade, and your stylist shows you how to apply product and dry the top so you can recreate it at home. Our guide to choosing a barber or a hairdresser explains why scissor work on top makes the difference with this style, and our post on modern men’s haircuts covers the wider range of shapes we cut. Timings and prices depend on your hair, so we confirm both at your consultation.
Why choose David Rozman for a perm in Manchester
We’re hairdressers first, so the curl is planned together with the cut rather than added to whatever shape you walked in with. Our stylists cut men’s and women’s curly hair every day, and our guide to hairdressers who understand curly hair explains how curls are shaped so the cut holds. We use professional products from brands such as Wella Professionals and work to the standards set by the National Hair & Beauty Federation.
If you’re comparing salons, our guide to choosing a men’s hair salon in Manchester is a good place to start. You can see curly results in our lookbook, read what clients say on our reviews page and find the full menu on our men’s hair page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a perm to get a curly top?
Not always. Many men have more natural wave than they realise, and a scrunching-style cut with the right drying method can bring it out. If your hair is genuinely straight, we’ll talk through a perm at your consultation.
What should I ask for at the sides?
Most curly-top styles sit best with shorter sides, either a soft taper or a fade. Bring a photo and tell your stylist how often you’re happy to come in, because tighter fades need tidying more often.
How do I style a curly top at home?
Apply a curl product to damp hair, scrunch it upwards and dry it with a diffuser or let it dry naturally without touching it. Your stylist will show you the method at the end of your appointment so you can repeat it.
Book your perm consultation in Manchester today
Want the curly-top look? Get in touch to book your appointment and we’ll find the right route for your hair. You can also read more about perms and curly cuts in Manchester and our city centre salon before you visit.
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