Perm regret! As Victoria Beckham admits it was her worst ever hairstyle, how the wild 80s hairdo went wrong for a host of celebrities

The 80s was a decade of big fashion statements, bold make-up and even bigger hair - from Debbie Harry's rockstar shag to Cindy Crawford's iconic, side-parted blowout. But no hairstyle summed up the era quite like the perm. Whether it was big, bouncy curls or tighter ringlets, the textured style was the ultimate 'it girl' look, with celebrities embracing the extra volume to boost their already-expressive style. While some got it very right - think Kylie Minogue, Julia Roberts and Brooke Shields - others were left with frizzy, untamed, crunchy tresses that were often more poodle than pop star.Victoria Beckham is the latest celebrity to revisit their hair-raising 80s experiment, firmly ruling out 15-year-old daughter Harper's request to get her own set of chemical curls. The youngest Beckham recently presented her mother with two PowerPoint proposals - one for funding for her beauty brand, the second for a perm - to which Victoria responded: 'I said, "Listen, wait till you're older, we'll talk about that for the beauty brand, but no to the perm."' Mrs Beckham would know; in 2017, she wrote a letter to her 18-year-old self for British Vogue, which read: 'Your complexion will sort itself out (in fact you will launch your own make up brand)... your perm will die down and your weight will settle itself.' Victoria Beckham is the latest celebrity to revisit their hair-raising 80s experiment (pictured), firmly ruling out 15-year-old daughter Harper's request to get her own set of chemical curls She's not the only star to have missed the mark with permed hair in the 80s; Barbara Streisand - never one to shy away from a statement look - was one of the few whose distinctly tighter curls were a fine line between glamorous and gloriously overdone Then there's country music star Reba McEntire, who admitted it was a mistake to perm her shoulder-length, naturally curly hair in the early 80s, later telling Glamour that the end result looked 'super tight' and 'angry'She's not the only star to have missed the mark with permed hair in the 80s; Barbra Streisand - never one to shy away from a statement look - was one of the few whose distinctly tighter curls were a fine line between glamorous and gloriously overdone. Then there's country music star Reba McEntire, who admitted it was a mistake to perm her shoulder-length, naturally curly hair in the early 80s, later telling Glamour that the end result looked 'super tight' and 'angry'.And who can forget Anne Kirkbride, who became instantly recognisable as Deirdre Barlow on Coronation Street thanks to her knitted jumpers, oversized glasses and tightly curled tresses.But while Deirdre's hair became a legend in its own right, whether it was a perm to aspire to or one best left in the past is another matter altogether. However, perms have come a long way since the day of big, sometimes unruly curls, with Emma Stone giving the style a softer, more modern feel in 2018 with a loose, wavy curl pattern that was a far cry from the extreme looks of decades past. So, can you get a perm today without ruining your hair - or, worse yet, looking as though you have? Industry professionals say yes, as long as you treat it with caution and start with the right consultation. Stuart Marsh, Perm Specialist and Creative Colour Director at Taylor Taylor, said: 'A perm can look incredible, but it can also go horribly wrong if the groundwork isn't right. 'The consultation is everything. Before considering a perm, I look at the hair's condition, texture, diameter, density, thickness and colour history. Who can forget Anne Kirkbride, who became instantly recognisable as Deirdre Barlow on Coronation Street thanks to her knitted jumpers, oversized glasses and tightly curled tresses On the flip side, some stars, like Kylie Minogue, got it very right Brooke Shields was another celebrity with an incredible head of curls as a result of a perm 'Can the hair safely tolerate the service? Is it suitable for the result the client wants? And, just as importantly, will the client be able to maintain it?'Tina Farey, Editorial Director at RUSH Hair, agrees, adding that technology has advanced beyond the plastic perm rods of the 70s and 80s through the modern use of rollers and finger waves. She added: 'There are so many more options! All different methods create different curl types and it's best to discuss with your hairstylist what type of curl you want to achieve and if you're happy with all methods before going further!' Stuart suggests first discussing the size and softness of the curl with your stylist, along with how it will grow out, the styling and aftercare involved, and how frequently the you may want to repeat the service. He added: 'Clients need to understand that a fresh perm isn't necessarily how their hair will look two weeks later. There isn't one universal timetable: it depends on the hair, the result and its condition.' When it comes to the hair's condition before chemicals are applied, Stuart notes that a beautiful perm 'works with the haircut, not against it'. He said: 'The cut needs enough structure and weight to support a strong, defined curl. If the hair has been over-texturised, the result can become fluffy rather than polished. The goal is a healthy-looking, coherent shape with movement and a curl that holds its form.' Tina further warned: 'For those with already curly hair, but may find it more limp in certain areas, the modern-day perm could be created in just those areas to enhance the overall look of the hair and make it look more even and full all over. Stuart said: 'Julia Roberts is a brilliant example of how fuller, thicker-looking, glossy hair can make a curly perm appear luxurious and healthy' However, perms have come a long way since the day of big, sometimes unruly curls, with Emma Stone giving the style a softer, more modern feel in 2018 with a loose, wavy curl pattern that was a far cry from the extreme looks of decades past'If you have lightened hair, then I’d recommend avoiding perming your hair too often as the hair will be weaker as a result all the lightening!'Stuart encourages clients to recognise the signs of an unsuccessful perm, which can look frizzy, dry, uneven, flat or simply under-styled. This can occur due to a range of factors, whether an unsuitable solution or processing choice, incorrect application, the hair's condition, or poor product and aftercare advice. He added: 'Going too strong can also compromise the result. Not every disappointing finish is a chemistry problem: the haircut, styling and realistic expectations matter just as much.'Weighing on when celebrities nailed the look in the 80s, Stuart said: 'Julia Roberts is a brilliant example of how fuller, thicker-looking, glossy hair can make a curly perm appear luxurious and healthy. 'Kylie Minogue's look had a different purpose: texture, lift and volume, with a playful pop-star finish. Both show that a successful perm isn't one particular curl pattern; it's a result that suits the person and the style.'His personal take? 'I love curls, and I genuinely love perming. Not every successful hairdresser feels confident offering it, and that's absolutely fine,' Stuart said.'It's a specialist service. For me, confidence comes from understanding the hair's natural structure, its shape and movement, and how the finished result will look. A great perm isn't just about curls; it's about how they work with the cut.'