i eventually found a hairdresser who didnt look at me like i was a mega dag, and she did a lovely messy perm look. she combined mixed sz rollers and didnt do the whole head. it looked fantastic but i couldnt afford to keep going to her, and other hairdresseers just dont understand what i want. so i had great curls for 1 yr! and it was easier than doing it myself (which never happens - i cant find time to get the tongs out and i dont have rollers). I have moved now and live too far away to go back to that HD anyway now
I think it helps if you refer to it as a 'bodywave' rather than perm, it sounds more up to date iykwim