I can't actually give a rating for "permanent waves" - since I ended up not getting them. The hairdresser talked me out of it!
What I did get was shellac and a really nice hair trim with a little bit of layering. The hairdresser was really friendly and helpful, and gave me a voucher for difference in cost between the cut and the perm I'd paid for, even though he didn't have to.
There's also a really cute dog in the salon.