I permed my hair for about twenty years! My hair has always been horrible; neither straight nor curly, but frizzy, bendy, twisty, ugly and unmanageable. When I was a teen I ironed it and spent innumerable hours with it wrapped around my head, slopped with gel, under a hairdryer. My schedule had to revolve around washing and drying my hair. So, after trying to go natural, I had it permed in the late seventies, when it was popular. Since this was the only way I could manage my hair, as I am horrible with styling implements I was able to keep it long and not have to do anything except wash and go.
I let the perm grow out in 1998. It looked pretty bad, so since I started cycling shortly after that, I just had it cut short and spiky. I really wish I could have longer hair, but this is it. Two years ago I did grow it longer; I had it chemically straightened and had to use a flat iron, too. Then summer came and I looked horrible any time I was riding. Back to the pixie.
I really understand why someone would do the Brazilian thing. I considered it. I can't imagine being able to wake up and shake my head and have my hair look good.