My hair is pretty long and really fine and straight, I have to get a perm just to get hair bands or clips to stay put when I wear them, so I've had a perm for the last 25 years. Two things I've learned over the years is to put away the brush and use a wide pick only and the spray bottle is your friend. I wash mine every day during the week but on the weekend, I get lazy! :) I grab the spray bottle, wet it pretty good, run my pick through it, lean over so the top of my head is towards the ground, shake a few times and I'm good. If I get it too wet, I'll wrap a towel around just the ends for a sec to soak up the extra water. The whole thing takes about 10 minutes tops. When my daughter (16yr/old) watched me one morning, she said maybe she needs to get a perm so her hair routine is easier! :)
I'm a huge believer in the hair oils after my perms, the moroccan, argan, macadamia nut, and pequi. I add it liberally to the bottom part of my hair, sparingly to the roots. It helps heep my hair soft without limping it down. I live in the desert, so the moisture is sucked out as soon as I get out of the shower...