Perms?

I have naturaly wavy hair and I would like to get something done to add body (possibly a perm of some sort). My hair is shoulder length and I don't cut it (religious reasons). My problem is when I go to a hair salon nobody seems to know what to do with my uncut hair. I know perms can go frizzy and therefore I am a little leary of them. All I want is loose curls. Can anyone give me any suggestions? Also can anyone explain what a cold wave perm is? That is one recommendation I got.