Figure 8 curling with a marcel iron

Step by step tutorial on how to make figure eight thermal curls with a marcel curling iron. Maryland and other state boards require figure 8 curling on the practical examination for a cosmetology license. Technique, safety and handy hints are covered.
Background music ("figure 8s" ISRC QM-UDL-11-00016) created by Janet Stephens, jntvstp, using Apple Garageband.

[@LilDeadHead1]

Its easier to increase the temperature than to glue hair back on. .. words to live by LOL

[@TawdryTempest]

Hair stylists are so patient!

[@jntvstp]

You're right, 1taffycat, you can get similar effects using other tools and techniques. But this tool, while awkward at first, is about manual dexterity and controlling the hair--that's what State Board Cosmetology examiners want to see. Think of it like parallel parking: to get a license you have to prove you can do it, even if you never do it again! Myself, when all else is the same, I prefer the marcel iron to the spring. I can curl clients' hair faster and my wrists hurt less. cheers, J

[@buddy77587]

not too many people know how to use a Marcel iron. And you are in depth accurate instruction is fabulous!

[@andrewjames2617]

The first iron I ever touched was a marcel iron. It’s the iron I learned on. I love being able to rotate it with the swivel handle. It’s become so natural. The spring irons don’t feel natural for me but I can use them. I’m glad I learned on the marcel first.

[@jennywalton3366]

My step-mother had an iron like this. I thought it must be from the 60's or so because it didn't have a spring!! You have just blown my mind! hahaha

[@jntvstp]

They didn't teach us figure 8's at my school in New Hampshire, I had to figure them out on my own from those awful "milady" illustrations! I mde this video to help migrating stylists who will have to test in a state requiring them. If it helps out non stylist too, it is all good.

[@CDSherwood81]

Thank you for going slowly and clearly. I'm not a cosmetology student, but I have had to teach myself to do my hair because it's wild, crazy, thick and I'm tired of IT controlling me. Before I could do it on myself, I taped some shiny ribbon to the table and practiced cold clicking along with the video. I made do with a regular iron, but I plan on ordering a marcel iron asap.

[@LisaFreemontStreet]

This technique seems ideal for vintage styles on long hair when used in conjunction with pin curling. I just ordered a marcel iron. Thanks.

[@starwars_chola7001]

I used to hate doing these in beauty school lol, but i'm glad i learned how to do it

[@KateandBree]

This is SO HELPFUL. I've been trying to figure this method out for months. MONTHS. Of course, I'm not a professional stylist or anything, but everyone who tries to explain this method on YT just confuses me and this is so straightforward. Maybe I won't burn my fingers next time around with my curling iron (Gosh, that'll be the day! Maybe my hair will stay curled all day too and not fall out after 3 hours as well. Yea, when pigs fly. Oh well, it is fun!)

[@jntvstp]

Thanks Vivian! Small hands: find a compact iron. practice clicking and turning, a lot! Steps 1 & 2: shell is on top: insert strand. Pass the tail of strand underneath, then over the iron (toward the HANDLE SIDE), while rotating the iron toward the head. (shell ends on top). 3: push the loop forward, 4: pass the tail of the strand underneath, then over the iron (toward the TIP END), while rotating (and clicking) the iron toward the head (shell ends on top). Figure 8 made, click down strand. :-)

[@moxielouise]

Watch in the mirror if left handed...GENIUS! So simple, why didn't i think of that sooner?! Thank you

[@jntvstp]

Dear R L, Make sure any Beauty School is accredited with the state and has no outstanding state board violations or complaints against it. Cosmetology involves a lot of science and technical vocabulary which will be part of your licensing exam: if English is not your main language, make sure the school has teachers and text books in your preferred language. Be sure the state board gives tests in your main language. Otherwise, you risk paying for a school but not getting a license to work.

[@jennifersmith9882]

What beautiful curls.. Wish there was a way to get these curls without heat...(I Don't do heat) thanks for video!!

[@freespiritable]

You can without heat.

[@jntvstp]

Thanks "LaDolly"! I value your criticism. I put this one up because my salon has some apprentices that need to learn the technique, and because nobody else had done one. Cheers,

[@team14robot]

Wow! You're such a great teacher. :)

[@jntvstp]

It is a 1/2 inch (1.25 cm) diameter iron. cheers, J

[@gogoshagara5475]

I forgot all those steps thank you, you were so useful to me..

[@zumbafam6]

thank you for supporting left handed people like ME

[@tracyreihsen8294]

Thanks for this video!!! It's amazing and goes at a pace that you can actually follow!

[@LaDollyVita33]

This is amazing. The curls are beautiful, although I'm not sure I'd be able to do this on my own hair! I'd definitely need help!

[@MelodyLoveSims]

Your mannequin has beautiful hair!! I love it! My mannequin needs work...

[@jntvstp]

Sorry for the late response! Yes, always use a heat buffering product on the hair: but if your technique is faulty or your iron is too hot, you can still damage the hair. cheers, J

[@vivianiacoboni6273]

Wow! What an excellent tutorial! I am a salon owner who has a barber license to be able to legally assist my employees. I try to master the basics, but the marcel is my challenge. I have very small hands & am almost 60 years old. I got hung up between steps 1 & 2 because I was not turning the iron enough to see the figure 8. Could you clarify (half turn, full turn, clamp on top, etc)? Any suggestions for small hands and short fingers to improve coordination and reach? Thanks so much!

[@PPikes]

5:45 thats amazing! it looks like its gonna be a loose wave then it SNAPS into this perfect curl! :-O

[@drkmgic]

I think i just found my favorite KZbin hair page.

[@stay_blessed23]

This is so helpful you are a life saver!

[@BaroqueRoses]

This is very helpful. I love the Marcel Iron, but it can be tricky at times!

[@Lissie122]

Lol "It is easier to increase the temp. than to glue the hair back on." haha this line made me laugh

[@hollyjaramillo4128]

I am in Cosmetology school and yet to have mastered turning/holding the Marcel Iron while curling hair. It is hard to me because the part you hold turns and does not lock on mine. It feels like it could drop. Any tips?

[@jntvstp]

+Holly Jaramillo Hi, sorry you are having challenges. Marcel technique is very different from spring iron technique. Make sure that both the shell and the handel swivel freely. Some irons have a lock button that prevents the swivellling. be sure it's unlocked. use only your fingertips to work the shell. Holding the shell too high on the fingers can make the hair slip and make it hard to pull your pushing fingers out from under the shel when you want to swivel the iron in your palm (for ringlets, etc) I hope this helps. Cheers, Janet

[@jessicaandrews5359]

I been in beauty school for 3 half months almost. I never knew how to use it. I do now tho I'm so geeked

[@juanallerena6802]

Excellent video. Thank you for sharing!

[@jntvstp]

If in doubt, always use your school's method.

[@tomasdelamilera4259]

This is awesome, your video ricks!...thank you!

[@BubbleWand]

Thanks for the video. I am getting ready to take the Maryland State board exam, so I am always searching for tips and techniques to help me pass. The technique you used is a lil different than what we learned at school. My instructors always wanted us to curl the hair and leave it coiled so they could split it in the middle to see the actual figure 8 shape. Now Im wondering how the board wants it done... eek!

[@jntvstp]

Presuming you don't live in a very humid or rainy climate, try the following: Do not attempt to curl right after you've shampooed: curl on the second day, when the hair is completely dry. Curl smaller, evenly sized strands. use a slightly smaller iron than desired result. Lightly spritz (but do NOT saturate) each strand with hairspray just before curling. Take your time. Support each curl as it cools. You might also try the papillote curling method demonstrated on my channel. Good luck! J

[@bareT0bold]

Thanks for the video. This was extremely helpful and your instructions were very clear. X

[@jamietodd1675]

Why the mannequin looks as if it's possessed. I'm scared..

[@onelittleplum]

My Mum was a hairdresser so I only learned on a Marcel iron (although I didn’t know that was the name!). In comparison, I still find using a regular iron suffocatingly difficult!

[@buddy77587]

damn you're so good at using that iron!

[@autumnspring6624]

I like the music you made!👍 What genere or type is this called?

[@jntvstp]

When I purchased it, this model had decals instead of painted eyes. They eventually fell off! cheers, j

[@PPikes]

this is gorgeous!!! im gonna have to practice this tho :( im having trouble with the figure 8

[@NicolasJurnjackHair]

Great lesson 👌

[@charityw1020]

Fascinating! 🙂

[@Dunkelromantikerin]

Are you using some kind of heat protector?

[@jntvstp]

@theHAIRLord It's a pivot point "Madeleine".

[@1taffycat]

I'm not in hair school (would love to someday) and I'm sure it's explained there but I was wondering if you could share why a swivelling marcel iron is needed and a normal curling iron wouldn't work. I understand that commercial curling irons don't have a temp. control and that's probably a large part of it. I know some people use flat irons to curl hair (haven't gotten that to work yet) and my flat iron has adjustable temp. could you use a flat iron in place of the marcel? love your videos!

[@queenash221]

can you do a video on how to do figure 6 curls please? I need to learn for school

[@jntvstp]

the manikin is the "Madeleine" model from Pivot point , the swivelling marcel Iron I got from Sally's beauty supply. Happy hunting! j

[@kennsakingbee]

Where do you all find golf mannequins? The ones on Amazon are not good.

[@user-pv2kr4kl4e]

We were taught figure 8 spiral differently this approach is easier.

[@natashajones5161]

Where can I find a mannequin like that been looking so I can practice

[@ThePianoLover12]

What do you suggest for keeping hair curled, especially if it is very thick and not prone to keeping curls in for long?

[@zedstapumpy9382]

cool stuff :)

[@marcelandrearosalesperezro6079]

Well I did not know I share my name with a curling Iron, awesom! :D

[@melstevens957]

I'll try it out with my karmin g3 :D

[@ahavyahluv]

damn mel ,we get it!

[@PunkRockDiva1979]

so pretty

[@NatalieRamirez]

So... What do you do with these curls?

[@doggy3834]

0:24 why she has makeup yet no eyes!?!?

[@MsKrisJb]

repetitive strain waiting to happen

[@blackjoker40]

wat website can u get these from because i want 1

[@antoniomarcucci1980]

Hallo! You can even rotate the iron, when it's near the scalp, till it can "eat" all the length of the strand. Moving down the iron you can risk to flat the curls instead of curling up!

[@oopadur]

what happened to your pivot point manikins eyes?

[@gissellejun10]

where can you buy the marcel iron??????????

[@matthias8122]

Did they use this kind of iron a long time ago, though?

[@jntvstp]

This style of iron has been in use at least since the 1870's (although it wasn't electrified until later). The French hairdresser Marcel Grateau is credited with it's invention (and from him it gets its current name), although he may simply have tweaked a pre-existing style of curling iron. cheers! J

[@lovetaimua]

Which iron number that you use?

[@jakennamitchell9374]

I️m so upset I️ can’t get it🤦🏽‍♀️

[@jakennamitchell9374]

Update: I finally got it and an update to my iPhone 😛

[@buddy77587]

we used to call croqinole curls

[@asamercedes]

Figure 6? I need help!

[@melodykang686]

Can you do figure 6? I think some stateboards require figure 6 and figure 8.

[@reneluna1294]

what beauty school you recommeded me

[@davidrezk3034]

where do you get real hair mannequins?

[@ginaantosz4985]

Any hair place such as Cosmoprof, Sally's, Ulta, or somewhere to get hair products.. hell. go on Amazon and type in Debra or Jasmine mannequin head.

[@kristenphillips2926]

2:30 base placement

[@here2watch08]

🤯

[@MeredithWaters]

"Curl the second day" - same advice was given to me by an ill-intentioned woman for wedding day curls. So unfortunately I learned the hard way on my wedding day that the best way to curl hair like mine is after a fresh shampoo. It's that small amount of moisture that makes it lock in a curl for the day. The next day when it is 100% dry, with hairspray, mousse etc. heat is meaningless. Complete curl refusal. FYI for straight hair.

[@dilarawali-uddin4008]

you just spent like 5 minutes showing an unsuccessful curl!

[@emilyackerson8935]

Im in school and we just learned these. You're holding the iron wrong.

[@jntvstp]

Emily Ackerson Thanks for your input! It is always best to follow your school instructors' technique. I am glad you have the luxury of direct instruction. I had to teach myself how to do this from 19th century prints. I wish you all the best in your future career, J

[@DuckTapeGirl22]

and you're being a bitch..

[@kaydrachadsey1007]

She probably does better than you though 💁🏻‍♀️

[@ingrid_inthesky]

She wasn't being a bitch (how ironic) - she displayed to us that she was learning and the information was fresh in her mind at that time.

[@sunsuz98]

why the robot voice? and common sence jibberish?

[@risingboo2912]

Hi There there is no robotic voice here. listen again

[@ecsohla]

I get that the Iron is very hot. No need to repeat it ALL the time.