Waved 1920s/1930s Hair Style with Mervin Wave Clips

How I use vintage Mervin wave clips to create finger waves for 1920s and 1930s hairstyles!
Music:
United States Marine Band

[@rachelskourtis2804]

They need to make reproduction versions of those or the double wave clips; so hard to come by

[@TheClosetHistorian]

So very true, if I had the capital I would do it myself in a heartbeat!

[@StellaWaldvogel]

Make a Kickstarter, maybe?

[@SuperPooped]

Stella Waldvogel would buy some in a kickstarter!

[@StellaWaldvogel]

Yes! The vintage ones are so expensive and might not stand up to much use...some of them are almost 100 years old! If anybody starts making them again, TAKE MY MONEY, PLEASE! :D

[@mirsolis4992]

@@StellaWaldvogel I picked up some of these wave clips recently, definitely gonna see if its possible to recreate them

[@silaslizzie43]

I had never seen these before and just found and ordered five of these clips. An expensive treat, for sure!

[@chibiloki]

These clips look amazing. Sadly, there're nearly impossible to find, so I'll have to figure out a different way to do these waves.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

They are unfortunately quite rare, I'd love to reproduce them someday!

[@LynneWright]

Wave clips! That makes sense, I have one that was in my grandma s things. She was very lovely and your make up reminds me of hers. She never left the house without lipstick and powder. She used a powdered mascara from what I remember. Going out she was always well dressed and rarely wore trousers. In the house she’d wear a house dress or apron over her clothing to protect them. Every Thursday morning she would go to the beauty parlor and have her hair done. Her pillow cases were silk as to not ruin her hair.

[@lovecats6856]

I made satin pillow cases with french seams.

[@nathanielcraig3588]

If you want easy finger waves, try a pin curl wave set! It's way more comfortable to sleep in than rollers, lasts a lot longer than curling iron curls, is smoother than wave clips on wet hair and creates a very consistent finger wave with the right brush out, and fluffy curls at the ends! You can easily finger wave the dry curls since the set is flat to the head and the direction of each row of pin curls alternates.

[@QueenCityHistory]

OMG my grandma had those! I remember seeing them on her vanity. She bought them for waving her hair on her wedding day and she hung on to them. Your hair turned out beautifully! !

[@ymor1451]

I remember photos of my Nann with this hair do from the 20s. But she called it Marcel waves. I guess the name varies according to the country you are from. Looks really good on you. Thanks for the tutorials.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

The waves were all pretty similar but each hairdresser/guru had a different way to do them, different clips, techniques, and irons all had different names 😂

[@denisemorrow8602]

The name marcel came from the curling iron you heated the marcel iron in an oven

[@ymor1451]

@@denisemorrow8602 Thank you Denise

[@thevintagekitty]

I have never seen these clips before! Amazing!!! Thanks for posting.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Glad to be spreading the word about them! They are magic, worth searching out for sure!

[@paradisoperduto4900]

TheClosetHistorian You can do the same with the Marcel wave clips; less torturous

[@annaholt5673]

Always wondered how waves were made. Thank you.

[@MoaMorgenstern]

Your beauty is amazing. You look like those vintage movie stars. Love your face! You’re gorgeous. Greetings from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you so much!

[@celestialstorybooks]

Wow, my grandmother had these, didn't know what they were! What a cool look!

[@tiffanytomasino335]

A lot of useful hair or makeup tools look like they were derived from torture devices. My personal favorite right now is the corkscrew pin. Thank you for sharing

[@tiffytattoo2450]

I'm pretty convinced women slept standing up until the 70s. So much hair style preserving in the 50 years prior! The wave looks great on you! What a commitment to sleep in the wave clips!!

[@ScorpianaXlynn]

Thank you for doing this video. I have 3 Mervyn clips and 3 similar ones by Solo but had a hard time figuring out how to best use them. This helped so much. I wish someone would reproduce these, I'd be thier first customer.

[@Rakeru93]

Your face already has this vintage traces, and you look beautiful with this hair 😍 thanks for posting

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@sharonhughes588]

I love this style! I have always loved black and white movies....seeing the insides of houses....fashions...makeup and hairstyles from long ago. I love the smooth cap with a gorgeous hem of curls! You did a great job, and you wear this wonderfully! Thanks for sharing! I would never have the patience! LOL

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Sharron!

[@jackiec1736]

Thank u! I have the big wave clips.. had no clue how to set it!… had them for 20 years.. thank you!..

[@noellagenevieve8061]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful tutorial. You look gorgeous and very glamorous!

[@nancybender3076]

Very pretty style. You have such patience! I've got a bob, too, and although I hate it's natural straightness, the most time I'm (generally) willing to spend on it is 10-15 minutes with the curling iron in the morning. I wish I had your diligence.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thanks Nancy! When I had my bob I had to straighten it too if I wanted to wear it that way, so I suppose I'm just used to having to style my hair no matter how I want to wear it :)

[@jennyhernandez9859]

Thank you! I've had a few mervin wave clips for years and have never found a tutorial on how to use them. This is perfect!!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thanks Jenny! I wish someone out there was still making this clips as they just work so well!

[@AmberOrtolano]

Just found one of these clips at an antique store, I'm so excited!!! I found a few similar ones along with it too!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Awesome find! I can't believe you found one out in the wild, good work ;)

[@lumay1966]

Those Mervin wave clips are fascinating! You are so gorgeous and glamourous! I really loved your evening makeup in this video.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@artdecobabe7019]

You look amazing, fabulous make up too! Really enjoyed your fun, honest narrative!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@hopequinn1254]

So lovely. Thank you for showing us. I have waist length hair and have for so long. You make me wonder.... what would short hair be like if I could time travel????

[@rallygirl4284]

Very helpful video!! I went to beauty school and was great on finger waves in a doll! I am going to a 1920 party!!

[@angelaturk7409]

You did a beautiful job on your hair! 💜

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Angela!

[@AmberOrtolano]

These clips are fascinating! Love your makeup here btw ❤

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@martineb1569]

Bonjour Bianca,Je comprends maintenant le merveilleux que tu réalises magnifiquement. Ton expertise me donne des idées. Merci pour ce tutoriel.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Merci Martine! Thank you so much for such a wonderful visit in Burgundy, another trip I will never forget! Sending all my love to you, Pierre, and Isabelle!

[@bz2unow]

Wow! I am glad you just introduced me to those amazing clips! Beautiful hair style!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! They are magic clips!

[@Bosegcrow]

This is so beautiful! I have always wondered how the waves pattern was made.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! It can be done "by hand" as well with combs, but I'm not great at that way to do it so I am thankful for mervin wave clips!

[@WigManPhil]

Thank you so much for this! I've been a theatrical hairdresser for 20 years, doing period hairstyles on people and wigs on a regular basis, and I am totally unfamiliar with this particular name brand and exact style of these clamps! I've seen other wave clips these seem much easier for one to use in themselves. If you wanted a longer lasting set I would recommend doing pin curls with a little styling gel, but that can be a little time consuming. You can also use a lift comb, take the pick, fork looking end to manipulate and lift the waves in the final detailing. This looks really really great and very period accurate, not just "retro" but combined with your makeup and style you raise it to historical accuracy which is nice to see. Thanks for the new toy idea! I love to learn new things!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

I just wish these clips were easier to come by! But for 20's and 30's style without a lot of hassle they are well worth the investment!

[@WigManPhil]

@@TheClosetHistorian i wonder how long a patent or tradeMark is good for? (Trademarked and copyrighted😉)

[@TheClosetHistorian]

@@WigManPhil I believe it's only 20 years for patents (copyright is at least 70), I just need some venture capital ;)

[@andreahughes1500]

This may be a dumb question. Could you achieve this look with a crimping iron? Or would that risk burning the person’s scalp? Look wrong?

[@Goldenstar23]

@@andreahughes1500 I can say from experience (high school prom XD ) that it is very easy to burn one's scalp using a crimping iron. It gives more a of a 'retro' look of wavy-ness than true vintage waves

[@carlsenlifeafter60carlsen11]

It looks beautiful,great job ! Wish I had the clips 😊

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@rominavaras_millastejidos]

I was exactly referring to the wave clips! thanks for answering !

[@whatever_r_r]

its like im watching a 60s comercial ilove it

[@Dan-ji2gw]

I love the look! thank you for sharing

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Danielle!

[@holyexperience1976]

This would be an awesome April Fool's joke. People thinking they are watching colorized vintage vid, just to see the busting out of curling iron! 😉😂😂😂😂😂 Lovely footage!

[@doyoutossandturnatnight7134]

I’ve been needing to find a hairstyle for my short hair. I think I found it!

[@bbth667]

Stunning

[@maryamjoha]

When my grandmother moved back to her home country we wound up giving away an entire bag of these wave clips. I recently saw a single clip go for $300. Talk about kicking yourself! At the time I didn't know what they were for -.-

[@CAZZIEK321]

Cute. Great curlers

[@kariivins-senft9302]

You put a big smile on my face! Thank you, that was fun to watch.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Kari!

[@vintagelyzzie]

Wow! Those are really neat! Waves are really hard to make otherwise.

[@denisemorrow8602]

I went to cosmetology school in the 80s and we had to learn to finger wave and curl hair. It’s the foundation of hair styling

[@BrendaC-cf7td]

Hi, amazing, how do you sleep on those! My goodness. Thanks for sharing

[@splehcar]

Huh... has a _marcelled_ effect. Nice.

[@wpaulvandyk]

Awwwww i love the hair style, you are always a real beauty xxxxxxx

[@stephaniemorey8351]

Very nice video with a beautiful result!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@Timbyte]

very nice hair

[@ah5721]

I have the devil of the time getting my hair to finger wave with modern duck bill clips. I need to get me some vintage clips it would seem !

[@FilomenaJackStudio]

Adorable!

[@misswazzra]

I need these in my life!

[@taylortimeless]

Thanks for this! Very helpful! Going to try this out!

[@temperhollow7716]

Just gorgeous!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@marciareagan2718]

So pretty

[@eparke20]

This is a lot of work 😳

[@missfoxylocksnz]

This was a super interesting video, I've never seen those kind of clips before. Love watching your channel :)

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@nvaranavage]

I have been having a he'll of a time trying to get my hands on these clips. I've checked etsy and eBay. Aargh! I have the more modern version of the Mervin Wave clips (the duck-bill and the tooth style basic clips). Any suggestions of where else I might find the vintage ones?!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Mervin wave clips like these are indeed quite difficult to find out there. I'm afraid I can't be of too much help, as I got mine on Etsy and Ebay just getting lucky and seeing them listed when I was searching. When I really want a hard to find vintage item, I will search almost daily to see if any new listings have appeared so I can snap things up as soon as they appear, good/rare stuff disappears fast! The only other tip I suppose I have is to just search "wave clips" or "vintage hair clips" and sift through all the results because some sellers don't know what they have and won't know how to label Mervin wave clips. Also you may find the only way to get some will be to buy a larger lot of many clips (mostly useless/rusted ones or the kind that are easily found modern) just to get the two Mervin wave clips included in the batch. They are worth it though, good luck out there!

[@emvitt]

Thats Cool!

[@gayham]

Looks great!

[@mp5132]

Awsome video 😊

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

I have some but they’re not like this I wish my Mervin wave clips were like yours mine or half and half the size. Do you still work well but I can see this style would be better. Especially for longer thicker hair. Fun!

[@TheFall1834]

Great video! I was wondering if you could do a tutorial replicating Angelina Jolie's hair from Changeling? It's got waves and still looks soft and bouncy. Thanks!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Carol! Though I feel my own hair is not long enough currently, it looks to me like a method similar to this tutorial might work well for such a softer style kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3vEmWVpYsx9hM0

[@pattythek]

I love this.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@JJLewis-so1iq]

Nice!

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

Ohh la la! Magnificent.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you Jody!

[@Canerican.]

Beautiful

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@annaperelmanap]

Thank you very much

[@1chelib]

Buy a box of Xanax strips at Sally's beauty supply. After you spray use a strip and dab on the hair to get rid of hairspray spots and it can be used to smooth it out after spraying. Hope I explained myself right. But it looks fantastic great job.

[@bellebeauty67]

Very nice!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@rebeccamiller2209]

You are beautiful! Wonderful video. I have been searching for these clips for a while. Any advice on where I can find them?? 🙂

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I found mine on Ebay and Etsy I'm afraid!

[@cattycorner8]

gorgeous!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@HowIsTheFuture]

If you ever need a handy hair friend I've got you if you've got me XD

[@1armida]

Love it!

[@NYC1927]

Cool to see!

[@amandathompson8473]

Those are super cool and look like they work very well, but holy crap they are expensive! Not in my budget for a one-time hairdo.

[@tamarab.7151]

Make a 20s Eton crop hairstyle, please.

[@lovecats6856]

Do they still make "Final Net" hair spray? That was the best.

[@badgerinabluedress4866]

Years ago I bought some of these torture devices off etsy. Never quite worked out how to use them.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Very rare and sought after torture devices I assure you ;)

[@TheLongHairedFlapper]

Great tutorial! I love how you used the clips to make the ridges stand up more. The flatness of the wave has always been my least favourite aspect of Mervin clips (it knocks them down to #2 out of the clips I've tried). That seems like such a great solution :)

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I'd love to get better at real finger waving techniques, but the clips sure are a good cheat!

[@iknowyouwanttofly]

I wish I could just 3d print clips like that!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Same here!

[@BoazsCrown222]

Love! This✨

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@geertjebrandenburg195]

These pins are so hard to find & expensive, I wish I could find their patent so I can make a cad model to 3d print some. I feel like that would be so cool!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Happy to help there, patent no. 2 134 592 pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?docid=02134592&SectionNum=1&IDKey=C2C5D4CF0200&HomeUrl=patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1%2526Sect2=HITOFF%2526d=PALL%2526p=1%2526u=%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r=1%2526f=G%2526l=50%2526s1=2134592.PN.%2526OS=PN/2134592%2526RS=PN/2134592 Not sure if that link will work, but the US patents are searchable and the drawing does indeed exist!

[@suzyah7382]

Any alternative way to do this flat waves for men ? THnakssssss

[@joygrieve85]

I need some of these clips! Can't find them anywhere :(

[@TheClosetHistorian]

They are indeed hard to find! Ebay and Etsy are the best places to try, check back every few months if you can.I wish you the best of luck in finding some! I only wish I had a way to replicate them and start selling them, I'm sure the patent is expired by now ;)

[@ivoryandgold88]

Genius! I want them. Did you spray anything besides water to set them before putting in the clips? I love vintage styles but am very impatient with my hair. Those wave clips look like something I could use also, can you find those in Sally Beauty? I think I've seen them but I might be wrong

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thanks Mariel! I just use water to set my hair normally, but if I really need the extra hold I will use a bit of Lottabody setting lotion from Sally Beauty. I know Sally's has the little wave clips, but the big Mervin wave clips that create the s curve waves are vintage and unfortunately quite rare. Only available on ebay or etsy or the like occasionally!

[@alexkroll184]

Does anyone know if there’s another version of this that’s easier to come by I’ve been looking for the mervin ones for forever and I can’t seem to have any luck

[@espressogoblin]

You look perfect ❤️

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@HADESCORPSE]

I love you very vintage

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@rominavaras_millastejidos]

Hello The closet historian! fantastic hairstyle! Please tellme : Where can i buy those tweezers?I´m Argentine.Best regards!

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Hello! I'm not sure what you mean by tweezers, but if you mean the Mervin Waves clips- they don't make them anymore so the best place to find them is on Ebay or Etsy! Sorry I can't be of more help!

[@Charlie-v4s3q]

So cool can you add the link to those barrett please

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Unfortunately they are vintage and rather rare so they only pop up on Ebay and Etsy from time to time and can sometimes be quite expensive since people know there is a high demand for them!

[@Charlie-v4s3q]

@@TheClosetHistorian thanks for your help I will do my best to find some like theses

[@BeverleyButterfly]

This was so interesting, if you look on my Instagram or watch my videos you can see I have short hair, do you think these would work in my hair to give it a more vintage look without growing my hair? I love this tutorial your hair always looks so pretty

[@TheClosetHistorian]

I would expect these clips would probably be too heavy for very short hair, however there are smaller more delicate clips out there that may work better! These smaller clips look more like the ones in this blog post from American Duchess blog.americanduchess.com/2012/03/v69-1920s-hair-and-photos.html. Also it is possible to do finger waves the traditional way on very short hair and there are some tutorials here on KZbin if you search "finger waves on very short hair". Hope that helps!

[@BeverleyButterfly]

TheClosetHistorian thank you so much I appreciate the advice so much

[@stylemethrift997]

is it comfortable to sleep in? I struggle with foam rollers! Great video

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you! I have never exactly tried to sleep on Mervin wave clips, as I set them on the heavy side of my part (my left side) and sleep on my right side, so I simply set the clip on the light side of my part (the right side of my head) in the morning first thing. Since I don't tend to move much in the night it isn't a problem having these big clips on the left side of my head. I would think they would be very, very uncomfortable to actually sleep on unfortunately!

[@DragonTigerKnight]

Pretty

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Thank you!

[@NopeIDontthinkso]

I would c-shape the way you comb your hair before you put the clips in so it’s not in your eyes! Cute do!

[@marylhere]

Were those clips used with permanent solution?

[@rosyloredo3768]

where can I buy this?

[@TheClosetHistorian]

Hello Rosy! Unfortunately, since they are vintage items, Etsy and Ebay are the only places I have ever seen Mervin wave clips for sale.

[@JJLewis-so1iq]

Try a really strong gel

[@stephaniemorey8351]

Do you use saving or setting lotion in this?

[@TheClosetHistorian]

I don't really remember, but I don't usually so I'd say no. I have naturally wavy hair so it holds waves and curls quite well without additional product luckily!

[@TheSerialHobbyistGirl]

The main thing that is stopping me from doing 1920s is that I have waist-long hair and I'm not willing to cut it. I haven't found a way to coax it into a passing hairstyle or inconspicuously under a wig.

[@TheClosetHistorian]

There were many women in the 1920's who felt the same way about their long Edwardian length hair, so it is actually quite accurate to have the front of the hair styled 1920's with finger waves and such, but have the back length rolled into a flat bun. Check out these styles : www.pinterest.com/pin/460563499366617102/ www.pinterest.com/pin/403142604131286945/ www.pinterest.com/pin/561190803543456692/ www.pinterest.com/pin/625930048196765113/

[@adriannamarecki3752]

How do i buy these?

[@TheClosetHistorian]

They are vintage and so hard to find! Check ebay and etsy!