the throwback
The Marcel Wave is named for French
hairstylist François Marcel, who invented
the process in 1872. Created with the help
of heated curling irons, the wave remained
popular for more than five decades—and it
still works today.
Marcel styled the hair of popular actress
Jane Hading with his waving technique,
generating enormous publicity, which he
promptly capitalized on. His first patent
for a "curling iron" was granted in 1905.
The look took off in the 1920s, when bold
women started cutting off their long locks
after seeing the waves on Hollywood stars
like Josephine Baker, Mary Pickford, and
Claudette Cobert.
Like many glamorous hairstyles of the past,
women can still pull off this sleek and gorgeous
style, especially for special occasions.
The Marcel Wave
Want to make some waves? Introduce your clients to "Marcelling"