The Marcel Wave aka the finger wave, shadow wave and water wave

[saturdaysgirl]

source: flickr

After seeing The Changeling, I really want to know how to achieve this look.
But, I've been looking it up and I can't find full instructions (they seem rather complicated) and neither can I afford to buy an expensive curling iron.
Does anyone have any suggestions?

Angelina's version....beautiful!

source:daily mail.co.uk

I just found a good thread on here entitled '1920's hair'
and on it there's this link: http://www.revampvintage.com/30swaterwaves.html
which tells you all about it. But, again....difficult!
Please tell me there is a cheat's version or at least I don't have to buy hard to find equipment for. I naturally have straight hair.

 

[seanutbutter]

Marcel waves can be tricky to create, especially when you have longer hair. How long is your hair? Since this was a hairstyle popular in the late 1920s/early 1930s, when many women had bob haircuts, it'd be much easier to accomplish with a short haircut.

Anyway, there are some tricks to creating this look, but some do require using a curling iron or flat iron. There are some decent models out there for under $30, so you might consider looking into those. I've found a couple of video tutorials on YouTube that use just a comb to achieve the look, though. Here's one which uses a comb, lots of gel, bobby pins, and hair spray:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sBvYUABO0Y

Another video I found, though low quality, shows the combing technique that is also present in the first video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mEmn8HtWa70&feature=related

Back in the 1920s, women created this look with the help of a "water waving comb," a tool that almost resembles giant barrettes. They were literally locked into place on the hair for hours and, when taken out, left waves in the hair. Unfortunately, those are near impossible to find nowadays!

Hope this helps!

 

[ChloeFrancoise]

I've considered cutting my hair short and wearing like that recently but I don't know whether I would want to bother having to style it like that all the time.

 

[loonaka]

It's beautiful and all, but to me it looks like wayy too much work..

 

[Hanne]

saturdaysgirl please add the account name to the flickr image

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[saturdaysgirl]

Thanx so much for the replies!
I think I will invest in a flat iron.... but I'd love to get the combs....
I have a sort of bob although it's shorter on one side, my hair's short/long enough for this at the moment and I thought it would be a good style for the transition faze but not for everyday, definately....it's too much work for that!
edit: I can't seem to edit my last post anymore, sorry, but the clicr image is from the user rhiannonmars. sorry.

 

[Hanne]

posting it in a follow up post is fine, thank you

 

[Meg]

These are notoriously difficult to create. i went as Veronica Lake for Halloween once, and went to my hairdressers, and they had a really hard time doing it. I agree it's quite a special look though

 

[two months off]

I love this look and yes it's hard to do : ( I have long hair and I've tried it on the front part of my hair and it's come out fine! I used this link for info:

http://www.vividinfinity.com/fingerwave/fwpage2.html