Glam & Lived-In: Watch The Quickie & Get The Marcel Steps
Whether you’re still unsure about practicing those Marcel skills or just looking for new techniques using this traditional (but always relevant!) styling tool, we’re dishing out two different waving techniques to achieve both lived-in and glam waves.

From prep to finish, Kenra Professional Educator Chelsey Ellis (@chelseyellishair) is breaking down her styling steps for two totally different end results. Watch the quickie video, then scroll for all the steps and the products you need! 

Products Used

Styling

Color Maintenance Thermal Spray 11

Kenra Professional

Curling Irons/Rods

Black Gold™ Marcel Iron

Hot Tools® Professional

Watch The Techniques Below

1. Marcel Technique: Glam Waves

Get The Steps:

1. Prep the hair with Kenra Color Maintenance Thermal Spray 11. This medium-hold hairspray locks in color and maintains vibrancy when styling with hot tools.
2. Hold a 1 1/4 inch Hot Tools Marcel Iron horizontally, then take a barrel-sized section and slowly ribbon it around the iron. Keeping your hand flat and starting at the root, move down the section wrapping and twisting around the iron.
3. Once the ends are completely wrapped, tap the iron and allow the curl to heat up and release. Continue this pattern with same-sized sections in the same direction for consistency.
4. After the entire head is curled, mist Kenra Color Maintenance Thermal Spray 11 all over and brush through with low tension and combine all the curls into one glam wave shape. 
5. Finish by misting more Kenra Color Maintenance Thermal Spray 11. This super lightweight hairspray is buildable, so multiple applications won’t weigh the hair down.

Pro Marcel Tip: Keep the Marcel moving, continuing to tap the clamp down working throughout the hair to avoid any unwanted creases.

2. Marcel Technique: Lived-In Texture

Get The Steps:

1. Start by prepping the hair with Kenra Professional Color Maintenance Thermal Spray 11. Take a barrel-sized section—using a 1 1/4 inch Hot Tools Marcel Iron—and feed the hair into the iron starting 2 inches away from the scalp.
2. After the section is completely wrapped around the barrel, allow the curl to heat up for a moment. Then, twirl the iron away from the face to unravel into a tight ringlet. As you move toward the ends, pull them through the iron to straighten them. 
3. For a beachy effect, change the size of each section and alternate directions to achieve an irregular pattern and continue around the head.
4. Allow the hair to cool, apply Kenra Color Maintenance Thermal Spray 11 all over and rake through using your fingers.

Love this red color?! So do we. Chelsey recommends using a thermal protectant because reds are the quickest tones to fade and excessive heat can dull the color vibrancy with every use.

Click HERE for the color formulas and watch the entire application process!