Hair Styling Tools

Some of us who know anything about curling irons may be of the impression that a Marcel curling iron plugs into the wall just like other traditional curling irons.  However, another type of curling iron that is actually heated by placing it in its own unique stove is also called a Marcel curling iron.  This particular curling iron is also known as a barrel stove iron and has even been called a curling tong.  I guess because in some respects it looks like a pair of tongs.

So with all of the modern technology that has surrounded us, why are there still barrel stove irons available for use.  The best answer to this question comes from many professional hair stylists that work with African American hair or any ethnicity that has extremely coarse and curly hair.  For many it is the amount of heat that can be generated by heating up this tong shaped instrument in its own stove, which does in fact heat up by electricity.  The second reason has to do with preference and by that I mean that many of the hair stylists that have been around for more than ten years or so feel that using the marel curling iron provides you more control over the curl, whether it be the electric or the non-electric type.

The stove marcel curling iron does not have a spring loaded handle and doesn’t open by pressing your thrumb and snapping it shut.  Your entire hand and thumb actually opens and closes the handle and also holds the iron closed over the hair.  To use the iron you need to take a small section of your hair by using a comb to straighten the section and remove any tangles.  Be sure to use a hair styling product that will protect the hair from the intense heat.  Pull the section of hair through the open iron until the iron is at the end of the hair. Next you will close the iron around the section of hair and use your hand to determine the amount of pressure. You definitely have to keep in mind that the stove iron curling iron is much hotter than one is accustomed to and very little pressure and less time is needed than with the electric Marcel curling irons.  As you are rolling the hair around the curling iron, be sure to keep the hair flat or twist it as you roll the hair.  If you are twisting the hair this will create a more spiraled shape curl.  Lastly, slowly pull the iron through the hair and allow the curl to lie gently while it is cooling.

To finish off the style, you can run your fingers through your curls to separate them and then finish by using a light hair spray.  These curls should last all day.

If you are in the market for a barrel stove iron and/or curling iron stove, Belson Gold ‘N Hot has an exceptional line of products.  Their stove irons have heat-resistant rotating handles that are perfectly balanced for ease of operation.  These high quality steel barrels hold heat longer and have a closed end for consistent, even heat distribution.  They come in a multitude of sizes and are economical.