The design of these irons is meant to be used by professionals, meaning pointed away from the person holding it toward someone sitting in front of them. It's difficult to explain without seeing it, but while with a traditional spring iron, flipping the iron around to use on your own hair doesn't really matter, with a marcel, it requires you to hold the iron completely backward from how it's designed. There are a lot of other things that make a marcel tricky to use, but this means it's even harder to use on yourself than on someone else. So when people complain about the difficulty, they're not exaggerating. I was able to figure out how to use it reasonably well the first time I used it, but it took me at least a week of daily use to be fairly comfortable with it. I've been using it for months now. For a while I thought it was a good iron, but I didn't really know if it was any better than a standard iron. That's until I forgot it while on a trip and had to borrow an old school iron from a friend. The difference is huge. First, a spring iron is actually a lot of work to use after getting used to a marcel. Second, the control and quality of curl with this iron is so much better. It's definitely worth the cost. If you don't curl your hair a lot or aren't comfortable with a normal iron, a marcel might not be worth it. But if you curl your hair regularly and have decent coordination and hand dexterity, this is a great iron. Read more

I have never been THAT great at curling my own hair but this totally changed my hair game! I have pretty thick (mostly straight) hair that is about at my collar bones... I had been trying to wrap my hair around a normal spring curling iron to get a soft wave but it just wasn't working... enter the Marcel Iron. It takes a little getting used to, as everyone will tell you, but I honestly think it is easier than a clip and it must be better for your hair!I don't do any fancy spinning. In case you're interested, this is my process:- I divide my hair into three sections, bottom, middle, and top/crown because it's so thick- I clamp at top of a piece of hair (that is so personal, I hate when people say to grab a "one inch piece of hair"... you just have to experiment and do what works for you. Also, the size of the piece of hair totally changes the look)- I spin once (either away from face or alternating away/towards for a messier look) to get the hair wrapped in a loop around the barrel- Hold it for a second (since I'm looking for some volume near the root... a must when you have thick, heavy hair),- Then I just drag the iron out (clicking the handle as I go down). I don't add any more spins or it makes it too curly- Brush it out with fingers after hair is cool.I get a million compliments and all my friends ask me to do theirs! FYI - this is what hair styles use (usually) and I can almost make my hair look the way my sytlist does = the ultimate goal! The marcel iron gives you more control, I think. This guy is so reasonably priced that it is totally worth a shot - Good luck!! Read more

If you're looking for a curling iron that is what you are use to, don't buy this type. The clip that holds your hair is upside down and on the bottom of the rod rather than on the top, the clip itself is loose and so is the stand for the curling iron so it falls over every time you set it down. Using it is like trying to do so backwards. This might be great for a hairdresser as it is probably different standing over some one doing hair instead of you looking in a mirror doing your own.This has NOTHING to do with the seller. I'm sure the seller is fine. It is the actual curling iron. Read more

The iron I received was defective and it never made a curl that would hold. The seller (Market Store) was responsive and kind enough to return my purchase which I very much appreciated. In trying to teach ,myself to use this iron I found it very frustrating. I watched videos trying to learn and practiced with the heat off as instructed before moving to the hot iron. I tried unsuccessfully several times to get curls that would last more than 2 seconds but again my unit was defective. After taking small sections all over my head, my arms were tired by the time i finished. My regular 1 1/2 iron did a better job and I wasn't exhausted before I finished. Even i if this one would work I would never buy this style again. I wanted to get the longer curls on the back of my head. The effort to use this for that purpose isn't worth it. I will order a smaller 1" regular iron. I've been a fan of hot tools for years and find them a good value and the price on Amazon beats the big box beauty store with a much lower price. Maybe I am curling iron defective but I much prefer the regular version. Read more

I am a busy stylist an was very excited to get this iron same day I was under the impression that it was a new iron when I got it it was clear it had been open and used the cord was not banded or rolled factory standard the bar had a little product build up on it and it shuts off after being plugged in for about 20 mins who’s charging is not a standard safety feature on this iron and a real pain if you are doing a bride and 6 b-maids I probrably just got a bunk one it’s Read more

I love this curling iron, it's the same irion my hair stylist uses and it's so much cheaper here. It works great I have thinish hair and sprayed my hair with triple take 32 was amazed to find my hair perfectly still in there full curls and not whimsical; After I had slept with them. Read more

Once you go Marcel and take the time to learn how to as if you will never go back. Don't let it keep you from buying this awesome iron. Hot tools makes the most wonderful irons, log professional cords, perfect handle, amazig settings and the curls last for days. I recommend popping on you tube and watching a marcel iron tutorial and leading how to properly use this iron. Best curls. I've purchased almost every size in this iron. Love them!! Thanks hot tools!! Came packers very nicely as well. Read more

WARNING anyone from purchasing this iron from Beauty Paragon Canada!!!Note: This item is non-returnable/non-refundable BUT after discussing the issue with Amazon support, Amazon did refund the purchase amount to me and are currently investigating Beauty Paragon Canada. :-)The Hot Tool Professional curling iron 1130 1 1/4" I received appears to be a fake and is being sold by Beauty Paragon Canada.This iron (according to Hot Tools official support) should come up to temp in 60 sec, but this iron took 5-10 min to get hot and the heat was very uneven over the iron!Taking a look online & with Hot Tools themselves, the printed logo/text on the handle is suspicious as it should have "Hot Tools" with "PROFESSIONAL" underneath the Hot Tools text. The one I received from Beauty Paragon Canada only has "Hot Tools" on the handle - NO PROFESSIONAL appeared anywhere!Also, "Helen of Troy" is Hot Tools parent company and the REAL HT product will have an "HL" logo embossed on the power plug. (see image).In the photo (I reused a photo from another US Amazon customer that has both a real and fake version -the real version is on the left side of the photo, the fake is on the right side... as I did not have a real version for comparison other than the product images from the Official Hot Tools website. I also called manufacturer and confirmed the info I have provided. Read more

I was so shocked when I first used mine, that I couldn't even right a review until now. I'm definitely sure that this item is a faulty one as it gets really hot and I could not seem to regulate the temperature. Besides that and my hair being burnt the handling of it seemed completely off. I think it is for a left handed person as I could not use it in my right. Any way enough. I feel I was stitched up royally. Please please don't buy this item as if you do you cant say you were not warned. Read more

I have not been able to use the curls due to fact they don't work I have contacted amozon and the seller and never had no help or exchange I have lost out as they are now just sat in a draw and I haven't had no money back for the item I was so excited to receive them and I am deeply disappointed by the customer service by amozon and the seller think twice before buying as if it is broke you will not get your money back or a new one Read more

Gorgeous curlers to look at and use.... Only problem is I think I'm doing something ring, I brought the right transformer but think iv blown the fuse already?? Tips?!! Read more

I have extremely fair, and thin hair. When I bought this curling iron I was looking for the cheapest curling iron with the ability to get the maximum amount of heat. This was when I was in denial of the condition of my hair. I use this curling iron on the lowest setting, and it does give me lasting curls. The cord is extra long, and there is an option to lock the handle in place or unlock it so you have more control over the heat tube. I would recommend using a heat glove along with this curling iron because it makes your life a lot easier when its in the unlockable setting. I've had it for the past few years, and its worked really well for me. Read more