Wavy
Locks
This hairstyle is very easy
to do. Simply divide the hair into sections and braid, securing braids
with a small, polymer hair band. These bands are available in the
hair care section of any drug, grocery, or department store. Keep
in mind that smaller braids will result in tight waves, and larger braids
will result in loose waves. Once hair is braided, you'll need a saucepan
and a pyrex cup or heat-proof serving spoon to finish the process.
Heat water in the sauce pan until boiling. Dip your spoon or pyrex
cup into the water and carefully saturate braids, making sure that the
boiling water does not soak the dolls face - especially if you've already
done a repaint. Hot water can damage the dolls facial paint.
After you've done this several time, you may leave the doll in a safe place
to dry. Some people "finish" the boil perm process by dipping the
hair into ice water after the using the hot water. I've never personally
tried this. I've always been happy with the results from hot water
alone. But do whatever works for you. After dolls hair is completely
dry, carefully undo the braids. Combing may result in a frizzy look,
(which is great if that's what you're going for). If not, finger
style the hair and trim as desired. Some people use holding spray
or spritz, but I've always been happy with good old Aqua-Net. Not
only it cheap, but it holds hair like nobody's business (just ask your
grandmother). Be careful when spraying hair. Try not to let
hairspray get on dolly's face, and spray lightly and evenly to avoid a
sticky, white "build-up" |
Short
N' Sassy
This
style is great for those dolls that sport a more urban, sophisticated look.
I achieved this one by re-rooting the scalp with curly, two-toned hair
(available at most craft or fabric stores). See the articles section
for hints on re-rooting. The hair was a little longer than shoulder
length after the re-root, and very, very curly. With scisors, I cut
the curls all around until I had a medium-sized Afro (think Barbara Striesand
in "A Star is Born", or Pam Grier in anything during the '70's).
From there, I tapered the hair starting in the back and continuing aournd
the sides. Because of the curly nature of the hair, the "feather"
effect came naturally. The longest length for this hair-do is in
the front and the crown of the the head. Of course, you can go shorter,
for a severely "cropped" look, or leave it a little longer in the back
for a "pixie" style (popular in the '70's and mid '90's). The tight
curl of the hair eliminates the need for curling, and precise cutting will
allow the hair to "feather" (Farrah Fawcett, eat your heart out)! |
Classic
Up-Do
This
style is a classic - it goes great with all of those fancy, embellished
ballgowns or "after 5" cocktail outfits (I'm thinking Audry Hepburn in
"Breakfast at Tiffany's). This style involves a boil perm and the
use of perm style rods (the rollers with the rubber string holding the
cap). Gather hair into a high, tight ponytail and secure with a poly
hair band. Seperate hair into sections and roll using perm rods.
Curls will be smoother if you dampent the section of hair and wrap with
"perm papers" (available in the hair care section of your drug/grocery/department
store). Boil perm as described above. After hair is dry, carefully
remove rollers, leaving the "hard" curl intact. Trim hair to a shorter
length, and arrange, tucking ends under the curls with something small
and flat (like a metal nail file). Once hair is styled as desired,
trim strays and fly-aways, and spray using your favorite hair fixitive
(Aqua-Net for me). This style may be embellished with beaded ornaments
or flowers. Let your imagination be your guide. |
Standard
Beauty Shop Perm
This
is not quite what I was going for when I attempted this style. My
mistake was trying to style the course "bangs" hair fibers instead
of removing and re-rooting them. But you get the idea of what
you can do with perm rods and hot water. For longer hair (with looser
curls), use larger rods. For shorter hair, use smaller rods.
Don't forget your hairspray!!!!! |
Spiral
Curls
This
style was done using the standard boil perm. I substituted bobby
pins for perm rods to achieve this style. I did this a year ago and
did not fix the curls with spray so they've softened over time. Be
sure to spray to keep curls tight and springy! Use perm papers with
the bobby pins, and roll hair even starting at the bottom of the hair section,
and continuing up in a spiral. Don't allow hair to "bunch" up in
one spot on the pin. Secure pins in hair with poly elastic band.
Boil perm as indicated. When hair is dry, carefully remove pin from
hair and clip any ends that have become "bent" while perming. Do
not comb out curls, instead, arrange as desired with fingers and spray
in place. |
  
And
Now for Something Different
Here
we have three blonds. Well, two blonds and one platinum white.
But you get the point. Be creative with hair (we "real" women do
it all the time). The blond on the left is an African-American doll
(Christie) with straight white hair (and, to all you X-Men fans, I did
not get the idea from Storm!). The beauty in the middle is Asian.
Since most Asian women have hair that's naturally straight and dark, I
gave her hair that is fair and curly (no perm required - hair was curly
right from the package). And the doll on the end is also sporting
pale blond hair - a shade not usually found on African-American women.
Although I've got no pics for her, I've got a doll who's in the process
of having her hair dyed green to match a fantasy outfit I'll create - someday!
And I've got plans for more "contridiction" dolls, such black micro-braids
for a doll with blue eyes and fair skin. Or you could try molded
hair (check out Jim Farone's books for instructions on how to do this).
These gals have no border which they can't cross - for fashion dolls, the
sky's the limit! |
