Readers first saw the above dolls in my
Thrift Store Lot Make Ready post of June 4, 2014. Their desperate need of hair managing, thorough cleansing, and dressing took place recently.
Claudia's hair was in good condition, but Christie and Teen Nikki had major snarls and tangles as illustrated next.
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| Christie and Teen Nikki's hair was a mess and "mess" is a huge understatement! The thought to cut off was very tempting! |
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| Christie did receive a big chop! |
The initial plans I had for Christie would have required short hair; therefore, she was given a big chop. Those plans have since changed, but her short hair works quite well for her.
Next, all dolls were immersed in warm soapy water and given a thorough cleansing. The hair was also shampooed and conditioned. Some of the conditioner was left in Teen Nikki's hair to aid with the necessary detangling.
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| The trio takes a long soapy soak. |
After drying off, each doll had their tresses combed and styled. Then they were placed on a doll stand and allowed to air dry completely.
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| They air dried for 24 hours. |
I am still amazed at how well Teen Nikki's once tangled hair looks now. She has been dressed in a LIV fashion and wears a pair of Teen Skipper sandals from the playscale shoe stash.
I found a yellow top to match Claudia's orange-yellow polka dot Capri pants. Also from the shoe stash, Claudia wears a pair of sandals scaled for LIV dolls. These were made by Paulette, of
Limbe Dolls and
Sipping from the Source. The sandals fit Claudia well and are a perfect match for the fashion she now wears.
Christie wanted to take close-up images of her short pixie 'do before dressing in a So In Style fashion. She also has matching earrings and "ring" made from adhesive-backed gemstones.
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| Christie likes her pixie hairstyle. I used a combination of styling gel and black beeswax to provide the desired hold. |
The girls posed for one final photo before finding their respective places to stand and look pretty in the doll room.
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| Rescue mission complete |
Next in line for makeovers are Nichelle, Desiree, Asha and the pants-less GI Joe, the last of the 10 dolls found in my last thrift store doll discovery. Their makeovers will begin when the Spirit moves me to engage in more serious doll play.
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Hello from Spain: great makeover. They are very pretty. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteThanks, Marta!
Deletedbg
The makeover came out really nice. Teen Nikki really surprised me, I'm always fretful of tangling it up due to display rotation, lol.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brini. Teen Nikki does have lots of hair! I have another one that I purchased when the doll debuted that is NRFB. I didn't realize until working with the thrift store doll how much hair she has.
Deletedbg
LOVE!!The new hair styling of Christie (Belinda Mold),I recently had a great experience with this mold and it's now on my wish list to find a Belinda Christie!!Everytime i read about your amazing american dolls founds (LOL) I realize that I'd really love to live in america, probably the "doll land" also (LO!!).I would like to invite you and your readers to see this on the blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://clickingdolls.blogspot.com.br/2014/05/um-surpreendente-encontro-com-benetton.html
Your Belinda is lovely, Jorge! I have at least two other Christie thrift store finds waiting to enter the spa for their several-day treatment. This particular head sculpt is plentiful at thrift stores in my area. I pass them up often! Is there any particular Christie on your wish list?
DeleteWe Americans often complain about the dearth of black dolls and other dolls of color, when people in other areas, like you, experience true difficulty in finding black dolls. We/I should (and I do) count my blessings. Thanks for the reminder.
dbg
Debbie,My Friend!!
DeleteThe Christie Belind on my posting is not mine as I explain I could resolve a scruff trouble of the Benetton Doll of a co-worker that call me for help!!Well I never seen a Belinda Christie so closed and this is the only black nold of dolls that I don't have,so I understood I must to put at least one in my collection!!They are cute!! LOL!!Thank You For The Return!! <3
Thanks for the clarification, Jorge. You definitely need at least one Christie. You did a fabulous job on your coworker's doll.
Deletedbg
Christie's hair cut is outstanding! I spent this weekend going through all my thrift store dolls. It took 8 hours just to wash them and their clothes. Letting them pile up is a pain I will not be repeating.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Muff.
DeleteThat was some undertaking you experienced. Cleaning thrift store doll finds can be a challenge. I usually take on just a few dolls at time. The entire process varies from a few days to weeks. I do it in spurts and steps: Baths first, hair next, stain removal (if needed), and redressing.
dbg
Que bonitas!!!
ReplyDeleteGracias, Lindaivette!
Deletedbg
Debbie, you did a great job on these makeovers! Christie's hair looks great! I love how you've styled it. I've always worried about cutting a doll's hair too short, so I'll have to remember your styling tips. Teen Nikki's hair looks great, also.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Roxanne! It's only been in recent years that I have developed the nerve to cut a doll's hair. I was always afraid that I would ruin the doll by cutting the hair (after all, it won't grow back!). It helps to have a goal in mind (like I did with Grandpa Ken) and this thrift store doll that I wasn't too worried about ruining since she was already extremely preloved. Thrift store dolls always make good experimenting specimens for doll play.
DeleteThe gel I had on hand does not provide strong hold, which is why I resorted to the black beeswax. A stronger gel or a spritz would have probably worked without the use of the beeswax.
dbg
You worked a couple of miracles here. I adore Christie's pixie do! I am a sucker for a great short haircut.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Vanessa!
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