Saturday, May 27, 2017

Afro Barbie Fashionista #59 Tropi-Cutie

Barbie Fashionista #59 Tropi-Cutie
Tropi-Cutie is shown still attached to the box liner with cello removed.  She arrived wearing her pink halter dress, which has a floral-print skirt.  She wears a gold tone bracelet and lavender sneakers on her flat feet.

Afro hairstyle has a side part.

Her dark eyebrows accentuate her light brown eye color.  The pale pink lip color is not at all flattering and I wish Mattel would discontinue using it on dolls with this complexion.  Her hair is soft and the texture creates a perfect Afro.  I wasn't feeling the side part initially, but I can live with it.  The next three photos illustrate her Afro from different views.







Working with what she arrived wearing, she added a pair of Barbie sunglasses and Barbie knee-high Roman sandals.  We took both inside and outside pictures (shown next) of this look.



Striking poses outside

Pierced ears, earrings, fashion change
After trying on a Sparkle Girlz fashion with the Barbie Roman sandals and sunglasses, her ears were pierced and a pair of gold dangle earrings, made from a pair of human earrings, were inserted.  She looks super fly!

She shows off her temporary nude lips after the original color was removed with fingernail polish remover.


From acrylic paint on hand, she chose pueblo (which is not as bright as it appears in this photo, but it is a brighter color than I would have chosen for her).  Even though she likes it, I might tone it down later.

Another fashion change:


This Sparkle Girlz fashion includes a cold-shoulder top with denim shorts.  The Barbie Roman sandals work well with this, too.
The colors in the blouse better complement her new lip color, which is an improvement over the original light pink.  See the before and after lip color image next.

Light pink versus pueblo (apricot).


Overall assessment: I like her! With the pink lip color replaced, redressed, and Afro shaped appropriately, I love her!

Images taken of the back of the box illustrate several other new Fashionistas (some of which are Kens).  Click or stretch to enlarge for a better view.



The new African American guy, Fashionista #10, appears to have cornrows (braided hair).



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Blue Brocade, Fashionista #25, a petite Barbie released in 2016 (box date 2015) jumped in the Amazon dot com cart with Fashionista #59.  She looks like a mini So In Style Chandra.  Because of her petite height, I plan to restyle her hair to give her a more youthful, teen look and remove those hideous light blue plastic earrings.  Redressing will probably be done as well.  With her size, Sparkle Girlz clothing should easily fit, but for now, she remains in her box.

dbg
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35 comments:

  1. RagingMoon1987May 27, 2017 at 8:51 AM

    She DOES look fly with that makeover! I love the makeovers you give your dolls! What head mold does this young lady have, may I ask? Is she another Mbili or is she another mold?

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 27, 2017 at 10:01 AM

      Thanks so much, RM1987. Blue Brocade has the Mbili head sculpt. Tropi-Cutie, Pants so Pink, Fancy Flowers, and AA Musician Barbie all share the same head sculpt. You can see a photo of Musician Barbie (before I repainted her lips) and Fancy Flowers together here.

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  2. AG LancMay 27, 2017 at 8:56 AM

    Thanks for sharing! She's gorgeous! She looks awesome redress.

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  3. GiniMay 27, 2017 at 12:59 PM

    Send photos to Mattel to illustrate improvement! Earrings and redress fabulous, but the new lip color is everything -- and even the nude lips look better than that ubiquitous pink, which needs to labeled "for pale-skinned blondes only." Tropi-Cutie is now Tropi-Cuter.

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 27, 2017 at 1:39 PM

      Oh wow, Gini! Thank you for the huge compliment. I don't consider myself an expert at all where it comes to repainting or redressing. I just like to take ownership of my dolls once they become part of my personal collection and make the necessary changes for them to be pleasing in my eyes.

      I think someone does need to clue Mattel in on the fact that pale pink just doesn't work for brown-skinned dolls. Another collector shared photos of her doll's new darker lip color on Amazon. I might do that as well.

      "Tropi-Cutie is now Tropi-Cuter," made me smile. Thanks again!

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  4. RoxanneRoxanneMay 27, 2017 at 1:07 PM

    She looks so good with her redress and enhancements! I'm loving her hair! I'm looking forward to the new AA Ken, even though he looks like he's had his cornrows for a couple of weeks too long (no visible parts). That new Ken is definitely on my want list.

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 27, 2017 at 1:44 PM

      Thank you, Roxanne! I look forward to seeing what you do with your Tropi-Cutie.

      Yes, I had to look very close to the image on the back of Tropi-Cutie's box to detect the new AA Ken's cornrows. Your comment about them made me snort with laughter: "...even though he looks like he's had his cornrows for a couple of weeks too long (no visible parts)." I can visualize more part painting in my future after he arrives here. Poor fellow. There's almost nothing worse than a dude with some crusty-looking cornrows. :-)

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  5. Jaye's Doll SpaceMay 27, 2017 at 2:16 PM

    I like her new lip color. I'm loving the afro.

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 27, 2017 at 2:53 PM

      Thanks, Jaye!

      Mattel did an excellent job with the Afro.

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  6. Ms. LeoMay 27, 2017 at 5:15 PM

    I love your makeover and fashion show! Is it my imagination or are some of the Kens tall and petite? That would be nice but it does look life they have the stiff bodies.

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 27, 2017 at 6:57 PM

      Thank you Ms. Leo.

      I do think at least one of the guys is petite height--the one on the far right.

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  7. MarichaMay 27, 2017 at 8:22 PM

    Thanks for sharing your pictures. I knew you'd make her stylish. Now she looks like she should be in the Barbie Collection instead of the playline.Even if the apricot was as bright as it looked in pictures warm tones look better than cool tones with brown skin, I can't understand why Mattel insists on that pink lipstick, it doesn't look good on pale dolls either-it's unhealthy to have drab lips.

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 28, 2017 at 11:37 AM

      I agree, Maricha, warm tones do look much better on brown skin, and drab lips are very unhealthy looking. Maybe one day Mattel will realize this. Until then, I guess I'll either have to stop buying or continue to remove and repaint.

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  8. Ollie's DolliesMay 28, 2017 at 6:07 AM

    I love the lip color change and jazzy redress of this doll. Her earrings are just too cha-cha for words! Thanks for sharing your pictures and posting the new Fashionistas on the back of the box. What a great new line up. PS Thank Goodness for acrylic paint!

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 28, 2017 at 11:39 AM

      You're welcome, Ollie's Dollies. Thank you for complimenting Tropi-Cutie's makeover.

      I keep a large selection of acrylic paint on hand at all times. Thank goodness for options.

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  9. D7anaMay 28, 2017 at 8:59 AM

    Yes, your lip color change is an improvement for this doll, too. Chalky pink looks hideous. I'm not crazy about that outfit either - not those colors against that doll color. Your redresses are definitely for the better. I think the doll is smiling wider now, too. Thanks for sharing her and the box back with the new males.

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 28, 2017 at 11:39 AM

      Thank you, D7ana for your kind input. It is always appreciated.

      :-)

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    2. D7anaJune 21, 2017 at 7:54 PM

      You're welcome, DBG :-)

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  10. Georgia GirlMay 28, 2017 at 11:36 AM

    Your redress brings life to her. I love the lip color that you chose (hint, hint Mattel). Thanks for sharing the back of the box! I couldn't wait to get a glance at the Ken dolls. I see several dolls overall that I plan to get.

    Happy Sunday!

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 28, 2017 at 11:44 AM

      Hi G.G.,

      Ms. Leo noticed that the Ken on the far right in the plaid shirt is petite in height. Another collector noticed there are chunky Kens in the new lineup, too. So glad for the size diversity Mattel is adding. If they would only up the fashion game and use lip colors that complement the dolls' skin tones, oh and add more articulation, more of us would be happy with our dolls as they are.

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  11. LindomarMay 28, 2017 at 12:44 PM

    Hello Girl!
    I'm so sorry that I didn't ask for permission to use the photos of your Fashionista. May I keep the photos there? I will ask for permission in the next time before I post. Thank you!
    :D

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 28, 2017 at 1:19 PM

      Hello Ken Doll,

      Yes, you may leave the pictures on your blog and thank you for asking for permission to use my photos in the future.

      Thanks also for keeping us informed about new Barbie offerings.


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      PS I prefer to be addressed by my first name, Debbie, or simply DBG.

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    2. LindomarMay 28, 2017 at 6:19 PM

      OK!

      Thanks for visiting my blog!

      See you, DBG!
      :D

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    3. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 28, 2017 at 6:39 PM

      You're welcome!
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  12. Bailey NorthMay 30, 2017 at 3:44 PM

    She does look better with the warmer tone lipstick. I tried it too but I like your lip shape better. I just painted over her pink. I couldn't help myself; as soon as she was out of the box she was on an A-tone Dynamite Girl body that I bought on sale and the teeth were banished. And before I knew it Beautiful Ziggy jumped on to her vacated body! I love my Ziggy Stardust. And now I love my new...what should I name her? Hmm... Thank you so much leading me to her!

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 30, 2017 at 5:15 PM

      Oh I know she looks so much better and I appreciates her new body. I was going to rebody mine, but haven't found the right body yet.

      You are so welcome!

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  13. Bailey NorthMay 30, 2017 at 3:48 PM

    Is there a way to show you a picture?

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    1. Bailey NorthMay 30, 2017 at 3:56 PM

      https://www.pinterest.com/pin/365424957255152028/

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    2. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 30, 2017 at 5:20 PM

      The pinterest link does not work for me. I emailed you. If you can attach the photo to the email in a reply, that would be great.

      I wrote a review of this doll on Amazon and shared a before and after photo with the review. Scroll down at this link.

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    3. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 30, 2017 at 5:27 PM

      Bailey,

      I was able to click the link to Pinterest via the email notification of your post that Blogger sent me. I posted a comment on the photo which reads:

      She looks so much better,Bailey! Ziggy has lost a tremendous amount of weight, hasn't she? :-)

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    4. Bailey NorthMay 30, 2017 at 6:00 PM

      It's her new diet! Only sushi and chocolate cake! Worked wonders for her...wish it would work for me. :-D

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    5. Black Doll EnthusiastMay 30, 2017 at 6:46 PM

      Too funny. 😂

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  14. ShamekarjJune 3, 2017 at 3:56 PM

    I haven't seen her in the stores or even on Mattel.com just on Amazon. Does anyone know when she'll be available everywhere?

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    1. Black Doll EnthusiastJune 3, 2017 at 4:39 PM

      Hi Shamekarj - I don't know what Mattel's plans are to have her in stores. Hopefully she will hit store shelves soon. I still haven't seen the Music Barbie in stores anywhere online except Amazon.

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