My First Custom Barbie Part One

I have always wanted to redo a Barbie doll so that she would be exactly what I wanted, but was too afraid. The truth was, I didn't have a clue where to even start. All I could figure was that acrylic paint was probably involved, but that was about it. So when I discovered the amazing Youtube videos of doll makeovers by Dollightful and AkameruKawaii, I was entranced. It looked so tricky and yet so doable at the same time. When I found some Monster High dolls that, to me, needed a little work (their wasp waists needed fixing for a start!) I decided to give it a go. So I saved up my money for a long time and eventually invested in the tools of the trade. See Dollightful's video for the list!

I was so psyched, but when I looked at the dolls again doubt and even panic set in. What if I screwed up? I decided that for my first custom I would not work with Monster High cat-girl dolls. I would go to the thrift shop and get a plain vanilla, bleached blonde, dime-a-dozen Barbie doll to start my customizing experiments on. Fortunately the first thrift shop I went into had the perfect candidate. This Barbie had SEEN THINGS.



Her legs were permanently bent to one side. One leg had a red stain. The other had grey paint on the back. Her face paint was garish. Her hair was of very low quality and to top it off, there was something *gulp* STICKY in it! UGH! Nobody was going to want this Barbie. Nobody! So I didn't feel guilty making her Test Subject #1. I mean, in the state she was in, I could only make her better. And she had only cost 25 cents!

Following Dollightful's very helpful video Your First Custom I prepped my doll as follows.

First I gave her a bath in hot water with some Dawn dish detergent. I washed her hair over and over and over even though it was coming off. I just couldn't abide the thought of what that sticky stuff might be! Then I scrubbed her with baking soda and water made into a paste, and the grey paint came off. Unfortunately the red stain is indelible, but at least she was finally good and clean. I let her dry and then chickened out for several days.


Finally I got up the nerve to cut her hair. I have never cut a doll's hair in my life, not even as a little girl, so this was a little traumatizing and liberating at the same time. I whacked every bit off, as close to her head as possible. To me, she already looked better. It was as if she had taken a load off!




Next I got out the acetone (100%) and some Q-tips and removed her face paint. What a satisfying experience that was! Until I realized that the acetone was melting her back, that is. Maybe next time I shouldn't use 100% acetone after all? Trying to get the nooks and crannies of her lips clean was a major pain.

Then it was on to the head-boiling stage. I boiled water on the stove and shoved her head right in, guesstimating as to how long to keep it there. I used tweezers to gently remove her head (boy have Barbie neck plugs changed! It used to just be a bead and now it's this great big spiked thing!). I learned this technique from this video right here. It worked really well so I highly recommend removing Barbie heads this way.

With Barbie's head detached I could remove her stubble. Using a pair of (jewelry) needlenose pliers that I shoved inside her head gently, I closed the pliers on bits of hair and glue and pulled them back out through her neck. It took a lot longer than I expected (now I know why they always do a time lapse on Youtube videos) and it really made my hand hurt, but Barbie sure looked a lot better at the end! Popping her head back on was super easy.





So now she's all ready to be sprayed with Mr. Super Clear a couple of times and then I'll be able to start the face. The problem is that I can't decide exactly what I want her face to look like. As I'm planning to make her into a gothic lolita warrior (I found this huge bag of toy weapons at the thrift shop too for only fifty cents!), I know I want her to have long lavender pigtails and a darker purple dress. But I can't decide if I should go with an anime face or a more realistic face. Any suggestions?

Part 2 coming as soon as the weather cooperates for the MSC and as soon as I can make my mind up about the face!

Edit: Sorry this has taken so long. Not long after this my mother had a stroke and I had to drive long distances a lot and take care of her until she died. Since then I've not felt like doing much of anything. I really do want to finish this project though. Maybe it part 2 will be soon.