Download Article
Download Article
It can be a fun project to curl your Barbie doll's hair if it's straight. You'll need to have some patience, as the process requires leaving the hair overnight after applying pipe cleaners or twist ties. However, once done your Barbie will have a whole new look.
Steps
-
Gather your supplies. Before you can curl Barbie's hair, you'll need to gather certain supplies. You should be able to use basic household supplies but you may have to run to a craft store for certain products.
- In addition to your Barbie doll, you will need pipe cleaners. If you don't have pipe cleaners, you can usually find them it at a local craft store. [1] X Research source If you cannot find pipe cleaners, any thin, twistable device works. You could try gathering twist ties from bread bags, for example.
- You will also need a pair of scissors.
- If you're considering washing your doll's hair before or after curling it, you should have have a comb, gentle shampoo, and conditioner.
-
Prepare your pipe cleaners or twist ties. Cut the pipe cleaners or twist ties in half using the scissors. Then, fold the pipe cleaners or twist ties into a v-shape. [2] X Research source Twist ties are generally shorter than pipe cleaners. You may not need to cut them in half, depending on their length.Advertisement -
Place the pipe cleaners or twist ties in Barbie's hair. Once your supplies are prepared, you can begin working with Barbie's hair. Gather one small section of Barbie's hair. Then, take your pipe cleaner and place the bended end on the doll's scalp. Pull the hair in a straight line along the twist tie or pipe cleaner.
-
Wrap Barbie's hair in the pipe cleaners or twist ties. Take the section of twirled hair and wrap it over and under each side of the pipe cleaner or twist tie. Do this until you reach the end of the strand of hair. Then, twist the ends of the pipe cleaner or twist tie together to prevent the hair from unraveling. [3] X Research source
-
Repeat. Take another section of Barbie's hair and repeat the process above. Keep repeating until all of Barbie's hair is curled into pipe cleaners or twist ties. [4] X Research source How many curls you have depends on how curly you want your Barbie's hair. Thinner strands will result in frizzier, tighter curls while thicker strands will result in wavier curls.
-
Dunk Barbie's hair in boiling water. Once all the pipe cleaners are in, boil a pot of water. Dunk Barbie's head in the water and hold for a count of ten. [5] X Research source
-
Remove Barbie's head from the water. After counting to ten, remove Barbie's head from the water. Gently blot the doll's hair dry with a clean paper towel.
-
Let sit overnight. For best results, leave the doll's hair alone overnight. This will give the hair time to fully dry, allowing the curls to set in completely. [6] X Research source
-
Separate and fluff Barbie's curls. In the morning, unravel all of the twists in Barbie's hair. Work slowly as to not tangle the hair in the process. Separate the curls and gently fluff Barbie's hair, using your fingers or a small brush. If you notice any loose ends, gently snip them off with scissors. [7] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Gather your supplies. If you would rather give Barbie an afro, you follow a similar process. Before beginning, gather the supplies you'll need.
- You will need end papers, which are sold at beauty supplies shops.
- In addition to end papers, you'll need pipe cleaners or twist ties, scissors, and boiling water. [8] X Research source
-
Prepare your supplies. Get your supplies read before beginning the process. As with the above method, you'll need to cut the pipe cleaners or twist ties in half and fold them into a v-shape. [9] X Research source Once again, as twist ties are shorter it may not be necessary to cut them in half before use.
-
Section off a piece of Barbie's hair. Before you begin, section off a piece of Barbie's hair. Use smaller sections of hair for tighter curls. The smaller your sections, the more Barbie's hair will resemble an afro.
-
Twist and wrap the section of hair. Once you've sectioned off a small section of hair, twist that hair into a tight spiral. Then, use your end papers to wrap up the spiral.
-
Apply pipe cleaners or twist ties. Place the bended end of your pipe cleaner or twist tie on Barbie's scalp. Tightly zig-zag the doll's hair around the pipe cleaner or twist tie until you reach the end of the strand. [10] X Research source
-
Secure the spiral in place. Once you've zig-zagged the doll's hair to the end of the twist tie or spiral, you'll need to make sure it stays secure. This is important as you'll be leaving it in overnight. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaner or twist tie around the lock to secure. [11] X Research source
-
Repeat. Repeat the above process until all of Barbie's hair is in twist ties or pipe cleaners. This can take a long time. To make an afro, the strands of hair you use will be smaller. The smaller the strands, the frizzier and bigger the afro. [12] X Research source
-
Dip Barbie's head in boiling water. Once all the pipe cleaners or twist ties are in, dip Barbie's head in boiling water. Hold for 10 seconds.
-
Gently blot the hair dry. Try your best to get Barbie's hair as dry as possible. You should blot dry the exterior of the doll's hair with a towel. Try to get it dry enough that it's no longer dripping wet. [13] X Research source
-
Leave overnight. You'll need to let the doll's hair dry overnight for best results. Set the doll aside and leave the twist ties or pipe cleaners in until the following morning.
-
Remove the twist ties or pipe cleaners. After letting Barbie's hair dry overnight, remove the pipe cleaners. Using your fingers, separate the curls. Comb the curls out, back combing as needed, to create fluffy, afro-style hair for Barbie. [14] X Research source
- If you notice any loose ends on Barbie's hair, simply snip these away with a pair of scissors. [15] X Research source
Advertisement
-
Comb your Barbie's hair. You should wash your Barbie's hair regularly to maintain it, especially if you frequently curl or otherwise tamper with the doll's hair. Before washing, gently brush Barbie's hair. Try to remove any snags or tangles prior to washing. [16] X Research source
-
Wet Barbie's hair. Once Barbie's hair is brushed out, get it wet. Run lukewarm water over Barbie's hair until it's wet throughout. Then, you can start applying shampoo and conditioner.
-
Apply shampoo and conditioner. You should use a gentle brand of shampoo and conditioner on Barbie's hair. Consider baby shampoo. When you add shampoo, work it in gently to remove any dirt or grime.
-
Rinse the hair. When you're done applying product, rinse out all shampoo and conditioner under running water. Make sure all products are removed completely. Leaving product in can cause damage to the doll's hair. Keep rinsing until you no longer notice suds or residue leaving Barbie's hair. [17] X Research source
-
Pat the hair dry. Take a clean paper or bathroom towel. Gently pat the hair dry, removing as much excess water as you can.
-
Spray a leave-in conditioner on Barbie's hair. Put leave-in conditioner in a small spray bottle. Gently spritz Barbie's hair with the conditioner. This will prevent the hair from drying out. [18] X Research source
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Warnings
- Ask a parent for help if you're unsure how to boil water. You don't want to cause damage to yourself or your Barbie doll.Thanks
Advertisement
References
- ↑ http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curlykids/we-curled-our-barbies-hair-this-is-what-happened/
- ↑ http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curlykids/we-curled-our-barbies-hair-this-is-what-happened/
- ↑ http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curlykids/we-curled-our-barbies-hair-this-is-what-happened/
- ↑ http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curlykids/we-curled-our-barbies-hair-this-is-what-happened/
- ↑ http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curlykids/we-curled-our-barbies-hair-this-is-what-happened/
- ↑ http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curlykids/we-curled-our-barbies-hair-this-is-what-happened/
- ↑ http://www.naturallycurly.com/curlreading/curlykids/we-curled-our-barbies-hair-this-is-what-happened/
- ↑ http://jezebel.com/5868784/how-to-give-barbie-an-afro-and-call-it-a-halo-instead
- ↑ http://jezebel.com/5868784/how-to-give-barbie-an-afro-and-call-it-a-halo-instead
- ↑ http://jezebel.com/5868784/how-to-give-barbie-an-afro-and-call-it-a-halo-instead
- ↑ http://jezebel.com/5868784/how-to-give-barbie-an-afro-and-call-it-a-halo-instead
- ↑ http://jezebel.com/5868784/how-to-give-barbie-an-afro-and-call-it-a-halo-instead
- ↑ http://jezebel.com/5868784/how-to-give-barbie-an-afro-and-call-it-a-halo-instead
- ↑ http://jezebel.com/5868784/how-to-give-barbie-an-afro-and-call-it-a-halo-instead
- ↑ http://jezebel.com/5868784/how-to-give-barbie-an-afro-and-call-it-a-halo-instead
- ↑ http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-barbie-hair/
- ↑ http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-barbie-hair/
- ↑ http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-barbie-hair/
- Videos provided by Plastic Doll Life Shows & Crafts
About This Article
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 139,949 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "Dressing a Barbie for use in a wedding cake, and need to curl the ends of sections of hair to reflect the bride's hair. Plan to separate the hair into sections and spiral curl the ends as described in the directions. As she is a new Barbie, I am confident it will give us the look we desire." ..." more
Advertisement
"Dressing a Barbie for use in a wedding cake, and need to curl the ends of sections of hair to reflect the bride's hair. Plan to separate the hair into sections and spiral curl the ends as described in the directions. As she is a new Barbie, I am confident it will give us the look we desire."
..."
more
"Thank you so much. I was doing myself as a doll, and I did not know how to curl doll hair. Now I know. It was so simple, thanks a lot!"
..."
more
"I needed to find a way to get my Barbie doll clean and I found this and it took me to step by step and I did the product and it worked."
..."
more
"I love all the articles you have! The topic in this one I liked best was the afro and maintaining the doll's hair!"
..."
more
"I really hope this works. My Barbie had beautiful curly hair when she was new, but not now."
