I have been frustrated with the condition of my older doll's hair. I love the Pleasant Company dolls, but their hair is lack luster, very dry and frizzed. In some cases PUFFY! After reading a few articles on Downy Dunk and doing the procedure myself, I was less than satisfied.
This is Felicity just out of her shipping box!
After a Downy Dunk
An article said often time people lose patience during the Downy Dunk process and give up after only three hours, but in order to see an improvement it takes 24 hours! I was one of those impatient people - LOL. I Downy Dunked both Felicity and Molly's hair for less than three hours and didn't see much difference.
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| Molly & Samantha |
In particular the dolls I am speaking of are Molly (worst), and Felicity. All of which have hair below the waist to the thigh. I cut Felicity's at the waist so she lost almost 2" of length. The split ends and frizz were gone, but their hair was still dry and PUFFY! Molly's bangs have always been VERY dry and looked ashen in tone.
Reading further the blog article stated one should only Downy Dunk an older doll's hair. Newer dolls seven years and under didn't need this extreme procedure. (My dolls are over 20 years old). Being that I had Downy Dunked before and the article emphasized doing it only once - I decided NOT to Dunk again, but try the suggested BRAID SPRAY.
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Click on image for link
The bottle reads: African Pride Olive Miracle Braid Sheen Spray provides the ultimate in silky smooth deep conditioned hair and a moisture-rich, healthy scalp. The anti-breakage formula is rich in extra virgin olive oil. Regular use dramatically reduces breakage, split ends, and dryness, softens and adds extra shine to hair.
Another reason I bought it was because it's not only for human hair, but for synthetic hair too!
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| Bangs after one treatment - Right side treated |
I can not believe what a DIFFERENCE it made in my dolls hair!
BEFORE AFTER
It has a heavenly scent of peppermint and lavender!
I recommend this product. My doll's hair was neither greasy nor sticky after one use. The directions say (human use) daily, but this is too much for synthetic doll hair. I believe in a once a month doll hair care program to ensure the best care for my dolls. Using this once a month on the ends of your doll's hair will only help it stay strong and avoid breakage. Use on bangs and crown as needed.
I have only used this product on STRAIGHT doll hair and do not know the results for dolls with curly hair like Caroline, Saige or Cecile. But these dolls are newer dolls and this should really be used on doll hair that has lost its luster and is breaking. (Like Molly's). If your doll is older than 10 years I recommend it.
I used it on dry hair, starting at the ends then brushed it through using a (wig) loop brush.
Thanks for posting
ReplyDeleteYou have lots more patience than I do! I tried a couple of times to do the Downy Dunk (I didn't try very hard) and realized it's easier just to pull their wigs off or shave their heads and put on new wigs. I watch for broken porcelain dolls at Bargain Bin and Salvation Army Warehouse and ruthlessly scalp those poor girls, so I have quite a collection of wigs now.
ReplyDeleteYou just wasted Downy. I've left it in the dolls hair for a couple of weeks in a warm environment and in Downy, making sure that as much of the hair gets saturated. Then rinse off and then use steamer or a near boiling out water dunk. That's what get the hair silky and like new. Then the braid spray once the hair is all set in the new style.
ReplyDeleteHi thanks for the tip my doll's hair is a rat's nest but I have a question do you spary the doll's hair and then brush it or what?
ReplyDeleteAlways brush your doll's hair when wet. This will help keep it shiny. Section the hair, spray with water. Begin at the ends and brush out knots as you work your way up. Once you have smoothed the hair, you can spray the braid spray to add sheen and allow it to air dry. I have videos that may help too.
Deletehttp://livingadollslife.blogspot.com/p/video-links.html
Does this work on human hair as well, or just doll hair. Because my hair looks like that and needs some SERIOUS help.
ReplyDeleteLol! I hear you, I've been told I look like Hermione Granger, myself. (In other words, bushy hair.)
DeleteI'm not sure if this needs to be diluted with water first but I tried this on a late 90's doll. The hair definitely had a greasy residue afterwards. I'm rehabing the doll as a gift so I'm not sure what I'm going to do to remove the residue.
ReplyDeleteYou may want to try the hot water treatment a few times first to remove all dirt and residue.
Deletehttp://livingadollslife.blogspot.com/2014/09/hot-water-treatment-doll-hair.html
Good lord. I'm afraid a few of my girls are beyond help! Kirsten is 32, Samantha is 30, Felicity is maybe 28? I'm looking to see if I can find any partial wigs- bangs, that sort of thing (help Sam out with her bizarre bald-spot bangs. Surprisingly, not the result of unwise childhood hair experiments!)
ReplyDeleteIf anyone sees something like that, please let me know.
I may wind up just keeping her and selling her stuff.
Felicity might benefit from some of this hair-rehab treatment, I'll have to try.
Kirsten... her hair is ALL split ends, but I am far too attached to her to let her go anyway.
Samantha's state is a pity- not only was she an early Pleasant Company production (1989 or 90), mine actually has the lighter brown hair (same color as Molly's) that was changed pretty early on. I'm rambling, sorry!
You can .....
Delete1. send your doll in to American Girl hospital for a new head, but it will not be the same. Try to request PLEASANT COMPANY older head.
2. Look for a wig or buy a TLC used doll from ebay and swap the head or wig onto your doll. Youtube has wig swapping videos.
On your dolls with no bald spots, like Felicity, try this spray treatment. You can surface cut the hair for split ends. Try trimming the hair 1/2". Good luck!!