Curling a doll's hair can transform its appearance, adding charm and character. If you're a collector, a parent, or simply love crafting, knowing how to curl doll hair can bring your dolls to life.
This guide will walk you through the process, ensuring your doll looks fabulous with its new curly Barbie hairstyles.
Step-by-Step Guide to Curling Your Doll’s Hair
Materials You Will Need
- Small hair curlers, straws or pipe cleaners
- A bowl of hot water
- A comb
- Hair clips
- Hair gel or mousse (optional)
- Towels
Step 1: Prepare the Doll’s Hair
Start by combing your doll's hair to remove any tangles. This ensures the curls will form smoothly without any knots. If your doll's hair is particularly tangled, you might want to wash it first using a gentle shampoo and conditioner, (liquid dish soap and fabric softener recommended).
Step 2: Section the Hair
Divide the doll's hair into small sections. Use hair clips to keep the sections separate. The smaller the sections, the tighter the curls will be. For looser curls, use larger sections.
Step 3: Wrap the Hair Around Curlers Straws or Pipe Cleaners
Take one section of hair and wrap it around a small hair curler or pipe cleaner. Secure the ends of the hair to ensure it stays in place with hair clips or foil. Repeat this process for all sections of the hair.
Step 4: Set the Curls
Once all the hair is wrapped, dip the curlers or pipe cleaners into a bowl of hot water. Be careful not to burn yourself, and ensure the water is hot but not boiling. This step helps to set the curls.
Step 5: Let the Hair Dry
Allow the doll’s hair to dry completely. You can let it air dry overnight or use a hairdryer on a low setting if you’re in a hurry. Ensure the hair is completely dry before removing the curlers or pipe cleaners.
Step 6: Remove the Curlers and Style
Gently remove the curlers or pipe cleaners from the doll's hair. Use your fingers or a comb to style the curls as desired. For extra hold, you can apply a small amount of hair gel or mousse. You MUST apply hair gel or hold spray for Saran to hold long term. Nylon does not require gel or spray.
Tips for Styling Different Types of Doll Hair
How to Curl Ever After High Doll Hair
Ever After High dolls often have thick, long hair that can be a bit tricky to curl. Follow the same steps as above but consider using slightly larger sections to create looser, more manageable curls.
How to Curl Barbie Doll's Hair with Pipe Cleaners
Pipe cleaners are a great alternative to traditional curlers if you desire tight curls. They are flexible and can create tight, spiral curls. Wrap small sections of Barbie's hair around the pipe cleaner, bend the ends to secure, and follow the same hot water method to set the curls.
How to Curl Vintage Barbie Hair
Vintage Barbie dolls often have more delicate hair. Be extra gentle when combing and wrapping the hair. Avoid using too hot water to prevent damage. Test a small section first. Vintage dolls can benefit from looser curls to maintain their classic look.
How to Maintain Your Doll’s Curls
Getting Your Doll’s Curls Back
Over time, your doll's curls might lose their shape. To refresh the curls, lightly spritz the hair with water and wrap it around curlers or pipe cleaners again. Let it dry completely before removing it.
Also Read: How to Detangle Doll Hair
Keeping Doll Hair Flat
If you want some parts of your doll’s hair to remain flat while other parts are curled, use hair clips to hold the flat sections in place during the curling process. After setting the curls, remove the clips and style accordingly.
Ready to give your doll a fabulous new look? Try these tips and share your results with us! Visit our blog at Doll Planet for more fun and creative ideas. Don’t forget to check out our collection of doll accessories to enhance your doll’s style even further.
FAQs
1-How to Curl a Doll’s Hair Easily?
Curling a doll’s hair is easy with the right tools and patience. Ensure the hair is clean and tangle-free, use small sections for tight curls, and always let the hair dry completely before removing curlers or pipe cleaners.
2- How to Curl Ever After High Doll Hair?
For Ever After High dolls, use larger sections of hair to create looser curls, and handle the thick hair with care. Follow the same hot water setting method to achieve beautiful results.
3- How to Curl Barbie Doll's Hair with Pipe Cleaners?
Pipe cleaners are perfect for creating spiral curls. Wrap the hair tightly around the pipe cleaner, secure the ends, and use hot water to set the curls. Let the hair dry completely before unwrapping.
4- How to Curl Vintage Barbie Hair?
Be gentle with vintage Barbie curly hair. Use looser curls to maintain the doll's classic look and avoid using water that is too hot to prevent damaging the delicate hair.
5- How Do I Get My Doll's Curls Back?
Refresh curls by lightly misting the hair with water, wrapping it around curlers or pipe cleaners, and letting it dry completely.
6- How Do You Get Doll Hair to Lay Flat?
Use hair clips to hold sections of hair flat while curling other parts. After setting the curls, remove the clips and style the hair as desired.
Also Read: How To Reroot Doll Hair Guide