To wonder if it's possible to make old barbie hair better?

[Mummabear04]

Just wondering if it's even possible to improve old barbie style hair? Is there a method? The reason I ask is because my DD is obsessed with this character in a film but it's a film from like 2002 and the only toys I can find are second hand and the hair is marked as satisfactory on vinted. The toys look in good condition but it's just they've obviously been playing with so the hair is a bit tangled and frizzy. AIBU to think someone on MN might be able to give me a hairstyling solution to a barbie problem?!

I've heard spraying with fabric softener works. I'm sure there is videos on YouTube

Yes! My DD28 is an expert at doll hair repair. There will be videos on YouTube tbh, but I know the basics is to clean it with very hot water and hand wash, then you can curl using straws item style as you feel.

I've tried the fabric softener trick and it did f all tbh... the only thing I find works k for rubbish barbie hair is to plait or bun it!

I actually found the fabric conditioner trick DID work for us.

Could you recommend some videos? What do you mean by straw item style as you feel? Sorry I am a wash and go kind of girl!

Yes to fabric softener but it does make a difference just how matted they are to start with. You might find a new in box doll on eBay or Vinted. Which doll is it OP ?

What fabric Conditioner did you use? How did you do it, did you soak it? I have a Tesco shop coming tomorrow so might add some on and try it on some of her my little ponies that look worse for ware before buying the new toys...

Wash it with shampoo then condition it. Brush it through then dip the hair in boiling water, this part apparently resets the hair then style the hair with slim perm rods. I had a few Barbie’s and Sindy’s with well loved hair and this worked for all of them, it was advice from a you tuber called Barbienation that I followed.

I soaked their hair in a lot of comfort fabric softener for over 24hrs then just worked through it with the fabric softener still in, then once detanged rinsed off the fabric softener - worked for me. Wet brush if you have one too, helped as less damage.

So it's not actually a barbie but spirit and rain horse dolls from the movie (not the tv series). I've had a look on Ebay but they are sooo expensive and seem to only have them in USA which is annoying. I think it's just that era because she absolutely loves the film Bolt but it's impossible to find any figure toys (just cuddly toys which she's not into).

Yes, get a bowl with 50:50 fabric softener and boiling water, soak the hair for a while then comb out the tangles. You will lose some hair.

Rinse with boiling water then for straight hair comb it out so it's straight out from the top of the head, wrap in kitchen towel / tissue, secure with a rubber band and leave until completely dry.

I expect you could style it into curls and leave to dry too, but I've not done that.

It worked really well for some second hand ones we were given that had seen better days.