P.B.D.S. Client – #0035
From the collection of Steven!
All dolls have secret lives as we all know…here’s a peek into one of them…
Usually I get clues as to what a new client may need as far as services when they visit me here at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa. Traces of long-lost paint color on her face or nails can be used to color-match and repair faded or damaged make-up. Even a single hair plug salvaged from the scalp can give you an idea of her original hair color.
So it’s rare a gal comes in as “clean as a whistle” condition as Miss Barbie did just this last week. Not a trace of her previous life could be detected from the shoulders up. The only color on her face came from her bright blue eyes…which by the way could open and close. That’s pretty rare…and pretty unsettling as I soon discovered.
As I was adjusting her smock…and without warning…her head fell from her shoulders and right onto her lap! I stared down at her lovely face, her flirt-y eyes were closed in peaceful slumber as she faced upwards to the ceiling. Not missing a beat, Miss Barbie gently replaced her noggin back onto her slim neck. Now folks, I’m rarely speechless, but I was in fact at a loss for words!
“I’m so embarrassed!” she cried. “It’s happening more and more lately. At least it landed in my lap this time. Why, you should have seen the commotion at the supermarket yesterday. My head fell off, bounced twice and rolled right over to the ice machine as I was looking down at my coin purse at the check-out register. I’m lucky it didn’t crack…I’m at my wit’s end!”
“Now dear, I’ve seen everything (except this) here at the spa, and whatever it is we have to do, we’ll just figure it out together!” I told her, patting her shoulders…gently! My mind began to race as I hatched a plan to keep her head on her pretty shoulders…but how? Scotch tape? No, too obvious. Rubber band? Too temporary. Hot glue gun? Too unprofessional. It was clear. I had to address the cause of the problem…the deteriorated rubber washer used to secure her head to her neck so many years ago.
Now I don’t claim to be a doll hospital, but I can rise to the occasion if necessary. A quick trip down the block to the hardware store while Miss Barbie enjoyed a hot cup of tea rose to the top of my “to-do” list. I returned triumphant with what was needed to do the trick. As her head finally snapped back firmly into place, she twisted it back and forth looked up a down and all around, blinking her eyes with delight! “I haven’t felt this good in years!” she cried. This feels better than it did when I left the factory in 1964!
With her neck repair behind us thankfully, we discussed what was to be done as far as hair and make-up. I knew from my Mattel Beauty School Correspondence Course that the correct hair color for her was reddish-brown, but she confided to me she always dreamed of going blonde. With those baby blue’s, I agreed with her and thought it was a terrific idea. Why go with what’s expected?! Pretty new brows in a dark blonde tone and a full lips of orange-y pink brought her unique look together. And what’s Miss Barbie with out her trademark headband? I sent Daffy over to Beatrice to fetch me one from her stock in shocking pink, a tribute to the shade of Miss Barbie’s original swimsuit. All in all, a fabulous and quite striking new look to say the least and certainly unexpected for Miss Barbie fans!
A ‘Plain-Jane” no more, Miss Barbie hopes you enjoy her transformation pics below!
Pink Bubbles Doll Spa 