Jun 15 2013

I Do Declare!

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P.B.D.S. Client – #0015

From the collection of Jeannine!

This sticky sweet southern belle walked right in off the street and asked our receptionist Vera if she could make change for the parking meter out front. I happened to be passing through the lounge when I spotted her. A pretty blonde wearing a gorgeous Swiss-dotted pink dress with frothy white lace trim, white gloves and the cutest little straw bag. “You’re such a doll!” she said to Vera as she handed her the dollar bill. “Hon, I just got a mess of errands to tend to today.” Vera stared back at her, as if completely entranced by her face, squinting her eyes. Now sometimes I know when I need to diffuse a situation, especially with Vera! Before she had a chance to speak, (I sometimes swear Vera doesn’t have a filter from her brain to her mouth,) I inserted myself into the conversation. “My, it must be hot out there!” I said, stopping at Vera’s desk. “Really?” she said, turning my way looking surprised. “Why I find it just about perfect outside, cool even.”  “Well you just seem, uh, a bit moist is all.” I replied, giving Vera the fish eye. “I prefer dewey!” she said. “To tell you the truth, I do have quite the oily complexion, I’m constantly havin’ to powder my, well, my everything, I take after my Mama!” she laughed. “I wish I could find the right powder, but nothing seems to help.” I took the four quarters from Vera and steered her to safety.

 “Well you do know where you are don’t you sweetie? This is the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!”

“It is? Well what do ya know about that. I must drive by here at least twice a week, I didn’t realize.” She said. “Yes. We’re a full service spa. Perhaps you have some time right now for a consultation?” I asked. “Why I reckon I do!” she replied.

 Such a sweet girl, but in need of a little help. Besides her “Dewy-ness” issue, I noticed right away she had some previous work done on her brows and lips that needed fixing. Her hair needed some attention too. “I think you’ll be very happy with the results.” I told her. “Then let’s get on with it!” she said, smiling. And we did. When we finished she gazed at herself in my mirror and cried, “I do declare, you my dear are heaven-sent! Consider me a regular!”

 The ever-helpful Beatrice from our gift shop waited just out of view with her ever-present tray of earrings. (I did tell you she works on commission!) As if on cue, she presented her selection. Our sweet southern lass selected a pair of “Safety-First!” pearl earrings. “These are perfect, I just have to have them!” she said. A smiling Beatrice whipped out her sales book. Gotta love a girl with ambition!

 As she left, shine free by the way, she stopped at Vera’s desk to book an appointment for the following month. Looking the way she did now, I relaxed, knowing Vera had very little to say!

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This pretty lass had our Pink Bubble’s Beauty Bath for Face & Body to deal with her problem complexion. Now she’s fresh as a daisy! Her hair was then washed, conditioned, set and styled. She had her brows redone in a more attractive shade of blonde. Her lips were redone as well. She enjoyed a relaxing mani & pedi from our in-house manicurist, whose famous in her own right by the way, Madge! Of course to finish her look, a pair of “Safety-First!” earrings, courtesy of our ever helpful Beatrice!
Jun 12 2013

A Trip To Teen Town!

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P.B.D.S. Client – #0014

From the collection of Robin!

 You know it’s hard to stay a “Dream Teen” forever isn’t it dolls? I know, I’ve tried and it is hard! Damn hard! But I do try! It’s even harder for a famous teen doll like Francie, especially when she doesn’t look the part any more.

 When I heard the beauty chimes go off in the entry of the spa, I knew my next appointment had arrived. I looked up and all but spit the bobby pins right out of my mouth and onto the floor! Standing there, right in front of me, was the remnants of the girl every teenage boy doll once dreamed of and every other teen girl doll aspired to be, Francie…Barbie’s MOD’ern cousin.

 Now, let me tell you, this little chick had some attitude! She told me her Mom had FORCED her to come see me, but she didn’t need any of MY help. She was fine the way she was and her folks were a couple of real drags and needed to mind their own business! Well, her Mother had arranged this appointment and was paying the bill, that was true. I’d already been warned by Mom she could be a little tough, so I was prepared. It ain’t my first time at the “Teen Rodeo” fellas!

 Aside from her shocking appearance from the neck up, something else was very odd and a little bit off about her. She seemed a bit too tall and busty for a girl of her age, but I did finally figure it out. After a few inquiries, she admitted to me that she had attended some wild “head-swapping” party with her pal Stacey back in the late 60’s. You remember Stacey, she’s been in for some work here at the spa. An older, more experienced girl, Francie’s parents forbade her to hang out with that “mod British bird” but of course Francie wouldn’t listen. Anyway, they did some crazy “body swap” dare and she never got switched back. Well, we took care of that real quick and though she didn’t want to admit it, she immediately felt and looked better! Admiring her new figure she said, “Now I can finally get back into my own groovy clothes! Coolio!”

 I said “No offence Honey, but it’s going take a lot more than a cute little outfit to put you back on top.”

 “You know I didn’t come here to be insulted!” Francie hissed.

 “Really? Where do you go?” I quipped.

 “Oh get off it! What kind of square are you? Beauty comes from with-in!” as she rolled her eyes at me.

 Oh no she didn’t! “Yeah, that’s right girlie, “With-in” bottles, jars, and tubes, so sit down!” Kids these days! A bunch of hipsters!

 Then I really let her have it! “You’re lucky you’re here girlfriend, cause you could have ended up in the chair of a real beauty butcher! I’ve seen pretty young things like you before, out for kicks, landing in the wrong hands and getting real messed up in this town!”  I told her. “What’s in your ears Francie? Straight pins? Really smart girl! You could get green ear from that!” I scolded her.

 “All the hip kids are doin’ it! But what would you know about hip?” She screeched as I pulled them out. “Look they’re all rusted!” Geesh, now I know why I never wanted kids! Anyway, that was just the beginning of our very long afternoon together. This kid fought me every step of the way!

 Here’s a sampling; Pink Bubbles Beauty Bath for Face & Body, (“The water is too hot! You’re scalding me!”), Pink Bubbles Color Wash, (this girls skin was so faded out, but you couldn’t tell her that, she knew better) fresh hair-do, (“Ouch you’re pulling out my hair!”) re-rooted eyelashes, (“What are you doing? Are you crazy? You’re trying to blind me!”) Fresh make-up, (That’s not my shade! Let me do it!”) It went on like this all day!

 Well, when it was all over, I was just exhausted!  This girl was no Gidget and a real “pain in the tuchus” to boot to say the least. When she finally turned around and took a good long look in the mirror, all she could say was “Jeepers! I look amazing!” She turned to me and said “I guess you’re not so bad! But don’t go spillin’ all my business to my parents! All right? I’ll see ya around! Toodles!” And with that she skipped out of the spa doors.

 “Yeah, Toodles to you Francie, Toodles to you!” I had to take the next day off just to recover! 

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Miss Francie challenged me to no end! Her services included; Pink Bubble’s Beauty Bath for Face & Body, hair wash, set and re-styling, facial color-wash, repainting of brows and lips and a complete eyelash re-root. Though she fought me every step of the way, the results were amazing! To myself, as well as a surprised and I’m sure very grateful teen girl!

Jun 7 2013

Transitional – Of Terror!

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P.B.D.S. Client – #0013

From the collection of Jaime!

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Separated at birth? A horrible Karen Black flashback? No, relax everyone, it’s just Jaime’s transitional #3 Barbie doll!

 When she walked into the spa, it was like she stepped out of a dream, or more precisely, a nightmare! She instantly reminded me of that 70’s made-for-tv fright fest “Trilogy of Terror”. (If you haven’t seen it, rent it!) Her black hair was a fright wig, her arms and legs didn’t match her torso and her make-up was just shot. Her golden chain had definitely slipped off and all hell had broken loose! She was quite frankly, “To’e up, from the flo’ up!” A lot to take in all at once for unprepared eyes that’s for sure!

Well, one good thing came her way because of her over the top “look,” she became the inspiration AND the first candidate for our new Pink Bubbles Doll Spa Swan program!

A Pink Bubbles Swan is a girl who’s looks have faded to the point of labeling her an “ugly duckling.” A gal who’s been rode hard and put away wet. Over time, she’s acquired a face meant for radio!  Life’s handed her lemons, but the good news is, she’s dumped them right into the laps of our stylists to serve you, dear readers, pink lemonade!

A very interesting feature of this particular spa client is she’s what collectors call  a “transitional” Barbie doll. She has the head, arms and legs of a #3 doll, but the hollow torso of the #4. A factory mish-mash of newer and older body parts (for the time.) A sort of “Franken-Dolly” if you will. I know, not a beauty reference considering her “before” photo!

Well, this was one dramatic make-over! No longer a “Horror-Hostess” she now really deserves her new title: Swan!

Presenting the very first graduate of the

Pink Bubbles Doll Spa Swan program!

A little reminder where she, and we, began…

our Swan candidate before…

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And the beautiful creature she’s become emerges below…

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Our first official Swan!

Congratulations Jaime, your doll has graduated with honors!

Please keep an eye out for upcoming Swan candidates in our posts. Who knows, your doll could be the next to graduate! Look around, you might have a girl in your own collection ready for our program!

We’ll be waiting for her arrival here at the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!

Jun 4 2013

Auntie Em! She’s a twister!

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P.B.D.S. Client – #0012

From the collection of Mary!

 Sometimes a gal blows through the spa that’s so full of life you just can’t help but love her! Even admire her a bit. A gal who grabs life by the, well, we’ll say horns! If I had to describe her, the term “firecracker” comes to mind. She was such a fun lovin’ gal who’d seen it all and was proud of it! A party girl who just didn’t care that someday her face would “freeze that way” and unfortunately for her, it did!

 When she threw open the spa doors, stamped out her Virginia Slim on our black & white linoleum floor, we knew the life of the party had arrived!

 She kept our staff in stitches the entire afternoon with tales of her adventures, life experiences and men! Mostly men! She said she “earned this face” and trust me, after she told us a few of her sordid stories, I agree, she did!

 Well, to be honest, this gal has had the works!

 Firstly, her hair was just fried and had been hacked off in places with scissors. (“A crazy night in Vegas” she recalled!) We had no choice, so her entire ponytail had to be re-rooted. Now it’s soft and shiny once again!

 Her bangs we kept mostly original, with just a few missing plugs added. (The bang hair loss was the results of a hair-pulling cat fight with a jealous cocktail waitress “who sassed her” in Phoenix, Arizona!)

 She’s also had a complete facial repaint. (“Huggin’ and kissin’ men is rough on a girls make-up!”) Don’t ask me, her quote not mine.

 When we finally finished up and turned her to the mirror, she squealed “Hot Damn! Good as new! Color me outa’ here Honey!” She paid her bill and left a really big tip too. She said she’d “come back and see us when the wind blew her this way again!” With those parting words, she whistled for a cab out front and then she was gone. Wow what a twister!                                                                                                                 

 I have a piece of advice for all you doll’s out there. And that is, lock up your husbands!

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Mary’s lively lass had the works! She enjoyed a Pink Bubble’s Beauty Bath for Face & Body. She had a partial re-root which included her entire ponytail. Her bangs are mostly original with the addition of a few replacement plugs. She had her brows and lips re-done. She also had her eye ridge paint touched-up. What a make-over! What a gal!

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“Here’s one to tide you over! Mwah! Bye, Ya’ll!”

Jun 3 2013

Good Golly Miss Dolly!

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Above: Miss Dolly is tended to by Pink Bubble’s master stylist Donna Far-Gone.

At the Pink Bubbles Doll Spa we NEVER try to outshine our clients!

Our hair may be as high and wide, but remember, in our chair 

“You’re the Star!”

May 31 2013

Ginger or Mary Ann?

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 P.B.D.S. Client File – #0011

From the collection of Lene!

 Yes her wig was a rat’s nest, that goes without saying! But Miss Fashion Queen herself, well she is pretty flawless! Hardly needed a thing done. She did enjoy our Pink Bubble’s Beauty Bath for Face & Body. Besides her wig, that was it. This gal knows how to take care of herself! Lots of dolls could learn a thing or two from her. She was very modest about her looks to our staff and didn’t reveal a thing! Not one beauty secret! Some gals would call that selfish, others would say smart!

 Since Miss F. Q. has molded hair should didn’t “git her hair did,” but she did “git her wig did.” What a difference a day makes, right girls?!

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 No need to ask – “Mary Ann or Ginger?”

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 It’s Ginger Grant hands down!

P.S. B.T.W., it’s perfectly alright to prefer Mrs. Thurston Howell III if cougars are your thing!

Or even the Professor, which would be my choice! GGGROWL!

“Remember, life’s a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!”

…Auntie Mame

May 30 2013

Christie – A Real Head Turner!

 

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P.B.D.S. Client File – #0010

From the collection of Jeannine!

Let’s be frank ladies. There’s only so long you should go between beauty appointments! I’m all for being thrifty but sometimes you just gotta face the facts. You need a professional! Take Christie for example, she’d completely let herself go. Years of wearing no make-up, boxed hair color and at home haircuts had taken their toll on her good looks. She’d become the type of gal you have to look twice at on the street, because you couldn’t believe it the first time!

I don’t know what’s going on with that a huge patch of melted hair in the back. Looks like someone knocked her in the back of the head with a hot skillet! Which could be the case as she doesn’t even remember how it happened. Anyway, it all just had to come off! Christie was tired of short hair, so she selected a lovely swirl hairdo in a soft peachy-pink tone. We finished it with a bright pink hair ribbon. Took twenty years off her!

She requested and was given new lashes and of course needed eyebrow and lip color as well. We even added a highlight to her dark brown eyes to give them that extra sparkle.

The always helpful Beatrice from our gift shop, (who works  on commission) brought her a tray of beautiful earrings to select from. She chose a simple pair of silver hoops.

I swear you would never believe it was the same girl! See what a date with your stylist can do girls! The investment in yourself can really pay off. Christie’s back on the street and is still turning heads, but this time for all the right reasons!

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Christie treated herself to our Pink Bubble’s Beauty Bath for Face & Body. She had a complete re-root which included a cut, set and style. Her lashes were re-rooted as well. Her eyebrows and lips were re-painted and highlights added to her pupils. She is wearing a lovely pair of silver hoops to address previous “at home” ear piercings. Thanks again to the ever helpful Beatrice!
 

Thank you Jeannine and Christie for visiting with us at The Pink Bubbles Doll Spa!

May 28 2013

“La Liz” – Oscar Hair 1970!

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P.B.D.S. Client File – #0009

Celebrity Client Series!

The Pink Bubbles Doll Spa has always had its fair share of celebrity clientage. One of the biggest and brightest of course was the legendary Elizabeth Taylor!

As I seem to recall it, we received an urgent telephone call from “La Liz’s” private secretary the morning of the 46th Academy Awards in 1970. Liz was in a tizzy! She was set to present the Best Picture statuette that evening and couldn’t do a thing with her hair! Several stylist had come and gone that morning from her hotel suite and none of them could please her. One poor fellow by the name of Mr. Felix received a flying hairbrush to the back of the head as he hurriedly exited her dressing rooms! Liz was known to have very precise aim!

In desperation, the secretary pleaded with us to send someone over immediately as per the request (demand) of her boss. Sensing the urgency of the situation I took it upon myself to personally take the call. Armed with an arsenal of hair products I arrived to find a quite distraught superstar at the very end of her diamond necklace! Jumping into action I promptly called room service and had them send up drinks!

Mr Felix had indeed left poor Liz’s hair in a mess! He deserved those (alleged) six stitches in the back of his cranium as far as we were both concerned! What an afternoon we had! The drinking, laughing, teasing and spraying resulted in an award-winning Oscar coiffure! With the addition of rooted glamour lashes, Liz was absolutely thrilled! The Grecian inspired hairdo created for her that afternoon received raves from the press and fans alike. It also created quite a buzz throughout the Hollywood hair community and was an often requested style by loyal Pink Bubble’s Spa customers for years afterward.

Gown, Edith Head.

Jeweled necklace courtesy of Richard Burton, setting by Cartier.

Hair, The Pink Bubbles Doll Spa of course! 

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Elizabeth received a complete re-root in a wonderfully dark brunette shade. She also was given rooted lashes. Jewels, gown and movie star glamour from the collection of Liz herself!