Styling American Girl Doll Hair With Curlers: Is It Possible?

American Girl Dolls are historically accurate and heirloom-quality toys that have been around since 1986. The dolls' hair is made of nylon and can be styled and played with. However, the hair can sometimes get messy, frizzy, and tangled. To keep the doll in collector's condition, it is important to properly care for its hair. This includes using the right tools for styling, such as a wire wig brush for wavy or straight hair and a hair pick for curly hair. It is also important to avoid using heat styling tools and products on the synthetic doll hair, as these can damage it. With the right techniques and tools, you can curl, detangle, and restore the hair of your American Girl Doll.

Using rollers to curl American Girl doll hair

To curl the hair of an American Girl doll, you will need rollers, water, a wire wig brush, and a hair pick.

First, lightly mist the hair with water. Then, brush out the tangles with a wire wig brush or a hair pick, depending on whether the hair is wavy or curly. For wavy hair, be very gentle at the ends to preserve the curl. For curly hair, finger-style the hair by separating a small section and gently working your fingers through it, twirling as you go.

Next, gather a small section of damp hair and roll it horizontally, from the bottom up to the scalp, and secure it with a pin. Repeat this process for the rest of the hair. Lightly mist the rolled hair with water again.

Wait for the hair to completely dry before removing the rollers. The drying time will depend on the texture and length of the hair. Once the hair is dry, remove the rollers and pull the curls apart to style.

You can also set permanent curls on your doll's hair using rollers. First, brush out the hair as much as you can and follow a tutorial for de-frizzing doll hair to get the hair as straight and soft as possible. Then, put the hair up in rollers, using more rollers for smaller curls and fewer rollers for bigger curls.

Once the rollers are in, bring a pot of water to a boil and prepare a bowl of ice water. Dip the hair in hot water for a few seconds, then immediately dip it into the cold water. Repeat this process three times, being careful not to get the scalp or eyes wet. Take out the rollers carefully and let the hair dry naturally.

How to detangle American Girl doll hair

What you'll need:

• A sink or bowl of warm water
• A towel
• A plastic bag
• A high-quality shampoo
• A high-quality smoothing conditioner
• A detangling brush, wide-tooth comb, or wig brush
• A small piece of cloth and waterproof tape (optional)
• A hairdryer (optional)

Step 1: Prepare your doll's hair

Wrap the doll's body in a plastic bag to protect it from getting wet. Cover the eyes of the doll with cloth and secure it with waterproof tape to prevent water from entering the eyes. This step is especially important if your doll has eyes that could rust.

Step 2: Wash and condition the hair

Wash the doll's hair with a high-quality shampoo and warm water. Rinse out the shampoo, then apply a generous amount of conditioner.

Step 3: Brush the hair

Starting at the top of the scalp, work the brush through the hair, moving towards the ends. Avoid brushing the bottom of the hair until you have worked out all the tangles at the top first.

Step 4: Add more conditioner

Continue working towards the bottom of the hair, adding more conditioner as you go. You may need to use a generous amount of conditioner to effectively detangle the hair.

Step 5: Allow the hair to dry

Once the hair is straight and tangle-free, rinse out the conditioner and continue brushing the hair as it dries.

Tips:

• It is normal for a few hairs to fall out the first time you brush the doll's hair.
• Be careful not to pull or tug on the hair, as it is a wig.
• Avoid using a blow dryer, curling iron, or hot rollers, as these can dry, stiffen, or melt the hair.
• If you must use a hairdryer, only use it on the lowest setting.
• To prevent frizz, apply a small amount of defrizzing serum to the hair and distribute it evenly.
• You can also use a heat protectant spray before blow-drying the hair on low heat.

With these steps and tips, you can effectively detangle American Girl doll hair and have it looking smooth and shiny again!

How to set permanent curls in American Girl doll hair

American Girl dolls have historically accurate, heirloom-quality hair, which can be styled in a variety of ways. If you want to set permanent curls in your doll's hair, follow these steps:

Step 1: Prepare the Hair

Start by lightly spraying the doll's hair with water. Use a pick or wire wig brush to remove any tangles, being careful not to pull or tug on the hair as it is a wig.

Step 2: Roll the Hair

Gather a small section of damp hair and roll it tightly with a roller, working horizontally from the bottom up to the scalp. Secure the roller with a pin. Repeat this process for the rest of the hair, spritzing it with water as you go.

Step 3: Allow the Hair to Dry

Let the hair dry completely. The drying time will depend on the texture and length of the hair. Once dry, remove the rollers and style the curls as desired.

Step 4: Set the Curls Permanently

If you want to set the curls permanently, you will need to use hot water. First, brush out the hair as much as possible and follow a de-frizzing tutorial. Then, put the hair in curlers, using more curlers for smaller curls and fewer curlers for bigger curls.

Bring a pot of water to a boil and have a bowl of ice water ready. Dip the doll's hair into the hot water for a few seconds, being careful not to get the scalp or eyes wet. Immediately after, dip the hair into the cold water to prevent melting. Repeat this process three times.

Remove the curlers carefully and let the hair dry naturally.

Maintenance:

You can maintain these curls by spritzing them with water and gently brushing them out. You can also use your fingers to twirl and separate the curls.

Note: Avoid using styling products, blow dryers, curling irons, or hot rollers on American Girl doll hair, as these can damage the synthetic fibres.

How to restore curls in American Girl doll hair

Detangling

American Girl dolls have historically accurate, heirloom-quality hair, so proper care must be taken to keep the doll in collector's condition. To restore curls in American Girl doll hair, start by detangling the hair with a wire wig brush or a hair pick. Do not use a regular brush, as this can make the hair frizzy. Lightly mist the hair with water to make it easier to work with, but be careful not to spray water directly into the doll's face or eyes, as this can cause rusting.

Curling

Once the hair is detangled, it's time to start curling. Grab a small section of hair, about 0.5-1 inch, and spray it with water until it is wet but not dripping. Look at the direction of the curl, and then wrap the hair around your finger, a pencil, or a paintbrush in the same direction. Hold it for 5-10 seconds, and then gently slide it out. Repeat this process for each section of hair until you've reached the other side of the doll's head.

Maintenance

To maintain the curls, avoid brushing the hair regularly. Instead, use your fingers to gently separate the curls as needed. If the curls start to look messy, you can repeat the twisting or rolling process to redefine them.

Setting Permanent Curls

If the doll's hair is severely matted or frizzy, or if the curls have been lost due to heat styling or damage, you can set permanent curls. First, brush out the hair as much as possible, and then follow a tutorial for de-frizzing doll hair to get it as straight and soft as possible. Next, put the hair in curlers of your desired size. Bring a pot of water to a boil, and then turn off the heat. Dunk the hair in the hot water for a few seconds, then immediately dip it into a bowl of ice water. Repeat this process three times. Finally, take out the curlers and let the hair dry naturally.

Tips

• Always use a wire wig brush or a hair pick to brush American Girl doll hair.
• Avoid using styling products, blow dryers, curling irons, straightening irons, or hot rollers on American Girl doll hair, as these can damage the hair.
• When braiding the hair, do so while it is damp to control loose ends.
• Be careful not to pull too hard on the doll's head or hair, as this can loosen the head.
• Always cover the doll's eyes when working on the hair to prevent water from getting into the eyes and causing rusting.
• If using curlers, leave them in for at least a month or two to get the strongest curl hold.
• When removing tangles, start at the bottom of each strand and work your way up.
• For wavy hair, be very gentle at the ends to preserve the curl.
• For tight curls, use your fingers to gently separate a small section of hair and twirl as you go.

Tools to use for curling American Girl doll hair

American Girl dolls have historically accurate, heirloom-quality hair made of nylon. To keep the doll in collector's condition, you must properly care for its hair.

• Wire wig brush: This is the recommended brush for American Girl dolls. Use it to brush out any tangles in the doll's hair, always brushing down toward the ends.
• Hair pick: For curly-textured hair, use a hair pick instead of a wire wig brush.
• Spray bottle: Fill a spray bottle with water and use it to lightly mist the hair, making it easier to work with.
• Rollers or curlers: Rollers or curlers can be used to create curls. Avoid using foam curlers, as they may not hold the hair in place securely. Instead, look for "perm rods" or similar curling tools.
• Ponytail holder or clips: Use these to section off the doll's hair before curling.
• Hot water: Heat a small bowl of water to 165°F (74°C). This water will be used to set the curls after they have been rolled or curled.
• Ice water: Prepare a bowl of ice water to cool down the curls after they have been dunked in hot water.
• Washcloth, towel, or paper towels: Use these to squeeze out excess moisture from the curls after they have been dunked in water.
• Toothbrush: A separate toothbrush can be used to gently brush and smooth the ends of each curl.
• Bobby pins: Use these to secure the rollers or curlers in place.
• Braid spray: In addition to water, you can use a braid spray to keep the wig healthy and soft.

Remember, it is important to handle your American Girl doll's hair with care. Do not pull or tug on the hair, as it is a wig. Avoid using styling tools like curling irons, blow dryers, or hot rollers, as they can damage the synthetic hair.

Frequently asked questions