The Trials Of Tinseled Hair.

[hanabushi]

Greetings all,

So I managed somehow to make out like a bandit and pick up one of the old Mattel Spectra Dolls for a song.

http://www.modcolors.com/modshops/astrobarbie.htm

Now, I know that a few of the Monster High girls have that shiny "tinseling" in their hair, so I figured this might be the place to bring the following questions.

Though my Spectra's hair is in surprisingly good shape, the "tinseling" is not so much--it's very stringy, crinkled, and flyaway. I know of the many methods that one can use to knock nylon hair back into shape (fabric softener as hair conditioner, boil straighten/perm, etc.)--my question is, will these:
A: Work for the "tinseling"
B: In a worst case scenario work *against* the "tinseling" and make the issue worse?

Any thoughts on the matter would be deeply appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[victoriavictrix]

The tinsel is basically light plastic--much like saran-wrap--that has been given a metallic coating on one side. As you will know if you have ever wrestled with saran-wrap, once it is stretched out and tangled, there is no un-stretching it or detangling it. I know this because the tinsel is basically exactly the same material as is used to make metallic embroidery thread (tinsel wrapped around a cotton core) and although I have tried a million ways to save that stuff, when it is dead, it's dead, Jim.

Short form: there is NOTHING you can do to restore that tinsel. It's shot. Your best bet is to take a tiny scissors and cut each strand off at the scalp. If you really, really, really want tinseled hair, reroot with single strands of metallic embroidery thread.

[DollyKim]

I'd be interested in seeing how adding tinsel to a rooted head would work.

[hanabushi]

The tinsel is basically light plastic--much like saran-wrap--that has been given a metallic coating on one side. As you will know if you have ever wrestled with saran-wrap, once it is stretched out and tangled, there is no un-stretching it or detangling it. I know this because the tinsel is basically exactly the same material as is used to make metallic embroidery thread (tinsel wrapped around a cotton core) and although I have tried a million ways to save that stuff, when it is dead, it's dead, Jim.

Short form: there is NOTHING you can do to restore that tinsel. It's shot. Your best bet is to take a tiny scissors and cut each strand off at the scalp. If you really, really, really want tinseled hair, reroot with single strands of metallic embroidery thread.

Thank you very much for the response.

I suspected as much, but figured I'd ask should there be some magic way to save it. Ah, well. "Pruning" is going to be a delicate operation. I'll let folks know how it goes.

[hanabushi]

I'd be interested in seeing how adding tinsel to a rooted head would work.

If I end up fully rerooting her, I'll post the results here to let folks know.

[DollyKim]

Just adding tinsel highlights would be interesting too, incase the need arises.

I'd like to see what ever you do with the Spectras, the most I've seen is someone putting Blythe heads on them. Makes me wish they'd re release her or do a metallic Obitsu some times.

[victoriavictrix]

I went to the Spectra page when Larry was here....

His comment on Tom Comet? "He's at least two of the Village People."

and Astra Gold "C-3PO after the operation."

[Wardah]

Just adding tinsel highlights would be interesting too, incase the need arises.

I'd like to see what ever you do with the Spectras, the most I've seen is someone putting Blythe heads on them. Makes me wish they'd re release her or do a metallic Obitsu some times.

I have never seen anyone put a Blythe head on one before. Do you have a link to any pics?

[DollyKim]

Found her http://www.flickr.com/photos/blythephotos/ when I wasn't sure I wanted to keep my Blythe and somewhere in cyberspace she was offering to trade a Barbie Carousel Kitchen for Blythe parts. My Time Lords are still wondering where their kitchen/TARDIS consul is.

[hanabushi]

Just adding tinsel highlights would be interesting too, incase the need arises.

I'd like to see what ever you do with the Spectras, the most I've seen is someone putting Blythe heads on them. Makes me wish they'd re release her or do a metallic Obitsu some times.

There were gold and silver ZC bodies once upon a time, if my memory serves me correctly. Very rare now as I understand it. I almost got one to do Android Niko but ended up going with a clear GI Jane.

That person's Blythe customs are freaking amazing and makes me want to pick up one of the LPS Blythes even more....though the Lemon and Apple head customs successfully scared the living pancakes out of me. O.o;;