30 Jan Bratz Doll Reroot
My first YouTube video (not including the channel’s trailer) is a “visual” tutorial. It is “visual” as I remain on the fence in regard to voiceovers/general audio. What is the best microphone? Can I afford it? Is text preferred? Can I stomach the sound of my own voice? I have so many questions but my desire to deliver content is greater than the pursuit of answers; I have decided to make do with what I already have at hand (my iPhone 6S). Moving on to the tutorial…
Ava (yes, this Bratz Sun-Kissed Summer Sasha doll has a name) was in need of a new hairstyle. Whilst she wanted (and deserved) a new hairstyle, she also needed a reroot. Her synthetic hair was too matted and sticky to save/repair. This “visual” tutorial was born out of curiosity, as I wondered if it was possible to reroot with human hair. I struggled to find a definitive answer online so I decided to experiment. The experiment went pretty well so I then decided to share it in the form of a “visual” tutorial! The following text is to accompany the video; it is a detailed tutorial. I hope this is of help.
You will need:
- Patience.
- A doll in need of a reroot. I used Bratz Sun-Kissed Summer Sasha.
- Hairbands.
- Scissors.
- Tweezers.
- A kettle.
- A plastic container.
- A screwdriver.
- A 100g bundle of curly water wave human hair (wefted or bulk/loose).
- A needle or two.
- A needle handle/holder.
- Pliers.
- An electric file or nail drill.
- A comb, hairbrush, etc.
- Push pins (optional).
- A spray bottle filled with water (optional).
- Fabric glue.
Everything you will need should be available via Amazon.
How to:
- ONE. Examine the doll you plan to reroot. Is it in good condition? An old battered doll will probably end up damaged during the rerooting process. I chose to use a Bratz Sun-Kissed Summer Sasha doll. Unfortunately, I failed to examine the doll so it did end up a little damaged during the process. The hairline began to crumble away; I repaired it with Prym’s Fray Check.
- TWO. Remove most of your doll’s hair. Using a hairband, I tied the doll’s hair into one high ponytail. The ponytail should be in between tight and loose. I used a scissor to cut below the hairband. A hairband makes the hair removal process tidy and quick. The hair will fall off in a ponytail, which you can simply discard (feel free to remove and keep the hairband prior to). Although I did not do this in the “visual” tutorial, the remaining hair on the doll’s head should be cut above a bin. The hair will fall straight in, making the process less messy. Try to cut off as much hair as possible. Unfortunately, a scissor can not remove all of the hair.
- THREE. Becoming baldilocks. The removal of every strand of hair is a tedious task but the previous step should make the process easier. Remove the doll’s head from its body. You might want to run your doll’s head under hot water prior to removal. I used my kettle to boil water for soaking the doll’s head (in a plastic container). Bratz dolls have pretty hard heads. The boiling hot water softens the head as well as the glue inside, used to secure the doll’s hair. Grab a screwdriver (preferably long as well as slim) and scrape the insides of your doll’s head. You can use a plier or tweezers if the glue is weak or little to none. Unfortunately, the glue used in this Bratz doll was unbelievably strong. Once you have removed all of the hair, every stubby strand, use a plier or tweezers to grab any bits still inside the head.
- FOUR. Making a rerooting tool. This is pretty easy. I chose to use what I had at hand. I used the needle holder/handle of a ventilating needle. It is a great investment as you can use it with any needle and once the needle is secured, it is not going anywhere until you unfasten the needle holder/handle! You simply push the needle into the hole and secure the needle holder/handle. As it is functionally a needle handle/holder, it is comfortable to use. Most of the DIY rerooting tools are not so good, in regard to comfort. Unfortunately, rerooting is not a popular process so many are forced to make their own tools. So, how do I create a rerooting needle? A rerooting needle is a needle which has had its eye cut open at a slight angle. Yes, that is all you have to do! I used a plier but I have also used an electric nail drill in the past (both methods work well). Simply file down or snap off the eye of the needle.
- FIVE. The rerooting process. It is tedious! It will drive you crazy but the results make it worthwhile! As this initially was an experiment, I began to reroot with dry human hair. This is a big no! It is best to work with damp or wet human hair, as it is more pliable. I started by cutting the hair from its weft. I would also recommend using hair that is not wefted; this will save you time. I then grabbed a few strands of hair, enough to fit in the now opened eye of the needle. Place the hair in it and push the needle through a hole in the doll’s head. You have to push a little hard but once the needle is in, with the hair, pull the needle out and the hair should remain in place. If you require a fuller head of hair, you can create holes using a push pin. Simply push the push pin into your doll’s head. Twist it whilst it is in then pull it out. You should be left with a hole.
- SIX. Twenty years later. You are almost complete! All jokes aside, I only spent two hours rerooting! The rerooting process ends with securing the hair. Yes, the hair feels secure enough but it is best to be precautious. Simply fill the head with a waterproof glue of your choice. When I say fill, I mean use enough glue to cover all inside. Squeeze and swirl the head to ensure the glue is going everywhere! Once you are done, let the head sit/dry for 24 hours.
- SEVEN. Party! Once the glue is dry, reattach the head to the body. You can proceed to throw a party as you are now done. Feel free to invite your friends or simply party alone with your doll. You can also experiment with a few hairstyles like I did! What more can I say? Please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Feel free to share the video as well as this page. If you have anymore questions, feel free to leave your queries under the YouTube video. I will respond asap!
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