Do you ever just wake up wishing you had a fun project,
but you had no fun project to work on?
Well, I woke up feeling like that this morning.
I could always go thrifting and hope I might find something, right?
I decided I had no choice, but to go thrifting.
I went to the first big thrift store and didn't find anything.
I got in the car and instead of going along my usual route
to the next big thrift store, a little voice said,
"Go to the little shop up the road."
It's so small I almost never find anything there!
"Go up the road."
So I did, and guess who I found?
This MISS REVLON!!!
She was SO dirty, and
looked SO sad.
Oh dear, so dirty.
Her hair was a tangle and very stiff.
So, I gathered my cleaning crew
and got to work.
Magic eraser for skin and
synthetic hair shampoo
for hair.
If any girl needed a SPA this girl does!
Just her forehead clean.
OH MY! So dirty.
Sometimes only an old toothbrush
will get the dirt out.
BUT! only on areas with no paint
and avoiding the eyes!
Lathered up!
From head to toes this girl
was scrubbed!!!
She was so exhausted from her spa day she fell asleep.
After her nap she got some lingerie,
and her lips and cheeks repainted.
I am also retraining her bangs to lie flat.
I am using this finishing spray
I saturated her bangs and pinned them
down and left her overnight.
Here is the back of her hair.
Not great, but MUCH better than before.
Her hair is very long!
**About this time a package arrived!**
I had forgotten I won this bid.
We'll call her doll #2.
Here she is, looking pretty good,
very clean at least.
Uh oh, not so good, but I was thinking I
could give her a pretty wig.
THEN!
I noticed one of her legs was an
inch longer than the other.
One of her legs has been replaced
with one from a larger doll.
SIGH
This was too much for me.
Sadly, doll #2 will be resold for parts.
BUT...
She came wearing this satin wedding dress.
I can never pass up a chance to do a dress makeover.
It's got some really bad moth holes.
I think this is a dress for a 21" doll.
That means I could take off some
of the skirt length that is damaged.
While we are waiting want to see my
Thrift Store makeover doll?
HERE
SHE
IS!
She has borrowed a gown until
her own is refreshed.
I am SO happy with this lady!
Before and After.
Close-up before and after.
I had planned on being VERY
disciplined about reselling this doll,
but then she whispered to me
that her name is
Marylou.
32 comments:
I have read that the Revlon dolls were made with 1 leg longer so they stand nicely. I think your doll is ok- put her on the stand with 1 leg out in front!!
I love to play beauty shop/dolly hospital too! Good job!!
Thank you Cheryl,
Me too! Makeovers are my favorite thing to do. I have done SO many fun makeovers, now I'm addicted.
Yes, I have noticed that one leg is slightly longer than the other on these dolls, this was definitely a larger leg. The difference was not slight. Believe me, I was sadly disappointed. :( That's OK though, I am doing a makeover on her dress and I have Marylou instead!
Hugs
Brenda
HI Brenda,
while Revlon dolls do have one leg slightly longer than the other - it is very slight - not terribly noticeable at all. Someone must have done a switch-er-roo on that girl!
I was amazed at how food your Mary Lou now looks - I was cringing when seeing her grimmy ears. She must feel so much better about herself now!
She has wonderful hair, and if her bangs don't sit down flat, just push them to the side a bit. it will look fine.
I have never seen Revlon dolls, not even the little ones, at thrift stores - good for you!
Janet
Thank you Janet,
This is my second thrift store Miss Revlon. Can you believe it?!? I was really nervous about her because I thought she might have divots out of her forehead. She was also SO very dirty.
I love her long hair. I have seen these Miss Revlon dolls in photos and wondered about it. My other Miss Revlon has shoulder length hair. Her bangs are pretty good, I’m not unhappy with them.
Overall really happy with my Marylou!
Hugs
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
You lucky thing, Marylou was a wonderful find!
I did a make over recently on a baby doll. I thought I had found the dirtiest doll in the world but I think maybe Marylou was as bad if not worse! Its so satisfying to see them fresh and clean again isn't it. I am looking forward to seeing how the dresses turn out.
Anna
Waw, what’s an amazing transformation. 😲
Thank you Anna,
I do feel lucky! Marylou turned out so pretty, and I love her long hair. As I examined her in the shop I was not certain if she would clean up. She was definitely the dirtiest doll I have done so far. Am I glad I took her on! Dresses are coming next.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Shasarignis,
I love making a transformation! This doll was fun to clean and restore.
Hugs
Brenda
She's looking beautiful! Can't wait to see the refreshed dresses!
Thank you Maryn,
The stripe dress is dry and ready to be pressed, but the wedding dress is still drying. The wedding dress may be quite a challenge. It is so full of moth holes. I have some ideas though, so we'll see how it comes together.
Hugs
Brenda
Amazing! Marylou is very happy to live with you, well scrubbed and gorgeous once more. I enjoy your blog very much.
Thank you Loretta,
I am so pleased you enjoyed Marylou's makeover. I am amazed myself at how dirty she was and how lovely she is now! I hope you continue to come and share all the doll fun.
Hugs
Brenda
Brenda Mary Lou looks amazing. Hard to believe it is the same one before. Great job.
Joan
Thank you Joan,
I had fun making Marylou pretty again. She looked so sad and bedraggled! I am so pleased with her now.
Hugs
Brenda
Hi again, Brenda! Just so you know, the Revlon dolls were commonly given one leg (seems it is usually the left) slightly longer, so when on a stand one leg is forward, giving a more natural 'pose'. True, Marylou's leg is a good bit longer, but I don't think she has had a transplant! I'm sure she is glad you decided she could stay!
Hugs,
Jenny :-)
Miss Mary Lou is a stunner. She looks like you just purchased her brand new. Congratulations on a wonderful job.
Marion
Thank you Jenny,
There are actually 2 dolls in this post. Marylou has two normal legs and I found her in a thrift store. Doll #2, was an eBay doll and has one leg that is significantly longer and a different shape. SIGH, but I am SO happy that Marylou did not have this problem. I am remaking Doll #2's wedding dress and Marylou's blue stripe dress. So, I don't feel any great loss.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Marion,
I am SO pleased with Marylou. What a great find! You know how I love a great makeover and she must be the dirtiest doll so far. Amazing what some soap and water can accomplish.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Linda,
You know those ears were pretty terrible - ICK! I agree, that she looks happier and more content. It is amazing how a doll's expression does change with a wash and a little blush and lip color. Yes, the leg was not original. Not only is it over and inch longer it is a slightly different shape. That is OK, I am doing a makeover on the wedding dress which should be quite a challenge.
Checking out your blog post!
Hugs
Brenda
Mary Lou is a beauty. She was pretty before but you transformed her into loveliness. I love the black and pink dress. It is too bad about the other doll. Have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.
Marilyn
Thank you Marilyn,
Marylou is much prettier than I could have hoped from my first look at her! That black and pink dress is one of the first dresses I purchased for my Cissy doll. I love it too. Doll #2, yes, it is a little sad, but I got the wedding dress from her and it is shaping up to be lovely!
You also have a Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
Hugs
Brenda
MaryLou is truly a beauty. She seems to have loved her spa treatment.
Did you chose the Revlon products to use on her deliberately (laugh)?
Does Revlon even make dolls any longer?
I am looking forward to reading more about her adventures.
Lovely. You have put in a lot of work to restore it. Marylou says: Don't sell me, love me. Hugs
Thank you Dorothy,
Yes, I agree Marylou is a beauty. I love her long hair. The Revlon products are just coincidence, but a funny one. I don’t think Revlon makes dolls anymore.
Next I will be showing how the dresses came out after a cleaning and makeover.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Zacisze,
Do not worry! Marylou will be staying with me! There were 2 different. Only one will be sold, but Marylou will stay. :)
Hugs
Brenda
I have a bride doll that was a gift to my mom in the late 1950's. Poor thing has seen better days. At one point, someone gave her a horrible haircut 😕 She looks like a Revlon doll but I don't think she is. I actually found a picture on the internet of the doll in the exact dress. Over the years she has lost her shoes and jewelry and her dress is pretty much in tatters. I found strappy bridal shoes for her and I can remake her necklace and earrings. I had to buy a wig and I am in the process of recreating the dress and veil. I'm hoping to complete her restoration within the next few weeks, the dress is a challenge...
Best Regards,
Kim Nev
Hi Kim,
Don't give up! It sounds like you are doing a great job of restoring and saving your mom's doll. You can find shoes and dresses online. If her shoes still have the heels - don't get rid of them! I have tutorials on here for making new tops to high heel doll shoes. If the dress is truly tattered and crumbling it may be a loss, BUT if the tears can be gently hand sewn it might be salvageable. I have repaired some pretty tattered doll dresses.
Good luck and I hope you share some photos?
I love posting pictures of readers dolls.
Hugs
Brenda
thesavagedollblog@gmail.com
Excellent painstakingly lovingly done I showed my 90yo mother inlaw Marylou she loved her!!
Hi Anonymous,
I hope you sign your name next time so I know who you are! I am so happy you enjoyed the work I did on Marylou. SHe was a very dirty doll, but cleaned up so nicely. I enjoy saving these dolls for the future.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Anonymous!
I'm so glad you enjoyed this makeover!
Hugs
Brenda
Oh, my goodness! My dolls tell me their names too. My kids (2 grown sons) think I'm crazy. They just don't understand. I could tell you tales about their antics with my dolls. LOL!
Hi Becca Sue,
My kids think I'm crazy too! Oh boy, I hope their antics were nice. Both my kids played dolls with me when they wre little, but no more, sigh. I'm so glad you found my blog. Hoe to hear from you again!
Hugs
Brenda
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