Replacing Baby Face Eyelashes

by PrillyCharmin

PREPARATION
My dolls have usually had at least one and maybe two very good baths before I start working on the lashes. I style the hair and I make the clothes and then, the lashes are the last thing I do. The reason why is because they are so important to the appearance of the doll and I don't want the lashes messed up at all once I've installed them.

REMOVE THE OLD LASHES
It is very easy to replace Baby Face lashes... easier than re-stringing! Remove the original lashes with tweezers, and then use a small flat blade screwdriver to push the loose ends inside under the vinyl where they can’t be seen. I bought a very small 1/8 inch screwdriver for this purpose, which is smaller than the one that comes in standard sets of screwdrivers. I found it at Home Depot, but I had to look for it. Anything larger might damage the vinyl or scratch the eyeball.

TRIM THE NEW LASH TO FIT
Hold the replacement lash up to the eye and trim off the excess length. I use BEAUTIES by Ardell (you can get them on ebay CLICK HERE.) I trim off approximately 1/8 inch (or a little more) so the lashes will fit the BF eyes properly. You can use Beauties on the tubbies, too.

SELECT THE PROPER GLUE
Then, use Elmer's Glue to apply a thin bead of glue along the edge of the eyelash. I use a damp paintbrush to do this. Do NOT use superglue or model glue on Baby Face dolls because these glues will damage the doll’s acrylic eye.

My current favorite is the Elmer's glue. Elmer's dries clear and it does not damage the acrylic eye. And, it can be removed if necessary. It is an all purpose glue for any surface so it sticks to anything very well. Do NOT use Elmer's SCHOOL GLUE because it does not hold up. You need the regular Elmer's Household Glue.

Then I push the eyelash into place. I use a metal pick to do the final positioning and push the lash into the crevice where eyeball meets eyelid. Fingers are too clumsy... I think a metal or plastic pick makes it very easy to position the lash exactly where I want it. You could use a toothpick, as well. But I really like my dental tools. Dental tools are very nice for working in small places, also.

CLEAN UP EXCESS GLUE
I use damp Q-tips to clean the eye while I'm working on the lashes. Just dip the q-tip in water and squeeze it out. Then it's good for cleanup. Clean up the eye while the glue is still fresh but don't get any water near the lash. Just clean up the middle of the eye as needed.

DO THE NEW LASHES HOLD UP?
In working with the human hair lashes, it's obvious that they are just as durable as the synthetic lashes that the Baby Face dolls came with. The original Baby Face lashes get ruined fairly easily. Just touching them or rubbing at them will make them become twisted forever. It's nice to know we have options for replacement!

Beauty supply lashes do hold up very well. However, if the doll gets soaked they may go limp and lifeless. You will probably need to give the doll new lashes again if she gets soaking wet.

This photo shows the original prototype Suzie doll that was pictured on the doll boxes and in catalogs. I bought MANY false lashes looking for the perfect replacements. IMO, Suzie is probably wearing BEAUTIES as well... she's not wearing the manufactured lashes that the mass production dolls had. This photo shows that Beauties are a good choice for replacement lashes.