Uuuuuugggggggg! Need I say more?

But of course I do … and I will … but the opening line pretty much sums up my personal opinion of the Mattel Barbie Make Me Pretty Talking Styling Head … Skye of course feels very differently about the toy, so I’ll try to present both sides – the shortcomings I find in the product, and the sheer girly delight and enjoyment she finds in it. Think I can manage?

A Little Background:

Last October, Skye was the flowergirl at my ex-husband and his new wife’s wedding. She was of course a BEAUTIFUL flowergirl and was delighted to be included in the wedding since her big brother (and ex-hubby’s son) was the bestman. The wedding happened to be two days after Skye’s 5th birthday. She’d already had her Chuck E. Cheese birthday party earlier in the week and with the excitement of the rehearsal and wedding we weren’t really thinking about her birthday as a part of the weekend’s events. However in an almost unbelievably thoughtful and unselfish gesture the bride and groom, who both seem to adore Skye, had taken time out of their busy prewedding schedule to go toy shopping, wrap the gift, and make a special birthday presentation of it at their rehearsal dinner. As mom of the flowergirl and bestman, and friend (yes, I type that with a straight face!) of the happy couple I attended the weekend’s events … and seeing the surprise and delight as Skye’s face lit up when she realized the bride was talking about her (after a series of other toasts and thank you’s and comments that hadn’t interested the kids all that much) is a memory that I will always cherish.

I think the package could have contained a bag of rutabagas and Skye would have still been happy … but not only was the couple thoughtful in remembering Skye’s birthday … they also delight in buying her Barbie items since they know that she is an absolute Barbie nut! I found out later that they’d gone to three different stores in order to find the Mattel Barbie Make Me Pretty Talking Styling Head because they new Skye wanted it!

What comes with the Barbie Make Me Pretty Talking Styling Head?

Much like the styling heads I remember from my own childhood, this version is an almost life size head and shoulders representing Barbie’s traditionally beautifully face and lots of thick luxurious long blond hair. The set includes approximately 20 accessories and styling aids including a comb, brush, hairpins, a ribboned ponytail holder, Barbie pink tiara, sparkly butterfly clasps and combs, lavender hairbows, velcro backed hair jewels, a beaded necklace, clip on earrings, and a wedding veil.

Thankfully (in my opinion) instead of including the messy, watercolor paint-like makeup kit that I remember from my own Barbie styling days … Mattel has attempted to make this a less messy process and has included only a makeup sponge. Supposedly the application of icy or hot water to the lips and eyes can magically change Barbie’s makeup look! (more on this later)

And lastly with the addition of two AA batteries (not included) the Mattel Barbie Make Me Pretty Talking Styling Head will speak a dozen or so different recorded phrases including such stimulating conversation starters as “Let's put on my crown!” and “Can you put on my eye shadow?” It’s not exactly intellectual oration … but then again, at least it’s not “Math is Hard!”

So is it fun?

Yes for the most part. Skye has truly enjoyed playing with the Barbie Make Me Pretty Talking Styling Head. She enjoys styling Barbie’s hair, putting the various hair accessories into Barbie’s hair and putting the jewelry on Barbie. And because of the relatively large life size of the styling head, the accessories can also be worn by the little girl for playing dress up. Skye often calls me up to her room to show me both Barbie and her own new do … complete with tiara, veil, jewels, and costume jewelry.

Skye also enjoyed the fact that Barbie could talk to her, though she seems to become frustrated with the fact that the phrases are random. She wants to be able to make Barbie say particular things at particular times rather than just having one of the 14 phrases repeated indiscriminately.

But …(there’s always a ‘but’, isn’t there?)

Like most Barbie doll hair, the hair on the Barbie Make Me Pretty Talking Styling Head became tangled and matted very quickly. Skye still plays with the Styling Head and is still able to style Barbie’s hair … but it generally looks a bit messy and can’t always be made into perfect braids or curls or up-do’s.

The make up just does not work. Well, maybe it works a little, but not very well at all. The water absolutely must be ice cold to make the makeup show up … and extremely extremely warm to take it away. Skye seemed disappointed with the makeup effects the first time she tried to use them in our hotel room the night she received the toy … but since then, she seems to have pretty much forgotten about them and just does the hair/jewelry thing.

And … not really a flaw with the toy … but I suppose my real frustration with this toy is that … I have stepped on more tiny little hard plastic hair accessories than I care to remember in the months since we’ve had this toy. At one point it went back into it’s box and onto a closet shelf for a week because of the fact that I had told Skye repeatedly that if she didn’t put it all away when she finished playing with it, that it would be going away. Honestly, I would allow a little fudge room on the ‘putting it all away’ … and if even most of the accessories got put away, I’d overlook the few … but when I couldn’t walk from my room or her room to the hall to the bathroom without stepping on two or more of the hair clips, combs or other items, then it had to go! Not surprisingly, I do think that since following through with my ultimatium, when Skye has played with the Styling Head she has remembered to pick up all the itty bitties! Perhaps if Mattel would include a carrying case for the head and the accessories, or even just a small vanity case for the accessories, little girls would be more inclined to put them away?!?!? (Wishful thinking?)

Odds & Ends:

You can find the Mattel Barbie Make Me Pretty Talking Styling Head at most toy stores and discount department stores as well as many online retailers for about $29.99. Mattel also offers a few other varieties of styling heads, but be aware that the less expensive Style N’ Color and Color Curls versions are also much smaller and not considered life size. This limits the ‘dress up’ potential of the accessories. The toy is approximately 10x12x5 or the size of a preschooler’s head and shoulders … but I don’t have exact measurements. This toy is available in a Caucasian and and an African American version. The manufacture recommends this toy for ages 3 and up, but personally I think it would be wasted on a child younger than 5 or 6, and might actually be better used by a slightly older child.

Who should buy this doll and who shouldn't?

If you like Barbie, or at least don't mind your little girl playing with Barbies, this is a fun addition. Probably not a must have, but certainly a better gift (to give or receive) in my opinion than some of the play sets that contain a thousand tiny pieces and accessories that end up lost in the sofa cushions or the bottom of a toy box … and in our case, better than yet ANOTHER Barbie doll that your child wants because of a special outfit or super hyped special feature or cool characterization but who ultimately will end up naked and nappy haired and piled in with the other several dozen almost identical dolls.

If you don't like Barbie and don't want your daughter playing with Barbie ... then by all means, skip this one too. The Barbie Make Me Pretty Talking Styling Head definitely promotes the appearance oriented girly play of fussing with hair and make up … and it perpetuates stereotypical feminine images of being a princess or a bride … (but why does there have to be something wrong with being a princess … or a bride?) Afterall, Skye’s a princess (according to her daddy) and I’ve been a white veil wearing bride … but we can both climb trees, play ball, dig in the dirt and keep a good perspective on the balance of intelligence, inner beauty and general self worth!

When it comes right down to it. I personally don’t think this is a toy that *I * would spend $29.99 on … unless of course it was the tip top birthday or Christmas or other gift giving occasion request from my child and I absolutely could not convince her that some other gift would be more enjoyable. However, I certainly think that from Skye’s perspective it is a gift worth receiving. So if there is a friend or relative who wants to spend around $30 on a gift and who asks for a recommendation …and your child likes Barbie and want this toy … I certainly wouldn’t say that it wasn’t worth having. Let Nana or that special Aunt or friend buy the gift, be the hero and bring a smile.

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Do you have a Barbie freak in your house or on your holiday shopping list too? Then you might enjoy these additional reviews –

Star Splash Barbie - http://www.epinions.com/content_78860422788
Barbie And Krissy Stroll 'N Play - http://www.epinions.com/content_78150536836
Fashion Photo Barbie - http://www.epinions.com/content_77551210116
Bead 'n Beauty Barbie - http://www.epinions.com/content_77244632708
Bath Boutique Barbie – http://www.epinions.com/content_46336216708
Wash 'n' Wear Barbie - http://www.epinions.com/content_43422944900
Jam 'n Glam Teresa Doll -
http://www.epinions.com/content_43418095236
Picture Pockets Barbie Doll - http://www.epinions.com/content_46115294852
McDonald's Barbie And Kelly - http://www.epinions.com/content_43449224836

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Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 29.99
Type of Toy: Other
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years