Vintage Bubble Cut Barbie Dolls

Bubble Cut Barbies are the cookie-cutter version of the perfect vintage Barbie doll.

When one envisions a Barbie from the 1960s, then they probably have a vision of the bubble cut Barbie doll. There are numerous versions of this style and each one has different characteristics.

Many assume that all of the bubble cut Barbies are the same, except for their hair and lips. However, this is very far from the truth.

There are at least three different styles of bubble cut Barbies, and they all have different color variations as far as their lips and hair color are concerned. It would take a collector years to find all of the different bubble cut Barbies.

Bubble cut Barbie dolls can be separated into three different time spans: 1961, 1962, and 1963 to 1966. However, there was a certain time overlapping in the terms of factory productions. Mattel was well known for making use of extra heads, limbs, and torsos from previous dolls. (article continues below)...

What Does "Bubble Cut" Mean?

The term "bubble cut" stands for the new hairstyle introduced in the middle of 1961. Much different from the high ponytail that Barbie sported in the 1950s, the bubble cut is a short bob that is very full on the sides. The 1961 bubble cut Barbie was packaged in the original Barbie box, and was changed in 1962 to a new box that illustrated the new bubble cut style.

1961 Bubble Cut

Even though the overall hairstyle of all of the bubble cuts was the same, each year was slightly different. For example, in 1961 it was a very tight hairstyle, as well as having dark red lips and nail polish.

The Barbie also sported the traditional black and white striped strapless swimsuit, with the black heels and earrings. The traditional black sunglasses were not included this time.

One interesting fact is that the vinyl used for the 1961 doll's head has a tendency to sweat just like the ponytail Barbies from 1961, so you will usually find a bubble cut Barbie from this time period with a greasier face.

1962 Bubble Cut

The 1962 bubble cut Barbie came in the newer box, as mentioned above, and she wore a new red "helenca" swimsuit with pearl earrings.

In addition, she donned a pair of red open-toed high heeled pumps, a wire stand for display and a fashion booklet. While most of the 1962 versions have a tight hair style, such as the 1961 version, some have been found with hair that is slightly longer. Instead of only red lipstick and nail polish, the colors vary from deep red to pale pink.

1963-1966 Bubble Cut

The third type of bubble cut is easy to spot due to her large amounts of thick hair, which is not individually styled like the earlier versions.

The dolls were first introduced in 1963 and stopped being produced in 1966. The dolls faces also seem to be slightly "chubbier" than the earlier styles.

The dolls are also marked "Midge/Barbie" on their bottoms due to the fact that this was the year that the Midge doll was introduced, therefore proving that Mattel used the same body parts for different dolls. The 1963 bubble cuts were the only styles to have the Midge word stamped.

Unique Variations and Value

In 1965 there were a few bubble cuts set apart from the rest because of their bright facial paint, such as lighter blue eyes and eye-shadow. You can spot them because of their "crosshatch" woven side-part on the right side of their heads.

The hair below the part line also curls up onto the dolls' right temple. In regards to value, the bubble cut Barbies were produced for years in large quantities. They are still easy to find. Many collectors consider the 1961 bubble cut more valuable due to the fact that it was only made for one year.

Either way, collecting bubble cut Barbies is a great hobby and very fulfilling. You will have a lot of fun trying to locate all of the different styles and finding out their overall value.