''Barbie Magic Hair Styler'' is a

dress-up Dress-up is a children's game in which costumes or clothing are put on a person or on a doll, for role-playing or aesthetics purposes. In the UK the game is called dressing up. In the mid-1990s, dress-up games also became a video game genre in w ...

computer game developed by EAI Interactive and published by

Mattel Media Mattel Interactive (Known as Mattel Media until 1999) was a video game publisher and software distributor. History Mattel originally founded the company as Mattel Media in February 1996, as an aim to expand into the multimedia unit by producing ...

for Microsoft Windows in 1997.

Gameplay

Players can cut and style

Barbie Barbie is a fashion doll created by American businesswoman Ruth Handler, manufactured by American toy and entertainment company Mattel and introduced on March 9, 1959. The toy was based on the German Bild Lilli doll, Bild Lilli doll which Hand ...

, Kira, Christie, or Teresa's

hair Hair is a protein filament that grows from follicles found in the dermis. Hair is one of the defining characteristics of mammals. The human body, apart from areas of glabrous skin, is covered in follicles which produce thick terminal and ...

, as well as regrow hair with a specific lengthening tool. They can also apply

makeup Cosmetics are substances that are intended for application to the body for cleansing, beautifying, promoting attractiveness, or altering appearance. They are mixtures of chemical compounds derived from either natural sources or created sy ...

including

eyeshadow Eye shadow (or eyeshadow) is a cosmetic applied primarily to the eyelids to attract attention to the wearer's eyes, making them stand out or look more attractive. Eye shadow can also be applied under the eyes, on the cheeks, or to brow bones. ...

lipstick Lipstick is a cosmetics, cosmetic product used to apply coloration and texture to lips, often made of wax and oil. Different pigments are used to produce color, and minerals such as silica may be used to provide texture. The use of lipstick ...

, blush or temporary tattoos. Application of makeup is limited to appropriate areas for makeup and using offbeat colors can trigger a "that looks funny" response from the game. Players can also add jewelry and thematic accessories. At the end of the styling session players can be treated to a video of the chosen character with the player's results. Accessories meant to go with a certain career are limited to nurse, firefighter, gym coach, or construction worker.

Reception

In their review,

AllGame RhythmOne , a subsidiary of Nexxen, is an American digital advertising technology company that owns and operates the web properties AllMusic, AllMovie, and SideReel. Blinkx was founded in 2004, went public on the Alternative Investment Market, ...

gave the game 3 and half stars out of a possible 5, complimenting its replay value and the vast combinations of styles and accessories, as well as the "well-designed gameplay". However they were more critical of some of the controls and some of the prescriptivist fashion opinions expressed by Barbie in the game.

References

1997 video games Barbie video games Children's educational video games Cosmetics Dress-up video games EAI Interactive games Hairdressing Mattel Interactive games Software for children Video games developed in the United States Video games featuring female protagonists Windows games Windows-only games {{Windows-videogame-stub

Gameplay

Reception

See also

References