From the Toysit archive
Salon Surprise Barbie
Explore Salon Surprise Barbie’s pink highlights, cold-air styling equipment and reversible outfit, then make a salon appointment card.
The play at a glance
Pink highlights for a new salon look
Pink streaks run through the blonde hair in Toysit’s Salon Surprise Barbie portrait. Her purple outfit gives the finished hairstyle a colorful companion. The playset builds a salon visit around that transformation: seat the doll, reveal the highlights and choose an outfit for the next scene.
A little chair supplies the air
The 54215 guide shows a tube connecting the handheld blower to the salon chair. Two AA batteries in the chair power the airflow. Ice from the supplied tray fits into the blower, cooling the air that brings out the doll's pink highlights. Warmth from the player's hands returns the hair to its original color.
This gives the stylist a clear sequence: prepare the station, seat the doll and work on the hair. With adult setup, follow the matching guide for the ice, battery compartment and collection of melted water. A towel under the station gives the salon a practical place to work.
Finish with an outfit and an occasion
Mattel also describes a curly extension and a reversible top and skirt, giving four clothing combinations. The accessories let the player connect the hairstyle to the rest of the look.
Imagine the salon receiving an appointment for a doll's evening at the theater. The stylist asks which colors the guest likes, chooses a combination and announces the finished design. Another appointment could be for a family photograph or a birthday picnic. The player supplies the conversation and the event.
Write a salon appointment card
- Fold a small sheet of paper into a card.
- On the front, draw the guest and name the occasion.
- Inside, sketch a hairstyle and choose two outfit colors.
- Add a short greeting for the stylist to say.
- Act out the appointment, then draw the finished look on the back.
This original story activity works with a doll, paper character or a drawing of the salon. Trade cards with another player and take turns being the stylist and the guest.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The original toy description and broader play discussion are preserved below as historical coverage.
Barbie doll with hair dryer.
It's no surprise that Barbie has always had impeccable taste in hair and clothing, but Salon Surprise Barbie melds the two interests. This beauty set allows for the hip girl to let her hair down--and have it colored pink. Put her in the chair, load the hair dryer with ice, plug it in, flip the switch, and style. The cold air from the dryer highlights streaks of hot pink in Barbie's otherwise golden locks. To reverse the effect, simply blow warm air on her head. But the surprises don't stop there. Both her skirt and halter-top are reversible, allowing four different outfit combinations: she can go for casual chic in purple and flowers or be totally glam in her signature pink. Other accessories include a pink brush and comb, four barrettes, a purple mirror and brush, and a curly blond wig attachment for a fuller head of hair.
A salon playset provides endless hours of imaginative play, allowing children to step into the roles of hairstylists, makeup artists, or spa technicians. These sets often come equipped with a variety of tools and accessories like toy scissors, brushes, hair dryers, and even pretend makeup, offering a rich sensory and role-playing experience. Not only do children get to work on their fine motor skills as they pretend to snip, style, and apply makeup, but they also engage in social play, learning to take turns, share tools, and even engage in customer service. Whether solo or with friends, a salon playset offers a hands-on, interactive way to explore creativity and self-expression.
Sources and editorial notes
Mattel’s 54215 record and both illustrated pages of its guide were reviewed. The guide documents the chair-powered blower, ice-cooled airflow and hand warmth used to restore the original hair color. This clarifies the warm-air wording preserved in the earlier account. The retained photograph shows the doll; equipment details come from the matching guide. The appointment-card activity is original; no physical testing was performed.
- Mattel Salon Surprise Barbie 54215 record — Product description and reversible clothing combinations.
- Salon Surprise instructions (PDF) — Both pages reviewed: chair, blower, ice, highlights and outfit arrangements.
- Original Toysit coverage — Original doll portrait and product account retained.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.