Barbie Nail Designer

Copyright: KBkids.com

Young girls enjoy having their nails painted, just like mom. For girls who enjoy this activity, they can now paint to their hearts content with Barbie on the nearest computer. While the program is designed for girls five and older, the nails which are printed will only appeal to girls who are still quite young, 4-8 at the most. Older girls will find the paper nails "pathetic," as one almost ten year old tester put it.

Your daughter will join Barbie at her Glamour Manicure Table. There is no tutorial, and little instruction. Younger less experienced girls may need some one-on-one instruction from a parent. As a parent, you may appreciate the fact that all items must be put back in their place. A stray nail polish brush can never be just placed on the table. Your child can paint Barbie's nails, or give her an instant manicure with magical 'growing file' and 'cutting scissors.' The color of Barbie's skin can be changed as well.

The program includes six nail polish colors, three patterns, and a mixing palette to create personalized looks. This mixing palette does not allow for true color mixing, however. The selections are more random, than actually 'created.' Here, your child can add her own birthstone to the jewel case, and select a special sound for the personalized nail polish brush.

Barbie's nails are easily painted. The program does not allow for 'going out of the lines,' so there are never messy looking nails. It is even possible to add photos to your nails, creating the ultimate in personalized nail designs. To the painted nails, your child can add jewels, stamps, or special patterns.

While it is fun to see Barbie's new nail designs, the purpose of the program is to create nails which your child can actually wear. This is where the problems begin. The program itself is not bad, but the nail quality is horrid. Your child must first remember to design both hands separately, or they will end up with stickers for only one hand. To Mattel's credit, they have included enough sticker sheets to create twenty sets of nails. New sets are only $4.95 each, and an order form is included. The problem is, these are only Avery stick on nails. They are paper, and won't stand up to any activity other than walking around 'looking pretty.' Children will ruin their nails very quickly because they are just not sturdy enough. The stickers are also small, and won't fit properly on a child who is any older than approximately seven.

Overall, this is a fun program, with a wide variety of nail design possibilities. This program will only appeal to the youngest girls in your family, however, due to the size and poor quality of the stick on nails. A fun program if you go into it not expecting plastic stick on nails.

Bottom Line: A fun program for young girls who are not picky about the paper quality of the stick on nails they will create.

Ratings: (based on KBkids.com's 4 star rating system)

Overall: 3

BrainGain: 1 1/2

FunFactor: 3

EasePlease: 3

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