A MUM fed up with her daughters playing with doeeyed, lipstick-caked, underdressed dolls has started a business giving them a makeunder.

Katie Chappell, 41, takes overstyled dolls and gives them a new lease of life – free from excessive make-up, short skirts and pouting.

She has launched a Facebook page, Ruthie Dolls.

Katie, of Harsnett Road, Colchester, has sold dolls to people across the world, including Australia and America.

People can either send a doll to her to repaint or buy one of her collection. Katie mostly deals with Bratz dolls She said: “It is becoming increasingly important to parents to present a more natural, child-like doll to their children.

“It’s going back to natural faces rather than a made up face that girls then model themselves on.

“It’s funny what we’ve started to accept for our children.”

Halstead Gazette:

                                 One of Katie's dolls before (left) and after (right)

Katie, who has two daughters Robyn, 11, and Zola, one, is a portrait painter and she believes this skill set gives her an edge.

She said: “I’ve had some lovely messages. People are saying it’s refreshing to see natural faces.

“My girls absolutely love the dolls.

“There has been interest from different countries. It’s been really good.”

Katie scrubs the face markings off with acetone-based nail varnish before setting to work repainting their faces. She then gives them real noses and repaints their lips so they are not pouting, before picking them an outfit and making a pair of shoes. All of the clothes are handmade by her friend Ruth Manning, who lives in Surrey.

The dolls cost between £19.99 and £24.99.

Bratz caused a controversy when they came out in 2001 because of their skimpy clothing and unrealistic portrayal of women.

New Bratz dolls have a more sports-based, motivational look, with heels replaced by trainers and Doc Martens.