Tips for Caring for Bratz Magic Hair

The Bratz Magic Hair dolls were a popular line of dolls released by MGA Entertainment in 2001. These dolls were known for their unique feature of having hair that changed color with the application of cold or warm water. This magic hair feature was a significant selling point for the dolls and added an element of play and creativity for the children who owned them. Each Bratz Magic Hair doll came with a variety of hair accessories and styling tools to allow for different hairstyles and looks. The dolls had long, vibrant hair that could be brushed, braided, or styled in various ways. With the use of the included water applicator, children could change the color of the hair by applying either warm or cold water to specific parts of the doll's hair.

The hat was a visible link between Jews and magic. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Jews were thought to possess magical powers. For instance, reports circulated around Europe claiming that Jews concocted poisons out of Christian hearts, spiders, frogs, and human flesh. There was even a persistent claim that Jews used Christian blood for magical and cathartic purposes. From these myths arose a fear around Jews and their faith. Christians feared Jews would disappear from view and then cause them harm (e.g., collect blood, etc.), so one reason Jews were forced to wear Judenhat was to keep tabs on them. In turn, because Jews were often affiliated with dark magic, the Judenhat became a symbol of the supernatural. These connections often led Jews and witches to be subjected to similar court proceedings and forms of persecution during the Inquisition and beyond. Thus, the Judenhat became interwoven with cultural perceptions of magic.

To be clear, I don t think dressing up as a witch for Halloween is laden with antisemitic intentions, but when I see a witch trick-or-treating this year, I ll be thinking about that hat and the history of persecution, prejudice, and antisemitism hidden under its pointy top. However, the only bit of standardization specified was the pointy top, so several types of Judenhat arose; for example, in Italy, there were according to scholar Flora Cassen at least five different forms of Judenhat that appeared contemporaneously.

With the use of the included water applicator, children could change the color of the hair by applying either warm or cold water to specific parts of the doll's hair. The vibrant colors and fun styles of the Bratz Magic Hair dolls made them popular among young girls who were interested in fashion and styling. Additionally, these dolls provided a creative outlet for children to experiment with different hairstyles and color combinations.

The Witch Hat

The witch’s hat: Black, large-rimmed, with a pointed top. It’s a necessary part of every witching wardrobe. Just ask Elphaba or McGonagall. But where did that hat come from? Theories about the hat’s origin vary. Some scholars cite the mummified remains of two sisters from the 3rd century BCE in Subeshi, China as the earliest evidence of the hats (the sisters were found with pointed hats on their heads). Others cite the Puritan perception of the Quakers in eighteenth century America: The Puritans saw the Quakers as suspicious magic practitioners, and while the Quakers didn’t wear pointy hats, they did wear black ones with wide brims. Still other scholars cite an antisemitic origin. As early as the Greek Empire, hats were symbols of Jewish oppression. During the days of the Maccabean revolt (167-160 BCE), when the Hannukah story was unfolding, king Antiochus IV Epiphanes forced young Jewish men to wear a broad-brimmed hat. By imposing the hat rule on the Jewish people, Antiochus denigrated them, visibly displaying their subjugation for all to see.

The use of the pointed hat to distinguish Jews from non-Jews can be traced back to the early medieval era. The first depiction of a Jew in a Judenhut (Jewish pointed hat) –– found in the Second Gospel Book of Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim (ca. 1015) –– would have been seen as an elegant garment choice, not as a stigmatizing symbol. The hat was reminiscent of the hats worn by the three magi, and in early eleventh century European culture, these hats symbolized a connection to European Jews’ Levantine heritage. This positive perception soured, though. In 1096, the First Crusade set out to open a path to Muslim-ruled Jerusalem, massacring Jewish communities in Speyer, Mayence, and Worms along the way. The Crusade turned an admiration of orientalism into a disdain for it, so the hat –– originally a celebrated sign of the Jewish diaspora –– became a key element of anti-Jewish slander. For example, on the mid-twelfth century bronze doors of a Verona Cathedral, mobs of hatted Jews are seen violently capturing Jesus. A similar scene is found on a coin minted in Germany around the same time.

Then, in 1215, the Holy Roman Empire’s Fourth Council of the Lateran required all Jews to wear a Judenhat to visually distinguish Jews from non-Jews. The hat became a label for Jews, akin to the badge Jews would later be required to wear in Nazi Germany. However, the only bit of standardization specified was the pointy top, so several types of Judenhat arose; for example, in Italy, there were –– according to scholar Flora Cassen –– at least five different forms of Judenhat that appeared contemporaneously. The hat grew beyond its Jewish affiliation. People engaging in “non-Christian activity” were forced to wear a pointed cap. For instance, in a 1421 Hungarian law, men convicted of sorcery were forced to wear “a pointed Jews’ hat.” The hat was donned upon fictional characters, too. For example, a 1545 fountain in Bern is topped with an ogre wearing a pointed hat while eating a baby, and in 1493, artist Hartmann Schedule sketched the magician Merlin (who was not Jewish) wearing a conical hat that looked nearly identical to Judenhat .

The hat was a visible link between Jews and magic. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, Jews were thought to possess magical powers. For instance, reports circulated around Europe claiming that Jews concocted poisons out of Christian hearts, spiders, frogs, and human flesh. There was even a persistent claim that Jews used Christian blood for magical and cathartic purposes. From these myths arose a fear around Jews and their faith. Christians feared Jews would disappear from view and then cause them harm (e.g., collect blood, etc.), so one reason Jews were forced to wear Judenhat was to keep tabs on them. In turn, because Jews were often affiliated with dark magic, the Judenhat became a symbol of the supernatural. These connections often led Jews and witches to be subjected to similar court proceedings and forms of persecution during the Inquisition and beyond. Thus, the Judenhat became interwoven with cultural perceptions of magic.

However, some scholars call into question a direct connection between the Judenhat and the witch’s hat. Clothing historian Abby Cox notes how the black witch hat is of English origin, but in England, Jews were required to wear badges instead of hats (the hats were a required marker in continental Europe only). And, per Cox, the witch’s black hat didn’t become popular into the 1700s, more than 500 years after the antisemitic laws were passed. Thus, Cox argues, it’s unlikely the witch hat is a direct descendant of the Judenhat . But it’s hard for me not to give some attention to the antisemitic origin story, even if it’s not the hat’s likely origin. Antisemitism has always been present and problematic, but right now –– this week –– it’s flaring up. It’s in Kanye’s tweet. It’s in Trump’s social media post. It’s in Adidas’ delayed response to Kanye. It’s in the banners hanging above a freeway overpass in Los Angeles. Antisemitism isn’t new, nor is it a thing of the past. According to the ADL , antisemitic incidents were at an all-time high in 2021. Antisemitism is pervasive. It’s something we, as a society, must continue to call out and fight against. To be clear, I don’t think dressing up as a witch for Halloween is laden with antisemitic intentions, but when I see a witch trick-or-treating this year, I’ll be thinking about that hat and the history of persecution, prejudice, and antisemitism hidden under its pointy top. Share If you’re looking for ways to support the fight against antisemitism, you can donate to the Anti-Defamation League here .

Notes.

• This post is largely adapted from Naomi Lubrich’s article “The Wandering Hat: Iterations of the Medieval Jewish Pointed Cap,” published in Jewish History (December 2015).
• More on witches and Jews can be found in Yvonne Owens’ article “The Saturine History of Jews and Witches,” published in Preternature (vol 3, no 1, 2014). Also see Joshua Trachtenberg’s book The Devil and the Jews .
• The paragraph on Jews, potions, and blood is largely drawn from James Arieti’s article “Magical Thinking in Medieval Anti-Semitism: Usury and the Blood Libel” ( Mediterranean Studies , vol 24, no 2, 2016).
• For more on the origin of the witch’s hat, check out this InStylearticle , this Slatearticle , and this Mary Suearticle . Or even Abby Cox’s YouTube video on the subject.
• Hey Alma has a good piece on the current antisemitic events here .

The use of the pointed hat to distinguish Jews from non-Jews can be traced back to the early medieval era. The first depiction of a Jew in a Judenhut (Jewish pointed hat) –– found in the Second Gospel Book of Bishop Bernward of Hildesheim (ca. 1015) –– would have been seen as an elegant garment choice, not as a stigmatizing symbol. The hat was reminiscent of the hats worn by the three magi, and in early eleventh century European culture, these hats symbolized a connection to European Jews’ Levantine heritage. This positive perception soured, though. In 1096, the First Crusade set out to open a path to Muslim-ruled Jerusalem, massacring Jewish communities in Speyer, Mayence, and Worms along the way. The Crusade turned an admiration of orientalism into a disdain for it, so the hat –– originally a celebrated sign of the Jewish diaspora –– became a key element of anti-Jewish slander. For example, on the mid-twelfth century bronze doors of a Verona Cathedral, mobs of hatted Jews are seen violently capturing Jesus. A similar scene is found on a coin minted in Germany around the same time.

They could create unique looks and explore their own sense of style through their play with the dolls. The success of the Bratz Magic Hair dolls led to the release of several different editions and versions of the dolls over the years. These dolls became collectible items and were sought after by both children and collectors alike. Overall, the Bratz Magic Hair dolls provided a fun and creative play experience for children. Their magic hair feature allowed for endless possibilities and encouraged imagination and self-expression through hairstyling..

Reviews for "Bratz Magic Hair Styles for Every Occasion"

1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Bratz magic hair toy. The concept was great, but the execution was lacking. The hair clips provided were flimsy and didn't hold the hair in place properly. Additionally, the instructions were confusing and it took me a while to figure out how to use the toy correctly. Overall, it was a waste of money and I wouldn't recommend it.

2. Jason - 1 star - This toy was a complete letdown. The hair would constantly get tangled in the mechanism and it was a pain to untangle it each time. The quality of the hair also felt cheap and it didn't look as shiny and vibrant as it did in the advertisements. The overall play experience was frustrating and my daughter lost interest in it after just a few tries. Save your money and look for a better hair toy option.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - The Bratz magic hair set was not what I expected. The clips were difficult to use and didn't hold the hair in place securely, causing it to fall out easily. The packaging also made it look like there were more accessories included than there actually were. I wouldn't recommend this toy as there are better options available in the market for hair styling toys.

Best Products for Styling Bratz Magic Hair