Smurfette was created by the evil wizard Gargamel, the Smurfs' archenemy, in order to spy on them and sow jealousy.

In the meantime, Peyo had drawn a creature on paper with lush blonde hair and mascara on her eyelids, loosely based on French actress Mylène Demongeot.

[3] After designing several other sketches, comics artist and friend Andre Franquin convinced him to stick with the first version.

Hal Erickson said in Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia 1949-1993 that the reintroduction of Smurfette as a permanent character in the animated series was "bowing to merchandising dictates" in order to "appeal to little girl toy consumers.

From an off-hand comment by Smurfette, the Smurfs then realized that she was Gargamel's creation, and put her on trial for her unwitting allegiance.

Although acquitted, Smurfette realized the trouble her continued presence was causing and decided to leave the Smurf village.

She even learned to speak in Smurf language when previously she had spoken in straight human speech in accordance with Gargamel's magic.

The Hanna-Barbera cartoon series of the Smurfs, introduced in 1981, had her as an actual Gargamel spy and saboteur who intentionally tries to disrupt life in the village.

She was magically created from blue clay, "sugar and spice but nothing nice, crocodile tears, half a pack of lies, a chatter of a magpie, and the hardest stone for her heart".

Greedy soon caught on, all the tugging eventually threw Smurfette off balance and she promptly fell into the river.

With the entire village angrily aware of her treachery, Smurfette finally admitted her slavery to Gargamel and tearfully offered to submit to the Smurfs' judgement.

Papa Smurf magically undid some of Gargamel's spells and consequently turned Smurfette into a more beautiful creature.

When Gargamel made contact with her again, he was alarmed by the changes in her visage and realized that Papa Smurf had undone his control of her.

At the conclusion of the story, any doubts of the Smurfs regarding Smurfette's loyalty were resolved and she was made a welcome permanent member of their village.

When Scruple turns on the next page of Gargamel's spellbook, the two of them realize that the spell is complete but its effects will not become apparent until the next full moon's midnight, which happens to be that very night.

The effects include Smurfette changing back to her original appearance and malicious personality before she could consult Papa Smurf on the matter.

Gargamel and Scruple attempt to capture her to prevent themselves from losing again, but Smurfette destroys the potions and sends the Smurfs' archenemies into a tree.