Blank doll or faceup?

[brattybat]

So I don't have any dolls yet but I'm going to be ordering my first BJD within the next few(hopefully couple!) weeks! I'm not sure if I'm going to get a new doll or a secondhand doll. If I get a new doll, I'm not sure if I should just get the doll with the faceup already done or if I should just get a doll with out a faceup and get a custom one done? Or just buy a body and get a head with a faceup that I really like? What's everyone's thoughts on this? Also I'm on a pretty tight budget~

Sorry if this is in the wrong thread!

[DollyKim]

All of my dolls, except for a couple of special promotional tinies, have been blank because I wanted to do the faces myself.

Do you know what you're looking for in a doll? Do you want a boy or a girl? Do you know what size? What color skin, hair, and eyes? The more of those kind of questions you can answer the easier it is to find one.

[brattybat]

All of my dolls, except for a couple of special promotional tinies, have been blank because I wanted to do the faces myself.

Do you know what you're looking for in a doll? Do you want a boy or a girl? Do you know what size? What color skin, hair, and eyes? The more of those kind of questions you can answer the easier it is to find one.

Ah, I wish that I was able to do the faces myself but I'm horrid when it comes to art :c

I'm wanting a girl for sure for my first doll!
I'm fine with smaller dolls so I'm fine with any doll from 10 inches and up.
I'm kind of wanting do like a pastel goth or fairy kei kind of look for the doll so like pastel hair, pale skin and I have no idea on the color of eyes yet. I was thinking like the kind of blank looking dolly eyes with no pupil. Kinda pastel-ish. I'm not sure if they have a name or if I'm even describing them correctly. I kind of like the realistic look for faceup, like with freckles and such.

[ShortNCuddlyAm]

If you're feeling very unconfident about doing your own face-up, and given you're on a budget, I'd probably recommend getting one with a face up to start with, as it would probably be cheaper (if you can find one you like). However, doing a face-up isn't the same as drawing or painting a picture on paper. Yes, you're wielding a brush or pencil to make marks, but it's closer to putting make-up on (with a bit more shading and of course drawing in all the eyebrows) - imo, anyway.

Personally, I like Resin Soul's face-ups - they're simple and natural-ish, and can easily be enhanced by adding freckles, or ear blushing (one of mine has a Rong head - those sheep ears need a bit of blushing!). Both my Resin Souls have factory face-ups, my 3 Sleeping Elf heads do (possibly done by the same person, as they're cast by Bobobie and have a very similar style), and my Peya does - not so much because I liked the default one, although it's not that bad, but mostly because I couldn't face doing a face up on a face slightly smaller than my thumbnail! All the rest I've done myself as either the company face-ups weren't what I wanted, or there wasn't an option to have a face-up done.

I'd be kinda tempted to recommend a Resin Soul Mei (has elf ears) or Ya (same sculpt, but human ears) - I think she'd look cute in pastel goth or fairy kei. I don't know how pale you'd want the skin - but I found their white to be too much of a harsh, paper-white for - that was a few years back and it may be different now.

[OutBriefCandle]

I think I'd recommend getting one with a faceup, especially if it's a light one like Bobobie or Resinsoul. You can always wipe it off later, but at least that way when your doll comes home it won't be completely blank and you can take time to finalize what exactly you want. Don't be afraid to try doing the face yourself whether you're adding to the default or starting from blank, a can of MSC and some pastels will last you a good while and you can take your time trying things out and seeing what works for you. It's all about practice and remember, it's not an all-or-nothing sort of deal. If it's really not working the option to commission will always be there.

[brattybat]

Thank you so much for the tips! I think that I most likely will get one with a factory faceup done unless I get a doll that's secondhand(or a head that's secondhand). I honestly really do enjoy doing makeup and everything so I might end up attempting my own. I was thinking that I was kind of wanting like dolly eye kind of eye makeup on her, kind of like gyaru makeup since that's my favorite look on people or dolls in general!

I will for sure take a look at those two dolls! I was thinking of doing the...I think it's the pink skin tone? It's very pale but it doesn't look...creepy(and not in a good way lol), so I think it would be perfect!

[Kirahfaye]

I usually get my dolls blank (or wipe them) and then send them out to my favorite faceup artist, but I have a friend with far more dolls than I who only buys a new doll if the default faceup matches what her "character" looks like in her mind.

If you are on a tight budget, going with the default can be a good deal since you don't have to add the round trip cost of shipping and insurance, also. Plus, you don't have to go 2 weeks and more without your doll, which can be hard when you are first starting out and need to bond with it. However, do pay attention to how much the default faceup costs - some of the manufacturers have rather inflated prices.

[OkamiKodomo]

Congrats on ordering your first doll. Seconding what some others have said. If you are on a budget, the default faceup is usually going to be your most cost effective option. Keep in mind, you can ALWAYS wipe faceups and redo them, and having a doll arrive already blushed can make it easier to enjoy them right out of the box. So you can order your doll with a faceup, and then in a few months, if you're not happy with it, you can have her redone, or take the plunge and try it yourself. If you can't afford MSC, there are some other alternatives that can be a little less costly, just keep in mind that bargain materials can sometimes yield bargain results. There is lots of information on the sanctuary on different materials. We also have a bunch of faceup artists who offer a range of pricing and styles. Can't wait to see pictures of your new girl!

[Shyla]

I'd be kinda tempted to recommend a Resin Soul Mei (has elf ears) or Ya (same sculpt, but human ears) - I think she'd look cute in pastel goth or fairy kei. I don't know how pale you'd want the skin - but I found their white to be too much of a harsh, paper-white for - that was a few years back and it may be different now.

It's so white it makes paper look grey. But Resin soul does make gorgeous dolls, and the factory face-ups are nice. (I'm totally biased)

I just received my first dolls, and I'm really glad I didn't order them blank. I'm so nervous/ excited, I'm going to have to wait a month for my heart to slow down and my hands to stop shaking to do the body blushing.