Best doll for a first timer?

[K2!]

Just to rain on the parade a little, resin stains too. Resin is not as porous as vinyl so it takes a bit longer.

[animeangel09189]

I don't have a BJD so I can't really speak from that market
But I do have a pullip, a teayang and an obitsu as for them staining its only the soft bust obitsu that stain easily and BJD's can also stain and that can be avoided with this http://requiemart.com/blog/repair-tutor ... r-fasting/
also 27 isn't as small as you may think (unless you've looked up pictures on flickr in which case I'm sorry for assuming you just thought they were small I just wanted to cover the basics) for example here is my teayang todd (who is a fashion doll NOT a ball joint doll)next to a bratz doll http://animegirl4ever09189.deviantart.c ... tz#/dzs0lx
also if you scroll down to the bottom someone posted a nice hight chart here viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3112

I would also recommend looking at the total coast for doll, face up, wig, wig cap, shipping and handling and any shoes you may want to get (you can make your own cloths that helps things) and then get it all in one sitting so at least your doll won't be sitting around bald lol
heres a good video I think you should look at if you haven't already: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsfbqPbl ... ideo_title

And yeah just look into ALL the possiblitys before settling just becuse of the price and yeah check out junkyspot.com and denverdoll.com two American distributors (I personally LOVE junky spot)
OH! And consider looking at hujoo's and don't jump into anything untill your 100% sure

I think I said what I wanted to say and anyone feel free to correct me since I don't own a BJD after all I've only picked this up form years of owning a pullip and similer dolls and lots of asking and research and asking at anime conventions

[Evelien]

As you may know I have nothing against Obitsu - quite the opposite lol -, but it would be good to mention they're not resin and strung like other BJDs, they're made of vinyl and they have a skeleton inside instead.

I had seen that both Obitsu and Dollfie Dream are vinyl...it seems like there is a big split between vinyl and resin camps!

Have your Obitsus stained? I have read that vinyl stains easily...

I got both of mine second hand and one of them has pretty bad staining on her arms I guess, I don't really mind though, but that's personal.

I have noticed though... I put a dark jeans short on one of my smaller girls quite a while ago and I'm afraid to take it off now. I don't wanna know what I'll find lol, I saw just a bit of staining underneath so I fear I have ruined her

[Yanagi-sen]

I love the MSD size and I am pretty sure that's what my first doll is going to be. am torn between ordering an AoD (specifically Qing) and getting a ResinSoul (Ya girl, the human Mei). While the Ya is cheaper, it's only by about $50. I really like both molds.

...

From what I've read, both RS and AOD are good solid dolls.

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What are some other things to know before diving head first into BJD-collecting?

I adore MSD size, large enough to not lose but still fits under the seat on the airplane! My first doll was an AoD hybrid (DZ Shoyo head on an AoD boy body). He stood right out of the box, and has always been a nice solid poser with only a little sueding. I rarely have to use a stand with him. I also have a BBB Espree, obviously did not pose right out of the box, had to be restrung, but is a really nice doll. BBB/RS are lovely dolls so don't be intimidated by the restringing if you really like one.

As for 'staining'... it is going to happen, some stain more readily than others but it will happen. You can avoid some of this by having their first layer of clothing be white/light colored, or making a body suit. I take a pair of white tights and pin it snug around the doll, then take it off and sew it. My Riou is a WHITE BBB (as in paper white), I've had him two years and the only staining I've really noticed has been on his feet (black shoes) and an occasional spot here and there. That's what Mr. Clean Magic Eraser is for. My AoD... Nagi really hasn't stained at all, and he's three. Oh, and he's NOT kept exclusively in white/light clothes, although I did line his black pleather pants since I couldn't wash the fabric.

I also have a couple obitsu's, and having heard about the staining (I swear Omi could stain in an all white outfit) I just went ahead and made body suits for them before anything else.

As for what you should know ahead of time... a) they are like potato chips, you can't have just one (I tried)

b) you might as well just open your wallet now, because there is always going to be something you/they want (new eyes, new wig, new clothes, new friends/family to bring home)

c) Magic Erasers and high % isopropyl alcohol are your friends for cleaning, just don't use them on the face up unless you want to remove it

d) speaking of face ups... rule 1: DON'T TOUCH THE FACE... rule 2: don't touch the face... grab the doll's head by through the wig to position it, not by the chin, or eventually you'll end up with a smudge on the chin and the face up wearing away (really, it happens, just ask Kiki-chan78)

last but not least e) they are not FRAGILE... I wouldn't toss them down the stairs, but they are pretty sturdy little things, don't be afraid of hurting them with general use/abuse/cuddling ^__^

[richila]

I have a Resin Soul Mei, Nefertari, and she is one of the most beautiful dolls I have ever seen. The Resin Soul body is simply lovely. She has butt dimples. lol I love her heart shaped face and there is just something about her that always gets attention. I believe she is their most popular sculpt. I bought my girl second hand and just restrung her last month after having her two years. A bonus is that she can wear Tyler Wentworth clothing and there are so many patterns out there-including a lot of free ones.

[kaybee27]

I have a Resin Soul Mei, Nefertari, and she is one of the most beautiful dolls I have ever seen. The Resin Soul body is simply lovely. She has butt dimples. lol I love her heart shaped face and there is just something about her that always gets attention. I believe she is their most popular sculpt. I bought my girl second hand and just restrung her last month after having her two years. A bonus is that she can wear Tyler Wentworth clothing and there are so many patterns out there-including a lot of free ones.

Ohh, that is really good to know, because I actually have quite a bit of Tyler clothing!

[kaybee27]

As for what you should know ahead of time... a) they are like potato chips, you can't have just one (I tried)

b) you might as well just open your wallet now, because there is always going to be something you/they want (new eyes, new wig, new clothes, new friends/family to bring home)

c) Magic Erasers and high % isopropyl alcohol are your friends for cleaning, just don't use them on the face up unless you want to remove it

d) speaking of face ups... rule 1: DON'T TOUCH THE FACE... rule 2: don't touch the face... grab the doll's head by through the wig to position it, not by the chin, or eventually you'll end up with a smudge on the chin and the face up wearing away (really, it happens, just ask Kiki-chan78)

last but not least e) they are not FRAGILE... I wouldn't toss them down the stairs, but they are pretty sturdy little things, don't be afraid of hurting them with general use/abuse/cuddling ^__^

Haha, yes, I have a feeling it's going to cost a LOT...which just means I will be saving up more now so she won't have to be naked/shoeless/bald! And I am already thinking of friends she will need...

I eventually want to do faceups myself but I'm a little nervous so I will probably get her faceup done by the company for the first doll. Good to know a magic eraser works for removing faceups and staining! I have been repainting barbies a while and I just use acetone/cotton balls. Never thought to try a magic eraser.

[Lexagon]

Haha don't be afraid to do a faceup on a doll! I just did my first one yesterday when I accidentally wiped off my girl's factory faceup washing her and believe me! Its not bad at all.

Plus if you really mess up horribly you can always ask for someone's help to fix it ^.^ You can always get the factory one done just so you have the guidelines

[Mary Kathryn]

I'm going to give you the fruity piece of advice. Follow your heart and buy what you love. You can never go wrong that way.

My problem is I have a *lot* of love.

[1/6andtinylover]

good thing about face ups are that there are always alternatives. For example, you can line the eyes and instead of drawing lower lashes, you can use synthetic lashes for that one as well. And for fine hair detailing, there's watercolor pencils for those who are afraid of brushes.