POPPY PARKER SPRING MORNING - FASHION TEEN DOLL

Pictures property of Integrity Toys, Inc. 

I can't describe what I've just felt a few moments ago when I got my package from AngelicDreamz (perfect shipping, by the way)and I opened it. I expected a box with a display plastic on the cover, since these are the only ones for Poppy Parker I had seen so far (guess these are for the smaller dolls). Instead, I got a huge spectacular hard box with pink ribbons featuring the Poppy Parker Fashion Model logo on the cover. When I opened it, well, I finally found THE PERFECT DOLL for me: this 16" work of art is meant to drive me crazy and definitely broke! I already know where my next euros are going to. She deserves all my money for she's instantly won my devotion. Maybe it's the size (can't wait to look forward to getting a smaller one), maybe it's her eyes and her mouth, maybe it's the high quality clothing and the perfect fashion accessories. Many doll collectors hate her, I know; but now I also know why many others love her SO MUCH!

MATERIAL QUALITY: Excellent as expected from an IT doll. Now in this bigger size, I appreciate it all much more!
HAIR: Superb, but you'll need to wash it if you're willing to restyle.
FACE SCULPT: Many people think it makes her look too insolent, but I personally find this sculpt as absorbing as gorgeous! 
MAKE-UP: Soft and tasteful. If she had more make-up on, she'd look clownish.

BODY ARTICULATION: A fully articulated body that's perfect for posing and taking pictures of.

CLOTHING: Perfect quality and design. Easy to put on and take off. 

FASHION ACCESSORIES: Perfect shoes, belt, gloves, bag and jewelry.

BONUS: Gorgeous both packaging and doll stand.  

VALUE 4 MONEY: Many collectors seem to be a little bit afraid of 16" dolls. The bigger Poppy Parker dolls are not as wanted as the smaller ones, yet they're an awesome investment.

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: Poppy Parker's my favourite doll so far... period.

FRANCIE DOLLS FROM BARBIE COLLECTOR

Pictures property of Mattel, Inc. 

Since Barbie Collector is revisiting the Francie doll, now in a SilkStone body, I think it's time to review her myself. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: SilkStone or plastic? It's up to you. Luckily for this young beauty, the three reproductions as well as the new four ones use good materials. So, it's just a matter of personal taste. You won't be disappointed either way.
HAIR: Petty haircuts and timeless quality. Francie is getting a lot of love from Mattel.
FACE SCULPT: She's true fresh air running through the over-saturated Barbie sculpts. Kitty Corner's sculpt is delicious!
MAKE-UP: Just a little... here and there.
BODY ARTICULATION: Limited as usual, which is a pity for those of us who love to take pictures of their dolls.
CLOTHING: They're all mainly 60's style, however they're all different and fun.
FASHION ACCESSORIES: Cool bags and shoes, hats and stockings. There are even some adorable pets.  

BONUS: The usual doll stand. Some Francie dolls include extra fashions and accessories.
VALUE 4 MONEY: SilkStones are always more valuable dolls than the reproduction ones. The Francie doll isn't an expensive item to collect, anyway. Don't expect her value to go much higher either.

FINAL RATING: 
IN OTHER WORDS: Francie dolls should deserve more attention from collectors. She's being taken good care of from Mattel, which means that you'll get a good item to collect.

MONSTER HIGH DOLLS

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: Good playline quality, although the hands look too fragile.

HAIR: I've seen amazing things done to these girls' hair, however it doesn't quite work for me: I need more hair!

FACE SCULPT: The sculpts look all the same. Mattel should have paid much more attention!

MAKE-UP: It's cool and really defines each doll's personality..

BODY ARTICULATION: A pivotal body perfect for playing with. 

CLOTHING: In my opinion, it usually is the worst part of these dolls. Even the outfits that you can buy separately are not too appealing. True, sometimes you get a few cool fashion items but most of the time it's all a little bit Ok, whatever!

FASHION ACCESSORIES: There're plenty of them. Some are cooler than others but for a playline collection they're good enough. 

BONUS: It depends on the line you buy, but there's always something extra either for you or your doll.

VALUE 4 MONEY: They should be a little bit cheaper. They seemed to be a great investment at the beginning, when little girls all over the world went crazy for these dolls and they were sold out in many countries. Some time later, I don't think they're that worthy. 

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: Cool playline dolls with a lot of potential... if you know how to get it out!

DON'T GET THAT DOLL OUT OF THE BOX... YET!

Getting a doll out of her box is NOT always the wisest thing to do. Sometimes, a doll is better kept in. When shouldn't we get her out?

1. When you don't like the doll not even in her box. Just resell her!

2. When the doll's price is going crazily up in the market. Wait! Maybe you've got a true wanted item in your hands. You'd better keep her in the best possible condition.

3. When you're not sure that you REALLY want to keep that one doll in your collection. If you feel like she doensn't quite fit in your life, just resell her in pristine condition. You'll make much more money and will be able to get a better doll for you.

4. When the packaging is so exceptional that it's actually part of the whole ensemble. If the box is a perfect showcase, just keep it!

5. When you haven't got a proper place to display your dolls. Getting a doll out of her box just for the sake of it, it's just silly! Make sure that your dolls are not going to get ruined before getting them out of their safe boxes.

BARBIE THE WAITRESS - FASHION MODEL BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

I must admit that I would have never bought this doll myself but I was given her for my birthday last year, so let's see if she made me change my mind... or not.

MATERIAL QUALITY: SilkStone material always feels like a TRUE collectible.
HAIR: Personally I think that a Barbie doll should have never worn such an ugly hairstyle. I know that Robert Best wanted to celebrate the working woman with this particular creation but... it's ugly.
FACE SCULPT: Maybe it's the hairstyle but... I'm not crazy about this sculpt.
MAKE-UP: Well, yes, she uses make-up. Next, please!
BODY ARTICULATION: As limited as in any other SilkStone doll.
CLOTHING: What can I say? Yes, it's a waitress uniform and it's pink but... did anyone mention Barbie?
FASHION ACCESSORIES: Are an apron, a cap and a coffe pot fashion items? I don't think so. The shoes are... well, white.  

BONUS: A plain doll stand, like usual.
VALUE 4 MONEY: SilkStones are always valuable dolls. This one in particular is not one of the most wanted. Get her only if the price is low.

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: I didn't like her before and I don't like her after. The SilkStone line is full of much more beautiful dolls than this one.

BARBIE THE INTERVIEW - FASHION MODEL BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

When I first opened the box I said WOW! but then... a few annoying details prevent this doll from getting a higher rate. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: SilkStone material feels like a TRUE collectible... and it's perfect for taking pictures of.
HAIR: Ok, the original hairstyle is pretty smart but... don't they know at Mattel's headquarters that using so much hairspray (and other grease products) can really ruin a doll's hair? Yes, she's a collectible but restyling is also huge among fans. Why not making it a little bit easier?
FACE SCULPT: Pure SilkStone way: mature and elegant.
MAKE-UP: Pure SilkStone way: tasteful.
BODY ARTICULATION: Pure SilkStone way: limited.
CLOTHING: I'm not crazy about the fabrics, but the design is gorgeous.
FASHION ACCESSORIES: Great earrings and bag. Cool gloves. Horrible sunglasses (their quality is so unexpectedly low) and even uglier shoes (the color is just awful).  

BONUS: Pure SilkStone way: a plain doll stand.
VALUE 4 MONEY: SilkStones are always valuable dolls. This one in particular is no exception. If you find her at a pretty good price, don't hesitate and get her!

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: She could have been one of my favourite SilkStone dolls, but the hairstyle, the sunglasses and the shoes are just too wrong to ignore.

BARBIE RUBY RADIANCE VS. IN THE LIMELIGHT - BARBIE DOLL

Pictures property of Mattel, Inc. 

These two dolls are both being shipped out tomorrow to a couple of new homes. So, I thought it would be cool to review them before they leave me.

MATERIAL QUALITY: Acceptable as most Barbie dolls are: better than the playline ones but still far from reaching the quality top.
HAIR: The original hairstyles are both cool. Now I wonder: how long would it take to restyle them? 'Cos to get them straight seems a nightmare to me.
FACE SCULPT: I personally think they're both ugly. I guess that's because Barbie looks older and charmless. It's just my point of view, but I do think these sculpts are among the ugliest I've seen so far.
MAKE-UP: As ugly as the face.
BODY ARTICULATION: Very basic.
CLOTHING: Two original creations that would have probably looked great in another doll. Sold them both before trying so... can't truly tell.
FASHION ACCESSORIES: Just a pair of not-so-cool shoes, and jewelry.

BONUS: A doll stand.
VALUE 4 MONEY: The price of either doll is crazy: you can get them pretty cheap and awfully expensive. Honestly, neither deserves your money. The world of Barbie Collector is full of nicer dolls.

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: Get the clothing if you find it cheap, 'cos it's the only worthy part of either doll.

BARBIE THE LINGERIE #6 - FASHION MODEL BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

The Lingerie line is a true (non)guilty pleasure for collectors, me included. Barbie doll looks as sensual as charming in her lingerie creations. I only miss a more articulated body so to get unforgettable poses for my personal photo album.   

MATERIAL QUALITY: It's SilkStone and I love it.
HAIR: Great both colour and length. Ok, it's just straight but... I guess it's the beautiful colour which prevents me from considering anything else.
FACE SCULPT: Such a challenging look in her eyes goes perfect for this line.
MAKE-UP: The grayish shades match the clothing.
BODY ARTICULATION: Specially with the Lingerie line one misses a lot the doll not being much more poseable.
CLOTHING: It depends on wether you like or not lingerie creations. I do, so...
FASHION ACCESSORIES: The rounded earrings are perfect for the doll's whole look. I miss a little unexpected detail on the shoes so to say Wow! look at that!

BONUS: The usual plain doll stand.
VALUE 4 MONEY: SilkStones are always valuable dolls. Their price usually increases in time, which are always good news for collectors. The Lingerie line is specially appreciated among collectors, so these dolls are always a good investment. 

FINAL RATING: 
IN OTHER WORDS: The Lingerie line is a good choice to go for: charming dolls whose value is always up.

BARBIE SOUTHERN BELLE - FASHION MODEL BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

I was very excited about this doll being released since the original Plantation Belle is one of my favorite vintage fashions. However, the final doll is a little bit disappointing. It seems as if the fashion was designed to be sold separately and they decided to include the doll at the last minute.    

MATERIAL QUALITY: My devotion for SilkStone material is no longer a secret as I confessed it openly many times already.
HAIR: The lack of a proper hairstyle straight from the factory allows you to style it the way you like most... if only it was a little bit longer.
FACE SCULPT: There's nothing impressive about it and nothing wrong either.
MAKE-UP: If you know how to do a makeover, do it.
BODY ARTICULATION: We need a better articulated body to use with SilkStones!
CLOTHING: The dress is nice but... it looks unfinished!
FASHION ACCESSORIES: The jewelry is pretty original but the shoes are boring. 

BONUS: Once more, the usual plain doll stand.
VALUE 4 MONEY: SilkStones are always valuable dolls. Their price usually increases in time, which are always good news for collectors. This doll in particular isn't one of the most wanted but she's a SilkStone after all.

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: A perfect doll for restyling and custom. A perfect disappointment for Plantation Belle fans. 

BARBIE THE SHOPGIRL - FASHION MODEL BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

I absolutely love this doll. The only thing I still miss is a more articulated body for SilkStone dolls. C'mon people from Mattel, think of doing something about it... now!

MATERIAL QUALITY: I love it! It feels like a TRUE collectible... and it's perfect for taking pictures of.
HAIR: The original hairstyle is so cool I'm afraid I will never see it otherwise. Great quality as usual in this doll line.
FACE SCULPT: Mature and elegant.
MAKE-UP: Tasteful... period.
BODY ARTICULATION: As I've already said before, if they ever get a SilkStone doll to use a much more articulated body, they'll be at the top of my personal list of must-haves. Until then, Fashion Royalties are my favourite!
CLOTHING: In the style of old-time Chanel: perfect.
FASHION ACCESSORIES: Nice jewelry, glasses and shoes. 

BONUS: A cute tiny bag with a miniature bottle of perfume, and... the usual plain doll stand. Where's the creativity on designing doll stands for SilkStones?
VALUE 4 MONEY: SilkStones are always valuable dolls. This one in particular has seen her original price increase considerably. If you find her at a pretty good price, don't hesitate and get her!

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: She's one of my favourite SilkStone dolls and her value is increasing in time. Definitely, a must-have. 

BARBIE MOVIE MIXER - FASHION MODEL BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

Recently I've been taking out of their boxes most of the SilkStones I was storing at my parents' due to a lack of room in my own place. Some cheers and some disappointments (and even a few what the f***!) are what I got... and, of course, one whole display cabinet full of dolls. So, here we go!

MATERIAL QUALITY: I'm a great fan of SilkStone material. I do believe that this Barbie line is one of the few that Mattel cares properly for. Thumbs up for SilkStone quality... or maybe not! (One of those what the f***! here): the ears get stained because of a chemical reaction of this material in contact with some metals (that of the jewelry, of course). Luckily this doesn't happen often. I had only heard about the Parisienne Pretty one having this problem, but Movie Mixer has it as well.
HAIR: The original hairstyle is awesome but... (second what the f...! here) Why do they use such a tight net to keep the hairstyle in shape? Sure none of us wants a beautiful original hairstyle to be ruined but... it actually got ruined anyway when trying to get that net out of the way! And yet one more thing: the hair was all frizzy once it was free from that net. Why? I had never encountered such a problem with any other SilkStone doll before. Bad luck? Not sure.
FACE SCULPT: She's absolutely pretty. Actually she's much prettier than in the original photo. Good news!
MAKE-UP: Very tasteful. I love it!
BODY ARTICULATION: If they ever get a SilkStone doll to use a much more articulated body, they'll be at the top of my personal list of must-haves. Until then, Fashion Royalties are my favourite!
CLOTHING: Very elegant and great quality. I like it much more than in the photo. The ugly part is that Mattel insists in fully dressing their dolls, jewelry and accessories included, when putting them in the box; what you get from that absurd decision is: bracelets damaging gloves, shoes ruining stockings, and tiny rubber bands all over the place trying to keep everything in place. One of the best things about SilkStone dolls' packaging is that you get soft ribbons instead of plastic attachments to keep the doll in place, but then unexpectedly you find all these rubber bands that leave a mark on the clothing. Why do they do that?
FASHION ACCESSORIES: The jewelry is... strange. Now it looks cool, then it looks ugly. Don't know... The shoes are just OK. My favourite accessory is the handbag. 

BONUS: A plain doll stand... Why don't they put a little more creativity on designing doll stands for SilkStones?
VALUE 4 MONEY: SilkStones are always valuable dolls. This one in particular is not one of the most expensive you can find. Just make sure that you get a good price. If you think the price is too high, you'd do better getting some other SilkStone doll instead.

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: She's not one of the most wanted SilkStone dolls, but she's a nice one after all. She looks much better out of the box than in the official photos from Mattel.

TANGKOU DOLLS

Picture property of 6thsense Tang Doll Design All Rights Reserved 

MATERIAL QUALITY: Ugly quality for a collectable doll. If we take them for what they actually are, playlines, then it's ok. 
HAIR: Ugly. After brushing it, you'll probably get more hair in your fingers than in the actual doll.
FACE SCULPT: A failed imitation of a Pullip's or Blythe's. Yes, the colour of their eyes changes many times when you press a rear button but... still ugly.
MAKE-UP: The ugliest ever. 

BODY ARTICULATION: A fully articulated and squeaky body that's perfect for posing and taking pictures of.

CLOTHING: The quality is not bad and the designs are acceptable. I've tried some of them on my Barbie Basics dolls and look cool. But paying so much just for standard clothing, it's just not worth it.

FASHION ACCESSORIES: A necklace here, a bag there... and where are the earrings? You get the holes in the ears but not the jewels? Why?

BONUS: Surprisingly, I prefer their packages than those of a Pullip. Oh, yes, you also get a doll stand and a booklet or character card (I don't remember it well since I gave it all to my niece. She loves Tangkou dolls, by the way, but only because I'm not going to buy her a Pullip any time soon so...).

VALUE 4 MONEY: If you like this sort of dolls, save a little bit and get either a Pullip or a Blythe. Don't waste your money in a Tangkou, it's not worth it at all.

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: An ugly doll that just children who want to play with Pullips or Blythes and can't afford their prices should get. These dolls should be much cheaper considering their low quality. Just forget about them!

BARBIE INSPIRED BY VINCENT VAN GOGH - BARBIE DOLL

Picture property of Mattel, Inc. 

MATERIAL QUALITY: Acceptable as usual with pink label Barbie dolls. I know Barbie's all about plastic but... C'mon, she's a collectible, a pink label one but a collectible after all. Mattel is getting so disappointing... She looks much better in the box.
HAIR: The original hairstyle is super cool but... be ready for one wash after another if you're thinking of restyling it.
FACE SCULPT: Well, let's say I didn't buy her for her face.
MAKE-UP: The whole thing's just a little bit too much. The dress and the jewelry are overcharged enough for a make-up so... too much.
BODY ARTICULATION: So basic it's boring. A doll only to look at... and she's not even that pretty.
CLOTHING: Yes, I bought her for her dress. It looked so enchanting on the website! But in the end what you get is a poor quality dress not even well sewn. I haven't tried it yet on any other of my dolls. Hopes are not too high, frankly.
FASHION ACCESSORIES: Both the earrings and the shoes looked also promising but... they're just a fistful of not so well painted pieces of plastic.

BONUS: A plain doll stand... period.
VALUE 4 MONEY: Her price is low and it won't go any higher. You'd better invest your money in a worthier option, honestly.

FINAL RATING: 

IN OTHER WORDS: Don't buy her. But in case you do (or already did) and not in the mood for reselling, keep her IN the box, trust me. Why is her left hand SO big?