Basics For First Doll?

Hello there!

My DDS Karin, renamed Mari, arrived the other day! I'm super excited to finally have this beautiful girl.

I was wondering what are the basics for DD ownership? What are the best ways for me to care for Mari?

I already ordered an anti-color migration bodysuit from CoolCat.

Is there a recommended style/brand of toothbrush/hairbursh I should use for the wigs?

Should I buy the wig care items from Volks?

Are the carrying bags any good, and are there any cheaper alternatives to official ones?

 

Thank you!

Congrats on your first DD!

You can use any toothbrush as a hairbrush (so long as you only use it for that, obviously) - the one that Volks sells is slightly different/useful because it has a tapered handle and you can use that bit to arrange the bangs (it’s better than using your fingers)

 

I personally use a combination of the Tangle Teezer (available on the Volks site and also other places online like eBay,I’ve seen similar brushes in stores too), a tooth brush and a very small Azone comb (typical fashion doll size, you could use any cheap alternative). I recommend getting some wig spray, I personally used to swear by Azone Doll Mist but now that I don’t live in Japan it’s harder to come by (as they don’t sell it internationally). So instead I’ve been using the larger bottles of wig spray typically aimed at cosplayers. There is of course the spray Volks sell but the bottles are kinda small and are priced similarly to the larger wig spray bottles I buy elsewhere. These sprays just help to detangle and destatic, which can happen a lot with long wigs like Karin’s.

 

I have a Volks carry-bag and quality wise it’s good - it can also fit at least two DDs in it - but I don’t tend to use it much as generally when I take dolls somewhere I have to carry them all day, and it’s hard to carry such a long bag all day in my opinion. So they usually go in a large bag that’s big enough to carry a sitting doll with a camera, which is easier for me to carry than a long skinny bag. However it’s not built specifically for dolls - one thing I really appreciate about the Volks bags is the straps inside to keep the doll secure. You might also want to look on Etsy and see what other purpose-made doll bags there are. It just depends on what kinda bag you like to carry I guess.

One thing I specifically looked for with toothbrushes was for it to be just a plain toothbrush with regular soft bristles. So many toothbrushes also have rubber bits, or coated tips, or wave patterns on the surface, etc. Small like a baby or child toothbrush I think is better too.

 

I haven't carried a doll anywhere but I happened to already have a camera tripod bag that's about the right size. If I were to use that or anything that's not made specifically for a vinyl doll I'd want to wrap the doll in a white towel or blanket first to make sure the bag didn't stain the doll.

 

While it's certainly expensive, I read somewhere of someone using a Pelican case to carry a DD.

Get you some Dream Rescue from Volks, and accept that your little girl will get stained. It's not a matter of if, but of when she will have her first stain. Once you've mentally accepted that fact, when it does happen, you will not feel down about it.

 

As for the hair, I use a Tangle Teaser as well as the Volks hairbrush. As for the Volks hair care items, get you the Treatment stuff, it's lettered in purple. It's amazing! Spray it on the wig and begin to work it in, it removes all the tangles, and leave her hair with a nice shine. It does evaporate after a while, so it will be an on going used item. It will leave the hair feeling a bit oily, but I haven't seen it hurt the girls at all. I also try to shield them if the wig is on while I use it. Like for Miku I lay her on her back and fan her tail that I'm working on away from her on a towel. I then spay the bottom 2/3 of her hair and brush it in all the rest with a Tangle Teaser.

 

The Volks bags are nice, I have 4, and depending on what else is in there you can get 3 girls in one. I mostly only carry two at a time, but have done 3 a couple times. They are great for transporting to and from something (Fits easily between your knees on the floor when on a bus or rail car.) but like stated above are a pain to carry around while the girl is out.

Get you some Dream Rescue from Volks, and accept that your little girl will get stained. It's not a matter of if, but of when she will have her first stain. Once you've mentally accepted that fact, when it does happen, you will not feel down about it.

 

I second this. Stains will happen, and they aren't the end of the world as long as you don't get any on her face-up. Even then it's not the end of the world, but it does mean wiping her face clean, destaining, and then having a new faceup painted. Having Dream Rescue on hand as you learn to manage wigs and clothing in a way that minimizes the chance of staining is a good idea. I always keep a bottle around.

 

Old stains can be removed too, I've bought a number of stained dolls and fixed them up, but it is easier to get them out when they are fresh.

 

I use a cat comb as a brush. I find I prefer the comb to a toothbrush, but I don't like the metal teeth. There is always a danger of scratching the face with a metal toothed comb. It's not the best for tight curls either.

 

Only other suggestion I have would be to get her a stand. Makes dressing them easier, and you don't have to worry about her staining from a surface you put her on. If I do sit them down on any kind of surface I put a paper towel under them.

Get used to posing Mari and dressing her. The joints move in a particular way, and you want to be familiar with them.

 

Research here at the forum, and learn what to do if Mari gets stained. You don't want to rush in and scrub on her, or use an unfamiliar solvent to try to remove stains!

 

Most of all, enjoy her! Karin is adorable. Congratulations!

 

Linda S.

galatia9

I recommend getting some wig spray, I personally used to swear by Azone Doll Mist but now that I don’t live in Japan it’s harder to come by (as they don’t sell it internationally). So instead I’ve been using the larger bottles of wig spray typically aimed at cosplayers. There is of course the spray Volks sell but the bottles are kinda small and are priced similarly to the larger wig spray bottles I buy elsewhere. These sprays just help to detangle and destatic, which can happen a lot with long wigs like Karin’s.

 

Thank you for the recommendation. What brand of wig spray do you use?

 

Only other suggestion I have would be to get her a stand. Makes dressing them easier, and you don't have to worry about her staining from a surface you put her on. If I do sit them down on any kind of surface I put a paper towel under them.

Thank you! I didn't think about placing a towel down where she sits!

I have some Obitsu stands that fit her leg, will this be good enough?

 

I haven't carried a doll anywhere but I happened to already have a camera tripod bag that's about the right size. If I were to use that or anything that's not made specifically for a vinyl doll I'd want to wrap the doll in a white towel or blanket first to make sure the bag didn't stain the doll.

Interesting. I'll totally look into a tripod case.

Thank you! I didn't think about placing a towel down where she sits!

I have some Obitsu stands that fit her leg, will this be good enough?

 

Just be sure it's a white towel without any dyes. Paper towels with a print on them might stain the doll.

 

If it's a DDS, an Obitsu 50 leg clamp stand might work. I would think the larger Obitsu doll stands would work on a DD or DDS, but I don't have any so I can't say for certain.

 

I haven't carried a doll anywhere but I happened to already have a camera tripod bag that's about the right size. If I were to use that or anything that's not made specifically for a vinyl doll I'd want to wrap the doll in a white towel or blanket first to make sure the bag didn't stain the doll.

Interesting. I'll totally look into a tripod case.

 

Volks does sell a white wrapping blanket for Dollfie. I have that along with their carry case. I bought them mostly for transportation too and from a place I am staying as opposed to carrying them around a city. I wanted something that I could safely put them in while on a train without worry about staining. I also use the plastic face masks Volks sells; they are for Super Dollfie, but they work fine with Dollfie dreams.

 

I agree the long case would be a pain to carry about a city all day, but it would be fine for car, plane, or train.

Edited September 17, 2018 by Guest

*quietly sitting in back of class, taking notes*

Personally, I prefer to use a comb instead of a brush on my dolls' hair--I've read from cosplayers that combs damage wigs less. Dunno if that's true, but it does seem kind of. . . gentler, somehow?

 

A cheap stand may not go amiss, and is certainly better than nothing. I guess the Obitsu one may work, but if you want a steady waist stand for cheap, craft stores have a few options around. (Also, for a real fancy stand, the Alice's Collections ones are so cool. Just finally got a pair myself and I lerve them)

 

Technically, you don't need Dream Rescue brand for removing stains; you can get away with any zit cream with benzoyl peroxide in it.

 

At least Karin comes with underwear; my first doll was a custom and didn't have any. XD I did try to make her a pair, but since it was one of the first thing I'd ever sewn, they were kind of. . . horrifying, lol. So for anyone doing the whole "buy a separate head and body and customize" schtick, get your poor plastic midget some undies.

 

As for carrying bags, I've thought about buying one from Volks or Dollmore, but mostly I just stick to using my backpack. I put the dolls in a kneeling position and just kinda cram 'em in. I can get 2-3 in there for a meet, or one alongside of a waterbottle and a pillow for an airplane flight. (Once I got a DD and an MDD in with the bottle and the pillow, but don't ask me how.) I think even if I do get a dedicated doll carrier, it's probably coming to meets or on road trips, but will stick to the backpack on airplanes.

Personally, I prefer to use a comb instead of a brush on my dolls' hair--I've read from cosplayers that combs damage wigs less. Dunno if that's true, but it does seem kind of. . . gentler, somehow?

 

Yeah, I used to cosplay a lot, and the general idea is that brushes are usually meant to remove hair that has been shed, whereas combs are meant to detangle. I personally prefer metal combs, but I can't remember if there's any particular difference for metal and plastic.

 

Also, general wig advice from someone who has dealt with both very long cosplay wigs as well as grooming horses - start from the bottom and work your way up, especially when dealing with large tangles. Oh, and if you live somewhere that has a horse supply store/tack shop nearby, Mane n Tail Detangler or Mane n Tail Shine-On are fantastic for working out tangles. Just be careful where you spray, bc they will make the floor VERY slippery!