Since the early 1990s, doll enthusiasts have expressed a desire for dolls that look real. At that moment the art of being reborn emerged. Reborning is basically taking a high quality vinyl doll and adding more improvements. The doll artist often adds veins and multiple layers of flesh-colored paint to give a mottled look to the doll’s skin. Redness is added not only to the face but also to the hands and feet to give the doll a healthy glow. The varnish is applied to the fingernails and toenails to distinguish between the nail bed and the whiter tip. The hair will be hand rooted allowing the doll collector to choose how full or thin the hair should be. There is no doubt, these dolls are beautiful. But all of these improvements come at a high price.
I have been a doll collector for years and have seen these dolls firsthand in doll shows. While incredibly realistic, I’ve personally never been able to justify the cost of these one-of-a-kind dolls. That’s why I’m so excited about a new technique that was pioneered by Apple Valley Doll Works, a division of Secrist Doll Company, which brings a new level of realism to dolls without the hours of hand painting required by a doll artist. This technique is called Inner Glow. Inner Glow uses a specially formulated blue dye that is applied within an extra light, semi-sheer vinyl to mimic the shades of a baby’s skin, thus adding depth and richness that give life to dolls that look real. A light layer of redness is applied to the face, arms and legs. Inner Glow is available on the 17-inch and 19-inch facial expressions just released by Apple Valley Doll Works, and the manufacturer plans to expand the offering to additional expressions at a later date.
Few words are needed to describe the vinyl itself. The extra light, semi-transparent vinyl has a soft touch. If it crushes the vinyl, there is a slight sagging in that part of the body. This more natural feel of vinyl once again replicates the softness you get from a touch on human skin.
The lifelike dolls created with the extra light, semi-transparent Inner Glow vinyl are collectible dolls for adults or older children. Due to the more fragile nature of this vinyl, they should not be considered a play doll for a small child.
Although there is a surcharge for applying Inner Glow to extra light vinyl, doll collectors no longer have to pay a premium price for dolls that look real. The price of an Inner Glow doll is within the reach of a wider base of doll collectors.
Are you ready for your dolls that look real created with Inner Glow?
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