New AG doll hair

[amandajg]

Here's a slightly strange topic, but I happened to notice it tonight when I was taking a closer look at my new Kit's hair. She's my first "Mattel" doll (just because I collected before Mattel). I have noticed that she's skinnier than my others (which in a way is nice because she sits up better) and that her feet are just a tad bit smaller somehow. Anyways, here's the part I started thinking about - they definitely changed the materials of her arms, legs, and hair. Her hair is soo much finer than my other dolls'. I am curious about whether all Pre-M dolls are this way (with fine hair) or if it was a more recent change. also, I know this is a very strange observation, but I remember that new (PC) AG dolls had a very distinctive smell - I have no idea what it was or how to describe it, and I was disappointed Kit didn't smell like they used to. LOL - it's a crazy observation but I wonder if anyone else has thought of this. I just remember that sweet, sort of resin-y smell when I was younger and I used to associate it with the wonderful experience of getting a new AG doll. I think it's her hair that has a different smell... perhaps it's her arms and legs, though. with that said, I actually do like the finer hair a lot. I think it will be easier to take care of and easier to keep neat. and as for that smell... well, Kit doesn't smell like anything now, which is fine with me as it's better than a bad or heaven forbid a plastic-y smell, and besides that smell always wore off after a while anyways. [img]graemlins/wonder.gif[/img]

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ February 26, 2005 01:50 AM: Message edited by: amandajg ]</font>

[carolinapooh]

It's not just you.

My Molly is a Mattel doll, and my Samantha is a Pleasant Company (PC) doll. Molly has finer, silkier hair, a thinner body, and smaller feet than Samantha. I bought a PC Samantha specifically because I wanted the thick, curly hair I knew she'd have, but I'm glad my Molly with the braids has the finer hair because it'll be easier to rebraid.

Samantha is a bit fatter (Mattel tights are harder to get on her - they seem almost shortseated!) and I believe her feet ARE bigger. I have a time trying to get her feet into AG Mary Janes with her Christmas dress tights on. Her arms and legs also feel different from Molly's - stockings almost STICK to Samantha's legs, something I wasn't prepared for when she came. I was taking off her Meet stockings and her leg pulled away from its socket!!! [img]eek.gif[/img] Fortunately nothing untoward happened.

My youngest niece has a PC Samantha who almost doesn't fit into her Lawn Party outfit, which is new and Mattel. So far Sam fits all the clothes, but I DO worry...

[ErinGoBraugh]

I remember that smell! My Samantha hasn't been "new" for 17 years (yikes!) but I still remember the way she smelled coming out of the box. I've always associated it with oranges for some reason. And I remember that she carried that smell for a long time. [img]smile.gif[/img] Congrats on your new addition! [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

[carolinapooh]

Maybe that's what I smelled on my Samantha. She came in her original embossed white box and underneath the I've-been-in-someone's-attic smell there was another, more pleasant (ha ha) smell with a sweetness to it.

[horsemom]

The hair is definitely different. All 4 of my early PM dolls have coarse, thick hair. Well, Kirsten's is a bit thin after 17 years of play, but still each hair is coarse. I just got a Mattel Josefina, and her hair is so silky and thin and fine. I have to be a little careful that her wig cap doesn't show, but on the up side it's so soft and shiny and I think it will be easier to care for. Her vinyl is a bit different too- much less squishy.

[mistee_magic]

I have two Mattel dolls, and I've seen two of my friend's PM dolls. I've noticed a difference between them, even in my own dolls. My friend got her PM doll in 1997 (I think), and it even feels better made than my two, her hair was a bit messy the last time I saw her (a few weeks ago), but still shiny. I've noticed a difference between my dolls too, Nellie's skinnier than Kirsten, and Kirsten has better hair than Nellie. I've also noticed a difference in the plastic they're made from; Kirsten's is just a little bit harder than Nellie's. Nellie is also taller than Kirsten is by about half an inch. I know for a fact that both are Mattel dolls, and it seems that American Girl is slacking a bit in quality.

[amandajg]

OK, so I'm not the only one missing the "pleasant" smell (and yes orangey also describes it)! hehe. I just tend to associate smells with certain things, like in this instance the happy feeling of getting a new doll when I was a kid, so I did miss that PC new doll smell when I opened up Kit.

Kit's hair does seem to be much shinier than the others' hair. I saw Kirsten in AGPC - her hair is so much lighter and shinier than my 1992 Kirsten's ever was.

as for her skin, it's almost more like my 1992 Kirsten's was, which is harder and shinier. My mid-90's dolls were squishier and softer and their skin had a slightly different texture. [img]graemlins/wonder.gif[/img] anyways, the differences are interesting. I feel like in 50 years I could go on the Antiques Roadshow and be an expert on AG dolls and their differences. [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ February 26, 2005 11:28 AM: Message edited by: amandajg ]</font>

[mayergirl]

I have to say that I can't remember what the new hair is made of, but I do know that I looked into it ages ago, and the plastic it's made of is designed so that the ends don't get raggedy with play (something that all my PM dolls have suffered) and so that it can't melt under a blowdryer. I think it's a nice innovation, and frankly, I don't think the fat/skinny thing has anything to do with when the doll was made, I think they're just natural fluctuations. My PM Felicity is just fat (don't tell her I said so) while my PM Samantha is super skinny, and the other twelve fluctuate too (my Lindsey's a little chunky, but she's been sneaking kit kats:-P)