PM or Mattel Kirsten? Hair Care?

[MOM to JILLIAN]

DD is very close to having her $ saved up to buy Kirsten. I picked up some money from the consignment shop yesterday and split some of the $ between DS and DD. Should I look for a PM Kirsten on eBay or order a Mattel one from AG? Our Samantha and Felicity are PM dolls so in a way I would like to buy a PM Kirsten. Is there a big difference in the hair? If the Mattel hair is easier to care for/style then I'll go that way. The doll will be for play so that is my primary concern. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. THANKS!

[Sweet_Sweet_Goo]

Kirsten?s hair is a little darker now. I think PM Kirsten?s have lighter hair that is.

I don't think it matters if it's a PM or not. I would look on eBay for a good deal on a Kirsten doll, but I wouldn?t pay extra just because it's a PM.

When I bought my Kirsten on eBay I didn't have the slightest iota she was a PM, but she was!

If having a PM doll is important get a PM, but I wouldn't let it matter too much if it was me.

[cami713]

Congrats to her on getting close to the goal! Does your daughter see any difference? Since it's her money, I'd let her pick. However, she'd probably have to save up a bit more to get a NIB or well taken care of PM doll.

I think the M Kirsten's are a bit prettier [img]redface.gif[/img] . From pictures (I don't have Kirsten), she looks almost exactly the same except with more face paint. The hair does look different, but, imo, in a good way. It seems to be a darker blonde, and made of the shiny, silky hair instead of the more realistic stuff, which, I think is supposed to make it easier to play with.

As Goo said, I don't think it matters much about the M/PM thing. I love all of my dolls, PM or not, and your little girl probably will, too.

Perhaps you could order a M one from AG, and when she gets there decide if you like her or not. If not, return her, get your money back, and go for a PM one on ebay.

Either way, Kirsten is a very pretty doll, and surely you and your little girl will be happy with either one! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]

[calyndra]

Mattel Kirsten's hair is a "yellower" blonde than the PM Kirsten's. I find it to be silkier also, and her face now is very pretty. My Kirsten is a WB and was my childhood doll. I always kept her nice and played with her appropriately, but even with the AG brush her hair is fried now. I have not seen a Mattel Kirsten played with that much to know whether the hair is easier now or not.

I would go with the brand new Kirsten from AG. That way if anything happened you could sent her to the hospital easier.
Besides, there's nothing like opening up that box for the first time, especially if you've saved and saved for it. It would be terrible if the ebay doll had some issue that you didn't know about in advance.

~Abby

[kymmy3]

I agree with the others. Since she has saved so hard a NEW doll is the way to go. Ebay can be hit or miss and you hate to have her disappointed. The PM kirsten that I have seen have very subtle features - almost too subtle.

You daughter may want to be the first to give
one to give her dollie love! Let her decide what to do. In all honesty you really don't save that much on ebay. A $60 doll who still needs her meet outfit - costs you almost the same as new.

k

[Janie3082]

I bet your daughter is so excited! My Kirsten is PM and I love her, but I've seen lots of pics here of the M ones, and they are just beautiful! My Kirsten does have more of an "ash-y" colored blond hair, and like Calyndra said, my girl's hair is a bit fried even though I used the AG brush on her while I was growing up. (I need to give her a downy dunk.)

I think for a girl wanting her now that she would probably enjoy a M Kirsten better. Since you usually have to pay so much more for a PM on ebay, you might feel she has to be a lot more careful with her. I have pics in my albums if you want to look at a PM Kirsten. HTH. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Yay Kirsten!! [img]graemlins/party.gif[/img]

[robin0850]

Valid points have been made by everyone so far--but speaking as a PM fan, you may want to consider this--

Since your DD already has PM dolls, she may be happier with a PM Kirsten. Mattel Kirstens ARE very pretty (it seems Kirsten just can't help it), but PM Kirstens have all the good old-fashioned features all PM's have--the softer vinyl, better complexion, soft eyelashes, chubbier face, thicker body with neckstrings, and MUCH better hair!
(JMHO, but the PM hair is of much higher quality, and I myself don't believe it's any harder to care for than the slicker, cheaper Mattel hair.)

You may want to order a Kirsten from AG, as others have suggested, and return her if you don't like her. (Though it does seem a long, disappointing process for a DD.)

But you also may want to consider finding a well-preserved(perhaps never played-with or new-in-box) Kirsten on ebay; even though the price may go a bit higher, it will be worth it for a high-quality doll. Or maybe just buy a PM one for yourself--they'll be getting scarcer as the years go by.

Hope I haven't made your decision any more difficult, and I truly hope your DD will be very happy with the doll she chooses. Congratulations to her for saving up, and good luck in your decision-making! [img]smile.gif[/img]

[trvnbrn]

I have no idea about the PM or Mattel Kirsten's...haven't seen either in person. I would vote for the Mattel based simply on the fact that Jillian could be the first one to open the box & see her new girl, w/out you worrying it's not perfect.

Hannah has this big dream of coming home from school & finding her doll on the front porch waiting in her box(es) from AG. Guess I won't be able to order any extra's w/ her doll if I don't want her to see them! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Good luck deciding.

Bren [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img]

P.S. I asked Ethan who was in your picture & he said, "Jillian....Kirsten". [img]eek.gif[/img] I think he's been looking at Hannah's catalog.

[Felicity_Fan85]

I have a Mattel Kirsten and I love her! I love buying new dolls. I have one PM so far and 3 Mattels. and I have a PM that I'm trying to get cleaned up and will give to my mom. I like both companies, so I guess I'm not really any help here, lol.

[wiccacat]

I'd go with a brand new Mattel doll if she's going to be played with. I have mostly PMs and their hair just seems harder to play with. I just got the Asian Mattel girl and i like her much better than my PM. But i'm not overly fond of Jess or the girls with side parts. Their hair just seems thinner & it falls out easily. With a lot of brushing i think they'd be bald.