A viewer requested that I do a review of Aliexpress Bomelon BJD dolls, stating they are legit BJD dolls (hinged sockets). Everyone who knows me, knows that I will always try to assist with budget friendly official doll reviews for bjds. I would rather persuade a person to buy a budget friendly hinged bjd, than a recast strung bjd. I strongly believe in buying secondhand, you can pickup an official doll sometimes for the price of a recast new doll!
These pretty 1/3 dolls can be sourced here:
bomelon.aliexpress.com/store/...
I always keep the price to product in the back of my mind, so although I judge them compared to strung official BJDs, I am realistic on the quality I would expect at that cost. At $141, I can buy on the secondhand market a strung 1/6 bjd or two current Rainbow High dolls in my country. Thus for a 1/3 doll I'd expect a good product face , average quality plastic, good clothing and an average seam line area.
Honestly, I like the 1/3 doll. I'd happy purchase her for a beginner BJD collector, with the 'warning' that as she is hinged bjd so she will not be accepted on more elitest forums, and/or for a younger child with more expensive tastes (I'd probably steal the outfit though, haha). If further research shows them as official, I'd be very interested in having one of their constellation series dolls:
www.aliexpress.com/item/40000...
For the 1/6 / 30 cm doll, I would rather have a playline Barbie or two Fashionistas. The Asian large head little dolls seem to have variations in clothing only (small face mould changes but nothing as varied as 1/6 strung bjds). I also don't like how large their heads are compared to my official strung dolls of that size. I like how delicate the smaller head features are. Nicer for a child type doll and I note Bomelon seems to market them to this age demographic too. I had to see the smaller size for a better review. I am weary to call them official dolls as they have a seam line around the base of their hair which tends to suggest a recast mould over a headplate line.
Let me know if you have any further information regarding this doll line.
Recasts hurt the BJD hobby. They are stolen artwork that denies the artist their due payment for time and effort designing a doll. If you are looking at buying a recast, always have a gander at the secondhand market first. You might be able to score an official gem. Recast dolls also tend to be far inferiour in quality to official dolls. In the BJD hobby the saying, "You get what you paid for", is almost always very true. I do not judge if you buy recasts, hell I have some too, but I try to make a concious decision to buy an official doll after I buy a recast to make sure the artist gets their due payment in time.
Today's Word for Learning: "Vaudeville"
Today's Quote: "Vaudeville was not about telling stories; it was about putting on a show, and more than that, it was about each performer's individual attempt to stop the show and steal the applause.".
Keep on performing,
Adult Doll Collector,
Mum Lisa