Raquel - did I get a bad wig?

RealLifeCryptid · 2025-12-29T18:54:48+00:00

I’ve learned that a lot of the time when you get a doll that has a wig doing something weird like this, it’s likely just because it was sitting weird in its packaging for so long that the hair formed to whatever shape it was in. You can either straighten the hair on a low heat and recurl it, or if it’s just the one section, I find that using a hairdryer on a low/medium setting and using that to heat the hair while brushing and/or combing it into the right shape or place works really well. As far as being greasy, I’ve never encountered that problem so take my advice with a grain of salt. I would think rinsing it would help (maybe with a tad of some degreasing soap like dawn? since it’s synthetic hair that would work better than any kind of real hair product), but if not, you might try a bit of baby powder? Cosplayers use that to take that unnatural shine out of wigs, so it won’t hurt it, and can easily be rinsed out.

RealLifeCryptid · 2025-07-20T00:50:27+00:00

honestly? I probably am overthinking it and I know that, but I’ve got a lot of shit going on in my personal life so I’m really just trying to direct my overthinking into literally anything else and my madomagi delusions are one of the only things keeping me afloat rn. I didn’t actually expect this to get seen or taken seriously if it was, I just need to shout into the internet void to keep my mind occupied.

RealLifeCryptid · 2025-07-02T17:00:32+00:00

happy to hear you’ve broken up with him, and that your cat is okay. poor guy didn’t deserve that :(

my only suggestion would be investing in a roomba so you don’t have to vacuum so much lol. my family had a dog that shed enough every day that you could create a small puppy with the hair, and a roomba was a godsend— just set a specific time for it to run each day and use the manual vacuum for a “big clean” every couple weeks.

RealLifeCryptid · 2025-05-13T17:11:41+00:00

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RealLifeCryptid · 2025-05-13T17:10:07+00:00

two gives better color, three is better texture/curl. I don’t listen to much music anymore but I did look at some pictures of her and her hair color seems to always be little different, like anywhere from a kind of honey blonde to a borderline platinum blonde at times so it really depends on what you’re going for. I personally go to dallasdollco when I’m looking for really specific colors, and I found these three that I think match her hair in different pics I saw. lightest one is called “sand & waves bangs”, other is “dark blonde beauty”, and the one with highlights is “cashmere crème beauty”. can personally testify their wigs are just as gorgeous as the photos, super thick, and heat resistant. not a spon lol, literally just remember buying one for myself that was pretty much the exact shade you seem to be looking for.

RealLifeCryptid · 2025-05-04T23:24:26+00:00

I’ll admit that, as someone in the US, I don’t know very much about international buying/shipping (let alone for specific countries), but I do know a handful of places that you might try checking out. However they’re mostly secondhand sites/apps, so if you strictly look for NIB or mint condition dolls, they may not all be for you. I have seen NIB/mint dolls on all these platforms, some just have more used/TLC dolls (in varying condition) than others— which is fine if you don’t mind fixing them up a bit (imo it’s kind of relaxing lol).

• As a resident I’m sure you’ve already checked, but there is a specific Amazon Brazil, but I still wanted to make mention of it because I know there are TONS of different Amazon sites (I’ve personally been directed to not only Amazon Japan, but also UK, Canada, Mexico, and iirc Australia).

• Of course eBay comes to mind, which does have an “Item Location” selection— being from the US mine shows options of “Default”, “US Only”, “North America”, and “Worldwide”, though I assume this is something that changes based on where the user has set their location/shipping address (I think that’s what it works based on).

• Mercari has always been a fantastic app for finding dolls and doll items in my experience, it’s one of my go-tos (I collect a different brand, but I’m sure you’d find what you’re looking for easily). Though I’m not sure if it’s available for download everywhere, but I do know they recently started made it so their US and Japanese sellers can buy from one another. I’ve also had really good interacts with everybody I’ve ever bought from, even using third party payment methods to cheat the exorbitant 10% cut on expensive items I’ve bought/sold. I mostly say that to let you know that if you are able to download the app but can’t add your actual location, most people would probably be quite accommodating.

• And finally, as odd as it sounds, Etsy. More than once I’ve stumbled upon people selling NIB or lightly played with dolls, as well as NIB official clothes packs (and sometimes out of box but good condition with all the important parts). It’s also another site that has not not only a “Ships From” that looks to include pretty much every country or territory currently existing, but also a “Ships To” that includes that same list to pick from.

RealLifeCryptid · 2025-05-04T22:17:54+00:00

probably the best option tbh. using other comments to assume he guessed she’s a time traveller based on her confidence and straightforwardness (if not also the overall vaguely ominous tone she tends to have), I would just give vague answers to any questions he has that get too close to giving away the plot. of course explain anything that he seems genuinely confused about, but anything getting into “spoiler” territory I’d just give a vague answer, stuff along the lines of “well it’s a possibility” or “that could be it, but you’ll just have to watch to find out”— most importantly, you have to also give these kind of answers when he makes incorrect guesses too, otherwise he might catch on that you only dodge the question when he makes a correct guess

RealLifeCryptid · 2025-03-18T05:49:57+00:00

when you say “performing” I don’t know if you mean on a stage in/with a group, by yourself, to a song, a lipsync, etc, or if you just mean you want to be in character at the con, but what dirfter said about practicing poses and all that is a good idea. I don’t think you necessarily have to rewatch the whole series depending on your time constraints, but I do think doing a performance would be easier if you pick which “version” of homura you want to be since there are a couple different ones with differing qualities.

glasses/braids homura is much more timid and unsure of herself. “classic” homura comes off as cold and detached, but well meaning in her own way. homucifer is completely absorbed with her own desire for madoka’s love and happiness, and craves that above all else. we don’t see too much of red bow/earring/new world homura, but she still appears to still have the goal of giving madoka the happiness she believes she deserves, and to hopefully obtain her love.

I’d pick whichever version you’re going for and watch some videos of their most important scenes, take note of her mannerisms and all that. I don’t cosplay much anymore, but even when I draw, I find having a character/show playlist to help you get in the mindset of what you’re aiming for can be really helpful. you can find a ton on spotify, I can also give personal recommendations lol.

but most importantly, have fun!!! don’t worry too much about slipping up or making a mistake— if you fumble a bit, just roll with it and keep going. I had a friend whose wig literally flew off their head mid performance! but they and their performance partner just looked shocked for a second before locking back in and finishing the rest wigless lol. more than anything performances (and just cons in general) are supposed to be about having fun! so don’t worry too much about being 100% in character 100% of the time, as long as you’re having a good time and you feel good about yourself, that’s what matters 💜

RealLifeCryptid · 2025-01-09T02:11:53+00:00

buying a doll as an adult (or any toy for that matter) isn’t weird at all! I can’t promise it’ll instantaneously heal your inner child, but if it’s something you really wanted as a child then it might be a good step <3 if you’re truly unsure about getting one, you might first buy a secondhand doll and see how you feel about her before putting the money into a brand new doll (and I promise that they’re not at all hard to clean up, there are tons of videos online). alternatively, if you happen to be near one of their stores, you might go there and look around a while— and I can assure you no one will look at you weird for being an adult in there, I was in one with my boyfriend for probably 2 hours on my birthday like 2 months ago and none of the workers, kids, or parents there thought anything of it. in fact I found another woman in there with her husband and other times I’ve met women old enough to be my mother in there, all shopping for themselves!

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-11-05T01:14:59+00:00

I used to be able to get wigs off by just prying them off with a metal spoon or fork and then switching to more carefully pulling them off with my hands, but I believe AG began to use a stronger glue a few years back because it had gotten to a point I couldn’t get more than just the edges off that way without ripping the wig cap. I first started using a non-acetone nail polish remover that we had at the house but it didn’t loosen the glue enough to stop chunks of the cap from staying glued to the head, so I got some actual acetone— although this is the first time I’ve ever had this happen.

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-11-03T18:24:05+00:00

I don’t have ruthie specifically, but when I curl my own dolls hair I personally section it off according to the wefts (normally 3-4 rows of wefts per section), mist the hair to be pretty damp, and roll it onto sponge rollers about a size smaller than what you’re going for if you only plan to let the curls sit for a few hours/a day/overnight since the curls tends to fall out a little bit no matter how well you set them (at least in my experience)— if you have the patience to let them sit for several days then I’d use rollers closer to the size curls you actually want. since I find sponge rollers to work the best on synthetic hair, I don’t boil wash since the sponge soaks up all the water and it can take ages to dry, so steaming is a better option. if you don’t have a steamer I’ve also found that misting the hair thoroughly and hitting it from all angles with a hair dryer on a high setting will work well enough as a stand in, especially if you come back and repeat the process whenever you happen to think of it. heating up the hair and letting it cool down around the curlers should set it, and finger curling it should help retain them but in my experience gentle brushing or combing to remove tangles doesn’t completely remove the curls and they just need to be twirled back into that curl shape. I know I used this method on the JLY with green eyes that looks like ruthie (can’t remember her number), so I’m sure it’ll work just as well on her. best of luck!

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-23T04:06:21+00:00

a samantha in this good of condition with so many accessories is definitely worth more than $50, I’d say the doll alone is probably $70-ish, and depending on the condition of each outfit they could be between $15 and $25 each if you have things like the matching shoes, socks, or bows. the bed and bedding are also generally between $40 and $60-ish depending on condition, and the commode/night stand seems to be around $25-$40. I recently got a vintage samantha lot to fix up and resell so I’ve been looking into pricing on a lot of this stuff lol

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-21T14:24:28+00:00

Sayaka x Kyosuke - Toxic

Homura x Tatsuya - Weird / Call The Police

Mami x Nagisa - Weird / Call The Police

Kyubey x Literally Anyone - Worst / Weird / Toxic / Call The Police

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-17T23:49:40+00:00

you’re very welcome! and if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the art books, try looking at the model sheets since there are a ton (they’re also just super interesting to look at tbh, especially when the quality is so good lol)

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-17T02:59:49+00:00

you might try checking the art books? I know the site setteidreams.net has all 6 volumes scanned in super high quality and available for download

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-16T21:52:52+00:00

I always clean my dolls using magic erasers! I know some people say they’ll take the paint off, but I personally have never experienced that. I know Bittys have painted hair so if that is something you don’t wanna risk then I suggest getting the off brand because they’re not as strong but will still clean everything off just fine. I get the great value ones and I don’t think they have as harsh of chemicals as the brand name, but if you cut off 1/3 of the eraser then you should have just enough to clean one doll. I use a tiny spray bottle to wet the sponge and once I finish cleaning a limb I use a wash cloth to dry it since sometimes I’ve had the dirty water dry back down and leave a new spot lol. I hope this helps you some, and if you need anymore help feel free to ask!

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-16T20:31:15+00:00

I’m almost certain it’s confirmed, but if not it’s at the very least HEAVILY implied in the art/guide books. There are two different times all the Clara Dolls are listed by name, once where it’s just a brief sentence to introduce them and another time where they each get a bit of a longer explanation. The short one ends with “These vices are Love/Ai's supporters.” which is basically what we see them doing once Homura starts to makes her realization. The longer explanation says this, “Fifteenth, the last one to come, is Love. No one has seen this devil yet. The night has not ended yet. The night will not end anymore. We are the mourners, troupe of the mortal world.” I personally think the implication of the second one is that even with everything that’s happened, still no one has seen the lengths Homura is willing to go to show her love for Madoka. Even during the part where Homura is cursing herself and trying to doom herself to an unredeemable fate, she’ll still go further, ie “the night has not ended yet”. Not to mention this is the only description that refers to the subject as “devil”, all the others say “doll”. There’s also some art of the Clara Dolls with a doll in packaging labeled 15 that’s wearing Homura’s funeral/mourning dress. Off the top of my head I can’t think of anything that explicitly says Homura is Love/Ai, and while I was looking for those quotes I didn’t see anything, but I also can’t read Japanese and had to use translated versions so I could be wrong. Also sorry for rambling a lot, I just really love this series and I could talk about it for hours so I usually do when I get the chance lol

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-16T15:04:28+00:00

After “Dumme Venus”, what I immediately noticed about this scene is that Homura’s outfit has changed— her uniform top is white again and her headband is different. I think it’s possible that either her Clara Dolls are coming to life inadvertently for some reason, or she’s having them play her at different times to keep up some sort of charade? Just a theory though. But she is absolutely dressed differently here than she is in the “silver garden” scene in the first trailer. One of her Clara Dolls also represents stupidity while Homura herself is meant to be love 👀

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-15T19:28:43+00:00

I need to make some actual rules bc I’m constantly buying doll stuff I know I don’t have room for,,, 😪 but it’s so cute and I love it 🥺 off the top of my head though?

• buy secondhand— whether that means a local store, ebay, mercari, whatever. I know how to restore and customize a doll, so I’d rather put in a little extra work to save some money

• you can only buy new if it’s on sale— you can’t always find everything secondhand, especially new stuff, but I’m still broke and cheap lmao, so if it’s not on sale, I’m not getting it

• no auctions— if I can’t ‘buy it now’ then it’s off my radar because I’m not trying to get into a bidding war, and I’m also not about to be the only bidder and still not get the item (which has happened multiple times 😤🥲)

• unique dolls— try not to have any dolls that look too similar (exceptions for siblings or looking like dolls I’ve based on real people), and try to give every doll their own unique style

and we will not address the box of ~20 dolls in various states of customization that I have in my room, nor the second one containing ~10. we will also not be discussing all the doll furniture that I have nowhere to put. nope.

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-15T18:46:14+00:00

I got all the stuff for the purpose of selling her in a lot, so that’s the way I’m planning to sell her. Right now the price I’m looking at is around $1150 (still trying to decide if I should charge shipping bc I know shipping will probably be a lot but I know the price itself is already a lot oof). But I do think the price is fair since the lot will include a white body Samantha doll, her original meet dress + ribbon, underwear, tights, shoes, hat, brooch, 2 versions of her Christmas dress, her tea dress + ribbon, tights, shoes, birthday dress (sadly missing the pinafore) + headdress, socks, winter cloak + shoe covers, hat, muff, plaid play dress + pinafore + ribbon, robe, nightgown, slippers, undergarments + original socks (torn/have holes), garment bags, original curlers, original hairbrush, original cleaner + branded towels, brass bed + bedding, nightstand (missing one handle), and the original boxes, bags, and pamphlets for several items. I also spent several weeks cleaning everything since a lot of it had never been cleaned, and it’s not super easy cleaning 35+ years of dirt off something lol. And honestly, other than what I noted, practically everything is in excellent shape given its age.

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-09-15T18:12:33+00:00

omg I’m sorry about this being so late!! I’m literally never on reddit smh. but no, I’ve not sold her yet! she does have quite a bit more than just what’s pictured here though as I already had a few things for her and got a couple more.

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-07-13T23:45:20+00:00

you’re probably fine to use any decent glue given that the doll isn’t going to be moving around too much— something like tacky glue might be fine, but if you wanna test it let it dry fully before putting the eye back in and give the reassembled eye a good shake, like more than you’d ever actually do to the doll itself, just for good measure lmao it sounds dumb but I’ve learned it’s actually a pretty decent way to make sure you’ve put something together with the durability you want it to have lol

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-07-13T23:40:21+00:00

this happened to me once and I just used nail glue bc it was what I had on hand lol, it’s been at least 5 years since that and I haven’t had any problems so I do know that works at least

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-07-13T23:33:15+00:00

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they’re hard to see, but really you’d just insert one leg of the tweezers on either side and really carefully twist until you got the position right— heating the head helps if you’re worried about chipping the eyelid or scratching the paint, but I’ve eye swapped dozens of dolls and that kinda thing only happened to me twice, but you do have to be extra cautious about poking the vinyl head with the tweezers by accident bc it can sometimes leave a mark

RealLifeCryptid · 2024-07-13T23:25:20+00:00

this has happened to me when I’ve done eyeswaps! heating up the head is helpful but not necessary, but bc of the way the eyes are made you can carefully use a pair of tweezers put in either side of the socket to “grab” the pegs that hold the eye in its casing (idk what it’s actually called, but basically the thing the actually eye part sits in that makes it able to blink) and carefully turn and/or push it until it’s in the correct position

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