Mostly Dolls

Sustainable Doll Collecting

Recent Posts

  • Rainbow High: My absolute favorite contemporary dolls (and a lucky second-hand find!)

    I have collected dolls for many years and learned that I prefer thoughtful or serious faces over big smiles. Many of the dolls I love most like Sindy by Pedigree, Tammy by Ideal, Susi by Estrela, and Cosmopolitan Ginger all share this calm, introspective look. Among newer lines, Rainbow High has become the dolls really reaching me in the same way.

    What makes rainbow high so special

    For me, Rainbow High stands out. I’m drawn to how bright and energetic the overall style is, yet the dolls don’t depend on big, fixed smiles to look cheerful. Instead, their expressions are usually calm and carefully shaped, which is the kind of face I like. Sometimes a doll looks thoughtful, other times quietly confident, or just gently pleased. Their eyes feel expressive, clear and bright, with a focused gaze that makes them seem lively and at ease without being over the top. They feel more like individual portraits than interchangeable figures.

    Rainbow High

    The thrill of the second-hand hunt

    Finding Rainbow High dolls in a second-hand store feels especially good to me. Last Saturday was a winning doll hunt day! Two Rainbow High Cheer dolls on the shelf caught my eye. I left the shop feeling very pleased with my find. Both dolls missing one hand each and the hair of one of them was a mess. Perfection!

    Close-up of a Rainbow High Cheer doll with vibrant blue hair and matching blue eye makeup, wearing a Rainbow cheerleader uniform with the number 22 on her cheek
    One of the Rainbow High Cheer dolls I found at the second-hand store last weekend – isn’t she gorgeous?

    These dolls just make me happy

    The Cheer doll in the photograph above shows much of what I love about this line. Her blue hair and matching eye makeup make a strong first impression. But it is her open yet restrained expression that holds my attention. The small details in her face support that feeling without taking over.

    Tell me, would you have brought these dollies home?

  • This day in Fashion doll history: October 7

    It was on this day 12 years ago that Disney Store released the detailed Limited Edition Aurora doll in her blue gown, designed as a counterpart to the earlier pink version. Many collectors decided to purchase both versions.

    Aurora doll in a blue and silver embroidered gown standing among trees.

    Do you own this 17-inch doll, or is she still on your wish list? Tell me in the comments!

  • The 2027 Rainbow High slate vs. the Stockholm thrift shelf

    Internal listings have given us a clear roadmap for the start of next year. MGA Entertainment is gearing up to launch five new characters under the Rainbow High “Be Dazzling” line on January 7, 2027. The series introduces Adeline Rose, Vivienne Rouge, Celine Turquoise, Genevieve Bleue, and Noemie Violette, featuring a focus on crystal hair decoration.

    As a collector who primarily operates within the secondhand market, analyzing these leaks triggers a completely different thought process compared to the average retail buyer. While the community debates retail price points and pre-order dates, my immediate instinct is to look at the lifecycle of the doll.

    Living in Stockholm, Sweden, collecting modern fashion dolls comes with specific geographical realities. The retail markups and import fees on new releases often make immediate consumption impractical. But more than that, tracking the aftermarket is a waiting game that requires data.

    The Pretty in Paris line, which finished its animated run on September 4, 2026, is a perfect example. We are already seeing these dolls pop up on local auction sites like Tradera and on the shelves of secondhand shops around Stockholm as retail buyers clear out space for the upcoming January drops. By anchoring my collection in thrift finds and online auctions, I get to view these new eras not as immediate financial transactions, but as future history waiting to be uncovered at a fraction of the cost.

    Two fashion dolls standing side by side. The doll on the left has long purple hair, wearing a white and pink outfit with the number 34. The doll on the right has blue hair styled in a ponytail, dressed in a blue sports outfit with the number 22 and a jacket tied around the waist.

    From the Thrift Shelf to Mostly Dolls

    Those Rainbow High Cheer dolls are more than just second-hand finds. They’re also part of my ongoing journey of collecting, caring for, and discovering the stories behind fashion dolls.

    If you’d like to see more of my Rainbow High finds and doll care projects, visit my Rainbow High Doll Restorations playlist on YouTube.

    What about you? When you see the 2027 leaks, does it make you want to buy retail, or do you prefer the thrill of waiting for them to hit the secondhand market?

  • The art of slowing down

    Why Doll Restoration Is My Ultimate Mindfulness Practice

    Sometimes the world spins just a little too fast. Between screens, endless to-do lists, and daily stress, it’s easy to lose that sense of calm. For me, the solution came from something unexpected: restoring old dolls. There’s something deeply healing about taking a worn vintage doll that’s been tucked away for decades and slowly bringing her back to life.

    From Tangled Hair to Silky Smooth

    When I sit down with a newly found Sindy or Fleur from a flea market, everything else disappears. The work requires full focus—but in the best way. It’s calming and rewarding at the same time.

    • Detective work: finding the exact model, searching for her original outfit, and learning her history.
    • The patient bath: untangling tangled synthetic hair and that magical moment when the comb finally glides through smoothly.
    • The details: using tiny brushes to fix chipped lipstick or restore faded plastic.

    More Than Just a Pretty Doll

    This isn’t just about owning a perfect doll on a shelf. It’s about saving a piece of history. It’s about preserving craftsmanship from an era when toys were built to last. And it’s about giving yourself permission to do something simply because it brings joy and beauty. As I always say: you never outgrow dolls.

    The next time you feel stressed, find your own creative corner. It could be painting, knitting, gardening—or hunting for a vintage doll in your closet to bring back to life.

    What’s your favorite way to unwind? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And if you want to see the full transformation of my latest flea market find, check out my YouTube channel!

  • Thrift find rescue: Restoring a tired 2002 Bratz Meygan styling head

    There is a unique thrill in doll hunting that every collector understands. You are browsing through a crowded secondhand store or scrolling through online auctions, and suddenly, you spot her: a forgotten treasure buried under old toys. That is exactly what happened when I came across this vintage 2002 Bratz Meygan Styling Head.

    She was in rough shape. Her face was covered in years of dirt, and her iconic Y2K red hair was completely matted and “crusty.” She even still had her secondhand price tag stuck right to her chest. But as a collector who loves giving beloved dolls a second chance, I knew she had to join my permanent collection.

    Here is how I rescued and restored her, step-by-step:

    The first thing Meygan needed was a serious face clean. I carefully cleaned her vinyl skin to remove years of dust and grime, making sure not to damage her original factory makeup.

    I gently combed her hair with some water keeping her original styling.

    Want to see the entire process in action and hear more about the history of this era? I documented the whole journey:

    Learning about new doll brands while preserving their history is what Mostly Dolls is all about. I am so happy to welcome Meygan to the family!