Since the early 1990's doll enthusiasts have expressed a desire for baby dolls that look real. At that time the art of reborning emerged. Reborning is basically taking a high quality vinyl doll and adding extra enhancements. The doll artist often adds veining and multiple layers of flesh-colored paint to give a mottled appearance to the skin of the doll. Blushing is added not only to the face but the hands and feet to give the doll a healthy glow. Paint is applied to finger and toe nails to differentiate between the nail bed and the whiter tip. The hair will be hand rooted enabling the doll collector to choose how full or how thin the hair should be. There is no question, these dolls are gorgeous. But, all of these enhancements come at a dear price.
I have been a doll collector for years and have seen these dolls first hand at doll shows. While breathtakingly realistic, I personally have never been able to justify the cost of these one-of-a-kind dolls. That is why I am so excited about a new technique that was introduced by Apple Valley Doll Works, a division of Secrist Doll Company, that brings a new level of realism to dolls without the hours of hand painting required of a doll artist. This technique is called Inner Glow. Inner Glow uses a specially formulated blue dye that is applied on the inside of extra-light, semi-transparent vinyl to mimic the undertones of a baby's skin, thereby adding depth and richness resulting in baby dolls that look real. A light layer of blushing is applied to face, arms and legs. Inner Glow is available on newly released 17-inch and 19-inch facial expressions from Apple Valley Doll Works and the manufacturer has plans to expand the offering to additional expressions at a later date.
A few words are warranted to describe the vinyl itself. The extra light, semi-transparent vinyl has a soft touch. If you squeeze the vinyl, there is a slight give to that body part. This more natural feel to the vinyl again replicates the softness you experience from a touch to human skin.
The lifelike dolls created with the Inner Glow extra-light, semi-transparent vinyl are collectible dolls for adults or older children. Due to the more fragile nature of this vinyl, they should not be considered as a play doll for a young child.
Although there is an upcharge for the application of Inner Glow to the extra-light vinyl, doll collectors no longer have to pay a premium price for baby dolls that look real. The price point for an Inner Glow doll is within reach of a broader base of doll collectors.
