American Girl Special Edition Josefina Montoya Doll & Birthday Outfit Unboxing, Try-on, & Review

[@idreamofjonny]

Sell her and get a 1997 Josefina. I paid about the same price for mine (mint with box) as a brand new AG one. They look completely different. 97’s have a very different head shape, rosey lip coloring, and their hair frames their face instead of being snatched back. The eyebrow placement is better too, which might help your concern. The current Josefina is still gorgeous, but she looks like a Mattel AG doll dressed as Josefina IMO. If you want the best, get a 97. She’ll look like the doll you used to dream of from the catalog. Josefina is way too good of a doll to not have one you obsess over. I promise you’ll be happier with a Pleasant Company one.

[@EvelynRoseAG]

Thank you, Jonny! This is great advice. You hit the nail on the head.. she DOES look like a Mattel AG doll dressed as Josefina. Beautiful in her own right but SOO different. I feel similarly about the re-released Kirsten. I appreciate you letting me know which Josefina is the one I’m looking for. That helps me narrow it down immensely. I’ll be keeping my eyes peeled for one! 🥰

[@bethbacarella]

This is great advice! Evelyn, I'm so sorry you're not happy with this Josefina, but how lovely to know exactly the one that you should be looking for. Jonny rocks. :)

[@Agstar91]

Sorry I just got back to comment on this! You should totally get the PC one you want!! ❤

[@EvelynRoseAG]

I think you’re right! I’m going to continue keeping an eye out for her.

[@taylorsdollhouse]

The birthday outfit is so cute!

[@scarletsavenger1367]

Oh my goodness I didn’t realize how different the PC vs AG Josefina’s are

[@EvelynRoseAG]

Right?! SO different!! It’s almost jarring.

[@FixMyAGDoll]

She is a beautiful doll- and her eyes are even (yay!), which we know can be a struggle for the Josefina mold 😅 Just want to validate your feelings- doll collecting is about finding the dolls and pieces that spark the most joy for you. I’ve bought many dolls that I ended up re-selling because I didn’t quite connect with them. Even if she doesn’t feel like 100% Josefina for you, she will for someone else! ❤ Thanks for sharing your experience & the detailed comparisons!

[@EvelynRoseAG]

Oh yes, the uneven eyes! I have a few of those myself. This is great advice - thank you!!

[@strangelyliteral]

You’re correct that Josefina has always had a chopped off braid, lol. I got mine for Christmas in 1997 and hers in the same way. I like to put her hair in two braids, and the sections from the back run out and force me to tie off the braids a lot sooner than I want to. I got her when I was 11 and already growing out of dolls, because at the time it was not cool to be in middle school still playing with dolls (🙄). I don’t think I read past her first book back then, but I read her series a couple years ago when I got back into collecting and she became a favorite. She’s such a sweet girl and I love her big family, I really recommend her books. I’m sorry yours is not the Josefina of your dreams, I hope you’re able to find one who is!

[@EvelynRoseAG]

That’s good to know! I figured as much based off of what I had seen. My Kaya’s braids were similar when I took them out but not nearly as uneven. I’m excited to read Josefina’s books with my older kiddo. Based on what Jonny said, I’m looking for a 1997 Josefina like yours! Hopefully I’ll find her one day and be able to compare the two in person.

[@StylasStudioDolls]

I had no idea how much the Josefina mold has changed. What a difference! Thank you so much for comparing her to 108. There’s just something about that doll that grabs my attention and holds it. I’ve been telling myself it’s silly to get her because I have Josefina but it’s amazing how different they are! Don’t talk yourself into settling for a doll that isn’t “the one”! She’s out there!!! And, I agree the Birthday outfit is so beautiful but the yellow shawl would make it perfect. 😁

[@EvelynRoseAG]

They do look SO different! I felt the same way as you did with 108.. I was so drawn to her and couldn’t explain it. And thank you for the advice.. I believe you’re right!

[@mariasalgado3799]

Welcome home Josefina!!!

[@EvelynRoseAG]

I’m glad to finally have her!

[@melangellperry5984]

Josefina’s through the years have had so many different looks. A few years ago 2 friends and I set up our combined 8 or 9 Josefina’s and compared them. Everything from an original to my 2009 Mattel Josefina. Every single doll looked different. Wig placement, eyebrows and shape of face are all things to look for. Your best bet is to buy one where you can see a picture of her face as they are all different, and get the look you want. Just make sure she doesn’t have the horrible hair. At some point, AG put textured hair on Josefina’s and they had a reputation for horrible hair. I have one like that but she came to me with cut short hair. I boil washed it and it’s pretty good now. I hope you can find your perfect Josefina. She’s out there. I have 3 that are all different, but I love all their variations. Those early ones had the sweetest faces. Finally, Josefina is Catholic.

[@EvelynRoseAG]

Oh goodness, I would have loved to have seen that lineup! You’re right about purchasing a doll where I can see her face. I didn’t realize they switched up her hair at one point, so that’s good to know. I hope I find the perfect Josefina too, and will likely just keep both versions. I ended up finishing her story and finding out she was catholic. I suppose I could have googled it too 😉

[@nanasewdear]

My daughter's childhood Josefina (who lives at my house still) has much coarser, textured hair. I think that AG gave her silkier hair with the Beforever reboot.

[@EvelynRoseAG]

That’s interesting! Someone else mentioned she had textured hair for a period of time. I would love to see that in person. This Josefina does have that very silky hair.

[@kristinaland]

I feel the same way about the original Josefina as you which is why I haven’t bought this one even though I’ve always loved Josefina (but you’re right about how hard a good one is to find on the second hand market!!)

[@EvelynRoseAG]

I’m glad I’m not alone!

[@kelseypeterson5172]

She's lovely. I hope you're able to find your dream doll though. I found a josefina that is an older one, tho im not sure of her exact year, but she does say pleasant company and has the coarser hair. I hadn't realized just how different the face mold was until i started seeing everyone reviewing the newer josefina dolls though. My girl is definitely quite different 😂 also 108 could easily be one of josefina's sisters since they look similar but not exactly alike. Or if you don't end up selling this one and you do get the version you're dreaming of, this one could be her sister. That's what i do with some of my barbie dolls who are similar looking. So far non of my ag dolls look even remotely close to each other (yet🙃😂)

[@EvelynRoseAG]

Thank you! That is a great idea - an older Josefina would definitely look more like her sister than anything!

[@dianaalmazan69]

Excellent pronunciation of all the Spanish words. I bought the 35th Anniversary Josefina back in 2021 and her braid had so many flyaways so I took out her braid. Ever since then I was not happy with my Josefina so I decided to make the 3 hour trip to the American Girl Nashville to hand pick one out. None of them had perfect braids but I managed to get one with a really good face and decent braid. I cut all the flyways since I am leaving the braid in. I noticed that the eyebrows on the new Josefina are darker which I really like.

[@EvelynRoseAG]

Thanks, Diana! I do speak a bit of Spanish but I’m very rusty. I’m glad you were able to find your Josefina. It sounds like hand picking her was the way to go. They vary so much even from batch to batch. The eyebrows are darker which I like as well. It helps with the sparseness of them.

[@salmasaavedra6415]

Your pronunciation is really good actually!

[@EvelynRoseAG]

Aww, thank you! Glad to hear!

[@nettiezdolls6742]

I love my PC Josefina but am tempted to get the new one just for her outfit and accessories. I might keep the new one and make her modern. I love dolls with center parts and her black hair is a plus!

[@EvelynRoseAG]

They honestly look like such different dolls, so you might as well! I love her hair too!

[@AmericanGirl81]

I feel the same way about my 35th anniversary Josefina. My husband bought her for me for my birthday so I feel like I can’t just sell her yk? I found a really pretty Josefina for a really good price on Facebook after I already had my 35A Josefina, and I really regret not buying her. She was almost a glam last Josefina too. 😭

[@EvelynRoseAG]

I completely understand. The glam lash Josefina would be such a dream!! I feel you though, I get attached to dolls I have so this girl may just stay with me along with an older version of her.

[@mariasalgado3799]

The girl of the year sister was was waiting for you for so long

[@mariasalgado3799]

Now Josefina is already adopted by a new ag family,!!!

[@tinmanlover1994]

I have joesafina I got her a year or 2 before the Beforever rebranding. She came in original outfit and her braid is still in Thanks too my mom telling me to keep it in which I learned my lesson from my Kaya doll who I undid her braids and I regret it still to this day. I'm wanting to get Josefina birthday outfit and Addy's between the 2 which one would you pick? I have Kirsten rerelease one already. I have reward certificate to get one of the outfits for like 10 bucks plus shipping.

[@EvelynRoseAG]

I personally prefer Addy’s. There are more pieces and it’s better quality. Josefina’s is beautiful too, so you really can’t go wrong with either.

[@fatimaazam6108]

👋 i decided to give u the seller i use 4 all my PC item's 💗😁. "Doll Me Up American Girl Shop Shell Shell Hartley-Scott Let me know how it goes 💗. LISA

[@EvelynRoseAG]

Thank you, Lisa! ❤️