BJD hobby on a budget: Transforming a 30cm doll from Aliexpress

[@The_miIk]

I would love to do this! I really want to collect these dolls but I don't have lots of money. So I would love to buy a cheap doll and work on her over time to make her look expensive.

[@maypaints6422]

I understand completely! Resin dolls are an expensive hobby so these are a good option and they look almost as good in pictures! (The bodies are not that aesthetic but their head sculpts can be really nice)

[@vinic.k6142]

Me too Sapritly doesn't even buy acetone for erase the makeup, instead uses perfume

[@The_miIk]

@@vinic.k6142 oh good idea! The doll would then also smell good to lol

[@vinic.k6142]

@@The_miIk first I tried hand sanitizer, and I find that's not working.after I try this

[@The_miIk]

@@vinic.k6142 maybe it depends on the alcohol density

[@Sherry-jn5zn]

You inspired me! I just ordered a 60cm doll from Aliexpress. I didn't even know this was an option. Now I can try a big doll. $500 plus was more than I could afford for a new hobby so this is perfect 😊

[@maypaints6422]

I'm glad it inspired you to start into the doll hobby! These dolls do hold a lot of potential. Have fun!

[@EverTheFractal]

ah I've fallen in love with these videos, you inspire me so much! I love your style and softness of your art!

[@KiMuranaka]

I'm so happy that your videos got recommended to me. They are so so helpful! I got into customizing Monster High dolls about 1 year ago, but I originally wanted to customize BJDs. (Don't have the money to buy them tho lol) You give me hope that I can create a cute looking doll with the ones I've seen on wish, aliexpress, etc. Thank you so much for making these videos!

[@maypaints6422]

I'm so glad that you could get inspired to try and customize your own doll! There are so many cute dolls on Aliexpress! I know the tools needed are an investment but you use such little amount of paint and so on that they will last you forever in your customization journey.

[@sirjuiceskywalker]

Hey May, just wanted to thank you. I have started using your videos as inspiration to texture my 3D character models. It's always fun to watch you do your thing and make something look better than it did.

[@Star-mv9st]

After opening the head..Can you show us how you put it back or did you put glue on it?

[@Txesare]

Lovely custom! I Have a similar doll myself and tbh doesn't look as cute as yours (although the good thing about the head was that it was bald so I can make cute wigs). Maybe you could make a cute themed outfit for the dollie once you settle!

[@efratospovat7799]

Just amazing painting... just bought the same kind of doll, maybe I would have the courage like you to repaint it

[@mountain_dreams]

Usually I watch mainly Monster High or Ever After Hight repaints, but your style is just so cute and sweet! Reminds me of the style i wish I could do a doll of mine in thats a vintage doll from grandmother, I've been wanting to touch her up for years but been too terrified...been looking into how to at least clean her up though. Have you ever considered trying different types of dolls? Even if not these are absolutely precious and i binged all the videos you have so far

[@pennydreadfull]

Adorable as always!

[@sheanartisthunty]

Beautiful work as usual 💕

[@maypaints6422]

Thank you so much for your support!

[@moda78z]

She’s absolutely adorable 😍

[@Blueraven7466]

I got a doll that looks like that one just no hair, eyes, clothes it got nothing basicly. I put eyes in trought the eye holes, and used das clay to make the eyes stay in place. The question is can you do face up with the eyes in, or will it ruin the look?

[@glitterymist7707]

Same question 🤔

[@DustySprinkles]

I can’t wait for my dolls to arrive from AliExpress! You’re art is inspiring! Quick question, can you use acetone instead of a magic eraser to remove the factory paint?

[@maypaints6422]

You'll love your new dolls I'm sure! You can use acetone it's just that brush cleaner and magic eraser remove quicker the default paint.

[@DustySprinkles]

@@maypaints6422 Thank you! Another quick question, do you make your own doll eyes or buy them? I have no idea what size eyes an aliexpress 16cm bjd uses and I don't know where I should be buying new inset eyes.

[@maypaints6422]

@@DustySprinkles It will depend on the doll, because even dolls with the same height will wear different eye sizes! This one specifically wears 10mm... So it's best to just measure them once you have them with you (you measure the iris), and you can look for them at places such as etsy. The ones on Aliexpress are not very good tbh

[@Tenmitsudou]

Great work. I hope your move goes well and you can settle quickly.

[@maypaints6422]

Thank you so much! I hope it goes by quick too

[@SIMP_png]

This is adorable! Your videos make me want to try doing this myself haha

[@Bane_Amesta]

Aw she turned out so pretty!

[@maypaints6422]

Very interesting discussion! After seeing some of these in person, it's funny to see how they're like some sort of Frankestein. Some dolls have the same body but are different in size by 1cm or so, so my guess is that they are 3D modelled and then printed, and same with the heads. I've seen the same head on a 1/6 scale and on a 1/12 scale. So yeah, a very curious world. They have a huge range or articulation and don't seem fragile at all. Some people are afraid their joints might wear off but I think they're kinda sturdy? The difference in weight though is a huge pro, specially for people who like posing them outdoors and taking pictures (like me).

[@Bane_Amesta]

@@maypaints6422 just like I thought, I bet the randomness of the scales and the rest of stuff would kill a BJD collector 😂 Anyway, thanks for the clear response, I'll start to save some money to get one of these one day 💖

[@VondaInWonderland]

She looks so much better ♥

[@glitterymist7707]

How did you put the head back? Did you glue it? Can you do a face up without cutting the head and removing the eyes? Is that possible?

[@konpeitosama]

She's so cute!

[@hope_adl9846]

OMGG I JUST FOUND UR CHANEL AND IM IN LOVEEE❤❤❤ Shee looks so cutee most factory dolls makeup for me also looks kinda harsh thats why its kinda a problem for me too lmao also do u hv any tips for someone who wants to start learning to do face up??

[@ABILARUMAISHASYABANI]

Samaa

[@thaovomai-m1g]

What did you use to clean off excess powder from your eyebrows?

[@kakyointenmei2898]

bro,ur vids makes me remake a doll!!! u'r amazing

[@GarotaEstranha7166]

What is the size of the 30 cm doll's eyes?

[@aliyabatrisya]

it's so cute😍

[@renesmeenick9937]

I wish that I could send my doll to you for beautiful make up... your work is great and lovable...🥰

[@maypaints6422]

That is the best compliment ever, thank you so much!

[@alefracortes3353]

Que usa de brillo? Nombre porfavor , gracias , muy linda quedo. Me gusta tu trabajo

[@maypaints6422]

Creo que en espaniol vendria a llamarse "barniz acrilico brillante", en ingles es "gloss medium". Muchas gracias!

[@praying4patience]

Where do you find clothes for dolls this size….I bought one of those dolls from AliExpress but she was naked, she’s 30 cm

[@chainzRRR]

How do you close the scalp after you open it to remove the eyes?🤔 I have the same doll & i want to change the eye color😩 TIA~!

[@maypaints6422]

Hello I use the same putty I used to place the eyes, as seen on this clip = ) kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIu8hKB7lqlrqpY

[@cindysouth3209]

Beautiful ❤️😇

[@luvlyleo2836]

Beautiful ❤️

[@sp77622]

How much did the eyes measure in mm?

[@maypaints6422]

They are 10mm

[@Vitrianna]

what is msc?

[@Vitrianna]

what happen to the top head? did you just leave it open so you can customize her eyes? i wanna change the hair of my doll... but i don't know what materials i should use as a hair... i was thinking, using a real hair and color it to my desired hair color... also i wanna change the eyes. before seeing your vid, i was also considering opening her head... but im not confident... i also want to ask the powder like colors... what was that, will it smudge if apply it directly? or i need some kind of sealant to preserve the color?

[@raigirlff679]

Makeup removing product name????

[@maypaints6422]

The brand I use is Winsor & Newton brush cleaner

[@raigirlff679]

@@maypaints6422 ok tnku

[@Kaijithefool]

any chance you'd do non human bjd dolls from aliexpress?

[@maypaints6422]

I haven't actually seen non human dolls, but then again maybe I haven't searched for them. I'll go take a look

[@Kaijithefool]

@@maypaints6422 I have seen some mostly a few dragons and a foxes/griffins/cats! and such!