As a long-time doll collector and enthusiast, I was so excited to finally get my hands on a My Life 18-inch doll! I’ve admired these dolls for years but never took the plunge to buy one until now. Join me on my journey to research, choose, and bring home my very own My Life doll!

What Exactly is a My Life 18-Inch Doll?

For those not already familiar, My Life dolls are 18-inch vinyl play dolls manufactured by The Pleasant Company (also known as American Girl). They are high-quality dolls meant to be customized and played with.

The My Life line was introduced in 1991 and originally included dolls with various hair colors, eye colors and face molds. Over the years, the My Life line expanded to include named characters with backstories, as well as licensed dolls from popular movies and TV shows.

The main appeal of My Life dolls is their versatility. With so many options for hair, eye color and facial features, it’s easy to find a doll that looks just like you! Or create your own character. The dolls are fully poseable and made to withstand creative, interactive play.

Where to Buy My Life Dolls

Now that I knew more about what makes My Life dolls so great, it was time to start shopping! Here are some places I researched to purchase my own My Life 18-inch doll:

• American Girl website or stores: This is the official retailer for My Life and American Girl dolls. The selection is best here but dolls are sold at full price.
• Amazon: A wide variety of new and used My Life dolls for sale here from various sellers. Prices can be better than retail.
• eBay: Lots of new and used My Life dolls sold through auction listings on eBay. Great for finding discounted and rare dolls.
• Specialty toy shops: Some local toy stores carry My Life and other 18-inch doll brands. Nice to see dolls in person before buying.
• Discontinued sales: Check retailer websites or Facebook groups for special sales of retired My Life doll collections.

I ultimately decided to purchase my doll directly from American Girl to get the full experience! But it’s nice to know there are many avenues to find great deals on these dolls too.

My Life Doll Pricing

As I browsed My Life dolls online and in stores, I quickly learned there was quite a range when it came to pricing! Here’s a look at what I found:

• Basic 18-inch dolls start around $115. This is for a doll with no added accessories or outfit. Great if you just want a doll to customize yourself.
• Outfit bundles range from $140 – $200. Most My Life dolls are sold together with an outfit, shoes and accessories themed to match the doll’s personality and backstory.
• Limited edition and collector dolls run $300+. Special edition dolls with intricate designs, clothing and accessories command a higher premium. They are aimed more at adult collectors.

There are always sales and special offers happening as well. I signed up for the American Girl email list to receive promotion alerts! With so many options, I could really customize based on my budget.

Fun My Life Doll Accessories

One thing that makes My Life dolls so fun to play with is all the great accessories available to buy separately! Here are some of my favorite accessories I came across:

• Furniture sets like bunk beds, vanities, school desks and more. Allows kids to set up their doll’s entire bedroom!
• Outfits and clothes for every occasion – pajamas, athletic wear, winter coats, dresses for parties and performances. Mix and match for endless styling fun.
• Pets – dolls of cats, dogs, horses and more that are to scale for the 18-inch dolls. My Life even has a pet vet set!
• Doll-sized toys – dolls, teddy bears, game sets and everything you need to decorate the My Life world. There are even mini replicas of American Girl books and products.

The accessories really open up the possibilities for storytelling and interactive play. I couldn’t wait to start accumulating some fun pieces for my doll!

My Life and Other 18-Inch Doll Brand Compatibility

An important question I had was whether My Life dolls were compatible with other major 18-inch doll brands like the Götz Dolls from Germany or Madame Alexander dolls.

After some research, I confirmed that yes, My Life dolls are cross-compatible with most quality 18-inch dolls. That’s because they share the same size and proportions.

So clothing, furniture, shoes and accessories designed for 18-inch dolls can usually be shared across doll brands. My Life dolls can also wear American Girl outfits too.

This cross-compatibility opens up even more outfit options and play opportunities. I love that I can mix and match pieces from various 18-inch doll lines for customizeable variety.

Most Popular My Life Characters

Beyond making your own custom doll, My Life also offers several beloved established characters to choose from. I just had to research the most popular dolls to narrow down my options! Here are some of the My Life dolls little girls seem to love the most:

• My Life As… dolls – These dolls depict relatable life experiences like sleepovers, road trips, parties and careers. There are 25+ My Life As… characters so far.
• WellieWishers dolls – These cute characters are friends who love friendship, animals and silly adventures. There are 6 main WellieWishers girls.
• Girl of the Year – Each year My Life releases a limited edition Girl of the Year doll with books and products. Past ones include ballet dancer Tenney and drummer Luciana.
• Bitty Baby – Bitty Baby is a special baby doll friend. She comes with a full nursery setup and accessories. Perfect for nurturing play.
• Truly Me – The core customizable My Life fashion doll line where you choose hair, eyes, skin tone and more. Pick your perfect match!

Reviewing the most popular dolls really showcased the diversity and options available. I couldn’t wait to see them all up close in person!

Caring for My Life Hair and Maintenance

To make My Life dolls last, they do require some special care and maintenance. Here is what I learned about properly cleaning and styling their beautiful hair:

• Use a mild shampoo and rinse thoroughly to wash hair. Avoid harsh shampoos which can dry out hair.
• Allow hair to air dry or blot with a towel. Avoid rubbing which can cause frizz.
• Detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb starting from the bottom. Work out knots slowly.
• Soft bristle brushes can help smooth flyaway hairs once hair is dry.
• Tight hairstyles like ponytails should be temporary. They can damage hair over time.
• Heat styling tools like curlers and straighteners should be avoided. They can melt the vinyl.

With some patience and the proper care techniques, the My Life hair can retain its look and quality. I felt ready to keep my new doll’s hair beautiful!

Ideal Age Range for My Life Dolls

My Life 18-inch dolls are intended for older children aged 6 years and up. This is because:

• Small parts like shoes and accessories pose a choking hazard for children under 3 years old.
• Materials like the vinyl doll body and wire inside pose safety risks for very young, rough play.
• Older children ages 6+ can more gently care for the doll hair, changing clothes etc.
• The interactive play features appeal most to school-aged kids and their interests.
• The higher price tag makes them better suited as a special gift for older kids who will care for them.

While fun for collectors of any age, My Life 18-inch dolls make the best playmates for imaginative big kids! I knew my daughter, age 8, would be the perfect match for this doll.

Boy My Life Dolls are Here!

In recent years, My Life has expanded their doll options to include boy dolls too!

Some of the My Life boy dolls you can now find include:

• Boy versions of the WellieWishers characters
• Bitty Baby boy – comes with blue nursery instead of pink!
• Diverse Truly Me boy dolls with various hair, eye colors and face molds
• Logan Everett, the 18-inch boy doll counterpart to American Girl’s Girl of the Year dolls

It’s so exciting to see more gender inclusion with these great play dolls! Having a brother doll opens up new storytelling possibilities and allows more kids to enjoy the My Life experience.

I think a boy doll might have to be my next My Life purchase for my son! He loves playing with his sister but sometimes wants a doll friend of his own.

My Life Doll Materials

In my doll research, I was quite impressed to learn about the high-quality materials used to craft My Life dolls. Here are some key details:

• The vinyl head, torso and limbs are durable yet soft. They withstand play and hold poses.
• The joints inside are strung tightly to allow smooth posability without loose limbs.
• The eyes are high-gloss acrylic with depth and realistic coloring.
• Hair is made from quality kanekalon fiber, rooted individually strand by strand.
• Outfits use fabrics like cotton, linen and velvet – built for comfort and everyday play wear.

The attention to detail with materials sets My Life dolls apart! No wonder their quality and realism is so admired. These are truly heirloom dolls built to last.

Hairstyling Tips for My Life Dolls

One thing I was most looking forward to was styling my My Life doll’s lovely locks! Here are some fun hairstyling ideas I came across:

• Braids, ponytails, buns – easy styles held with soft hair ties and ribbons
• Curls – roll hair in foam rollers or flexi rods for flowing curls
• Updos – french twists, fishtail braids, chignons secured with bobby pins
• Fancy accessories like headbands, flower clips, barrettes and beads
• Use soft hair brushes and wide-tooth combs for detangling and smoothing flyaways

The right accessories make all the difference! I ordered a starter hair play set with brushes, elastics, ribbons, clips etc. Now for hours of hair salon fun.

Customizing My Life Dolls

One of the coolest things about My Life dolls is you can truly customize them to be unique. Beyond styling, here are some other ways to make them your own:

• Choose from various skin tones, eye colors and hair colors when purchasing your doll. Mix and match!
• Further customize the face with freckles, glasses and birthmarks offered on some dolls.
• Pick an exclusive doll name that’s meaningful to you. My Life dolls arrive with their birth certificate.
• Design your own one-of-a-kind outfits to show off her personality.
• Accessorize with DIY items like jewelry, shoes, hair decor. Go wild with glitter, paint and other craft supplies!

With so many possibilities, I knew no two My Life dolls had to be alike. I couldn’t wait to take one home and start the customization process.

Storing My Life Dolls and Accessories

To keep all my doll’s amazing accessories organized and damage-free, I did some research into storage solutions. Here are some great options I came across:

• Sturdy plastic storage bins are perfect for organizing clothing items, shoes, furniture etc.
• Shelving units, like a bookcase, display dolls and accessories beautifully.
• Acrylic jewelry organizers store tiny accessories like barrettes, hair clips and jewelry.
• Hanging shoe organizers on the closet door provide pockets to sort clothes, PJs and more.
• Under-bed rolling bins offer hidden storage for extra accessories out of sight.

Proper storage will keep all our doll stuff tidy so we can find what we need when it’s playtime! I ordered a couple colorful storage bins to get me started.

Most Exciting New My Life Dolls

Even after many years, the My Life line continues to release hot new dolls each year! Here are some of the newest My Life doll editions I can’t wait to get:

• Claudie, the 2022 Girl of the Year, is an aspiring baker with her own dessert truck! I love her cute updo and sprinkles-inspired outfit.
• The new historical Civil Rights dolls, Linda Brown and Melody Ellison, honor brave girls who helped change history.
• For horse lovers, the new Saddles & Stables collection has dolls with equestrian-themed outfits and a play set!
• STEM smart Mari, with her astronaut dreams and spacesuit outfit, encourages girls in science.

It’s so exciting to see My Life introduce dolls celebrating new careers, causes and interests each year. I’ll definitely be adding more of these inspiring dolls to my collection!

How My Life Compares to American Girl Dolls

Since My Life is made by the same Pleasant Company as the popular American Girl dolls, I wondered how the two doll lines compare:

• My Life dolls spotlight diversity and customization. American Girl leans more into historical characters and stories.
• My Life dolls are less expensive at an average of $115 versus $115-160 for American Girl.
• The 18-inch doll size and high quality materials used are the same in both lines.
• My Life has more fantasy themed dolls like mermaids, vampires etc. American Girl is more realistic.
• The target age range is about 6+ for both doll brands.

While My Life gives you more freedom to customize, American Girl offers beloved characters. It’s a matter of preference! I love having the option for both types of play.

Purchasing My Life Doll Outfits

For convenience, most My Life 18-inch dolls are sold as bundles with coordinated outfits and accessories. But you can also buy dolls on their own and shop for fashions separately.

Here are some tips for buying doll outfits:

• See all the latest My Life fashions on their website – new pieces are added frequently!
• Outfits are available for individual purchase online or in stores. Prices range from $24 – $52.
• Look for doll clothing and accessory multi-packs, which offer more pieces at a discounted bundle price.
• Seek out retired outfits on sale – American Girl does special sales on discontinued collections.
• Check resale sites for used clothes in great condition. Lots of collectors re-sell pieces.

Mixing and matching gives so many options for outfit creations. I can’t wait to play stylist and design looks to match my doll’s personality!

Sewing Handmade Clothes for My Life

For the most unique fashions ever, I discovered I can even sew homemade clothes tailored perfectly for my My Life doll! Some tips:

• Use high-quality fabrics like cotton, linen, felt. Avoid scratchy material against the vinyl.
• Adjust any pattern for 1⁄4 scale by dividing measurements by 4.
• Elastic waistbands, Velcro closures and snaps work better than buttons.
• Select easy designs without too much detail, which can be tricky at doll scale.
• Start with simple patterns like dresses, skirts, tops before moving to more advanced projects.

Sewing tiny doll-sized clothing will take some practice but opens up amazing custom design possibilities! I might need to improve my amateur sewing skills first though…

My Life Doll Playsets

Beyond individual pieces, My Life also offers incredible dollhouse playsets that take imaginative play to the next level! Some of my favorites include:

• Ivy’s Treehouse – a 2-foot tall wooden treehouse playset with furniture and accessories. Over 100 pieces!
• Sweet Savannah Horse Stable – includes horses and everything you need for equestrian adventures.
• Dance Studio Set – barre, mirrored wall and equipment to nurture your doll’s inner ballerina.
• Hospital Nursery – all the medical roleplay essentials, like crib, thermometer, blood pressure kit and more.

With these playsets, the stories I can dream up are endless! It takes interactive play to a whole new level. I’ll have to start saving up…that Ivy’s Treehouse is calling my name!

The Durability of My Life 18-Inch Dolls

When investing in these heirloom-quality dolls, I wanted to be sure they could withstand years of love and play. Here’s why My Life dolls score high for durability:

• The vinyl doll body is stain-resistant and specially treated to retain its lifelike sheen over time.
• Doll limbs and joints are strung tightly so arms and legs stay securely in place.
• Hairstyle changes are low risk as long as hair is detangled and brushed gently to avoid tangles.
• Outfits and accessories are designed to handle machine washing – just air dry.
• If any damage does occur, dolls can be sent for repairs to the doll hospital!

With proper care and handling, a My Life doll can truly last a lifetime and beyond as a treasured heirloom. I’m excited to pass mine down to future generations one day!

Fun Play Ideas for My Life Dolls

The adventures my new My Life doll will have are endless! Here are just some of the play ideas I brainstormed:

• Create a doll blog chronicling her daily adventures and favorite things.
• Record stop motion videos of doll activities like baking, crafting, holidays.
• Set up a doll reading nook with mini versions of favorite books.
• Have doll playdates and sleepovers with friends that involve crafts, games, makeovers.
• Recreate imaginary vacations in doll-size – camping, road trips, beach visits.

There are so many ways to bring a My Life doll into storytelling, creative projects and just everyday fun. The possibilities are wide open – I can’t wait!

My Search is Over – I Found the Perfect Doll!

Well, after tons of research, window shopping and decision making, I’ve officially adopted my very own My Life 18-inch doll!

Ultimately I chose one of the new Civil Rights dolls, Melody Ellison, to honor an important part of history through play. Her beautiful brown skin, curly hair and pretty gold dress with matching accessories caught my eye immediately. I just had to bring her home.

Now the fun really begins as I customize Melody’s look, expand her wardrobe, craft accessories and create endless stories and adventures. I have a feeling we’re going to be lifelong friends!

Owning an inspiring, well-crafted My Life doll has been a dream come true. I’m so glad I took the time to research and discover this perfect doll for me. If you’re considering purchasing one of these special 18-inch dolls, I hope my doll-buying journey was helpful. Happy shopping and enjoy finding your perfect doll match too!