As a teenager and into my twenties, my face was covered in acne - every day was like a tower defense game trying to keep the zits at bay. I bought over-the-counter products to cover them up, which made them worse - and because of this, my face now bears the scars from my tower defense days.

Back in an age without the Internet, we only had peers and local TV stations telling us that we should cover up "unsightly" acne.

Fast forward to the present day, we now have the whole world telling us through social media that we are somehow inadequate if we don't have perfect skin. Even social media apps have filters to remove skin blemishes before posting them - further promoting that blemish-free skin is the norm.

And then, some brands beautify product photos creating an alternate reality that humans should strive for - by buying their products.

Peers and organizations recommending that you cover facial blemishes don't deserve to be part of your life if they don't accept you for who you are.

Have you heard of the "Regrets of the Dying" by Bronnie Ware? Bronnie cared for many folks who shared regrets in life just before they died. Among the most common five regrets was, "I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me."

If you live a life of others' expectations, you are essentially living life as an NPC. An NPC is a "Non Player Character" that lives in a game serving little importance other than to make a street look busy - or be looted for some credits. The end game for an NPC is always the same - a life of regrets.

Pride was created as a reminder that spending effort changing the way we are for the sake of others only takes precious time away from what's important - the importance of living a life without the risk of a regrettable flashback when it's end game time.

Regardless of what we look like, who we like, and how we like, it's important to stay proud and stand up against the oppressing forces that want to change the way we are.

Stay Proud ;-)

Production Notes

Developing Pride has been our most challenging endeavor yet, primarily due to the unique aesthetic required for her facial condition. Unlike other characters, Pride's paint masks feature an unprecedented number of openings, each designed with a crater-like indentation to ensure her acne does not merely resemble freckles.

Achieving the desired flushed appearance posed another significant challenge. Paint masks typically produce hard and sharp edges, which we aimed to avoid to maintain the authenticity of her look.

While these paint masks allow us to achieve a specific controlled aesthetic, the hand-painted nature of Pride means that no two dolls will be identical. Please consider this before purchasing Pride, as she will not feature a perfectly uniform print.

If you're uncertain, we recommend seeking opinions from current owners to better inform your decision.

Before You Buy (Overview)

Smart Doll’s are crafted with care, intention, and a strong commitment to quality—but they are not designed to be everything for everyone. Since all sales are final, we ask that you take a moment to understand what makes our products unique before placing an order.

The photo grid below highlights common concerns we’ve seen from customers *after* receiving their Smart Doll—despite these traits being explained throughout our website. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision upfront rather than face disappointment later.

The first row covers wig-related traits, the second explains details of our slush-cast vinyl body and frame, and the third focuses on the intentional asymmetry in our face design. A brief overview follows the grid below:

Wig Characteristics

Smart Doll wigs are shaped by hand—not by mold—so variation is natural. You may notice differences in thickness, alignment, or shape from one wig to the next. Some may appear “balding” in spots or shed small amounts of hair when first opened and with continued use. Tight fits can leave marks on the head, and a bit of styling oil residue is also expected. (images 1 - 4)
Learn more about Smart Doll wigs

Slush-Cast Vinyl Body & Frame System

The Smart Doll body is made from sofubi (soft vinyl) using a hands-on process called slush casting. This naturally results in variations such as asymmetry, flow lines, air bubbles, and differences in surface texture. The head cap may not match the body color exactly or fit perfectly. These traits are inherent to working with soft vinyl and are part of the handcrafted nature of the product. (images 5 - 8)
Learn more about the casting process

Intentional Asymmetry in Face Design

Just like real human faces, Smart Doll faces are intentionally asymmetrical. From the 3D sculpt to the final brush stroke, no two are exactly alike. Hand-painted features such as eyeliner, lashes, and blush will differ slightly in size, shape, and placement. If you’re seeking factory-perfect, machine-printed symmetry, a different brand may be a better fit. (images 9 - 12)
Learn why Smart Doll Faces Are Asymmetrical