Why don't most dolls have a smile?

I've been wondering this myself but i find that when i do see a doll with more of a grin or too much of a pout I don;t like them as much. For example Vito a JID from Iplehouse has what I like to call a "Baby face pout" while Joshua, also a JID, has more of a smile. I don't particularly like either of these heads but I find them rather nice.

I think a neutral expression is best in a doll and you have the ability to add emotion to it with body language and that makes them so much more versatile as opposed to changing faces. and another thing is I find the other faces are too expressive and go a little over the top as far as one emotion goes.

 

Three of my very favorite dolls seem to have slight smiles: Ami Ayase, Miruku and SDC Renee, others of my favorite dolls (Hypermaniacs as a group) seem to have a slightly downturned mouth, sort of a Mona Lisa smile in reverse (a Mona Lisa frown?). I like these slight little indications of expression, I think they give them a lot of personality. But I also think that a faceup can give (or emphasize) a slight smile or frown.

 

The dolls that I've looked at do have emotions, but they are muted somehow. The tiniest smirk on a male doll can be very sensual, or the slightest frown on a female can give her a resounding fierceness.

Despite the limited visual emotions, I love the faces. I also agree with Jescissa, really smiley dolls are creepy looking sometimes.

 

Co-sign! I do like a doll that looks content and happy, but I also find that some of the grins on the very smiley dolls can look a little creepy (but that all depends on the sculpt). And, of course, the Barbie grins... *buuuuuh*

 

I feel like dolls with neutral expressions are the easiest and most versatile to use for pictures and whatnot. It also allows a personality to be given to them, whether it be shown in their hair, eyes, faceup, clothes, etc.

 

Constantly grinning dolls are really creepy in my opinion!
And dolls with a pout or too sneery expression tend to make me angry somehow.
I like the way you can play with angles and light to make the doll take the expression you like.

 

i think the most dolls look so sad for the typical ''Please buy me look ;_;''
they always let them pose like this.
i think this is the master sample lol http://eluts.com/shop/step1.php?number=5460

 

I'm not sure why doll makers do that, but I feel like the owner of the doll then has an easier time projecting whatever emotions they want the doll to have onto them. If you're playing with your doll or doing a photo story or something and something bad has "happened" it's a lot easier to see a neutral dolls face as unhappy better than a smiling doll.

 

Isn't it because you can customize neutral expressions into 'more' with how you pose the eyes and perhaps modify the face-up?
From drawing I know that sometimes simply doing a small stroke up or down at the corner of the mouth can change the expression completly into a smirk or frown.
Haven't tried this with dolls since my first are only on their way to me, but I'd think that to be the reason.

 

I think there's more expressions to a neutral expression.

Plus dolls who smile can actually look creepy.

The challenge to make them "smile" could actually be in the face-up.

 

I think Bobobie Charisma has a cheeky, mischievous smile that enhances her character.

But as for dolls without smiles, perhaps dolls with neutral expressions can be seen as more relaxing to look at. Also, BJDs aren't play dolls meant for small children. Maybe their more subdued facial expressions, as opposed to the prominent smiles on many play dolls, make BJDs seem more mature and "for grown-ups."

 

I think that they are given a 'non-smiley' face because it is more versatile compared to a smiley faced doll it only has one expression. With a non-smiley face you can change it up with a more happy face-up and it will become more lively

 

My doll has kind of a Mona Lisa smirk. It's really subtle, and isn't even noticeable from certain angles, but it makes him look like he's keeping an amusing secret to himself. Much better for a variety of photo shoots than just a big smile.

 

Most my dolls got just a hint of smile. Some show teeth but not much of smile.
I miss big wide smiles that show teeth or laughter.

 

I think dolls not having a set expression is actually better.
I mean, people customize their dolls to make them look like anything.
And I'm sure if you like a sculpt, but wanted her to be smiling all the time, some could probably change their mouth that way. There are some people around here that can do some crazy customzing with their dolls.
Also, I think face-ups can really help with this. I have a girl who can look really happy and mad, depending on the angle the picture is taken. Why? Because of her face-up. She has a slight smirk to her looking at her straight forward. Move her head up or take a pic looking down at her, she looks kinda mad. Look up at her or take a pic with a lower angle and she looks happy. It's actually pretty awesome. Lol.

But little things can change the way the doll looks. Or if you wanna do some extreme customizing I'm sure there are people who can do that for you too. Which just brings so much more to the hobby. C:

 

If my dolls had a distinct facial expression rather than neutral/relaxed (like pout, smile etc) I would tire and soon not want to see that same eternal expression. I like that dolls can be versatile with their neutral expression. Depending on angles and my own mood, they can convey different things. Also, face up can be a help. Already I am tired of seeing for example Mikhailas pouty duck mouth. She is a very popular doll and at first I thought that she was nothing special, now I am almost tired of seeing her because of her distinct expression. The same with many obviously smiling dolls that show lots of teeth. I can't help but think that it looks a bit corny and cartoonish, and that is certainly not for me.

Because of this, I personally only interest myself in dolls with mostly neutral or relaxed faces and let the angles, settings and myself affect the dolls mood and emotions.

 

Meh. I love smiling faces they make me smile in return. But the neutral expression is my favorite because, depending on the angle, the dolls can look mad, sad, pensive or aggressive so I have no need to buy a doll with an angry, or sad expression when I can have it all with the neutral one (I have 2 boys with neutral expression who can even look like smiling depending on the angle). I believe that the mouth doesn't hold the stronger expression but the eyebrows. So, it's all about the eyebrows

 

I think most dolls just have a neutral expression, so certain emotions can be conveyed with the way they are painted. My miyu is a very expressionless doll (outside of her eyes) but because of the way her lip lines were drawn she look very warm and caring.

A neutral doll just works for any emotion.

 

I like not smiling dolls better becuase I can change the face easily with face up. (Also i think smiling dolls look creepy... sorry!)
like eyeliner, especially tiny bit lines on the mouth can make your doll look smile or sad so....