I got an email the other day at the shop. It was short. To the point.
"Do you have the blond labubu?"
I stared at it for a minute. My first thought was, which one? There isn't an official figure named "Blond Labubu." It's not a character in Kasing Lung's monster world. It's a nickname. A collector-invented category, born from Instagram aesthetics and the endless search for the perfect neutral-toned shelfie.
But I knew exactly what they meant. They were hunting for that specific, creamy, off-white, beige-ish monster that has become a low-key grail for a certain type of collector. This whole phenomenon is a perfect example of how the community, not just the creators, shapes the world of designer toys.
So, if you're on the hunt for a blond labubu, let's get real about what you're actually looking for, what it's going to cost you, and whether it's even worth it.
The Figure That Started It All: Soy Milk Macaron
Nine times out of ten, when someone asks for the "blond" one, they mean Soy Milk from The Monsters Exciting Macaron series. This figure is the poster child for the trend. It's not a bright, loud yellow; it's a soft, creamy beige, the color of, well, soy milk. It has a simple, clean design with a tiny little brown beret-like splat on its head.
When the Macaron series first dropped, Soy Milk wasn't the chase. Everyone was after the secrets or the more colorful designs like Pistachio or Raspberry. Soy Milk was just one of the regulars. I remember opening cases for PopNya and having a handful of them. They sold, but they didn't fly off the shelves.
Then something shifted.
The minimalist, neutral-palette aesthetic that took over home decor and fashion found its way to toy collecting. People started curating their shelves with beiges, whites, and soft browns. And suddenly, Soy Milk was the star. It was the perfect little monster to sit next to a scented candle and a stack of art books. Its price on the secondary market shot up. A figure that retailed for about $15 was suddenly fetching $40, $50, and I've seen it listed for as high as $70.
It's a classic case of demand being created by aesthetics, not by designed rarity. And with that popularity comes a huge problem. The Macaron series is one of the most faked Labubu sets out there, and Soy Milk is a prime target. If you're looking for one, you have to be incredibly careful. Learning how to navigate the wild world of Macaron prices and fakes is non-negotiable before you drop that kind of money.
The Underrated Alternative: Chestnut from Fall in Wild
Okay, so you want a blondie but the price and fakes of Soy Milk scare you. I get it. Honestly, my personal recommendation is to look at a different series entirely: Chestnut from The Monsters Fall in Wild series.
This one is my secret weapon recommendation for customers. Chestnut is a gorgeous, warm, sandy-beige color. But the best part? It's flocked.
For anyone new to the lingo, "flocking" means the figure has a thin layer of fuzzy, velvety fiber applied to the vinyl. It gives it a soft, almost plush-like texture. It's a completely different tactile experience from the smooth vinyl of the Macaron series. When people are searching for realistic labubu dolls, they often mean something with a softer, more organic feel, and the flocked figures are the closest you can get in the blind box world.
The flocking on Chestnut is perfect. It makes the "blond" color feel warmer and more natural. It looks like a tiny woodland creature. And the best part? Its aftermarket price is a fraction of Soy Milk's. You can usually find one for between $20 and $30. It's a more interesting figure, in my opinion, with a better texture and a much fairer price. It's the smart collector's "blond Labubu."
The Plush Connection and the Rise of "Realistic" Dolls
The search for these figures isn't happening in a vacuum. It's directly tied to the absolute explosion of the Labubu plush keychain, thanks in large part to Lisa from BLACKPINK being seen with one. Suddenly, everyone wanted a fluffy, dangly Labubu. Those plushies have a soft, cuddly appeal, and I've noticed a pattern: collectors are now trying to replicate that feeling with their vinyl figures.
This is where the idea of "realistic Labubu dolls" comes into play. It's less about them looking like a real animal and more about them feeling more "real" and less like hard plastic. Flocked figures like Chestnut fit this perfectly. So do figures with more natural, earthy color palettes.
The "blond" color is part of this. It feels more organic and less like a cartoon character than, say, a bright blue or the vibrant world of pink Labubus. People are trying to build a collection that feels cohesive, soft, and aesthetically pleasing. They're trying to capture the viral magic of the plushies in their vinyl collection. As a seller, it's fascinating to watch this cross-pollination of trends between different product types within the same brand.
The Customizer's Canvas
Here's an angle most people don't consider: the customizer community. One of the biggest reasons neutral-colored Labubus like Soy Milk are so sought-after is because they are the perfect blank canvas.
Artists in the community buy these figures, strip the minimal factory paint, and use the base vinyl to create their own incredible, one-of-a-kind pieces. A blond or white figure requires less prep work (less primer, easier to paint over) than a dark or brightly colored one.
I've seen "blond" Labubus transformed into stunning galaxy-themed monsters, hyper-realistic animal hybrids, and characters from other franchises. The demand from customizers adds another layer of pressure on the supply of these figures, quietly driving up the price for everyone else. If you see a collector on Instagram buying five Soy Milk Labubus at once, they're probably not hoarding them, they're stocking up on canvases for their next project.
Other "Blond" Contenders You Might Not Know
While Soy Milk and Chestnut are the main two, the "blond" umbrella can stretch to include a few others if you're creative.
It's brighter than Soy Milk but still has that soft, creamy vibe. It's a bit harder to find now, but a great option. * "Day" from the Zimomo Day & Night Series: This one is a stretch, as it's a very bright, almost neon yellow. But it's a solid block of color, which some collectors like. It doesn't quite fit the "neutral" aesthetic, but if your definition of "blond" is just "yellow," it's a contender. * Popcorn from the "Let's Christmas" Series: This one is mostly white, but has a buttery yellow popcorn bucket on its head. It's a cute, thematic way to get that color into your collection.
The beauty of a collector-defined term is that you get to decide what fits. There are no rules. It's all about the vibe. If you're new to the hobby and just want to understand why everyone is so obsessed with these little monsters, this kind of trend is a great window into the collector psyche.
Real Talk: My Honest Seller's Verdict
So, what's my final take?
Honestly, the "blond Labubu" hype is a little silly, but I totally get it. We all want to create a collection that looks good to us. And right now, that means neutrals are in. But please, do not get so caught up in the trend that you overpay.
My advice is simple: skip the overpriced Soy Milk Macaron. The risk of getting a fake is high, and the price is inflated purely by aesthetics. For my money, the Chestnut from Fall in Wild is the superior figure in every way. It has a more interesting texture, a beautiful warm color, and a price that is actually fair. It feels more special.
Don't let Instagram trends dictate your collection. There are so many amazing figures in the full LABUBU collection that get overlooked because they aren't the "it" color of the moment. Some of the most hyped series, like the recent Big into Energy set, have incredible designs that blow the simple "blond" ones out of the water in terms of creativity.
Use the "blond" search as a starting point, but don't let it be your entire journey. The best part of collecting is discovering that one weird little monster that speaks directly to you, regardless of whether it matches your couch.
Happy hunting. And if you email me asking for the blond one, now you know which one I'm going to recommend.
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