Second Life skin

Xtreme Reality (XR) Skins from [MVS] Mystical Virtual Studios is giving away their French Female Skins and New York Executive Male Skins, which will be discontinued before the end of the year to make way for new releases. For women, there are three skin tones with 16 make-up choices per pack. I thought about having Quest Hawks model the male skins, but then we’ll end up hanging out in SL, and I have some work and a RL event to get to today. So today, you’re just stuck with me. But I promise we will start giving the guys a bit of love in the form of reviews soon.

Just one of the 48 make-up choices

This was one of my faves.

The note card sent over says “Most avatar skins in SL are based on a single monotone color base that does not have the same realistic effect as the XR Skins which use a multi-layered texturing technique to recreate the subtle differences of color and texture of the human body.”

Now, I don’t want to hit this point too hard, because, after all,  these skins are about to be retired, are not a new release and are a gift on top of that. But at least in these skins I really don’t see that they are any more realistic than most skins in SL — and certainly don’t begin to approach Adam n Eve’s new Angel line (blogged previously) in terms of a 3D, touchable feel. Once again, I realize it is not quite fair to compare skins that will soon be retired to a new release from another designer, but since the claim of enhanced reality was made, I would be amiss to not address it. However these skins are a wonderful gift, and I love many of the make-ups (I like warmer toned soft peach and coral lips, and many designers don’t include those choices). I look forward to the next release from this company.

Sachi Vixen has just informed me there is an up to 50% off sale on all her female skins except the new Angel line (blogged in my last post). So head out to Adam n Eve and scoop up some deals while you’re checking out the new line. Sale starts immediately and runs through November.

Okay, peeps, this is a skin review, so before you scroll down, know you’re going to see some partial but tasteful nudity. What? You never went swimming on the French Riviera?  You’ll also notice a bit of a new look for me - long past time for a change. But on to the news.

Isn't the rear end on this Angel skin fabulous?

Sachi Vixen is excited. Yesterday she launched her new Angel skin line, and many are saying it will revolutionize the SL skin industry.  What’s so different? To me the skin looks more supple and inviting than just about anything on the market.

Hey, you didn’t expect full frontal nudity, did you?

” This is an evolution for me,” says Sachi. Now when one of the grand dames of SL fashion makes that kind of statement, your ears should perk up. “I made a sort of photoreal skin by constructing it in a 3D modeling program. I’ve not really seen another skin in SL with quite this finish, so I think it might be something a little new.”  Sachi achieves the look by making the skin on the SL avatar itself right in the 3D modeling program.

I asked Sachi how she would describe this new finish. “Its hard to describe really, but it looks touchable to me, and it doesn’t have any blotchiness or streakiness which has put me off doing photoreal before.”

Different bodies for different faces

Those of us who care about SL fashion are always trying to look a bit different - not like every fifth avatar you see. Sachi has addressed this issue too. “I’ve noticed that a lot of skins with different faces have exactly the same body and I’ve been varying mine a bit for some time on the hybrids. I want to follow that through with this method.”

Don't be shy. Flaunt the junk in your trunk. Note the leg muscles.

The skin you see me modeling in these photos is Blush in Tone 2, but Sachi has a number of make-up choices, including ones with red lips and heavier eye shadow. And here’s interesting news: Sachi says in the future she plans to use the same 3D modeling method for making clothes.

I’d like to echo fashionista Luicee Babii, who says, “Omg these new skins are freakin’ awesome!”

Check them out at Adam n Eve.

Dear Shameless Gossipgirl - Second Life Advice that’s Worth Exactly What You Paid for It

Dear Shameless Gossipgirl,

Since I have returned from a long vacation, I am having a hard time getting into the swing of things in SL. Many of my fairy friends are absent from the drum circle; perhaps they are on vacation themselves. What can I do to cheer myself up?

Sincerely yours,

Devi Moonbeam, a Pixie in Peril

Dear Pixie in Peril,

Aww, Devi, if I had known you were having vacation withdrawal, I would have taken you along to Retrology. Gifts all over the sim all week long! I won’t get into particulars, as I’m sure it’s been blogged to death, but get your fairy butt over there. You still have a lot of time.

If that dress from Total Betty and all the other great designer gifts at Retrology don’t cheer you up, head on over to Kuri Style. They are having a $1L sale of some designs that will make your little fairy heart beat faster. Also some that are a real steal at $50L. While you’re there, pick up a free pose and some three-packs of poses priced at $5L and $10L.

Need more? The skins at Crave Designs are still set at $0L. Fly, my little fairy, fly!

Regards,

Shameless Gossipgirl

P.S. I’m enclosing a few pics from Kuri’s so you can see what you can get there. There is a lot more than what I will show. You already KNOW it’s going to be good at Retrology.

Sapphire tells me Kuri had this mini-dress out at $25L several months ago, and she broke a heel dashing over there.

Well now it is only $1L for a few days, and you can also get it in white or black.

Is this cute or what? This is a Kuri outfit called “The Cat’s Pajamas” and it comes with the stockings. It was a steal at $50L.

The shoes are free Mistress heels from The Dominatrix Shop, and the detail on these is killer. Choose the Mistress heels or the Slave heels - I have trouble making choices, so I grabbed both!

The skin I’m wearing in these two photos (in case you didn’t know, the blonde above is Sapphire), is one of the currently free skins from Crave Designs. This one is Glam skin Mistress makeup -Light Skin - the Mistress theme went with the shoes!

Another $50L dress from Kuri. Love it!