I’m excited to kick off the 30 Days Project with a post about Fleur skins by Roslin Petion and CJ Carnot. I’ve known both Roslin and CJ for a long time in my Second Life, back to the earliest days of Second Style magazine. Roslin was involved with the magazine even before I was and it was through the magazine that I got to know them both. Like almost everything in Second Life, there is a huge gulf between 2006 and 2009 and Fleur is no exception. Formerly known as Tete a Pied (TaP), CJ did the skin bases and Roslin, using her experience as a real life makeup artist would add the makeup. This remarkable partnership has endured for years across SL database trouble, content theft and a huge brand makeover. (Ask Roslin how much she enjoys reshooting box ads!)

Fleur recently released the fourth major incarnation of their skins called Allure (you can see a whole retrospective of the line by reading this great post by ChronoCloud Creegan) and I wanted to make Allure the first post in our project series. On the left is Allure in the Sable skin tone, with a cat’s eye makeup called Kitten. For comparison’s sake, on the right is the Vin makeup (Chestnut tone) from the previous Fleur line called Vivant.

As you can see there has been a lot of detail enhancements between Vivant and Allure. There’s more definition in the tummy and navel region, the collarbones and breast shading has been heightened and the facial highlighting has been amped up a touch. It may just be my lighting settings, but the Sable tone also looks a shade lighter than Chestnut.

Overall I think the trend in Second Life skins has been more toward photorealism and although Fleur has its roots firmly in hand-drawn and hand shaded skins, they’ve managed to come through with a beautiful hybrid skin incorporating elements of both photosourcing and hand-drawing. One of the biggest draws to Fleur continues to be Roslin’s makeup designs, case in point is the quarterly seasonal makeup called Winter Nights is wonderfully executed including some of the deliciously glossy wine lipstick to be seen in world. (Pictured below far left.)

One of my favorite things about Fleur Allure skins are the subtle and distinctive butt dimples (shown near left.) Unless you’re caterwauling around the grid in unmentionables or a bikini (or perhaps channeling your inner Lady Godiva) you might not ever get to show them off. But even so, the well shaded shoulder blades will always look amazing given an open back gown or top.

Front or back, Allure skins look great under everything.

Seen above: Allure Skin (Kitten 1, Sable tone) by CJ Carnot and Roslin Petion, Fleur (137, 126, 27); Vanessa Lingerie by Burlesque Dolls, Celestial City (129, 244, 27); Starley Pumps by Elika Tiramisu, ETD Isle (187, 198, 31); Hearts & Diamonds Jewelry by ~flirt~, Juicy (46, 210, 28); Lesley 2 (chocolate) hair by Truth Hawks, Truth Island (224, 44, 751).