Second Style Magazine

I just passed my third Second Life rez day on Saturday and I wanted to celebrate with a post about Tuli Asturias, the fashion designer I’ve known the longest in Second Life. If you ever get the chance to spend some time with Tuli, you’ll learn just how incredibly humble she is about her talent. Entirely self taught, she’s been honing her skills with skins for as long as I’ve known her. And – not to embarrass her – I still have the very first skins she made in my inventory. Talk about a before and after photo, it would astound you to see how far she’s come.

Never one to be entirely satisfied with almost anything she’s made (she’s quite the perfectionist!) Tuli seems to constantly tinker with her skins and this line shown to the left called Meredith is no exception. Meredith has been out since October 2008, but Tuli just released a brand new set of makeups for this line – all of which have playful takes on trendy looks. One of the best features of Meredith is the glossy lipstick which pairs well with the understated but entirely lovely body on this skin. It isn’t the kind of gym-rat I-do-one-thousand-crunches-every-night skin which looks sometimes out of place on certain body shapes (at least it does in my opinion.) Meredith is available in five different skin tones including light (shown), fair, sunkissed, tan and suntanned. You can pick up a freebie Meredith skin called “Post Party” with the ever popular (and well executed) smudgy makeup look – for when you absolutely need to look like either Courtney Love or Amy Winehouse, depending on your particular drug vice of choice.

But the newest skin in the Tuli line is called Kalista, and you can see a couple examples of it to the left. Kalista comes in three tones, light (shown on far left), medium, and tan (shown on the near left.) Kalista’s body is a bit more defined than Meredith, but it’s still very subtle. I personally love the collarbones and shoulderblades on this skin. Sure it looks stunning in lingerie – of course – but it really shines in an outfit which frames the shoulders and neck. Unlike the sassy makeup names in Meredith, the makeups in Kalista are bit more utilitarian, just numbers across the three skin tones. Kalista has some fun “editorial” makeup styles too – perfect for fashion modeling, runway work or photography. The lace eye treatment is especially cool looking with the right sartorial look.

Did I mention Tuli likes to tinker with her skins? She’s currently working on her very first male skin release, a new update to Elizabeth (the only skin – so far – which has a darker skin tone than tan) and a brand new woman’s skin (that as far as I know is unnamed.) You can see sneak peeks of these on Tuli’s blog.

Shop for Kalista and Meredith at Tuli’s mainstore on Journey (130, 107, 25).

P.S. Carissa missed her day last Friday, but she’ll make it up this week – never fear!

Callie recently created 2 gorgeous dresses for the Black Swan rezzable Christmas event. Neither of the gowns is specific to Christmas however. These are the first in a series she is calling “Divine”. Both of these gorgeous gowns are made from the same bodice, but each one has it own distinct look. She typically has hot sales going on in her store, so be sure to join her group, calgal, to get the first notice of the special sales she offers.

The first gown is called the Divine Double Bubble. Lovely net swirls about your legs as sparkling gemstones dance around in the net. The intricate bodice is created from over 600 layers of hand drawn gems and swirls. It features a tintable jacket layer so you can make the gems any color you’d like. This dress also comes with sexy, long, sheer gloves and a complete jewelry set. You get earrings, a ring and a bracelet. Each piece features Callie’s fun “click and pick” options in the gems. You can click each gem and choose from 12 different colors. This girl knows how to make versatility.

This dress here is called the Divine Aleida, and was inspired from Miss Denmark, Aleida Rhode. As I mentioned before, it is the same bodice, but you have the option of a cute shrug. A sweet, heart shape is made on your back when worn together …I love it! You also get all of the jewels, plus a small one that goes at top of shrug, holding it closed. The gown has a few different options. You can wear it long and full, or a bit more slim, and you can also choose a layer with gorgeous gems peeking through. There is also a flirty mini skirt option.

So, head on down to Callie Cline and snatch up these gorgeous dresses. Don’t forget to join her group too, so you can get first notice on her great flash sales that she offers quite frequently.

Credits:
EarthStones Stoned Eyes Lapis Lazuli
Detour Faded Lashes
Laqroki ~ Biscuit – sun kissed
JCNY Avalon Wedding Band
MMS Moscow Light 4

Once again, the weekend is upon us! I hope you all had a great week. I have listed here some of the events to be found around SL. As far as continuous events we have the New Year’s Hunt at Ellie’s. Please check the Google calendar for more information on this, and the following events. Remember, you can send me event invites in world, or at rhirossini@gmail.com

Saturday 1/17

La Couture Noir, 12pm http://slurl.com/secondlife/Casablanca%20Boulevard/173/193/458

Costa Rica Merchants January Showcase, 12pm http://slurl.com/secondlife/Costa%20Rica%20Events/5/113/23

AOS from OMG!, 1pm http://slurl.com/secondlife/Sununu/103/125/452

AVENUE Models presents LeeZu! and Courtisane, 2pm http://slurl.com/secondlife/Orbiuna/176/144/25

After Runway Party, 2pm http://slurl.com/secondlife/TOrc%20Gardens/64/160/2

Siddean Munro’s skin release “Bijou” at SLink (SLURL) is, plainly put, to DIE for.

The lips, the belly button, the butt, the KNEES… everything about this skin is just lickable and then some. Having seen the skin blogged once or twice, I had to naturally hop on over and check it out for myself. Skin whores of the grid, be warned: what you are about to see may cause a leak in your Linden wallet.

Creator: Siddean Munro
Shop Location: SLink (SLURL)
Tones Available: Pale, Fair, Sunkissed, Coco Latte, Mid Coco
Price: $1200L per makeup (1 skin), $3800L per makeup pack (4 skins)
Note: Individual skins come with multiple pubic hair layers (that’s right, the skin itself is SHAVED! \o/). Makeup packs (4 skins) come with multiple pubic hair layers, and four different types of eyelashes. Pick up the demo skins to get the free eyebrow shaper and colors (4 colors of eye brows available).

Detail Pictures:

Full Body, Face, Ears, Torso, Hands, Legs (Front), Legs (Back), Back, Privates

Having blogged one of Siddean’s very first skin releases, Cate & Madison, back in May 2008… I have to say that these skins are a HUGE step up from where they were then to where they are now. The face, while it was beautiful back then, is STUNNINGLY gorgeous now. I am absolutely in love with the lips on this face… the sheer gloss makes me just want to pucker up and kiss somebody. While I know that the glossy look isn’t for everyone, when done right, I absolutely love it. And this skin is no exception.

The belly button on this skin is another adorable feature on it that I love (I think I mentioned that above). It is a far cry from the typical belly button on skins these days (you know the ones… the small-as-a-button ones) which makes me very happy.

The choices you get in pubic hair and eyebrows on this skin also… ACE. Srsry. ACE. I can’t stress enough how much this is a huge selling point for me… optional pubic hair and the ability to have eyebrows that MATCH MY HAIR COLOR… = a hundred times better chance of getting my Lindens. Siddean, you are the answer to all of my skin whoring prayers. I love you. Truly.

I strongly encourage everyone to skip, hop, trot, jog, whatever you have to do, on over to SLink (SLURL) to pick up a demo pack of these positively gorgeous skins. Might I suggest the Sunkissed tone? I have yet to try the Coco Latte tone yet, but that one also strikes my fancy. *runs over to grab more demos and drags all of you along with me*

See you at the door! I’ll be the one cutting up metacards at the entrance! Don’t forget the taxi.

More glorious skin for January: Detour’s Nina ia as skin I fell for in a really BIG way. Nina looks like a bit of a rough and tumble, she possess a tomboyish cuteness with her very pale skin splashed with adorable freckles – not just across her nose but all over, even her shoulders and belly. During times when the idea of the ideal beauty was someone far more stereotype freckles were seen as non-flattereing and even ugly. Girls “cursed” with this type of skin were prone to rub their faces with different types of product in an effort to rid themselves of the freckles. And as fashion dictated a porcelaine-doll complexion, many an hour was spent in front of the makeup mirror dabbing on foundation to conceal the pigmentation dots.  But hah! – no more! With a more diverse and interesting take on beauty freckes are often hailed as trendy and so Nina is very of the moment. And these days it-girls are often seen dabbing false freckles on their snub noses when noones watching.I know so many guys who claim they just adore a freckled girl, especially if she’s a fiery redhead to boot. I tell you what, few of my skins have more pull than this *winks*

 Nina comes with four different makeups which all in their own way look funky and go well with Detours fashion forward lashes. Each skin also comes with face light and a shape which I never use, as I’m not really one for pre-made shapes. Nina has pale lips, one of the makeup’s has rather rosy cheeks which is very wicked. The eye shadows are more a hint of colour rather than heavy made up paint jobs and it serves to accentuate the eyes beautifully.Auburn eyebrows kind of determines that Nina is a natural redhead – no matter what hair colour you slap on you will look most natural in reds and auburns.

Detour’s Nina is not a classic beauty. But – and to me this is much more important – she has all the qualities I seek in a “look”: she is sexy, a little naughty, perhaps even a little dangerous – the kind of girl you can easily picture getting up to no good, staying out too late, playing with the bad boys – a little Miss Troublemaker. And although her style is luscious and tempting she is definitely not for everybody. That – to me – is always a very good thing.

 

Hair: “fuafua” by Shop Seu

Lingerie: “Black Guilded Lingerie” by Chic Boutique

Eyes: Tuli green eyes

Lashes: Detour – “Thorn Lashes”.

 Starley Thereian is highly regarded by many as one of SL’s premier skin makers. Using a combination of photo sourcing for body parts and meticulously painted on features such as makeup and beauty marks, the Vogue skins first debuted January 1st of 2007 and while they are now over 2 years old, unlike so many things in SL (like some relationships) they only get better with age.

The Vogue is my first love, and honestly has stuck with me much longer than any of my past adorations. I love the eyes, the lips, the small delicate beauty mark under the left eye and the body is quite lovely.

 Starley put a lot of attention to detail with this skin, and I’d hate to think of newer SL residents not having a chance to demo these skins because to some of us they aren’t the “newest” skin out there.

Vogue skins come in so many makeup choices, and don’t forget the freckle option. I selected 9 of my personal favorites, and I’m somewhat scared to admit that I think I own every make-up combination in the cashmere skin tone.

Vogue is available in 5 skin tones with over 60 makeups per tone. This is the first real skin I bought in SL, and it was the best L’s spent based on longevity, quality, and just the way it makes my heart happy to wear.  If you haven’t already, visit Celestial Studios InWorld.

Make up shown are: Peach Smoky, Winter 1, Classic Glitter Gold 1, Summer 2, Spring Vernal, Red Glitter, Fall 4, Jade Glitter, & Noir Glitter.

Welcome to week 2 of our 30 Days project. I am pleased to show off Rosemary Galbraith and Mimi Coral’s collaborative skin called Celebrity. (OK, I am a sucker for things named after me. I can’t help it.) Celebrity is a very recent release, coming within the last 10 weeks and already the duo has carried forward their most popular makeup styles to the new body line.

This is another skin which has gone through a major overhaul, especially as you can easily see in the body highlighting. On the right is Celebrity Mocha, the darkest tone available in the line (my personal preference) and on the left is the Gemini Iroko tone (both skins feature the same makeup combination called “Smokey.”)

While I enjoyed wearing the Gemini line of skins, I really like the revisions that the team has made to the Celebrity line which features major highlighting across the chest, and collar bones, a more defined tummy (but not quite as ripped as some other skins out there.) Celebrity also sports a significantly more defined face, including shading around the lips, nose and the cupid’s bow (seriously!)

Cupcakes has a lot of different skin tones (see the lightest tone called Sugar on the left) and unusually, I think they do all of them quite well although I know that Rosemary and Mimi have made a conscious choice to reduce the body highlights on the lighter skin tones. For me, personally, that makes the darker skin choices a more appealing look.

Check out Cupcakes new mainstore at Le Zoo (73, 162, 22). Since I know Rosemary and Mimi are meeting each other IRL this week – have fun, girls!

Seen above: Satin Balconette by Arielle Ceres, Isle of Spirits (17, 152, 62); Aveda Short Crop by Elika Tiramisu, ETD Isle (187, 198, 31); d’Orsay Sandals by Stilleto Moody, Stiletto Moody (43, 42, 23).

Friday 1/9

SLE’s 2nd Annual “Coming Out” Party, 3pm http://slurl.com/secondlife/Makani%20Cove/33/219/22

Saturday 1/10

JSP Fashion Expo 2009, all day http://slurl.com/secondlife/JSP%20Island/43/38/22

Latex Fetishism, 1:30pm http://slurl.com/secondlife/Kmadd%20Enterprise/128/128/2

Sunday 1/11

SuperElite Grad Show, 12pm http://slurl.com/secondlife/Fashionista/135/128/21

Welcome to day four of the fantabulous 30 Days project here at SecondStyle Fashionista! My name is Ryker Beck, and I’ll be your tour guide for this particular day of the week, for the next six weeks. We have lots to talk about, so grab a cup of coffee, sit back, relax, and let me titillate you (hee) with today’s skin choice: Beauty Avatar’s Melody!

Now, anyone that knows me, knows that I am a hardcore Beauty Avatar fan. I love their skins, I have loved watching their progression over the last year, and nothing gives me more pleasure than to catch the wind when it whispers, “BA is about to release a new skin!” This time was no different. After the release of a series of twelve skins just in time for the new year, 2008 was wrapped up with this latest masterpiece which is sure to tickle your linden balance into submission.

If a beautiful face is your thing, Beauty Avatar’s skins make no mistake in providing you with them. But not just a pretty face, oh no… but an abundance of makeup to accompany. Pictured below are the 10 available makeups with the Melody skin line, each boasting a bold lip color with a fine gloss (if that’s your thing… I know there are some girls out there that don’t dig the gloss!), and a variety of eye shadings and lining.

When skin shopping for myself, I have a tendency to judge, not only on face, but HUGELY on body appearance (Check out some body detail pics here: torso, back, hands, legs, feet). What can I say… I’m a tiny bit vain (hah!). Really, being an artist and photographer in Second Life, I am often naked when I do pieces of work… and it’s incredibly important, aesthetically, that the skin be as beautiful and “womanly” as possible. I am pleased to report that Melody does not disappoint, with skin as smooth as silk, and a positively lickable belly button (rawr — likable belly button = muy importante). And trust me when I say, despite that you can’t see the bits here… they’re just as delectable as the rest of the skin.

A final thing of particular note I’d love to point out on this skin is the distinct and flawless collar bone. I am a sucker for a well done collar bone (for some reason, it’s just so hard to find!), and this one is delightfully womanly and delicate and beautiful. And I was so impressed by the skin tone, that I was inspired to take a photo to further show off just how beautiful this skin really is.

Yes, she truly is gorgeous, isn’t she?

Now, for my wish list of possible improvements?

I’ll admit, there aren’t a whole lot of things I see needing improvement on this skin, certainly nothing that would keep me from purchasing it for myself, though a few possible suggestions do jump out at me. First, (and this might be a moot point at this stage in time with the birth of fully sculpted feet and toes!) is, as always, the feet. The nails are just a little too “rough around the edges” for my taste, but honestly… how often do you really look at your feet anyway? Almost insignificant, really.

Another suggest, however small — the corners of the mouth are just a tad bit too… “sharp”. This tends to give the face an older, more mature look which, while CERTAINLY not an “issue” really (I mean really, we’re not all actually big-breasted, infinitely ageless 20 year olds anyway), could use some rounding, just for aesthetic purposes.

And finally, as always… my biggest pet peeve of them all, the skin comes with only one eyebrow option (a light auburn red shade), which could potentially be a breaking point for some consumers with darker shades of hair (such as myself). Other options (such as eliminating the painted nails, and pubic hair options) would be good suggestions too, but that could just be me (who loves to go “in the nude”, if you catch my drift).

Overall, Melody is a GORGEOUS skin, with incredibly beautiful and well done features, smooth Windlight cooperation, and a face that is simply to die for. Despite a few flaws (and really, what skin is flawless?), this would be the perfect skin for your arsenal, especially if you’re looking for one with a slightly more mature look.

Until we meet again! This is Miss Beck, signing off.

Pictured in Images:
Lingerie – Insolence – Alice in White
Bikini – Armidi – Corda Serica / Ciliegia
Sandals – Tickled Pink – Cirque Sandal in Brown
Bangles – Genesis – “Slitherin’ Bangles” Texture Change (unreleased)
Skin – Beauty Avatar – “Melody” in Bronzed
Eyes – Genesis – “Speculation” in Brown (unreleased)
Lashes – D-Skins – D-Eyelash0
Hair – Truth – Berri in Burgundy, Truth Deux in Burgundy
Poses – Striking Poses

It’s day number three of the glorious 30 Days of Skins and being the time of year when it’s cold, dark and all over rather drab i thought it was time to bring some warm, spicy Soul to the party.

The creator behind Soul is Nany Merlin, who work with graphic design and photography in real life. She has created several series of skins and shapes under the Soul label: Soul Special Skins, several male lines and her latest creation Race, a line of ethnic type skins ranging from Egyptian, African and Spanish to Indian, German and 3 different Asian skins. All skins come with 9 different makeup options or shading and facial hair options for men, a shape and a set of eyes.

What I find particularly attractive about Merlin’s work – which is a combination of photosourcing and drawing - is the texture of the basic skins themselves. The detail is magnificent even close up and has has the look of real skin with carefully applied foundation and blusher dusted with a light coat of translucent powder. The effect is truly yummy. Zoom in and you can even see pores! Anyone who has ever studied real skin up close will have to agree that Merlin’s creations are spectacular, and upon her perfect canvases she has carefully applied eyeshadows, blushers and sensually soft lipsticks. The body detail is as impressive as the makeups: lovely shoulderblades, supersexy tummy detail and unbelieveably cute and real looking belly buttons. Little things like this pleases me no end. 

My favourite of them all is the Afrodite-line which comes in six different skin tones, all with nine different makeup options. I’m tempted to steal a cheesy advertizing line like: “don’t wear it if you don’t mean it!” – but these skins are smokin’ hot.

Being a bit of a retro fanatic means I’m always on the prowl for the ultimate cat eyes makeup, and Afrodite’s makeup no. 10 has the most perfect eyeliner I have yet come across on an SL skin. The effect is especially gorgeous on skin tone number 1, a slightly tanned hispanic look. Slipping into this skin gives me an instant sixites sexkitten look sported by legendary french bombshells Francoise Hardy and Brigitte Bardot way back then. The idea of smoky eyes and neutral to rosy lips is sensual rather than stark and the all over effect is very very “shut-up-and-kiss-me”.

 Lingerie: Insolence  Hair: Maitreya and Cake

Welcome to day 2 of the 30 glorious days of skins. Today  I’d like to feature a skin that is a new addition to my own personal wardrobe, aka inventory. The Belleza Belle in the medium tone. When I first saw these skins on a friend of mine, I knew I had to try it out. I like many things about the creations by Tricky Boucher, but most important to me personally is eye and lip makeup. I hate fitting eyelashes, yes I’ll be blunt, it is a weakness of mine, so I look for skins with a thicker eyeliner. I also have to love the lips. This is where the Belleza Belle skin did not let me down.

This skin is available in 4 tones with 32 makeup options for each. I also like to point out the collarbones and neck cords. They are sexy in my opinion.

The places where some skins, even good ones can look odd, such as the ears look good on this skin as well. The hands also are feminine with SL limitations with hands and feet. I hate man hands, and these don’t give those to me.

I’ll be honest and say that I don’t have a lot of reasons to have a naked AV, but the body on the Belle is worth finding a reason. The bootie is cute and firm, and small details like the back of the knees are worth mentioning.

Shown here is 3 of the makeup options, and I have to say that I had a tough time deciding on only 3. I love the shimmer on the face and am very happy with my purchase.

Belleza can be found at Belleza (80, 224, 22); Starley Pumps by Elika Tiramisu, ETD Isle (187, 198, 31); Hair by Maitreya, Glam World 2 (242, 213, 26); and Truth, Truth Island (135, 67, 22);  Lingerie from Blacklace Alphamale (121, 119, 36).

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).