Beauty Avatar’s Beautiful Skins
Sita Loire, the creator behind the Beauty Avatar line (Flickr, SLURL, OnRez), has undoubtedly become a contender in the great race that is skin design. A relatively new designer, she has released lines of clothing for both men and women, as well as shoes, shapes, and skins. Ahhh… skins. My poison. What else would we be talking about today?!
Creator: Sita Loire
Shop Location: Miami Island (SLURL) or OnRez (URL)
Price: $1400L per skin / $18,000L per fatpack (16 skins)
Other Notes: This will be a review of the Nefertiti line of skins by Sita Loire of Beauty Avatar. There are other skin lines available entitled Callisto, Rozen, and Nemesis. I have to say that the Rozen skin is also INCREDIBLY fantastic, and if you haven’t already, get over to Beauty Avatar and try on some demos. There’s also FREEBIES available for both MEN and WOMEN!!! Lovely gift boxes just waiting for you to snatch them up. The women’s gift box is located inside the skin shop, while the men’s is located inside the clothing shop.
Being the eternally grateful skin whore that I am, I recently came into possession of a pack of the beautiful Nefertiti skins in Bronze and I must say… I absolutely fell in love. Anyone that knows me at all knows exactly how picky I am about the skins I’ll wear. For instance, I really hate it when skins drastically change the look of my face. This does not mean I won’t WEAR pretty much any skin I come into possession of (what can I say, I’ve become a shape-for-skin tweaker), just that it’s a personal preference… I like my face. Ya dig? :P
I am happy to say that these do NOT change the look of my face. Barely at all, really. It makes me very happy. :D Yay for keeping mah purdy face!
Now, let’s get down to business.
The first thing I’ll comment on is the makeup. While I absolutely adore the colors of the lips, cheeks, eyes, etc… I have to admit that the halo-ed lip liner is a little off putting to me. It kind of reminds me of those older business women who, so entangled in their daily work lives, forget to freshen up their lipstick and are left with a line of lip liner around their lips. I always thought that was strange. However, the Nefertiti line seems to be the only one of the four available at Beauty Avatar that has this small, matter-of-preference pet peeve of mine. Another thing that’s quite strange about the face itself is the VERY over pronounced “line” from the top of the lip to the tip of the nose… I am completely unsure of what it’s called, but it is very dark in comparison to the rest of the skin and just looks very unnatural. And while some people I have read dislike the funky style of some of the eyeshadow, I must say I rather enjoy most of them! Being the artist and photographer I am, things like that are usually very good to have in a photo shoot… it adds character, if nothing else. Know what I mean, jelly bean?
The boobs are excellent, wonderfully shaded and highlighted, not too harsh, not too dark, a subtle hint of a tanlined on the rather beautifully textured flesh. The nipples are a darker tone than I’m usually used to seeing which I think actually works out great for these skins — it gives them a much more “exotic” look.
The ass is excellent… yes, yes, I know I have this strange fascination with all things buttocks-y. Hate me for it. But regardless, this is an awesome butt. Flawlessly shaded and squeezable, just the way I like it. A small, barely noticeable seam sits right above the waistline, which is something I notice with a lot of skins really… a rather tough spot to contend with, I know! However, with an ass like that… who’s gonna be looking?
I ADORE the naughty bits on this particular skin as well. It’s much… “smaller”?… than what I usually see. It sports a neatly trimmed puff of hair as well. Being the Brazilian girl that I am, I could live without the puff of pubic hair, but really, that could be just me… I’m strangely preferrable to the full-bare vaginal state. A little off topic… this is another reason why I am so in love with Starley Thereian’s skins. While her skins do have a small puff of pubic hair, she also offers a Brazilian option… in the form of an underwear layer, skin painted on, with no pubic hair!!! I love you, Starley. More skin designers should take that cue from you (*hint hint, nudge nudge*).
Another thing I am strangely attracted to about the lovely Nefertiti skin is the abdomen and navel. It’s just… beautiful. Soft yet defined and elegant. Gorgeous. I absolutely adore that… the little details. They always get me. *tears up a little*
The feet and toes are PERFECT. No, really! Just perfect. Save for the seams around the ankles, the toes are just heaven-sent and flawless in their composition. Absolutely adored in my book. With SL feet being so hard and ridiculous to work with anyway, I just love it when designers take the time to do their best and make their feet look as perfect as they can. Bonus. And while I did not get a picture of them, the knees on this particular skin are fantastic as well. Just take my word for it. ;)
The hands are great, beautiful detail. The nails are ready to be painted, which is exquisite because I love to shop for nail polish and prim nails. If you’re a nail polish girl, these skins are definitely the ones you’ll adore.
The ears… I must admit, not fantastic, but better than some I’ve seen. They definitely suffer from “pasted on” syndrome, and as with many skins it comes as no shock to me that ears are just… hard to work with when it comes to making them “blend in naturally”. And really… how many people look at your ears, anyway? :P I’m sure there are those who do… but I’m not one of them. At least, not unless I’m doing a skin review! Besides, my rats nest of a hairdo covers them 90% of the time anyway!
All in all, a fantastic skin and a really exciting jump start for a relatively new skin designer. I can’t wait to see what other skins Sita Loire comes out with… her more recent lines are just exquisitely beautiful, and are CLEARLY only getting better. If you haven’t had the chance yet, I really would suggest a trip to Beauty Avatar on Miami Island (SLURL, OnRez) where you’ll find the lovely line of skins, shapes, clothes and … well, beauty. Treat yourself a little bit on this lovely Sunday afternoon!
Hugo Designs & Some Fantabulous Hair
Just in time for Valentine’s Day…
First and foremost, I’d like to say – I am such a bitch. I can’t believe it took me this long to get this review up here, despite that it’s been sitting in my “for review” folder for over a month now. For that, I PROFOUNDLY apologize. I got so busy, and had a whole wedding to plan in like a week, and a class to put on, and a shop to organize, and and and… well, you get the idea. But all is not lost (I hope)! These dandy little numbers are just in time for that risque Valentine’s Day look I’m sure several ladies out there will be trying to achieve at one point or another this week — in the club, or in the bedroom!
With all of that said, I’d like to present you with the very fantastic designs from the mind of Erik Hugo, of Hugo Designs (SLURL). Click for larger photo:
This man has been incredibly patient with me, and frankly I wouldn’t deny him the chance to pimp slap me all over the grid, or cover me in peanut butter and set me out for the birds to peck at, for not getting this all up sooner. But better late than never, right? And besides, after taking another look at his shop, I have to say that I am ashamed for not bringing this to you sooner!
The thing that caught my eye most with these designs was not the skimpy and revealing nature of most of them (though that did play a part!), but rather Erik’s rather creative use of drop shadows and lighting on the clothing. I always love it when designers add little details like this… drop shadows, realistic highlights, the mark of any true artist in my book. As an artist first and foremost, I always feel confident when saying that God is in the details, and the designers that take the time to add the subtle ones the way Erik has are aces.
The fantastic outfits you’ll see pictured above are, from left to right, Tiana in White (which also has a GORGEOUS camisole included in the set that is not pictured), Lita in Black (the panties are not included, but are a piece of another set in Erik’s shop called Jane), The Classic in White (all pieces pictured in picture three and four above are included in the set), and Ava in Red. My favorite of the group so far has to be the Classic, but I have to say, despite that I haven’t had the chance to snatch it up yet, the latex this man has been rolling out with is rather impressive (click for larger photo):
I have one word: Yummy.
If you’re not completely convinced yet, I’d like to invite you all to drop by Hugo Designs (SLURL) and check it out for yourself. With prices ranging from $95L to $395L+ and the little details I hold so dear (drop shadows, *drool*), this place is definitely one for the landmark huddles. I do hope to see Erik get more into class lingerie as well… I can never get enough of that! *hint hint*
Now, while we’re on it… I’d also quickly like to share with you the FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC hairdo I’m wearing too (pictured right, click for larger photo). This is the Kaori hairdo from a little shop called H2L (SLURL) on one of the (many) fantastic Japanese sims. I tell you, those Japanese sims are a haven for the fashion trends awaiting to happen. I have no idea if this has been blogged yet or not (I know I’ve seen a few of the men’s hairstyles from H2L mentioned on SL Men), but if you have never been to this shop: you simply must drop by and grab this hair style. It’s a little pricey at $350L per color, but it is WELL worth it in my opinion. I didn’t really see any other styles there that tickled my fancy (and really there are only about 10 styles, half of which are men’s, in the whole shop), but who knows, YOU may!
And last, but certainly not least, all poses in the above photos (excluding the ad shots from Hugo Designs) are provided by DILEMMA (SLURL). Creator Roxana Demina is really on a roll with these new poses, titled the Glitz and Glam set. You are only seeing three in the above photo, but there are ten in this particular set, ALL of which are FANTASTICALLY chic modeling poses — with just the right touch of oomph and attitude.
Some fantastic shopping opportunities here, ladies! What’s better for an impromptu Valentine’s Day card for your honey than a shopping trip for some sexy little outfits, a new hairdo, and some seductive poses? And for you anti-Valentine’s Day girls and guys out there, go ahead and treat yourself anyway. All this fabulousness is not to be missed!
Second Mirage: The Grand Collection
The Second Mirage Grand Collection (SLURL) show took place on the evening of January 25th, and was one of the best shows I’ve seen thus far. Stunning models, beautifully fashioned pieces, and fantastic prim work are a few things that come to mind when remembering this exciting event. I had the honor of attending the press-only event (and I am such a loser for not blogging this sooner!).
I believe emcee Adrienne Arliss said it best at the beginning of the show, describing the collection as, “The Grand Collection is inspired by one of the most beautiful women of all time, Elizabeth Taylor, and the renowned jewels she loved to collect as much as hearts. Luxurious, decadent, and glamourous, the Grand Collection is a show-stopping showcase of indisputable brilliance! Precious stones set into glittering gold or platinum, the world’s most beautiful treasures are the must-have compliment for the world’s most beautiful women! The Grand Collection is quite simply the ultimate jewelry showcase for the ultimate woman.”
My favorite piece, by far, is the Luxuriant in Ruby (the last piece pictured below). A stunning piece of work by creator BritneyJ Crimson, this is an incredibly masterful necklace of delicate diamonds, gleaming silver, and sparkling rubies. Other available gemstones include diamond, emerald, and sapphire, ensuring that you will always have a choice for any outfit!
Another of my absolute favorites was a simple necklace of adorable daisies (pictured 2nd to last below) that evoked just enough spring-is-in-the-air feeling for the cold winter morning. Titled “Fresh” and perfect for any sun dress, this is a fashionably crafted piece of cheerful daisies crafted of platinum, diamonds and topaz that form a beautiful bouquet around the neck.
BritneyJ has truly outdone herself with this collection! Being one of the most beautiful and stunningly elegant collections I’ve seen in Second Life, and so intricately done, these pieces are a definite must-have for any serious jewelry connoisseur. With the sheer number of gemstones available, everyone is sure to find something to fit their tastes!
The Grand Collection pieces are priced between $75L and $800L and are available in several different gemstones: diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald being just a few! Hop on over to Second Mirage and feast your eyes on the beauty that is this exquisite collection of elegance: you most definitely will not be disappointed, and believe me when I say you will walk away with a smile on your face!
You may also visit Second Mirage’s blog for a “living showcase” of the Grand Collection!
Baiastice: For the Fashion Elite
These are the things that make me so glad to be a member of the Second Life fashion blogosphere.After reading about the excellent awareness post over at MichaMi (one of my absolute favorite blogs on the SL fashion feed, I might add), I was very pleased to discover the elegance of Baiastice (SLURL), a FANTASTICALLY chic, beautiful, detailed, runway-worthy fashion stop. While I’m not a big fan of the Seagull jacket that Milla posted, I decided that a shop being described as “as couture as pixels get” was simply worth the trip.
My. God. I can’t tell you how happy I am that I went.
Now, my wallet’s been taking a strain these days (planning a wedding, holiday bills to recover from, etc) but I picked out three outfits from this incredible collection and I simply can’t WAIT for the opportunity to go back for more. However, until then — let me share with you the fabulousness that is Baiastice in what little quantity I can. And I will just get out ahead of this right now: go. Seriously. Just go. You won’t regret it.
The first outfit I saw and nabbed for $850L was the Opera dress (pictured above). It is a beautiful, BEAUTIFUL (and did I say *BeAuTiFuL*???) long, flowing gown in an almost golden copper color. The detail on this dress is MAGNIFICENT, especially on the chest where patterns tend to blur and distort. The flexi skirt is the perfect length and it’s elegant train makes me feel like the Belle of the Ball, as I’m sure it will you. It’s straight out of an Italian fairy tale, and you’ll feel like a princess wearing it! I want to just skip right off to the Oscars, sip some Cristal, and brush elbows with the movie stars.
This next outfit, which I paired with onyx Liah boots from Vamp, Suite 17 Jet Dark Black sunglasses, and Lynne II hair from ETD, is the utterly gorgeous ensemble which I will lovingly refer to as “The Manhattanite” (though its actual name is Madama T — picture right). It’s a sexy yet sophisticated dress with matching long black gloves and a look that kills. Can you say, “Look out, Prada!”
And we’ll wrap up with the dress I hope to make my bridesmaid gowns if I can ever muck up the cash to do it between now and the wedding date (I’m getting married, by the way… did you know??? LOL!). The dress is called Histoire (pictured left)… an elegant golden camel dress, perfect for your next cocktail party or art gallery opening. Whether you’re dancing the night away or attending a very… planned… out… wedding… (woot!)… you’ll look stunning in this gown.
I am so happy that Milla pointed this place out, and so incredibly excited to see what other releases may come from this diamond in the rough. Baiastice (SLURL) is the name folks, and bring your checkbooks! You’ll need them!
Damn, I wish SL had layaway… *feels her inner trailer park showing* Meep!
ViciV Fashion: Dresses to DIE For
No! I’m not dead! I know, it’s been such a long time since I’ve blogged on anything, and I have SO MUCH to catch up on it’s not even funny. The last two weeks or so, I’ve dedicated pretty much all of my time to the art class I gave (and will be giving again TODAY at 9AM SLT!) at the Avatrait Gallery (SLURL), and I haven’t really given any thought to anything else. But fear not! I’m back and working on new releases for the jewelry store in time for Valentine’s Day (including a line of engagement rings… more news on that later!), have a TON of things to blog, and lots of group notices to send out!
A good friend of mine, Kimberly Mirabeau, introduced me to the store I’ll be sharing with you today (and provided me with the stunning pictures you will be seeing!) — ViciV Fashion (SLURL). In this lovely shop you’ll find several things to tempt your checkbook… from wedding dresses and veils to elegant evening gowns, this store is definitely one not to be missed. Being that I’m actually in the market to find a wedding dress (yes, I’m getting married… Ohmahgawd!), naturally these were the first things that Kim and I looked at. The veils are just GORGEOUS and the wedding dress are utterly fantastic. There are demos to try on of each dress, so it’s no “buy before you try” as with some shops, which is simply brilliant — I love it when vendors think this far ahead. Let me try these clothes on if you want me to dish out $1500 for a dress! But, with this store? You may not even have to try the dress on. Just buy it. Seriously. And for you freebie hunters, there is a LOVELY freebie dress (available in both short and long versions) available for your grabbing!
There is on particular dress that we both bought (I bought the long version, Kimberly the short version) that we absolutely fell in love with. A stunning, limited edition, butter yellow gown called “HarMonica”. There are only 35 remaining, and they sell for $1,500L, but let me tell you — WELL worth it. This dress sports a beautiful silver design pattern on the bodice, and a fantastic fabric texture that closely emulates sleek satin. It has to be one of my favorite dresses in my inventory… slippery smooth and elegant to boot! Highly recommended for your next formal retreat. But again… there’s only 35 left! So head over there and grab it while you can!
Among the other limited edition dresses is a beautiful long red satin gown, perfect for Valentine’s day or a romantic evening out with your honey. Aptly named “Valentine”, it is sure to turn heads … all eyes on you! And this… this is my favorite part. The exclusive collection also includes a dress modeled after Halle Berry’s Oscar Awards dress — an absolutely stunning combination of flowing skirt and sheer top with fantastic floral design. Another must have for you elegant dress (and Halle Berry) fans!
Prices in this shop range from $300L to $1500L+, and again — well worth it. The lovely shop owner, VictoriaV McMillan has outdone herself! I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this exquisite shop. Head on over there and take a peek! A girl can never have too many of these fabulous dresses.
Now… where are those veils… *breaks out the wallet*
PS: Photos displayed in this post are all provided by the lovely and talented Kimberly Mirabeau, photographer extraordinaire and my keen-eye-for-fashion shopping partner. If you’d like to see more of her work, she will be having what will surely be a knock out gallery opening at the Avatrait Gallery (SLURL) on February 2nd at 5PM SLT! Honestly… this will be an event not to be missed. Block a little time to join in in seeing one of SL’s best photographers, mingle with other SL artists, and party like a madman!
WOW! Steer Clear of The Quad!
As most of us already know by now, Last Call’s $100L sale launched today (11 Jan 08)!
This will be the last chance for any of us to obtain merchandise owned and created by Ginny Talamasca, Devyn Carmichael, and Katterina Dagostino… this means Last Call and Moderno fans need to get their butts on over there, pronto, before they lose their chance to own these fantastic designs… because they will be permanently retired once the sale ends. Again, the Dazzle sim will NOT be closing down… simply changing hands at the personal choice of the respective owner. You can read up on that information at the Last Call blog.
WITH THAT SAID…
Four sims. Three sales total. And a WHOLE LOT of shakin’ going on. I mean, you can literally hear your computer groan with disbelief at the sheer amount of people contained within the quad at this very second. And just to prove that I’m not kidding? Here is a snapshot of the quad, just moments ago…
It’s like Woodstock for the fashion lovers of Second Life. The mother ship is calling us all home, and we need our sustenance so much, that we’re actually waifing through the lag to get to it! AH, MOTHERLAND!
I can honestly say, I’ve been standing at this 50% off sale at Wintermoon on the Canimal sim for the last 20 minutes now (I’m not even going to TRY to get to the ETD sale)… and only HALF of the items have even rezzed enough for me to peek at. Oh, and as for TPing out? You’d better pack a lunch and plan to stay for the DAY. You won’t be going anywhere, unless you log out and reset your log in to your home location. It’s THAT crowded.
Despite all of this lag, hustle, bustle, and overall craziness… this sale has me so excited I could just die. Granted, I’m most certainly not excited that Ginny Talamasca has left the building… but seeing so many people jump at the opportunity to own his creations before the end of an era makes me smile.
Shop on, my friends. Shop on.
Lingerie and Animation Overriders
The lovely Cattrina Careless of Catt’s Creations (OnRez, SLURL) is not only an incredibly pleasant woman to speak with, but also very talented. I am happy to report that she is selling a rather lovely set of lingerie… in seven colors, with both boyshorts and a gstring thong (BONUS… I <3 the boyshorts!)… for $550L! That’s right. Five hundred fifty lindens. That’s pretty damn good for seven pairs of lingerie. Oh, and matching sheer black stockings too!
Now, for right now, this phat pack (you like that word play there? I keed, I keed!) is only being sold as a full set of all seven colors on OnRez until the 6th of January. So boys, this works out great for you… because you can buy it and have it delivered to your favorite girl with no trouble! Think of it as a belated Christmas present. And every girl loves lingerie! Isn’t OnRez grand?
After the 6th of January, the set will be available as both the fat pack and individual colors. And while we’re on the topic of colors, available ones are aqua, green, blue, red, pink, purple, and black). My personal favorite is the pink, and I kind of wish there was a white one too… because pink, white, and black are my favorites. But that’s just me… I’m a picky bish. And since I’m so frickin’ girlie… those are my staples. Ya know? A girl’s gotta have pink, white, and black!
For critical purposes (I know, I know, everybody’s a critic!) the only real thing I see on this lingerie that could use a little improvement is the cloth texture and shading. For example… under the breasts is an area that is commonly missed when it comes to shading detail. Without it, the fabric simply looks painted over the breasts, with no real depth to it. Remember designers… the shadows are as important as the light.
At $550L, you simply can’t beat this set. Ladies… well worth it if you’re a lingerie hound like me. Boys… your girlfriend/wife/mistress will love you. Check out Catt’s Creations on OnRez, or visit her main location in world! Go ahead. Be sexy… and click the image for a larger view!
I would also like to note that the poses used in these photos are actually created by the lovely and talented Roxana Demina of Dilemma (SLURL), an AO and poses shop. The poses displayed here consist of her as-yet unreleased line of AOs that will soon be available on the 1st of January! While the poses are meant to be used in animation overriders, they worked very nicely as model poses for this set. As an animation overrider however, they are some of the best I’ve seen, especially the sitting poses. Need a new AO??? Plan on creating one? Stop by her shop and have a peek! And don’t forget to come back after the 1st of January to see her new “Beachy” AO, my personal favorite!
Jonathan Hugo: Man of the Hour
It’s official. I love Jonathan Hugo and I want to have his babies.
For those of you who have no idea who I’m talking about, Jonathan Hugo is the mastermind designer behind new design label Fuse (SLURL). The things this man is capable of just amaze me. And what’s even better, he just bestowed upon me my absolute favorite thing in the world… WINTER CLOTHES!!!
His new Ana Button Down Coat comes in five different colors (Lead, Coco, Rose, Sage, and Lavender) and sells for $300L per color, or $800L for all five, an INCREDIBLE savings. These beauties are copy/mod and are absolutely STUNNING. Believe me, these pictures do not do them justice. Complete with sculptie collar and prim lower jacket layer, these are sure to keep you warm through the cold winter months! What are you waiting for? Get yer butt over there!
My thanks to Jonathan, you sweet, handsome boy, you. And I’ll be waiting for that TP to the Oak Tree. *wink wink*
WRONG’s Daily Free Gift Until X-Mas Eve!
I think this has to be one of the best PR ideas, like, EVER. Click here or the advertisement below to teleport on over to WRONG and start digging for pressies! NOTE: There are TWO trees in the store, and I believe only ONE will have an active present underneath it on any given day. Keep that in mind while diggin’!
By the way, this sale announcing thing, doesn’t bother anyone, does it? I just want to make sure I’m not scaring anyone off by trying to keep everyone up to date on the sales I hear about, ya know? :P
Coming Soon from Fuse!
The lovely Jonathan Hugo, owner and designer of Fuse (whose store I wrote a review on just yesterday!), sent me a wonderful surprise this morning as I logged in to check my IMs. Five FANTASTIC dresses — a sneak peak to his future female clothing releases and undoubtedly the beginning of a massive flood of, “More! We need MORE!” outcries from the female population. Mr. Hugo, I hope you’re prepared!
And girls,… you’re in for a treat.
The dresses, Audrey, were sent to me in the following colors: Aqua, Caffe (shown), Nero, Rouge (shown), and Verde, and are all simply WONDERFUL. The colors, especially the Rouge, are all exquisite and deep, and the detail on the skirt and boobs (why do I always look at the boobs? LOL) are fantastic. I simply cannot wait for a big release from this store.
I’m telling you girls, don’t lose track of this one! Pop over for a visit, landmark the place, and check back often!
