Skin Users; Your Buying Preference?

As a someone who's been dabbling in the Skin business for the last year or more, trends, practices, and what people want are all factors I have to consider as a content provider.

I've learned quite a bit about SL businesses, and how shoppers shape the markets. Since customers are the key to running a SL business, I hope you skin buyers will take the time to give me your opinion on the following;

How do you prefer to buy your skins?

MODEL 1
The most famous skin-selling model seems to be offering a skin(or small set of skins) with different facial features. Meaning that if you would like a different facial look, you most likely will have to buy a whole new skin with that look already applied to it.
Pros:
Easy to handle the skins after purchase. Wear and go.
Less confusion about what has been bought.
Easy to understand what you're buying.

Cons:
One is essentially repurchasing the skin.
Overall, more L$ may be spent if the customer is looking for a lot of different looks.
More space may be required in shop for displays.

MODEL2
The model I have used for the past year+ has been to offer a basic skin set and then offer raw head textures, separately, for a customer to apply TO their skin(at a much lower price than the skin set, of course). This extra step was to allow a customer more choice without repurchasing a skin. (Note, that these skins can be copied as many times as needed)
Pros:
Less L$ spent, overall, if one wants a lot of different looks.
More control over the skins in the basic set.
Can use less shop space for displays.

Cons:
More control may intimidate a buyer, especially if readme's are involved.
Customer may be confused by how to go about working with applying raw textures.
Possibly more confusing when buying skins.


There are a couple other methods that are used, but generally the easiest way to sell skins is to offer them one by one or in a set, with no need for anyone to fiddle with raw textures. What I am trying to figure out is should I adhere to the possibly more confusing method of selling skins that I currently work with, or offer something simpler and easier to understand?

It's a debate I've had with myself for a very long time. However, at this point, when so many people are familiar with my practices, I'm hesitant about changing the way I do things because of a fear that may not be such a big deal afterall. I want my products to be easy to use, though, but I don't want to alienate anyone in the process.

So.. which do you prefer?

Defn a 'model one' that comes in a small set with different lipstick etc. for each one. One click and you can change between looks. I find that easier.

Model 2 for me. I love my skin as a base, but I want to change makeups. I also have a set of tanned, tan lined, and fair skin bases that all have the same "features" but different makeups. It's all about options with the same look of my skin.

What my designer did provide, was full skins so that I could pop them on and off through my inventory. As you said, copyable bases with different heads/makeups. I don't want to go into appearance everytime to change makeups.

The skin designer applied my back tattoo as well as my frontal tattoo on all of my skins. It's more uniform that way and keeps my known features whether I'm tanned, tan lined, or fair skinned.

Model 2. As you say it's cheaper since you only need one body skin and then have a selection of facial skins.

Why not provide both ways? The easy but slightly more expensive option of complete 'apply and go' skins, and the more complicated option with separate makeup etc textures, for more savvy players who want to save a few L$

Granted it's more work, but then you are fairly sure both sorts of customers can get it their way ^^;;

Model 2 is probably best but it sounds scary. How do I.... is the first thing that comes to mind. Model 1 is a simple switch out, easy and fast. Im sure #2 is also, but I havent learned how one would do it.

Next to your displays for #2 styles, include a large How To billboard perhaps.

What I really want though and cannot find, is a skin that looks like it came off of a romance novel cover, for the guys. Muscles and tanned and sleek and gorgeous. The really really good romance covers. Most skins I see in SL for guys have not alot of tone difference, not that much defination of the body really. Break them down for a quickie in a bush and its just not that much of a turn on.

The method milady mentioned is the same one the maker of my skin does (maybe the same person?) and I think that it works pretty well. Odds are you are selling them no transfer anyway, what's the harm in giving them a few copies of the same one with different makeups?

Not sure if this model is mentioned or not. But I like it because it's so simple.

The same skin, with 4 or 5 different makeups. So you have:

tan skin-red lips
tan skin-frost lips
tan skin-pink lips
tan skin - glossy lips

This way you don't have to deal with head tattoos, you're just switching from skin to skin, which I think may be easier for new players. When i first bought a skin, I was totally confused.

Before I understood how to use the different skin components, I only wanted a "wear and go" skin or set of skins. I typically paid $4000L for a set of different makeups on one skin tone model.

What I want now is a nice base skin, chosen from a range of tan colors, and the option to purchase additional makeups ad infinitum as the designer releases them. Making them mod/no trans would allow this.

The only problem now is that I've gotten used to my Munch skin and I hate to take it off

After a month inworld, I was intimidated by purchasing a skin for the first time.

I had NO CLUE how it all worked and what the ins and outs were, let alone, what made sense!

A dear friend gave me several of her un-used skins to try on, and I went shopping for demos over the last week or so.

This week-end, I tried on like 30 demos to see what might look good on me.

What I found was that it was very hard to figure out what was different between different "models" or tones of skin. I think a few words from the designer, identifing the features of the skin and maybe it's place in the range of skins offered by the designer, would be a great help to people.

My goal was (and still is) to buy something like #2, where I have a basic skin with the features I want (good definition of ears, BB, nips and such) and have access to different makeup looks when I want something different. I don't mind some structure here, because the choices CAN be overwelming!

What did I buy last night? A very nice skin, one "face" out of like 30 for $1000. Will I buy another from the series? I don't know. I'd prefer the plan 2 option, but I need to find it and understand how it works first!

That being said, one thing I realized is that if you plan to wear anything that bares your tummy, make sure you don't jave a big seam right where it shows. In other words, look at the whole skin, head to toe, not just the face!!!

~Jenni~

I had no idea this was an option. Soon as I get in-world again I'm going to look you up, because I have a "merman" based on Steve Gallacci's dolphin people with a full body "orca" skin but a generic linden head that looks awful... and there's no way to copy a texture from a skin I prefer.

I vote for keeping this one!It's not saving a few lindens with me, it's the only way to get the effect I want.

Why do I need to buy more Skins? I have a very nice one from Nomine with several makeup options. I think she makes the best skins

Really? Why do I need to have more skins that will not wear?

*rolls sleeves up*

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeellll... I have over 3000 skins, and although I don't really mind either way, I will admit that I like having a base skin and being able to buy extra textures to had to the head, for one of two reasons:

1. I run a lot of programs while running SL and if I open one up on top of SL while i'm rezzing I often bug my skin, if its a mod skin, its fine, if not its bloody buggered (as far as I know) and it's a right royal pain in the arse trying to explain this so it doesn't sound like i'm dumb to creators lol. So I quite enjoy having the textures packed away in a box incase something goes wrong with the skin.

2. Money. Its cost effective and cheaper for consumers to buy extra texutres at $L200 a time than it is to buy extra skins.

But honestly, like I said either way is fine for me, even with "model 2" I still make up all the skins then box my textures away, so its not like it saves asshat space or anything. Model 2 is a bit confusing for new players though, that I will admit.

Just gimme more skins! However they come

Never heard of "model" 2 and I am not a newbie.

Why does having things you never use make you happy? Ah I am not being critical of you just want an understanding. I am content myself with one cool skin and a couple of makeup features. Wish I could get a few mods but my skin maker is too busy for me. I will just have to do with "as is". It is not an issue. But back to the subject please "humor" me. As far as I can tell all of the really good skins are about the same. What are the real differences?

"model 2" is the way the OP described, if you haven't been to stores that sell it that way, then you wouldn't know what it was... like most newbies. If you can apply textures to skins, or clothing parts, you can understand Model 2. Or so one would think.

How do you know I don't use them, all of the skins I own i've worn, if only once or twice, but yes, I have my favorites and those that look better on me than others. I model, so having different skins for me is something that helps me achieve the different looks I need, we all have our "weaknesses" skins and hair are mine, I play SL to have fun, achieving different looks and playing around in photoshop with pics of myself in those looks is something that passes the time.

All skins are different (unless they have been ripped), from the facial shading, to the body shading, to the makeups and so on and so forth.

You might be happy with just one and a few makeups, I however wouldn't be

I think this model 1. The same for me 'cept different facial hair options i.e goatee, unshaven etc. instead of make-up. Not as versatile as model 2, but very simplistic, one click and its changed.

Thank you for the briefing on Mod 2! Oh, have the things I like to collect myself. So I understand We just have different tastes I suppose though you might have just got me to buy a alt skin

/me wants to go shopping in Willow's inventory

I prefer #2 also because I buy a lot of skins for different makeup looks, even up to eight or sixteen of the same skin shade, just because I want the different makeup looks. My avatar changes daily, often two or three times a day, so I want a lot of variety. I'm a skin-crazy freak though, so I just buy whatever is offered if I like it, and buy two if it's a skin that can get "bugged" like Willow said (my favorite jeans are stuck on one of my skins and won't come off )

I think as a newb I just bought one skin and used it for ages before I was aware there were other skins and what a complete change they were in terms of what mood I wanted to convey. Skins needs a whole notecard or two at the Welcome Area. I think there are even classes on it (which is an idea for designers--offer short skin tutorials/trainings at your shops for newbies, with a discount or something, to build your customer base and alleviate the confusion)

I personally dont care which model is used as long as I can wheedle another custom skin from u in the future Sez! U know I love it!

Arti

Either works for me, frankly. Right now, I'm wearing a "model #1" type, where I bought the skin with the makeup applied and there were two skins, one with the eye makeup evident and one without.

I'd like to thank you all for your feedback on this matter.

It seems like we're running at a bit of a tie on these two skin-selling methods. Hehe. I'm not sure what decisions I'll make based on this information, but I am happy to see some may favor the second method.

Thanks again.

I prefer the way they do it at Second Skin, you buy your base skin and the can customize it with literally milllions of combinations of lipstick, eyebrows, eyeshadow, beauty marks, freckles, blush, etc.

When I first started a year ago (has it been that long already?) I shopped for literally a week to get my av the way I wanted it and visited a whole lot of skin places. I settled upon SS becuse of the ability to do the makeup the way I wanted it, and have different variations of it of my choosing. Since then I have bought some packaged skins, and have been generally pleased with them, but when they come in packs of say 4 or 5 I tend to like 2 maybe 3 of the makeup choices.

Having to order your custom makeup was a serious challenge as a newbie, making folders and sending them to the creator with vouchers and the such was quite confusing, but with a little help I managed. It definatly was not easy and at a couple points I was ready to say f**k it and just go buy one of the packaged ones.

I recently wanted a new set of skins and after looking around I eneded back up back at SS, they now have downloadable .psd files where you can play with layering your makeup selections, great fun! I now have a set of 4 custom SS GX skins, with makeup of my choosing, for about the same and maybe even less than what a package of four preselected one would cost, and this way I like them all, becuase I chose them.

My thoughts and experience anyway...

I have shopped for skins - but all seem to require me to change my face

I would want a skin with a customizable face so I can keep the me of me I created long ago.

I ended up making my own skin so I could keep my own face.

I bought my alt a whole skin - but now when I look at her - she just is not who she was either . She is lovely but not the one I created.

This surprises me, because my face seems to stay pretty much the same... Ok , the lips may be different and the eyebrows are different, but my facial structure stays the same. the makeup does have a lot to do with it, but I *think* it's still me...

Am I not seeing something that everyone else sees? Yikes!

I know what you are talking about, sometimes you put on a skin and everyone ends up looking the same, I have had many people tell me that my skins allow them to still be unique... I am not sure that is the same case for everyone that has purchased my skins, but I hope so