Best avatar skins in SL?
|
Constance Sunnyside
Yours in SL
Join date: 23 Oct 2006
Posts: 43
|
12-08-2006 07:49
All these suggestions will be keeping me busy this weekend also. I have Gala skin already and it is very nice. But wasn't sure if I had the best possible. I am glad to see Gala was mentioned here in more than one post!
Thanks to all!!!!! Yours in SL, Constance
|
Aislin Keynes
Registered User
Join date: 27 Apr 2006
Posts: 67
|
Try a Demo before you buy
12-08-2006 08:13
I have several Gala skins that I really like and she was more than fair with a purchase mix up a couple months ago. I have one other that I have been wearing recently but can't quite remember where I got it and can't get in world at the moment.
Whatever you do, try a demo before you buy. I have seen skins that look great but just don't look right on me.
|
Arikinui Adria
Elucidated Deviant
Join date: 18 Aug 2006
Posts: 592
|
12-08-2006 08:29
From: bilbo99 Emu Thanks again Carolyn! Something else I can do at work whilst out-of-world  Now, after a little browse, a question: Are all of these 'photographic' skins non-mod? Are there no tintable versions? I would like to be fairly pale, just not like paper a la Ruth ... well .. Fred then  I believe Nyte & Day's skins are modifiable (tintable?)...but my memory is unreliable before noon. Not sure if they have male skins...not something I've ever searched for  ~Ari
|
Namssor Daguerre
Imitates life
Join date: 18 Feb 2004
Posts: 1,423
|
12-08-2006 08:52
From: Joannah Cramer out of real photos based skins out there, the popular ones seem to be these from Naughty Designs, and Chip Midnight's skins... there's also Mavis McGettigan's works. And there's also Second Skin Lab which to my understanding uses 3d renders rather than RL images as the source, but the quality is high to the point where it can pass as photoreal with most people ^^;; Just so there are no misunderstandings, the skins I have available now for male and female avatars are about 80% hand rendered (not 3D rendered) with minimal photosourcing. They are tintable. From: Jesseaitui Petionalso ...i saw a post in the gallery forum of someone working on a skin...the only thing i disliked on the skin, which would keep me from purchasing it, was the pectorals and light nipple color. here is the thread.. /53/6c/149391/1.html Note to self: Optional nipple tones. The skin described above is male and likely not available till late Jan, 2007. It is 90% photosourced with some hand rendering.
|
Etain Peregrine
Registered User
Join date: 1 Dec 2003
Posts: 166
|
12-08-2006 09:07
I have to go with Gala skins overall too. The quality and beauty just can't be beat in my mind. The Naughty Designs skins come in a very VERY close second though.
Lately I have been wearing one of the redhead skins from celestial city. I am embarrased but I can't remember the name of the shop, the one on the other side from Canimal. I love the detail of the freckles.
_____________________
*DARK*EDEN* punk * urban * goth * harajuku * fetish * pagan clothing and accessories Olive 163.232.41
|
Ilianexsi Sojourner
Chick with Horns
Join date: 11 Jul 2004
Posts: 1,707
|
12-08-2006 09:23
From: Etain Peregrine Lately I have been wearing one of the redhead skins from celestial city. I am embarrased but I can't remember the name of the shop, the one on the other side from Canimal. I love the detail of the freckles.
That'd be Starley Thereian's shop, Celestial Studios. She does beautiful work, I just bought the four pack of her new winter skins. 
_____________________
Everything's impossible,'till it ain't. --Ben Hawkins, Carnivale
Help build a Utopian Playland-- www.doctorsteel.com. Music, robots, fun times!
|
Lizbeth Marlowe
The ORIGINAL "Demo Girl"
Join date: 7 May 2005
Posts: 544
|
Best Skins in SL
12-08-2006 09:23
I find I Like most of the skins found in SL, there are very few that don't "work" for me. The biggest problem I see with skins is the nostrils...they are either TOOOO black or they don't fit my nose right...like they blend into my upper lip? it's just odd. Some of my favorites are, Not necessarily in order: Second Skin Labs (the customization can't be beat) Adam n Eve (sachi is one of the most talented Hand drawn skin creators in all of SL) ::by Max:: (holy cow! these are beautiful! and the Men's skin is just WOW!) Cryogenic Labs (photosourced and LOTS of options) Tete A Pied (Professional Makeup artist and very talented) Hybrid and Hybrid 2 (Santana Lumiere has won awards for her skins - make up very dramatic!) Sin Skins (pretty, reminds me of PixelDolls skins upgraded with the brow color feature - a nice skin with pretty makeups) Nominee (Makeups are well done...but that darned collar bone...) I do like Gala, NaughtyDesigns and Starley's skins, but I see them everywhere so I wear them rarely. I like to dare to be different. Many creators of skins don't pay enough attention to the seams and it can look very bad. Places to really look at when trying a skin: 1.) The part of the neck just below the chin connecting to the chest. It's a tough one to render I think, 'cause so many look like leather. 2.) All the connecting seams some are very obvious and others are non-existent with plenty in-between. 3.) Eyebrows. Make sure they fit YOUR avatar. Some skins have brows that are too long for some shapes and others have brows that are too short for other shapes. So pay attention to them and remember that you can adjust them by going into appearance and choosing Hair/Eyebrows. 4.) Take off your hair and check for seams in the back of the skull and neck. (I'm just being picky here) 5.) The mouth, some lips stay IN the lines of the template and some go way to far outside of it, depending on your shape this can work or be really ugly. 6.) FEET!!! Linden feet are ugly to begin with, but if you want to wear sandals with confidence, check the feet! 7.) Most off all, decide which features are important to you...and what you "live with". And last of all, DON'T try on a skin for a second or two, and then buy it! NO NO NO!!! Buy some demos of the skins you think you might like. Walk around in them for a day or so...look at them alot...in different lighting...different wigs...really get a feel for if you REALLY Like them. Skins are an investment and you'll get a lot of duds if you don't take your time selecting the ones you really like. Enjoy the search, it's part of the fun of Second Life!
_____________________
Vote to add a button to verify Deleting Items! Prop 903 I've updated my BLOG!
|
Etain Peregrine
Registered User
Join date: 1 Dec 2003
Posts: 166
|
12-08-2006 09:35
From: Ilianexsi Sojourner That'd be Starley Thereian's shop, Celestial Studios. Yes! Gads why couldn't I remember the name! Early onset of senility or something... I'll have to check out the winter skins, I'm kind of skin shopping lately.
_____________________
*DARK*EDEN* punk * urban * goth * harajuku * fetish * pagan clothing and accessories Olive 163.232.41
|
Raindrop Drinkwater
Globally Creative
Join date: 28 Jun 2006
Posts: 240
|
12-08-2006 09:46
From: Etain Peregrine Lately I have been wearing one of the redhead skins from celestial city. I am embarrased but I can't remember the name of the shop, the one on the other side from Canimal. I love the detail of the freckles. That would be Starley's Celestial Studios. I own one of her Passport skins (Paris), which I love for its softness. Her "Charmed" series don't appeal to me as much, but that's just because of the eyebrows that I find too sharp -- so, that's just me. Robin Sojourner's skins are excellent as well. They are very detailed (the hands, in particular, are very well done). I own one of her "Cocoa" skins, it looks stunning ! I also really like her redhead skins, the freckles are too cute. There are many talented skin designers around. Try the demos, and remember you'll probably need to tweak your scalp (for the eyebrows) and your mouth, and maybe even your body, to get the most of the skins.
|
Jax Huskerdu
Registered User
Join date: 28 Jun 2006
Posts: 250
|
12-08-2006 09:50
I tend to agree. The hottest in SL are on Naughty Island from Lost!
|
Io Zeno
Registered User
Join date: 1 Jun 2006
Posts: 940
|
12-08-2006 10:48
Skins are really very personal, when it comes to what you think looks great. If you want a skin to basically work with the shape you have without a lot of changes, that can eliminate otherwise really nice skins because they just don't work with your face. And we all have peculiar obsessions about things, whether it is the nips or the butt or whatever. I've been disappointed to have to say no to otherwise lovely skins because I just couldn't accept anything other than a perfect butt or because the shading under the breasts was too heavy (bad shading is my pet peeve). Just demo everything, even skins that don't at first look like what you are looking for, they might work.
|
Conifer Dada
Hiya m'dooks!
Join date: 6 Oct 2006
Posts: 3,716
|
12-10-2006 03:52
My skin is CS Passport Malibu. I think it was free and is fairly detailed. I took a lot of trouble getting my body and facial features in shape first - and I think I look OK - not a lot of point in going much further in SL as lag or awkward pose effects detract anyway! I would like to have slightly darker eyebrows but, other than that, I'm satisfied! No doubt there are more detailed skins in available, but until I can wander round in a world with Gran Turismo style graphics and shadows, I'll make do!
|
Daisy Rimbaud
Registered User
Join date: 12 Oct 2006
Posts: 764
|
12-10-2006 07:45
From: Conifer Dada My skin is CS Passport Malibu. I think it was free and is fairly detailed. I took a lot of trouble getting my body and facial features in shape first - and I think I look OK - not a lot of point in going much further in SL as lag or awkward pose effects detract anyway!
That one is good for a freebie, but IIRC it has some bad joins in places, particularly the upper thighs (which admittedly won't show if you are decently dressed  ).
|
MeiLin Miranda
China Maven
Join date: 10 Feb 2006
Posts: 84
|
12-10-2006 14:25
I only wear one skin. It's a custom one by Tete a Pied. I can't say enough about how much I love their work. They got my eyebrows and my freckles exactly right, just the way I wanted them, and gave me the cutest butt dimples!  It's probably the one thing in my inventory that I couldn't do without.
|
bilbo99 Emu
Garrett's No.1 fan
Join date: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 3,468
|
12-10-2006 18:50
We-ell, Bilbo's got a Naughty skin LOL Search is still snafu so could someone post here co-ords for Celestial Studios and Tete a Pied please?
|
Ilianexsi Sojourner
Chick with Horns
Join date: 11 Jul 2004
Posts: 1,707
|
12-10-2006 19:35
Celestial Studios is in a sim called Celestial City... the main walkway (where the landing area is) leads to Celestial Studios in one direction, and to Canimal's shop in the other.
_____________________
Everything's impossible,'till it ain't. --Ben Hawkins, Carnivale
Help build a Utopian Playland-- www.doctorsteel.com. Music, robots, fun times!
|
Gillian Waldman
Buttercup
Join date: 1 Oct 2006
Posts: 697
|
12-10-2006 20:24
I got myself a custom TaP skin this weekend too  The whole look is amazing - much better than I had before and they did custom freckles that are perfect 
|
bilbo99 Emu
Garrett's No.1 fan
Join date: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 3,468
|
12-11-2006 00:35
From: Gillian Waldman I got myself a custom TaP skin this weekend too  The whole look is amazing - much better than I had before and they did custom freckles that are perfect  Thanks Ilianexsi ... and Gillian? .. I wanna see those freckles 
|
Gillian Waldman
Buttercup
Join date: 1 Oct 2006
Posts: 697
|
12-11-2006 05:52
Bilbo I looked you up this morning to see if you were on...but will have to try again later  Take care, Freckles
|
Caranda Schreiner
Registered User
Join date: 11 Jun 2006
Posts: 98
|
12-12-2006 15:42
My avie is a pale redhead with lots of freckles and I spent ages looking for a good skin.
These days I alternate between wearing the palest Pixeldeep Lustre Redhead with the strong freckles pack and the palest Yummy Skin with custom freckles that Robin did for me.
|
bilbo99 Emu
Garrett's No.1 fan
Join date: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 3,468
|
12-13-2006 02:01
From: Caranda Schreiner My avie is a pale redhead with lots of freckles and I spent ages looking for a good skin.
These days I alternate between wearing the palest Pixeldeep Lustre Redhead with the strong freckles pack and the palest Yummy Skin with custom freckles that Robin did for me. Thanks for that Caranda  My alt's bought loads of demos to try out. Curiously, she likes pale redhead too. Found TaP eye brows just a shade too strong for her. Lots of choice and lovely brows at Adam & Eve; Pandora, Aphrodite and a two-letter name starting with S I've forgotten lol
|
Samantha Goldflake
Registered User
Join date: 13 Nov 2006
Posts: 178
|
12-13-2006 05:41
I've been following this thread since I wanted to get myself a new skin and I tried many demos inworld. Found stuff I did like, but yet undecided.
Then I heard about the "half off sale" at SinKins, so I bought one of the skins made by Portia Sin. I like the skin a lot, and it worked out of the box on my shape (lucky me!). I picked a tanned skin with a "CatEye" makeup that I LOVE!
At 625 L$ it's a good deal!
_____________________
Samantha Goldflake
|
Anna Gulaev
Registered User
Join date: 25 Oct 2006
Posts: 154
|
12-13-2006 07:07
I've purchased about 100 demo skins this week, and several non-demo skins, and I haven't found anything I love. I think I'm going to have to learn how to make skins.
In order of concern:
Brows: I want them long enough for SL eyes, closer-spaced, well-defined, not blurry, and dense, but not bushy, and in the right stinking color. Why don't CS brows come in brown? Love the TaP skins but the brows are sparse.
Eyes: Almost all have too much makeup, particularly eyeliner. Designers, take a look at the TaP skins with the least makeup. The inside edge of the eye holes are matched to the makeup, and not black. I *like* this. It'd work well with other brownish and reddish makeup schemes, too. The SL skin is too thick. Don't make it worse by making it black! And go easy on the rest of the eye makeup, too.
Lips: confined to the lip area, please. If I want them bigger there are slider controls for that. Make the reflection subtle.
Collar Bone: I'm not a pixie, so a well-defined collar bone and neck line look silly.
Butt: Enough with the shading. On my avatar the shading is on the butt, not under it. I can't wear a bathing suit with most skins, and if I did that often most skins would be unusable.
Breasts: I'm not picky since mine are usually covered, but no extreme shading, please.
|
bilbo99 Emu
Garrett's No.1 fan
Join date: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 3,468
|
12-13-2006 07:26
From: Anna Gulaev Why don't CS brows come in brown? ...
Breasts: I'm not picky since mine are usually covered, but no extreme shading, please. Passport comes in brown or black brows. Breast shading I didn't think was too dramatic. And not in-world so can't test; lips can be reduced by standard sliders or is that not what you meant Anna?
|
Anya Ristow
Vengeance Studio
Join date: 21 Sep 2006
Posts: 1,243
|
12-13-2006 07:30
From: bilbo99 Emu lips can be reduced by standard sliders or is that not what you meant Anna? Trouble is, some skins have lipstick outside the lip area, so even if you reduce the lips with the sliders it still looks like you applied your lipstick on the bus.
|