Top Men’s Skin Shops in Second Life

April 25, 2010 — barbarellanoel

Skin by Mazzo Design - Aldo darker with A&A Silvio hair

Don’t believe the self-administered hype that many skin shops make.  Just because they say they have the best skins doesn’t make it true!  Soooo many bad skins out there.  And, importantly, don’t buy based on the very gorgeous and highly photoshopped vendor pic.  Another thing to look out for is that often you will have a very well done face and…uh-oh!  What is up with that body!  Try before you buy whenever possible.  Many will have free demos or ones that cost L$1 but its well worth it if it prevents you from having L$800 to L$1500 worth of buyer’s remorse.   Hopefully this guide will cut down on your wild goose chase.  For your convenience (and sanity), here is a compilation of the skin shops that I think offer the best skins for men…a work in progress but hopefully a good start for you.  You will find the shops listed in no particular order.  Following their listing is their blog if they have one, where you can get a peek of their skins.  Also listed is the slurl to their shop.  Best of luck!  (Please send me LMs of any shops you recommend!)

TOP SKIN SHOPS FOR MEN:

Signature Skin Labs

Redgrave

Second Skin Labs

Belleza

Mazzo Design

  • This humble shop may very well be my favorite skins for the male body.  The amazing photorealistic details don’t look out of place in SL as many photorealistic skins do.  Faces are attractive too.  So, while creator Mac Ayers proclaims his skins to be the “Best Male Body Skins”, I find it hard to disagree with him.
  • http://slurl.com/secondlife/Seymour/77/42/104

Unique

Pulse

The ABYSS

Fallen Gods, Inc.

ISPACHI

PXL

Adam n Eve

Millage Valenti

CheerNo

The Body Politik

Sakurako

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Bamboo – China: Walk into a Chinese Ink Painting

April 20, 2010 — barbarellanoel

http://slurl.com/secondlife/China/150/205/1994

Walk into sublime elegance in Bamboo China.  Who knew that such a limited palette could create such beauty and peace?  I only wish there was some beautiful music to go with the amazing scenery, but just add your own to make this a wonderful experience.  Its quite fun to hang around and meet interesting people.  Hmmm, even as I type this I’ve begun to hear piano music.  Someone has rezzed and is flying…wait for it…a concert grand piano.  Perfect!

Its mainly a scenic sim but one you will definitely want to visit.  I rate this a MUST SEE destination!

While Bamboo is up in the sky, below is a deserted industrial warehouse area.  It’s sprawling and intriguing.  Now curiosity makes me wonder what this space is used for…role-play?  battles?

I open up the “about land” tab and look at the land description.  I read:

Bamboo, Ink, Rice Paper

a quite place for hanging out, afking and/or do random thoughts….

to be closer to youre\s self.


I quite like this description…and plan to do just that.

I see that Aston Leisen is the creator and owner of Bamboo.  I also see from his profile that he has a shop on another sim.  (Note to self, check out Aston’s shop asap.)

TIP 1:  Many scenic sims are built for others to enjoy at the creator’s expense.  They will often discretely display a tip jar to support the sim and to keep it going.  If you enjoy the sim and want to let the owner know you appreciate their contribution to the virtual community, do try to donate something.  Even small amounts help to keep the sim alive.  If there are no shops or rentals then the owner must cover the entire expense and we know it’s not cheap.  So, be kind and give what you can.

Tip 2:  If you find a creator that you admire, dig into their profile.  If you’re lucky then you may discover they have a shop of wonderful things…or at least some favorite picks that can lead you to wonderful things.  Ok, and some will just be lewd, crude, and…well, you know.  Builders…gotta love em!

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Mariposa – A Fabulous New Jewelry Shop

April 20, 2010 — barbarellanoel

I have decided to have a go at being a shop owner myself recently – making and selling shapes.  I’m really in a very entry level state and don’t think it deserves mentioning here yet but as soon as I feel I make the cut, I’ll tell you more.

However, while we were both setting up our shops, I made a new acquaintence who most definitely deserves a mention.  Her name is Felicity Winslet and her shop is Mariposa.  Her jewelry designs are NOT the typical new shop owner fare!  Felicity has some authentic designer skills and her first shop offerings are beyond magnificent.  You think I exaggerate?  Well, take a look!

I really really want you to SEE how wonderful the prim work is so I enlarged the Aubade pink/bronze necklace.

Mariposa - Aubade necklace in pink/bronze

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Malt/108/40/22

In my opinion, it is only a true artist that can recreate tactile sensations for their virtual objects.  Can’t you just feel the weight of the well polished stone?  The cool heft and smoothness of the bronze pieces?  The earthy texture and smell of the leather strip?  All magnificently balanced with a delicate setting of the stones making a gorgeous statement that works well with the prissiest of outfits down to the most casual jeans outfits.  I love when I can make items in my inventory work for me in multiple ways…these become my most treasured items.  And no doubt, Mariposa’s jewelry pieces have earned their own folder in my favorites section.  It is one of those rare shops that fills me with the “I must have it!” urge.  Dangerous…yes.  However, Felicity is not only one of the talented, she’s one of the generous.  Her prices are quite affordable and she offers equally fine quality free gifts in her shop.

Although I’ve only shown you one set, there are many others offered in sumptuous colors and wearable styles…and you should see them for yourself!  So, I don’t think you need me to tell you to GO there.  I suspect you already have your cursor over the slurl cocked and ready to click.  Well, don’t let me hold you here…MOVE ALONG!

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