Xen's Pen
Fashionable ramblings from Xenobia Foxclaw's virtual pen.

It’s interesting to try out new skins and see how very different they are. Even different makeups on the same skin can give you very different looks. Sometimes I think we forget what a big difference the structure/shape/body underneath that skin makes to the overall look. Today I’m starting with one of my favorite makeups in my favorite skin line and,  to demonstrate the difference the body makes, I’ve kept that skin and the hairstyle constant from picture to picture. (Click on the pictures to see larger versions.) I discovered that sometimes I had to look closely to see the differences and sometimes the differences were obvious. I really liked many of the looks…others not so much. Of course, what I didn’t show were the differences in the rest of the bodies–and the differences were really noticeable.

It’s a good thing that we don’t all like the same appearance or everyone would look like clones walking around in SL. Well, we may start out looking much the same, but that changes pretty quickly for those of us who stay in SL for awhile. I even included below the Girl Next Door shape that I started out with to show how much of a difference just the skin makes. Many of these shapes were demos, some were freebies from hunts and other sources, some I paid for. I just barely scratched the surface of what is available in SL. The combinations of skin tones, makeups, and shapes allow for so much difference that, unless somebody is rude enough to clone you, it’s unlikely that you will run into yourself wandering around.

The lesson here is to shop around. Find a combination of skin tone, makeup and body shape you love. Take your time and try the demos. You’ll have to overlook those huge hands and/or feet the demo shapes have, but you’ll at least get an idea of height and body shape. I personally prefer a body shape I can modify. In fact, I made my own and, after much trial and error, I think I’ll keep that shape. I’ve grown rather fond of it and I can change the shape with the skirt. Ah, if only RL were that easy.

Style Sheet

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction v.2 (Copper/Princess) (800L)

Hair: Truth–Natalie (Dune) (Sale Price 200L/Fatpack)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Night Eyes (125L)

Alandra Shape: CUPCAKES (350L)

Amelia Shape: CUPCAKES (350L)

Darla Shape: CUPCAKES (350L)

Emilee Shape: CUPCAKES (350L)

Girl Next Door Shape: Adam n Eve–Check the Library Folder in Your Inventory

Hallie Shape: OuTRage! (375L)

Julia Shape: Designed by Farah Palmer (no longer available)

Megan Shape: CUPCAKES (350L)

NB_Model31_B Shape: IBIZARRE (250L)

Willing Shape: Maverick (900L)

Xenobia Shape: My own design (not for sale)

Yvonne Shape: MADesigns (1000L)

I’m not of course–an angel that is–but Amutey DeCuir’s new gown, Megan, makes me look as though I were one. It must be made of silk organza because it’s light and transparent with layers upon layers of skirt. The bodice may dip a bit lower than an angel’s ought, but the ends of the scarf in the back float like wings. It even appears to glow in the dark. I can barely wait until I go dancing in this gown. All I need is a halo and I just might be able to fool those around me–for a few minutes anyway.

Style Sheet

Gown: Bliss Couture–Megan (Pink) (580L)

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction v.2 (Copper/Sweet) (Limited Edition 250L)

Hair: Truth–Katherine (Barley) (Sale Price 200L/Fatpack)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Night Eyes (125L)

Eyelashes: Amacci Eyelashes–Lux (75L)

Shoes: Basevi Moda Shoes–ColorChange Stiletto (295L/2 Pack or 445L/Megapack)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

I’ve already done an entry comparing the CUPCAKES Seduction V.2 and the original version. In this entry I’m going to show you what the current choices are in V.2 makeups. Because I use the Copper skin tone, that’s the one I’ll be using for all of the examples. Each makeup comes with both freckled and unfreckled versions. The first and second examples (upper-left-hand corner) show makeups simply called Copper and Copper Freck. Those examples are minimal makeup. In RL it never ceases to amaze me how much difference makeup makes in a person’s appearance, and SL is no different. I love the be able to change the amount and style of makeup with the click on a button. I find myself disappointed sometimes that I can’t do such tasks with similar ease in RL. Click.

If you would like to see a larger version, click on the image.

Holiday and Sweet are limited editions that come in a package with every skin tone for only 250L. All others are 800L per skin or 3,000L per fatpack.

Style Sheet

Skins: CUPCAKES–Seduction V.2 (See above for prices)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Night Eyes (125L)

Hair: Truth–Katherine (Sale price 200L/fatpack)

I make no apologies for wearing a helmet and knee and elbow pads with skates in SL. I know I can’t be hurt in a fall, but I try to set an example for anyone who might be watching in real life. Having said that, please fasten the straps on your helmets in real life, otherwise it’s pointless to wear the helment. In real life, protect that noggin–it can literally be a matter of life and death.

Finding a helmet that fastened in SL proved to be a challenge, so I had to settle, but I’m not happy about it. On the other hand, I am elated with the Heels on Wheels designed by Enktan Gully of enkythings. A friend had gotten a pair last year when Enktan had them on sale for a time to help raise money for Wheelies. I had seen her in them and had scoured enkythings to no avail. Then a few weeks ago I saw them in a blog and knew I had to have a least one pair.

To fit the elegance and variety of the heels, I’ve selected different outfits to wear with the skates that come with their own built-in skating animation. I’m only showing you 5 of the 16 colors–I love these things!

Clubbing Anyone?

I know most of you wouldn’t wear a gorgeous cocktail dress of gold sequins to skate in, but isn’t it fun? What will they say when you gracefully skate into the next party or dance club wearing your Heels on Wheels?

Heels on Wheels: enkythings–Carved Sepia (250L)

Outfit: Simone–Sequined Club Dress (Gold) (275L)

Skating Ahead of the Pack

Does this look a little more like what you might expect–a sexy blond bomber on equally sexy silver skates? These shiny silver skates is where the line of skates began, and they’ll always be my favorites.

Heels on Wheels: enkythings–Original Silver (250L)

Outfit: Style Starts Here–Red Hot Vinyl Set (295L)

Olive and Copper Elegance

Cooler weather doesn’t mean I can’t skate. Just don one of the new suede jackets from Simone Stern and a pair of soft, sexy snakeskin pants and I’m ready for a skate in a brisk fall breeze.

Heels on Wheels: enkythings–Metal Olive (250L)

Jacket: Styles Starts Here–Suede Coat (Green) (285L)

Pants: Style Starts Here–Snakeskin Pants with Sculpted Legs (Copper) (160L)

Brown and Cream Sass

I’m not going to wear a long gown in this entry because you couldn’t see the skates, so I picked these sassy little pieces up–I love them together. Simone has been celebrating her 5th birthday in SL for two weeks and the buys have been amazing!

Heels on Wheels: enkythings–Wicker Brown (250L)

Blouse: Style Starts Here–Collared Halter (Beige) (125L)

Shorts: Style Starts Here–Cotton Shorts (Brown) (115L)

Furry Fun

I couldn’t resist wearing this jacket again. It screamed to be taken out of my inventory and on a short skate through the park. I could go on and on, but you get the idea–you don’t have to save high heels for dresses–especially when they are as cute as these Heels on Wheels.

Heels on Wheels: enkythings–Wood Red (250L)

Jacket: Style Starts Here–Fur Jacket (Sable) (300L)

Blouse: Style Starts Here–Glitter Trim Top (Champagne) (125L)

Pants: Style Starts Here–Canvas Jeans (Beige) (160L)

Up Close and Personal

One last shot to show you the great detail of these shoes–this one in Carved Sepia. Be the first one in your crowd to own a pair. Shoot at this price (250L), you can own several.

Last Thoughts

Yes, I know these pictures would have looked sexier without the helmet and knee and elbow protectors, but then I would have missed an opportunity to tell you just how important it is to wear protection in real life against accidents when engaged in sports. Even those real life sports you don’t even think of as sports–roller skating, ice skating, roller blading, skateboarding, bicycling, and riding a motorcycle. (All right maybe that last one’s not a sport, but it’s probably the most dangerous of all.) Please remember, for the want of helmets a lot of traumatic brain injuries have occurred and a lot of real lives have been lost. Don’t let yours be one of them.

Style Sheet for Other Items

Helmet: Kings Kustom Choppers – Bike Motorcycle & Helmets–Harley Half Helmet (It’s modifiable, so I changed the texture for each outfit.) (75L)

Knee and Elbow Pads: Roller Rama Roller Rink–Boxed Roller Rama T-Shirt, Knee Pads & Elbow Pads in 2 Colors (These are also modifiable, so I changed their textures to match the helmet.) (50L)

Hair: MADesigns–Alex (NBL) II (180L)

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction (Copper/Princess) (800L)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Night Eyes (125L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/Pose)

I have purchased many skins and have tried on dozens and dozens more, but when I tried on my first Seduction skin from CUPCAKES, I was hooked. And to think that it all started with a freebie skin from an Easter hunt. Not satisfied with that one makeup, I began buying them up one-by-one in the copper skin tone. I kept all of the demos in my inventory and would only delete one when I had purchased the standard version. I bought more and more and just couldn’t seem to get enough. When they decided to open their own region and put skins on sale, I went wild. I bought all four fatpacks in my favorite skin tone. I still wasn’t satisfied. Every time a special pack was put on sale, I bought those too. I found myself haunting the store looking for more makeups. I tried on the demos of the other lines, but none of them were “me.” I am Seduction.

Then she did it. She begin revising “my” skin. As soon as I received the group notice, of the first release, I couldn’t get over there fast enough. Princess–one of my favorite makeups was on sale for just 50L! I rushed home, stripped, and put on the new skin. Stripping might not seem so important to some, but I had never been satisfied with the backside–specifically the shading on the buttocks. I can show you much better than I can tell you. In the pictures below I’m wearing the Dark Love makeup with the new version on the left and the older version on the right.

First, the face. The differences here are very subtle. I think they are most noticeable in the eyebrows.

Second, a front view. The changes are more noticeable. The color is a bit different and the shading more subtle, more natural.

Third, a side view. The skin tone is much more even.

Finally, the view you’ve all been waiting for. Here is the most obvious change–no more white butt. YAY!

In case you’re wondering, yes, I have purchased the only fatpack that is currently out and all of the limited editions. I’ll keep buying them because, like I said, the CUPCAKES Seduction skin line in copper is me!

Style Sheet

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction v.2 (Copper/Dark Love), Seduction (Copper/Dark Love) (800L)

Lingerie: Style Starts Here–Mint Two Lingerie Set (300L)

Hair: booN–JUN762 (Blonde) (200L)

Eyes: InSight–Night Eyes (125L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

When I received this gorgeous new set of jewelry from Alienbear Design to review, I knew the Agnes Finney Grace gown I had just written about would be perfect to show this jewelry off. This first version shows the Azucena Crown, Azucena Necklace worn without the chains, the Azucena Earrings I, and the Azucena Bracelets all shown in the soft antique gold finish.

This second picture shows the Azucena Queen Crown, the Azucena Earrings II, and the Azucena Necklace worn with the chains. To be honest, I did a pretty good job with the pictures, but they don’t hold a candle to what the jewelry actually looks like in SL. Go get a close look at the Alienbear store. It’s under construction, but the newest items are in the foyer on stage.

Style Sheet

Crowns: Alienbear Design–Azucena Crown (450L), Azucena Queen Crown (1,199L)

Necklace: Alienbear Design–Azucena Necklace (comes in two pieces so you can wear it with or without the chains) (899L)

Earrings: Alienbear Design–Azucena Earrings I (180L), Azucena Earrings II (299L)

Bracelets: Alienbear Design–Azucena Bracelets (250L/set of 2)

Dress: My Precious–Gracie Supreme (Champagne) (800L)

Shoes: Basevi Moda Shoes–ColorChange Stiletto (295L/2 Pack or 445L/Megapack)

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction v.2 (Copper/Holiday Limited Edition) (250L)

Hair: Damselfly–Alyx (Black Pearl) (200L/4 pack)

Eyes: Insight Eyes–Night Eyes (125L)

Eyelashes: Amacci–Lux (75L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

Gracie is Agnes Finney’s newest release and it is already one of my favorites. It’s both classy and versatile. You can purchase the gown with the plain skirt and no bolero, the patterned skirt with the bolero, or the entire set. I chose the entire set since I am so crazy about options. The basic black gown begins with a contrasting empire bodice–I chose the champagne color, but there were red, blue, pink, purple, and silver white also available. There are two skirts you can wear over the system skirt–one plain and one with a lovely border pattern. Each skirt comes with and without a long train even though only one version is show below in each pattern.

Wear the dress alone or add a delightful lace bolero with that has a standup ruffled collar and sleeves or simple black opera-length gloves. It really doesn’t matter how you wear it, this gown will draw attention.

Style Sheet

Dress: My Precious–Gracie Supreme (Champagne) (800L)

Shoes: Basevi Moda Shoes–ColorChange Stiletto (295L/2 Pack or 445L/Megapack)

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction v.2 (Copper/Holiday Limited Edition) (250L)

Hair: Damselfly–Alyx (Sunrise/Blend) (200L/4 pack)

Eyes: Insight Eyes–Night Eyes (125L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

This is not one of Agnes Finney’s newer gowns, but from the moment I first saw it, I knew I had to have it. I just wonder what took me so long to finally get around to getting it–oh, yes, it’s because she keeps bringing out gorgeous new gowns to write about. I’ll write about more of her new ones soon, but for now, I want to write about this beautiful, classic mermaid gown.

Once again I had a terrible time settling on a color, but it’s because Agnes tends to work with rich jewel tones that I adore. From the choices of blue, pink, red, and purple, I selected this perfect deep pink that is so flattering to my skin tone. I love the way the color varies from the almost-black hemline up to the delicate white lace that completes the bodice both front and back. The darker swathe just above the waist makes a perfect cummerbund-like statement accented with the careful placement of flowers that have a jeweled appearance. There is no need of a necklace with this gown, just add earrings and shoes and you’re set for a night on the town.

Style Sheet

Gown: My Precious–Olivia (600L)

Shoes: Basevi Moda Shoes–ColorChange Stiletto (295L/2 Pack or 445L/Megapack)

Earrings: Alienbear Design–KrisCar II Earrings ()

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction V.2 (Copper/Princess) (800L)

Hair: Truth–Natalia (Dune) (sale price 25L)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Night Eyes (125L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/pose)

Simone Stern’s fifth birthday celebration continued on Thursday with purple–one of my all-time-favorite colors. This time I bought two short dresses and a marvelous set of lingerie.

Chloe Lace Cocktail Dress

Gemmed Scarf Dress Set

Butterfly Lingerie Multipack

Style Sheet

Dress One: Simone! Chloe Lace Cocktail Dress (Lavender) (Sale 150L; Regularly 325L)

Dress Two: Style Starts Here–Gemmed Scarf Dress Set (Sale 75L; Regularly 250L)

Lingerie: Style Starts Here–Butterfly Lingerie Multipack (Purple) (Sale 75L; Regularly 300L)

Shoes: Basevi Moda–ColorChange Stiletto (295L/2 Pack or 445L/Megapack)

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction (Copper/Girly) (800L)

Hair: Little Heaven–rabi (blond) (200L)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Night Eyes (125L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/Pose)

Simone’s fifth birthday celebration continued on Wednesday with green items on sale for a special price. I was looking for items that were different than the ones I had purchased Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday. I wanted to be sure to give you a feel for the wide variety of styles Simone carries. On the other hand, when I find something I like, I REALLY want to buy all of the colors–but I sacrificed myself for you. You’ll thank me later.

Style Sheet

Lingerie: Style Starts Here–Mint Two Negligee Set (Regularly 300L)

Left Blouse: Style Starts Here–Lace Corset Shell with Bra (Green) (Regularly 115L)

Middle Blouse: Style Starts Here–Satin Scarf Top (Sage) (Regularly 135L)

Right Blouse: Style Starts Here–Sheer Top with Scultpy Collar (Green) (Regularly 140L)

Pants: Style Starts Here–Sexy Leather Pants (Black) (Regularly 160L)

Skin: CUPCAKES–Seduction (Copper/Girly) (1000L)

Hair: Little Heaven–rabi (blond) (200L)

Eyes: InSight Eyes–Night Eyes (125L)

Poses: Striking Poses (50L/Pose)