Category: Marketplace

A crush with eyeliner..

A crush with eyeliner..

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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So far my virtual 2013 has been all about two things: tattoo-layer cosmetics and mesh legwarmers ( more on those another time!)

My look has really changed in recent months (for the better I hope) and I attribute this to a number of things, but I think the main influences upon my recent style have been the continued emergence of quality mesh clothing and the development of excellent  tattoo layer and mesh cosmetics.

We all know that uber- quality skins are not cheap. Nor should they be; they take a lot of hard work to create.  Of course, there is huge discrepancy on skin-pricing across the grid, and when you find your perfect skin  forking out for a fat-pack that includes all the make-ups can be an eye-watering prospect.  Fortunately, tattoo-layer cosmetics can help.

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Recently I’ve become somewhat obsessed with eyeliner. I don’t know why I like it so much. As a child I was a little bit besotted with Siouxsie Sioux and Toyah, so it’s probably a throwback to those days. Problem is you need to be expert at applying it in real life to pull it off, and I’m just useless at it.  My attempts at cat-eye/ winged liner in real life tend towards a spidery scrawl, and I can never get the darned flourishes  at the edge of the eyelid to match. Thank goodness the same doesn’t apply to Second Life!

For a relatively small outlay you can spice up your base skin and become the best looking avatar on the grid bar none.  It’s like having your very own virtual Girl’s World; it is so much fun trying out different combinations of skins and tattoo layers and eventually you could end up with a look that is totally unique to you.  Save your creations as outfits and you’ll have a legion of glorious looks to quickly change in and out of. (Plus in real life heavy eyeliner is a pisser to get right, and when it comes to taking it off you need industrial cleanser and a rainforest of tissue before you’ve even penetrated the ruddy stuff.  No mess Second Life wins again!)

The Cosmetics Fair 2013 finishes soon (April 30th) and it’s definitely worth a visit if you haven’t dropped by yet. It’s not a huge event by comparison to other recent occasions but it’s as equally rewarding and I’m confident you’ll spend more than a few happy hours lusting after the products on display. Ekilim Melodie, the event organiser, has brought together some of the very best cosmetic creators that the grid has to offer and you’ll find everything you could possibly need .

The event is sponsored by Action, BOOM, Glam Affair, *LpD*, PIDIDDLE and Pink Acid and features orgasmic creations from the sponsors and guests. Cam around the location and you’ll spy fabulous eye make-up, luscious lipsticks and glosses, natty nails and even some make-ups exclusively for the chaps.  From the avant-garde to the more mundane, it’s all available here.  There’s just so much to enjoy! Discover amazing patterns to adorn lips and lids, as well as practical devices such as a bum-cleavage  layer that hides your  builders bum crack, cheek definition and nose contour. It’s a must-visit.

You can demo a lot of items and I strongly suggest that you do just that before you buy.  Tattoo-layer cosmetics are cheaper than skins, but they can still be pricey items, so you must ensure you’re happy with your prospective purchases before you indulge.

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So what can you do with them I hear you cry? Well, for the picture above I wanted to wear a strong eye-make up to compliment the One Bad Pixel Cheongsam that I’m wearing. (Note: this is a complete fib because there isn’t a single bad pixel on this dress, it’s outstanding.)  At the moment I’m completely besotted with Izzie’s Asia skinline.   The skin I’m wearing in this shot is a medium tone from that range with dark brows.  Izzie  Button really is a talented wee minx, and is also incredibly obliging because she already includes excellent eyeliners, lipsticks and eyeshadows as part of her range, but I wanted something that would really stand out from the crowd. Thank goodness for the ability to layer then. I wore my regular skin, with Izzie’s own  green eye-shadow  and raspberry lipstick to which I then added my first purchase from the Cosmetic Fair, the Blacklace Beauty Exotica V.2 shadows and liners. These are an absolute bargain at L$99 for the package, which includes 11 sensational colourways. Once that layer was applied I was close to achieving the look I wanted, and finished by adding prim lashes and stunning Ikon eyes.

The finished look is a bit of a corker isn’t it?

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Here’s a second demonstration of how fabulous tattoo-layers can be. I’m still wearing the dress, but fancied a change of hair and make up. This time I’ve switched to the Izzie’s Rose lipstick, and I’ve complimented it with eye make-up from Shakeup! Cosmetics. This is the Danielle range, and you get 8 colours in the range for L$150. I like the sparkle on this, and how the water-line of the eye is coloured too.  Scrumptious don’t you think?

So what really got me excited at the show? Well if you’re looking for eye designs you’d be foolish to neglect Mons.  For me, Mons really leads the way when it comes to tattoo-layer make-up, because  they’re consistently brilliant and always look divine.   The alternative-styled  avatars out there will find extremely precise, gothic liners and brows at Nuuna, and if you’re looking for killer lips check out Pink Acid for the glossiest gob on the grid.  Every vendor is a winner and you’re sure to find yourself laden with goodies when you leave the sim.

Before I close this post I must mention Mons again, and insist that you check out the eyeliner I discovered from them at this month’s Zodiac event.  It’s called ‘Burning Eyeshadow’  and it is a total winner. I’m wearing it with a dress that I spied there too from Valentina E,  called ‘Le Matadora’ and  by heck it’s good. I knew I had to have it as soon as I laid eyes upon it! The name of the dress immediately identifies with Taurus, the subject of Zodiac this month, and it’s a beautiful mesh frock with a fabulous pattern and matching scarf.  This is a really elegant couture number that’s available in a selection of colours and is exclusive to the event. I detest bull-fighting but I’m completely in love with this!

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Kitty wears:

Shape: Kitty’s own.

Hair – First picture) Eep. (Second Picture) Magika

Skin – Izzie’s (Medium)

Make-up layers – As described in post (Cosmetics Fair 2013)

Clothing – Cheongsam from One Bad Pixel

‘Le Matadore’ dress from Valentina E (Zodiac)

Kitty LOVES the Floria Bedroom by Bazar

Kitty LOVES the Floria Bedroom by Bazar

by Lisa Millar ♥ 2 Comments

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A few months ago I wrote a review of the BAZAR ‘Arizona’ house. It’s proved to be a really popular entry on the blog of which I’m quite proud, not because I wrote it, but because I honestly believe the house and its components to be amongst of the best dwellings available on the grid.

The shine hasn’t faded since my initial review either. Each time I log in I’m taken aback by how much I adore my Arizona home. The design and texture elements of the house are stunning, but the furniture is just as important as the structure and plays a vital role in bringing the build to life. Fortunately, the creator  Ria Bazar-Mavendorf is just as talented a furniture designer as she is architect, so imagine how delighted I was to log-on and discover her latest bedroom release.

Ria’s Floria bedroom incorporates mesh and as a consequence of this manages to retain an ornate look without causing a detrimental land-impact. The name is inspired I’m sure by the romantic lines and the tones of the set.  There’s a hint of classical French boudoir styling to it, yet it remains contemporary enough to make it capable of working in both modern homes as well as some of the grander mansions you’ll discover in certain corners of the grid.

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The centerpiece is the stunning bed.  It’s utterly resplendent, featuring a large headboard and beautiful turned columns at each corner. It oozes style and has a traditional feel, but what I really adore is the fact that you can change both the colour of the bed as well as the bedding; meaning that you can mix and match your bedroom to suit every mood. How about black wood with red bedding for a sensual night with your loved one, or light wood and crisp, champagne coloured sheets for a Sunday morning lie-in? The options are endless and there are plenty to choose from. You’ll find dark and light wood, as well as solid black, blue, pink and white, and also contemporary striped stylings included. It’s really entertaining trying out all the different combinations that are available.

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The colour change facility applies to the matching bedside tables, vanity and dresser. I love that with a click of a button on a menu you can have an instant brand new look for your room, making Floria a substantial purchase that will provide you with months of wear.

Of course, this being a Bazar bedroom it features some fantastic menu options. If you thought the furniture styling was good, then you are going to be spoiled by the animation and prop options for the bed. You can hang out with friends, or be alone, or use some of the naughtier poses in the adult section of the menu. (Option only available when purchasing the Adult version of the bed)  I must say that the couples animations are exemplary on this bed. These kind of options are not something  that I tend to bother with (usually because I find them a bit cheesy, and also because Jez is never ruddy well in-world when I’m  feeling lonesome) but these are very nice because they offer more sensual poses than some currently widely used on the grid.

You can rez props too.  I’m not going to tell you about all of them, as I believe that this is something you should experience yourself and I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I do love that you can rez a breakfast tray and laptop among other props. The poses (when used in conjunction with the props) are all sensational.  Each one is well animated and genuinely adds a huge touch of realism to your Second Life.  You know, I can’t think of anything nicer than spending a day in world on this bed!  From breakfast in the morning, to snuggling down under the covers at night, everything is included.

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Move on to the coordinating furniture and you’ll find that this is just as well thought out as the bed. Take the vanity (dressing table) for example. An elegant compliment to the bed and side tables, but again blessed by thoughtful touches from Ria.  You can rez manicure items, moisturisers or a selection of make-up to decorate the table top. By sitting on the accompanying stool you can activate animations to match, meaning that you can paint your nails, apply lipstick and so on.  The option of rezzing items on a whim is a real blessing and again, adds a real touch of authenticity to the room.  It’s so much fun!

The final component is the dresser. Three virtual drawers of happy ready for adorning with some of the decorative items that come with this set, which include picture frames, books, candlesticks, an antique clock, a vase of flowers and tea-lights.

Items are copy so you can rez as many as you need, and I find that this set blends really well with items that I have from other quality content creators in-world.  The finishing touch are the wall sconces, and the matching lamp. You can of course turn these on and off, but for extra ambiance you can choose the colour of the lighting, perfect for enhancing your mood. Yet another touch of quality from Ria’s expert hand.

The Floria bedroom pieces enable you to create  a truly beautiful and relaxing environment.  I find it interesting that I love this style as much as I do because I’m usually attracted to more modern designs, but  Floria has such a broad appeal that I found it hard to resist. Kudos to Ria for creating a bedroom that spans the gap between classical and modern so perfectly.

 I’m pretty sure that you will love it just as much as I do.

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(Note: I’ve added some of my existing items to the above finished bedroom)

Bedroom is available in PG and Adult variations. PG costs L$605, Adult costs L$655.

Set includes: Bed (11LI) Night Table (1 LI) Vanity Table (3 LI) Vanity Chair (2 LI) Dresser (1 LI) Rug (2 LI) Bed Lamp (2 LI) Table Lamp (2 LI) Flower Vase (1 LI) Antique Clock (1 LI) Picture Frame (1 LI) Book Stack (1 LI) Book (1 LI) Candlestick (2LI) Parfume (1 LI)

Total LI (Land Impact) of set as is: 33. All items mentioned above are available separately in-world.

To see the set in Second Life, click HERE. 

Kitty likes to eep!

Kitty likes to eep!

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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“Eep, “ is a word that I use a lot.

An expression of surprise, excitement or just plain for the heck of it, eep fits the bill for most occasions when a “Yikes” “Jings” or “Weee!” just won’t do.

It is a most excellent word.

It is also the name of a hair brand that has caught my eye over the past few months, producing great hairstyles with wonderful hair textures at excellent prices, and my latest acquisition from them is by far my most favourite.

It’s a classic Mary Quant bob. I LOVE bobs. They’re so totally versatile, and I will never be sick of wearing them in-world. Each time a hair-maker releases a new bob on the grid I’m there, feeding my rampant bob habit. The last time it was Magika and the superb ‘Plenty’, but this time it’s eep and the (somewhat disappointing title by comparison) ‘eep hair 009’

It’s a beautiful bob.

It’s static, but that’s fine. The sharpness of the cut doesn’t require movement, and the shaping of the hair frames the face perfectly.

And that’s pretty much it.

There’s no overt fuss and frippery with eep, and I like that. There’s no pretension with the brand to speak of and that’s a strength too.  It doesn’t even have a  store as such.  

In fact, even though the hair is pretty simple, it will make you, well, “Eep” with excitement.

And that’s no bad thing in my book.

“EEP!” said Kitty. A lot.

Kitty wears eep  hair 009 in fire 3 from the ‘Reds’ pack.( Pack contains six colours for L$250, other colour packs are available and just as awesome) 

 

Witchy Wednesdays: Kitty Goes Gothic At Corvus

Witchy Wednesdays: Kitty Goes Gothic At Corvus

by Lisa Millar ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

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You may find it hard to believe, but I actually adore The Sisters Of Mercy, and growing up Siouxsie Sioux was a heroine of mine. I adored the Goth sub-culture; anything black and dramatic was seriously appealing to me. I never dressed especially gothically though, nor did I dye my hair black (until I was in my thirties, and immediately regretted it!) but I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for Bauhaus and Dead Can Dance.

In Second Life there are many stores where you can find Goth couture, and one of the best is Corvus.

Corvus sells excellent dresses, skirts, tops, jackets and all sorts of Gothic/Emo/Heavy Rock wear, each item lovingly adorned with massive dollops of awkwardness and dread.  Each item is lovingly created by  Lori Stanton before being placed out for sale at either her in-world store or via her Marketplace listing.

There are some great designs on show; dramatic imagery and statements adorn tees and frocks with equal disdain. The palette in store is predominately black, grey, red and occasionally white, but you’ll be hard pressed to find many other colours. There’s not a pastel in sight, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in my book..

Prices are pretty darn exceptional too, especially for mesh.  I don’t usually purchase many items featuring prints, preferring to wear plain, but some of these are too good to resist.  I was quickly drawn to the ‘Anger’ dress, pictured below,  which was an absolute bargain at L$50.

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The off-the-shoulder styling of the black mini-dress at L$80, seen below, makes it a great wardrobe staple.  It’s  a real statement piece, despite the bargain price tag, and proves that it’s easy to make a really classic, elegant look on a budget.

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There are some great freebies in store too. Seeing as it’s my lucky number I couldn’t resist the ‘13’ Dress which cost absolutely bugger all, yet looks brilliant in the graveyard shot at the top of this post. On the marketplace, I also found this freebie Witchy Tank, perfect for ‘Witchy Wednesday’.

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There are a variety of slogan tattoos available in-store, as well as more novel items such as bullet holes and neck scars. I really rate the make-ups too, including some interesting  variations of my favourite cat eyeliner , as well as some heavy facial shading and inscriptions.  There are skins available as well.  I didn’t demo these but they look pretty impressive; think pale and interesting, with dramatic, penciled brows and swoops of eyeliner making them the ultimate in Goth Chic.

This is the kind of store that Angelina Jolie would have felt very at home in circa her Oscar win, but you don’t have to be 100% Gothic to wear these designs. There are many items amongst the asymmetric and roll-neck dresses, crop sweaters and tees that work just as well on non-scene avatars. It’s definitely one of those stores that you have to experience for yourself.

But be warned, it’s certainly not a shop for the faint of heart. This store is totally Zodiac Mindwarp-ed onto a different level to the regular stores you’ll usually find featured on Kittywitchin’, but it’s really worth a visit.

Great mesh pieces, great prices and great Gothic design..what more could you ask for? (Well, seeing as you’re asking, some white foundation, a Brocade jacket and some bat-earrings wouldn’t go amiss…)