Soda Skins: The Pinup

Even though I’m not a creator, I still appreciate when brands actively support their products. One thing I’ve always respected is when a brand keeps its Dev Kit updated and makes it easy for creators to access. That’s good for creators, and ultimately it’s good for residents too. So when Reborn recently released an updated Dev Kit, I was impressed.

Last week, I said I’d probably stick with Maitreya LaraX until something better came along. After thinking about it a bit more, I started looking at all the body options we currently have in Second Life. Maitreya is still the dominant brand, but it feels like they’re relying heavily on that reputation these days. Creators constantly talk about how difficult it is to get access to the Dev Kit. I can’t personally verify that, but it’s a complaint I hear often.

As a wearer, my frustrations are different. Updates feel few and far between. Are we ever getting PBR support on LaraX? What happened to the push-up boobs they teased back in February 2025? Maitreya, where are you? The body is still solid, but it feels like the rest of the market is moving faster.

If I want push-up boobs and PBR right now, Reborn already delivers both.

This weekend I decided to upgrade my Reborn body and give it another chance. The first time I tried it, I couldn’t really make it work for my personal style. It felt like too much body for me. This time around, I spent more time tweaking it and trying to make it feel less “all booty” and more wearable. After doing that, I have to admit that Reborn is probably one of the strongest body options in Second Life right now if your priorities are active development, frequent updates, and broad creator support.

That doesn’t mean I don’t still have complaints.

I still think the wrists are too slim, which creates that “spaghetti arms” effect I’ve mentioned before. The butt is still too large. The upper thighs are still too large. I’d also love shorter almond-shaped nails as an option. But overall, there’s a lot to like here. If Reborn ever released an update that allowed for a noticeably slimmer body profile, I think they’d lock in their position and win over a lot more residents. Some Maitreya loyalists might even make the jump. Residents like me.

One thing that surprised me this weekend was how deep I went down the rabbit hole of body deformers. Even with my butt slider at zero, I still felt like the shape was too curvy for my taste. Clothing creators are obviously designing around the popular Reborn silhouette, which means many outfits continue to emphasize that bubble butt shape. For residents who prefer a slimmer look, it can feel a little exaggerated.

After trying several options, I ended up going with the eBODY Reborn Deformers from Pretty Liars. At L$299 for the pack, I thought it was a fair price, and the difference was immediately noticeable. I liked them so much that I bought the LaraX version too.

Now that I’ve customized Reborn more to my liking, I can honestly see myself switching someday if I decide to move on from LaraX. What surprised me most was how easy the transition would be. For these photos, I didn’t have to buy a single new outfit because almost every brand I already shop from includes Reborn sizing. That’s probably Reborn’s biggest advantage right now. If you decide to switch, you’re not starting over or abandoning your entire wardrobe.

That doesn’t mean I’m giving up LaraX. I still like it, and I could absolutely see myself wearing it for years. But it’s nice knowing there are legitimate alternatives out there. Competition is good. Options are good.

And if those options happen to include PBR materials and the occasional push-up boob feature, I’m not complaining.

Read More “Could Reborn Be My Next Body?”