Fashionably Dead

  • | | | | | |

    Exile’s New Textures & Hair Fair

    Bygogo Fashion, Friends, Hair, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    1 Comment
    Exile
    Exile

    Exile quietly released new textures! I tried on the latest Signe hairstyle and immediately noticed the redesigned HUD too. Obviously my favorites are the Blondes pack and the Fantasy pack. The Choice pack is great too if you’re indecisive and constantly bouncing between hair colors. I couldn’t decide between light pink or light blonde today, so I just wore both.

    I always let my hairstyle lead the way when it comes to building an outfit. This whole look started with this playful hair. I wanted a giant bow to finish it off, and the Vale Headband from C’est La Vie ended up being perfect. I’m also wearing colors I normally avoid. Does orange and teal actually work together? I think maybe it does.

    Exile

    My last post about using AI to judge my face caused quite a stir on Facebook. I think Second Life residents on Facebook can be especially rude compared to other social media sites. I don’t know if it’s the demographic, and I don’t necessarily mean age, but something about Facebook makes people react with hostility to absolutely everything.

    Moments like that make me appreciate the genuinely nice people I’ve met in Second Life over the years. One of those people is Kavar Cleanslate, the creator of Exile. A lot of you probably don’t know this, but Kavar has been my friend for a very long time and is honestly one of the nicest people ever. We actually live on the same region. Well… technically one day he told me I could rez my house there, and I just never left. It’s been decades now. LOL. I don’t think he knows how to ask me to leave, but honestly, would he even? He’s that nice.

    Exile

    And since this is a a hair-themed post, would you like to win early access to Hair Fair? You have six chances to win. Just follow Hair Fair on social media and like/comment with your SL username for a chance to get in early. I’ll be at Hair Fair before opening, so hopefully I’ll see some of you there!

    Read More “Exile’s New Textures & Hair Fair”
  • | | | | |

    New Face

    Bygogo Fashion, Hair, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    New Face

    I’ll admit that I meant to clean my inventory over the Christmas holiday, but I didn’t do anything. My inventory is still a mess. I’ve also been quietly boycotting the weekend sales for months leading up to the end of the year, because I just couldn’t handle the frustration anymore. I’d see an outfit I loved, only to realize it was an “old item” that the brand never updated for LaraX, even though this body has been out for over two years. On top of that, I get overwhelmed when weekend event galleries turn into endless scrolling through hundreds of items. For my own sanity, I decided to just skip all of it.

    That said, I did cave this past weekend when I spotted a skin at a weekend event for L$99 for the fatpack. Some temptations are just too hard to ignore. I’m wearing the Nika skin from Not Found. Normally, I don’t think much of Not Found skins, even though I’ve bought several over time. I usually pass them by because there’s often something that doesn’t work for me: too much shading, blurry shading, heavy pores, things like that. But when I tried on Nika, I saw real potential. I knew that if I layered enough tattoo fixes from Izzie’s, I could make it feel like mine. So here it is, with plenty of tattoo fixes doing their magic.

    New Face

    One thing I really wish skin creators would stop doing forever is baking eyelashes directly onto skins. If they absolutely must include them, they should at least provide a no-lash version, the way some brands already do. I do have a couple of eye layers that can fix it, but honestly, I’d rather just start with a clean skin.

    It’s only a few days into 2026, and I already know I want to continue ignoring weekend sales for the rest of the year. I don’t want to overwhelm myself with piles of old, cheap stuff anymore. What are your New Year’s resolutions for Second Life?

    New Face
    Read More “New Face”
  • | | | |

    A Cheap and Cute Mesh Head?

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    Akeruka

    I didn’t need or even want a new mesh head, but for L$99 I decided to give the Akeruka Milena head a try. I haven’t worn an AK head in a long time, so I honestly don’t remember what I thought of them before. Today I’ll share my honest reaction to this Milena head. First of all, it works really well right out of the box. Since it’s made for EvoX, I was able to wear the exact same skin and makeup that I already use with my LeLutka EvoX head. I didn’t have to press any buttons or change settings to get it to work, it just did, and that was a nice surprise.

    As with any new mesh head, I tried to tweak the shape to look like Gogo. The nose and lips were fairly easy to adjust, but the eyes gave me a hard time. I wasn’t happy with the profile or the chin either, which were the most challenging areas for me. I also noticed that no matter how I adjusted my shape, the closed-eye animation made my eyeballs poke through the eyelids. The eyes are rigged too tightly against the lids, so that’s definitely a problem if you like to use blinking or closed-eye animations.

    Even though this head is only L$99, I don’t think it’s inferior to Akeruka’s full-priced mesh heads. It seems to be the same product, with the same HUD and the same challenges. I really hope those issues get fixed, because overall it’s easy to use and looks great right away.

    If you just want a pretty face and don’t care about closing your eyes or using animations, this head might be perfect for you.

    Made a GIF so you can see the eye poking through my eyelid!
    Read More “A Cheap and Cute Mesh Head?”
  • | | | |

    70s

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    70s
    Photo taken @ my Victorian (Linden Home)

    I’m honestly kind of impressed that Second Life is actually making a move on the Old Linden Homes. There’s even an eviction date now: May 19. When I wrote about this two weeks ago, I figured it was still a ways off, but apparently it’s happening. Naturally, some residents will be upset by this “sudden” news, even though the signs have been there since Bellisseria launched. These homes have been marked for closure for a while now.

    That said, I think this is a smart move for Linden Homes overall. We need people to shift over to Bellisseria and take the available homes. I totally understand that losing your place is upsetting. Some people really don’t like change. I’ve even caught myself wondering how I’ll feel one day, maybe decades from now, when Second Life decides to shut down Bellisseria. Honestly, I’m already sensitive to changes and updates in the Linden Home regions. Sometimes I’m excited, especially when there are new models to play with. Other times, I dread it and worry it might be the thing that makes me leave.

    If you’re reading this and you’re still living in one of the Old Linden Homes, don’t panic. This is an upgrade. You’re getting twice the land impact and a more active neighborhood. Bellisseria isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s likely to be around for at least another ten years, so you’re not being pushed out overnight.

    Also, I can’t remember if I blogged about the Aperture Viewer yet, but I tried it last month and was genuinely impressed. You can take raw photos in Second Life that look like they’ve already been edited in Photoshop. I’ll probably stick with this viewer for a while because I love shiny new things. The sliders are super fun to experiment with, and it’s helping me look at my photos in a new way. I’m even playing with colors I usually avoid, like black and white.

    If you want help using Aperture Viewer, join the Discord server: https://discord.gg/XMyhRxK8ES

    Read More “70s”
  • | | |

    Kawaii Secrets, I love free gifts!

    Bygogo Fashion, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    1 Comment

    I recently visited Kawaii Secrets to try on an outfit, and to my delight, I stumbled upon a plethora of free gifts at the event. It turns out they are celebrating the event’s birthday! One of the aspects I especially appreciated was that each designer had attached a photo to every gift box, giving me a clear idea of what I was about to click on. I adhere to a personal rule: if I pick up a free gift, I must open it, try it on, and then decide if I want to keep it. Following this, I discovered a treasure trove of adorable items at this event!

    Kawaii Secrets
    Beauty Unleashed – Magical Blush & Stickers | Pixi – Little magic Stickers

    Isn’t there something uniquely satisfying about snagging free items compared to purchasing them? I adore a good gift. For instance, the face stickers from Beauty Unleashed and Pixi are simply adorable. I also picked up a couple of free tintable blushes that add a lovely touch to my look. The highlight for me, however, has to be the free hair bows from Usagi Society. These beauties are modifiable, allowing me to tint them into a beautiful light green pastel color. I probably wouldn’t have used the hair bows if they weren’t tintable since the original colors provided by the HUD were kind of bold and I prefer softer colors. Now, I can’t wait to wear these hair bows all the time—they’re super cute and something I would have gladly purchased.

    Kawaii Secrets

    Speaking of cute freebies, Mewsery is giving away the Omfy Bear with a fantastic customizable HUD at the event, and it’s absolutely adorable. I also fell in love with a rainbow purse from Believe that I received as a gift.

    While I typically don’t cover freebies—leaving that job to the excellent FabFree blog—I can definitely understand the thrill of discovering a great freebie that you simply have to share with the world.

    Read More “Kawaii Secrets, I love free gifts!”
  • | | | |

    Joyful Gardens

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    Joyful Gardens

    Hello from Joyful Gardens! The talented and sweet Hedy Heartsong cultivates this delightful garden. On the ground level, you wouldn’t guess that the entire region is meticulously terraformed into the shape of a tree with a bird soaring above and a squirrel nestled in the corner. Creative terraforming breathes life into virtual spaces, making exploration so much fun!

    As I wandered through the enchanting paths of Joyful Gardens, I stumbled upon a cozy little party area brimming with charm. The couples’ dance poses and the tantalizing array of pastries were an irresistible invitation. Mmm… care to dance with me under the digital stars?

    Joyful Gardens

    Now, let’s dive into the world of Fashionably Dead. This brand has been a staple in the virtual fashion scene for quite some time. Admittedly, I had overlooked it in the past, favoring brands with hyper-realistic textures over those with a more hand-drawn aesthetic. However, Fashionably Dead has evolved, with their textures now boasting a more realistic and polished look.

    Back in March, my friend sent me the most adorable outfit from Fashionably Dead. Piece by piece, she kept adding to my collection until I couldn’t ignore the brand any longer. I realized it was high time to add Fashionably Dead to my shopping repertoire. One of my recent favorites is the Mermaid Cami dress and the matching Mermaid Purse from Fashionably Dead, which I picked up at Fameshed. The ensembles come in both PBR and non-PBR versions. I’m currently wearing the PBR version, which features a subtle, lovely sheen on the fabric. Simply enchanting!

    Read More “Joyful Gardens”
  • | | | |

    Independence Day

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
    2 Comments
    Independence Day

    Hello from the 4th of July Block Party! This delightful mainland parcel may be small, but it packs a punch with its many photogenic spots. When it comes to Summer holidays, gingham print always springs to mind, reminiscent of a classic picnic blanket.

    To celebrate the Fourth of July, I’m rocking this Spring Tied Halter top from Fashionably Dead. To complete the ensemble, I’ve added the Blair Headband (4th of July print) from Sparkle Skye. Both of these items are part of the weekend sale at their main store, so grab them while you can!

    Independence Day

    Since transitioning to using a PBR viewer full-time, I’ve been tweaking the colors of my skin and body. I previously wore a body skin from Not Found but have since switched back to The Skinnery. The Luna body skin from The Skinnery is stunning, offering a myriad of options. I’ve reviewed it before, and was thrilled when they released the fabulous Body Bundle—it addresses several of my personal preferences, prompting me to give the body another go. Now, if only skin designers could offer face skins with neck options or none at all, it would make blending with our body skin choices so much easier.

    Body Skin
    Read More “Independence Day”
  • | | | |

    Weekend Vibes

    Bygogo Events, Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Uncategorized
    0 Comments
    Weekend Vibes

    Step into a charming little world within Second Life, where every accessory whispers a story of cuteness. The Anthology event is back, offering a collection of delightful items for you to discover. I’m holding the enchanting Explorer Cat Backpack by Aardvark, featuring an animated kitten that brings the backpack to life. Customize it with the included HUD that lets you pick different cats and accessories, and color the backpack to your liking.

    Also awaiting you is the Ducklin’ Toseds cup from Comatosed, inspired by a popular real-world brand, complete with little fish that swim around inside. You can change the cup’s color and the type of fish swimming in it, all thanks to a customizable HUD.

    Discover NeutralTones, a brand new to me, with their Special Friend Tshirt. It looks deceptively simple, but the detail is spot-on, from the realistic folds to the HUD that allows you to choose between two cute friends and a variety of shirt colors.

    Weekend Vibes
    Read More “Weekend Vibes”
  • | | | | | | |

    I <3 SL Skins – Elle's Noob Days continue….

    ByElle Couerblanc Bento, Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Mesh, Second Life, Skins, Uncategorized
    0 Comments

    Through-a-Screen-Door
    Just an Irrelevant Pretty Picture

    My return to Second Life has been, overall, uncomplicated. I logged in, got addicted to Linden Homes, and of course, I shopped. I have to say that I am a bit disappointed in the fashion choices in Second Life: So-Many-Outfits-Look-Exactly-The-Same. I spent many an hour visiting the latest events attempting to find that perfect new outfit. Alas, 75% of the time, my event shopping resulted in disappointment. I don’t know if it’s the demos the designers decide to use or if the efforts are just – bad. The pattern continues – I teleport to the current “Event Du Jour,” and an advert catches my eye. With the flick of my mouse, I would click that demo prim faster than you could say “Lindens.” Then, excitedly I would port home to one of my, err, seven Linden Homes and gleefully try the demo, and more often than not, the demo unveiling would reveal a horrible plastic-looking shirt with no depth or a skirt that was just..sad. But…not the Skin featured in the plethora of events: Oh My…Not the Skin.

    Read More “I <3 SL Skins – Elle's Noob Days continue….”
  • |

    Windows Ate My Pictures!

    ByElle Couerblanc iheartslFeed, Second Life
    0 Comments

    night out

     

    Okay so…the other day I managed to take a whole batch of photos including the one you see here with Elle in her New Years Eve outfit she had been styling for weeks!  Well not exactly weeks, and maybe actually, just a couple of hours – but that’s beside the point, LOL.   But as luck would have it (or more than likely an ID10T error on Elle’s typist’s part) windows ate them all!  Elle was traumatized and so beside herself, she just couldn’t push herself to try to take the photo again.  Oddly enough, one was still in my recently viewed cached items, although, the file itself was gone!  So what’s a disappointed and lazy fashion blogger to do?  Use Snipit and take a photo of a photo woot!

    Anyway, I had tons of fun with this photo – from styling Elle to building the little set.  There are so many wonderful little knickknacks in SL now that I think building sets might be a thing for me going forward.  Details on the items used in this photo along with Elle’s outfit can be found below. For now…I am out peeps – so in the meantime, take care my friends and have a great Second Life!

    Hair: *barberyumyum*85(LC)
    CATWA HEAD Catya
    Maitreya Mesh Body – Lara V3.5
    Glam Affair – Sarah Applier ( Catwa ) Asia – LIMIT8

    (fd) Fashionably Dead Special Day Dress – Teal LARA @ Collabor88
    fri.day – Sugar.Platforms (Coal) @ Collabor88

    Set Items
    Soy. Vanity Set
    tarte. holiday twig vase @ Collabor88
    Apple Fall Annan Reclaimed Frame
    {vespertine}– my quirky corner / bird trinket box

    House – L2 Studio Shoreline MINI