Mesh Head

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    A Cheap and Cute Mesh Head?

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
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    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!
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    Jeju

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
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    Jeju

    I don’t typically wear denim on denim outfits, but this Ammy Set from Art&Ko looks absolutely stunning! I’m dressed head to toe in denim, even my shoes. You can find this outfit at the latest round of Anthology.

    To complete the look, I’m pairing this outfit with a pair of Mini Wings from 2AM. Full disclosure: I won these in a giveaway on Flickr, but I would have purchased them regardless. They are part of the Happy Weekend sale, so you can still grab them at a discounted price. I truly adore how tiny these wings are, and they come with charming realistic animations. Plus, their small size makes them versatile enough to wear anywhere!

    I also took a trip to Jeju Island, inspired by a real-life island in South Korea. It’s a beautiful region, perfect for photographers seeking stunning landscapes.

    Jeju
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    2k Glam Affair Skins

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Skins, Uncategorized
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    2k Glam Affair Skin
    Glam Affair Siu Skin (as-is)

    Glam Affair has announced the new Ethereal Essence collection, a collaboration of face skins and body skins with Not Found. This release includes new 2k face skins and body skins. First impressions: the Glam Affair skins are breathtaking. The Not Found body skins are only available for Legacy and Reborn, so Maitreya LaraX wearers like myself will have to wait a while longer to try these.

    In my previous post about 2k BoM skins, I truly noticed a difference between 1k and 2k when comparing the same skin. Even the tattoo cosmetics that are 1k benefited from baking with a 2k skin. However, that skin was not designed for 2k, but these skins are, resulting in a noticeable difference in quality.

    Of the four new face skins released by Glam Affair, I liked the Siu face best. It’s very pretty, showcasing just enough realistic pores and shine. I am not wearing the brows with this skin, but here it is as-is, without any additional tattoo layers on top. Those who appreciate high-definition and close-up details will undoubtedly love 2k skins! Yes, you can see the pores more, but to me, there’s a balance where it can be done well if the brand doesn’t increase sharpness too much. I am excited about the future of Second Life skins!

    It’s interesting to note that Glam Affair has removed Velour tones from their skin line up. Now the skins will come with 20 new Glam Affair tones, so you’ll have to demo all of them to find your new perfect shade. I settled on tone 005, and I found that it’s a good match with some Velour body skins and some The Skinnery body skins.

    Will these popular bodies update their tones to support Glam’s new tones? I hope so!

    2k Glam Affair Skin

    Previously, I also mentioned that I thought skin brands should provide free updates to 2k, but I no longer feel that way. I think that 2k skins are so high definition that the previous methods of shading and texturing may no longer be the best way to showcase it. It is time to look ahead and move forward. I know I will only purchase 2k skins from now on. Does this render my entire skin collection obsolete? Probably! While the difference may not be drastic, it is certainly noticeable, and as you all know, I appreciate details.

    What do you think about the new 2k Glam skins? Are you excited about the next chapter of Second Life? We will begin to see higher quality decor and clothing as well.

    2k Glam Affair Skin
    Glam Affair Siu Skin w/ a few of Izzie’s tattoo face fixes added
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    Sparkle

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
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    Sparkle

    It’s still January, so I can say “new year, new face!” I haven’t switched to a new mesh head, as I still adore Lelutka’s Billie Mesh head. However, I have decided to break away from the skin I’ve been wearing since November (which isn’t a long time) and try another brand. This is the Zoe skin from Avarosa. I think I will wear this skin for a while; it’s very cute with some tattoo enhancements.

    Sparkle
    Left: Avarosa Skin | Right: with extra face highlight tattoos added

    I added plenty of extra face highlights to the skin from Izzie’s and Glam Affair. Glam Affair includes face gloss and face shine layers with some of their skins, which I add when I want some additional highlights.

    I demo skins every single week, always open to changing my face if I find something I like better. It frustrates me that most skin brands do not offer a browless version for demo. Dear skin designers, I do not like thick brows. Sometimes I can imagine the skin without the default brows, other times I simply move on without purchasing.

    If you want to wear this Avarosa skin and get a good match with Velour body skins, just disregard the skin tone name and judge the tone with your eyes. I am wearing the Velour body skin in Valley tone, while this head skin is in Snow tone. I also wore the Velour neck fix and tinted it to match.

    Sparkle

    Still feeling the sparkly new year vibes, I decided to don this Holiday Gown from Werx. I rarely find full PBR clothing appealing, but I thought the texture on this dress was exceptionally well done. It shimmers just the way I like it, and the colors are as expected. I’m ready to party in this dress, although it’s not the type of attire I can wear with underwear; we’ll pretend it’s still classy.

    Sparkle
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    LAQ 99% Sale

    Bygogo Fashion, Hair, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Skins, Uncategorized
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    LAQ 99% Sale

    During certain holidays in Second Life, you can acquire a mesh head for as little as L$10 or even for free! When I discovered that LAQ is offering a Black Friday Sale on the Era2 mesh heads, I teleported over to check it out. The Era2 EvoX head is available for L$10, while the full version is 75% off, priced at L$1,150. It had been a while since I last blogged about the Era2 mesh heads, so I took the time to become reacquainted with all of their features.

    Let me begin by saying that I hold a great deal of admiration for Mallory Cowen as a creator. She has her own distinct style and has been creating in Second Life for a long time. LAQ has cultivated a loyal following. For many years, LAQ was my go-to destination for realistic, youthful face skins. Despite my feelings for Mallory and the brand, my reviews will always remain honest.

    LAQ 99% Sale

    Now, let’s discuss the Era2 EvoX head. I was eager to try it on, especially since I could wear the new Paige (EvoX) skin from Glam Affair. I also noted that the teeth are now adjustable, which is fantastic! I have always wished to reposition the teeth to avoid them protruding when I adjust my face shape for smaller lips. Upon trying it on, I immediately observed that this EvoX head does not come with a HUD. It’s not a mistake; it simply does not include a HUD. Therefore, you cannot change the lashes, adjust the teeth, correct the skin texture appearing on the ears (which is a notable flaw), or utilize any of the animations included with the full HUD. If you own the full Era2 mesh head, you already have this HUD, including the EvoX head version. However, for residents who are experiencing LAQ for the first time, here’s a pro tip: Get the demo of the full Era2 mesh head, and you can utilize the HUD on the EvoX head. Thus, this L$10 sale is an excellent opportunity for those dipping their toes into LAQ for the first time and needing a functional head. In my opinion, it is a mistake not to include the full HUD. Even free heads offered by other brands come with complementary HUDs.

    As always, even though the head is EvoX and the skin is EvoX, the fit differs from that of a LeLutka EvoX head. This variation is true across all mesh head brands; the EvoX version is always… interesting. Sometimes it works well, and sometimes it does not. In this case, I found that it works reasonably well, aside from some texture stretching on the shadow of the lower lips.

    If you’re starting your Black Friday shopping early, be sure to check out the FabFree Black Friday Listing. Most brands are offering discounts of 50% or greater, which presents an amazing shopping opportunity.

    LAQ 99% Sale
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    Junbug 15th anniversary sale

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
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    Junbug Sale

    I said I wouldn’t buy regular Maitreya clothing anymore, but the Junbug sale is too good to pass up. To celebrate their 15th anniversary, everything in store is L$15, or L$14 for group members. I noticed that many items included the Maitreya body, so I made an exception and went on a shopping spree. I didn’t own any of these gowns before, so it was a win. I walked out with dozens of items, including some fancy formal gowns and a few more historical ones. These designs will be retired after the sale, and the sale can end at any moment, so you should definitely check it out!

    I encountered a minor issue at the store; something I purchased didn’t deliver. It seems the vendors might have been set up incorrectly. For some reason, the Agnetha gown in Ivory refuses to deliver to me.

    Junbug Sale
    Junbug Sale
    Junbug Sale
    Junbug Sale
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    LAQ Elvae Supreme UHD Skin

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Skins, Uncategorized
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    LAQ - Elvae

    Back in February, I blogged about the new LAQ Era2 Mesh Head and highlighted some of its exciting new features. One standout was the Supreme UHD skin, boasting a higher resolution that truly impressed. Recently, while browsing through Flickr, I stumbled upon a breathtaking ad from LAQ showcasing their new Elvae skin. The shine and texture of the skin looked absolutely amazing—I simply had to try it!

    One thing I love about PBR (Physically Based Rendering) is the enhanced shine on skins in specific lighting conditions. It adds a level of realism that’s hard to beat. I’m hoping more skin designers will explore PBR and update their processes to offer us a wealth of lighting add-ons.

    After tweaking my shape to match the Elvae skin and the LAQ Era2 Elle mesh head, I was blown away by the realism. It could easily be mistaken for one of those popular mesh people rezzed around Second Life or maybe even resemble characters from the upcoming inZOI game.

    Are you on the hunt for more realistic, high-definition skins now that PBR is here? I’d love to hear from you! If you’ve discovered any must-try skins, drop a comment and let me know!

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    Snow Rabbit (W01X) Mesh Head

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Skins, Uncategorized
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    Snow Rabbit (W01X) Mesh Head

    It’s no secret that I love mesh heads and skins. If you look at my blogging history, you’ll see that I’m always eager to try on a new face, and I get really excited with each advance in mesh head technology and features. Skin Fair 2024 just opened, and although I’ve said it in jest that it’s like Christmas for me, this is overwhelmingly true. Everything is brand new. I can’t wait to try it all!

    Back in 2013, everyone fell in love with the Snow Rabbit (S@R) Nea mesh head. I remember being thrilled by the facial animations, particularly the incredibly realistic crying and animated tears.

    Now, more than a decade later, Snow Rabbit continues to release adorable mesh heads, and their latest, the W01X, truly caught my eye. It’s available at Skin Fair for 30% off – and it’s compatible with LeLutka’s EvoX skins. The compatibility with EvoX piqued my interest, as I have a collection of EvoX skins and makeups that I’m eager to use.

    Every time I acquire a new mesh head, I evaluate it on how easily I can shape the head to look attractive. Do all the sliders work as expected? How smooth are the animations? Does the HUD offer robust customization options? The Snow Rabbit W01X mesh head meets all these criteria for me and delivers a solid option that I believe many will adore.

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    LAQ Era2 Mesh Head

    Bygogo Fashion, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Skins, Uncategorized
    2 Comments
    LAQ - Era2 Mesh Head
    LAQ Era2 Mesh Head – Elle 1 (SupremeUHD)

    Remember when LAQ was known as Laqroki? Almost everyone in Second Life had a signature LAQ complexion at some point—realistic skins with sweet faces and flawless features. To this day, I hold Mallory Cowen’s skin textures in high regard; they are the epitome of perfection. Her craftsmanship in creating enchantingly soft features set the standard for realistic and supple skins in Second Life.

    The market for mesh heads within Second Life is undeniably competitive now. Numerous brands are launching their exclusive high-definition UV templates, with some even partnering with LeLutka to create EvoX-compatible options. LAQ’s latest innovation is the Era2 mesh head (Elle), boasting their sophisticated SupremeUHD head that comes bundled with a skin, an EvoX head, and a classic Standard SLUV head—truly enough choices for everyone. From my perspective, to truly capture the SupremeUHD’s detail, skin creators should release skins for SupremeUHD and not create EvoX skins for LAQ, it would never do the head justice.

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    Valentine Shop & Hop

    Bygogo Brands, Fashion, Hair, iheartslFeed, JuicyBomb, Second Life, Uncategorized
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    Sugary Sweet

    Are you ready for a shopping spree at the 2024 Valentine Shop & Hop? I always gain early access courtesy of the Second Life Birthday group. Brace yourself—there’s a staggering lineup of over 280 vendors! Lucky for us, FabFree has crafted an essential gift guide to navigate this treasure trove.

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