tres blah

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    2k Glam Affair Skins

    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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    ReShade with Second Life

    ReShade with Second Life

    The image above is a raw screenshot from Second Life with ReShade effects enabled. I’m using MagicBorder and DirectionalDepthBlur by OtisFX.

    I came across this ReShade (MagicBorder) tutorial on X (Twitter) created by a resident named Kody Black and felt compelled to try it. If you are a fan of engaging photo effects without resorting to third-party editing software like Photoshop, ReShade is the perfect add-on. I previously wrote about ReShade; while the installation and usage can be somewhat challenging, once you master it, the results are remarkable.

    One drawback of ReShade is that it does not allow for high-resolution photos, but you can take display-sized screenshots. Using the Second Life snapshot tool does not capture any of the ReShade effects. Therefore, I believe ReShade is better suited for videos, as it enables you to create eye-catching borders like this and replicate a widescreen video format, along with stunning blurs and lighting effects that are not achievable with the Second Life viewer. I have yet to explore the full range of effects that ReShade offers, but I have been diligently working to learn it for several months.

    I encourage you to give ReShade a try if you are looking to do something different with your Second Life photos.

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    LAQ 99% Sale

    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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    ReShade

    Aurelias

    I’m absolutely loving ReShade! I recently started exploring it, and I’ve noticed a lot of SL residents using it to enhance their snapshots. However, there are some downsides. It can be a bit tricky to use, and you’re limited to taking screenshots at your display size rather than high-resolution images.

    The graphics settings in Second Life have improved significantly over time. With certain third-party viewers, you can access features like depth of field, tonemapping, and color grading, which means that while ReShade is still entertaining to play with, it’s not as essential as it once was. That said, it can create stunningly ethereal effects, making your photos truly pop! See all of my ReShdae snapshots on Flickr.

    ReShade is a generic post-processing injector for games and video software developed by crosire. Imagine your favorite game with ambient occlusion, real depth of field effects, color correction and more … ReShade exposes an automated and generic way to access both frame color and depth information (latter is automatically disabled during multiplayer to prevent exploitation) and all the tools to make it happen. Download here: https://reshade.me/

    If you’re curious about experimenting with ReShade in Second Life, there are plenty of tutorials out there to help you get started. I began my journey with it back in May but got sidetracked by PBR. I’m still on the lookout for my favorite ReShade add-ons, so if you have any suggestions, drop them in the comments!

    Now, let’s discuss my look for today. I’m a huge fan of Wings hair, but I’ve noticed lately that the bangs sit very closely against my face and lashes, leading to some stubborn alpha glitches. I really think the designer should consider tweaking the front strands to sit a bit further from the face, or at least provide some customization options.

    I usually tackle alpha glitches in my photos, which is why I always recommend demoing hair before you buy. I’ve adjusted my shape and face somewhat, but I’m not keen on widening my face just to make this hairstyle work. Finding the perfect fit is crucial!

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    I Remember Everything

    Glam Affair

    As soon as I put on the new Kristen skin by Glam Affair, I could tell it would serve as the perfect canvas for my tattoo layers. The skin’s smooth texture and bright undertone are simply flawless, a testament to Aida’s continuous experimentation with different styles. I love this current look! Although I made fixes to the skin with tattoos from Izzie’s, the end result is stunning.

    Oh my
    Photo taken @ Hauntings

    Perhaps I’ve been indulging in Once Human a bit too much, but when I stumbled upon these new blood splatters from Izzie’s, I knew they would create an interesting photo opportunity. After all, it’s October—time for werewolf bites and spooky fun!

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    Spooktober

    Spooktober

    It’s finally sweater weather, and I couldn’t be happier! I’m absolutely loving my cozy Hooded Fur Jacket from Coco. The ad for the jacket is adorable, too, showcasing the designer sporting a hairstyle from Truth that I have as well—it’s such a cute look that I’ve been wearing it non-stop for days. I must say, the brunette Gogo vibe is striking! It’s a refreshing change from my usual blonde.

    While snapping pictures at The Bradbury Project, I couldn’t help but appreciate how much easier posing is thanks to Tillie’s Pose Stand with HUD. It allows me to take all my favorite poses on the go without rummaging through my inventory or fussing with a pose stand. In addition to posing, when you’re using the stand, you can easily rotate and move your avatar, save camera positions, and so much more.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/gogolita/54048479714/in/dateposted/

    To share the experience, I created a quick video demonstrating the amazing lighting features and the backdrop that comes with this pose stand. Of course, you can mix things up like I do, using a standalone HUD along with your own light balls or experimenting with your own EEP settings for lighting. For just L$600, it’s genuinely been one of my best purchases ever.

    Filmed @ Sparkle Skye

    While some people prefer a simple pose stand without a HUD or stick to playing poses directly from their inventory, that just feels too chaotic for me. Prior to the bento era, I had over 2,000 poses saved in my Tillie pose stand. Then I decided I wanted more realistic fingers poses in all my photos, which led me to create a new pose stand dedicated to bento poses. I’m now up to over 600 poses, and I love every single one! After all, the pose truly makes the photo—it’s the small details that really make an image pop!

    Do you use a pose stand or pose HUD? Let me know in the comments!

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    Nocturnal

    Nocturnal

    Come and visit Aurelias for one last autumn before we introduce a brand new theme at the year’s end. Curious about the new theme? If you’ve been following the blog over the past year, you might have a good guess. Don’t forget to share your photos in the Aurelias Flickr group—I absolutely love seeing them!

    I recently visited Shop & Hop and picked up a charming rose crown from Half-Deer—it was a gift! But before you dive into Shop & Hop yourself, make sure to check out the gifts guide at FabFree. I can’t attend this event without FabFree’s suggestions on what’s worth snagging.

    Stardust

    I also wanted to show you this adorable Angelina tattoo from Stardust. I don’t normally wear tattoos, but I really like this brand. The tattoos are hand-drawn with a sweet touch that I just love.

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    Unseen

    Unseen

    Capturing a photo “in the dark” can indeed be a challenge. You aim for that perfect dim ambiance while still ensuring the products are visible. I absolutely adore this blindfold I purchased from Tentacio. This brand is known for creating unique products, often adorned with floral accents.

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    Drizzle

    Drizzle

    Hello from Cherishville! This stunning autumn region is a must-visit for any fall enthusiast and photographer. It’s finally feeling like autumn here, and I couldn’t be happier. Bring on the rainy days and cozy vibes!

    Even in the rain, when my energy drink cravings hit, I find myself walking to the store to grab one. This NRG can from Flair is amazing—it features an animated drink opening sequence and even includes a static hold pose. Plus, it comes with a handy HUD to change colors!

    I’m always on the hunt for staple pieces to add to my wardrobe. Recently, I picked up the Archer top and Micro shorts from Tres Blah. They pair beautifully with the Alexa Overknee Legwarmers from Gawk.

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    Classic

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/gogolita/54020236583/in/dateposted/

    Do avatars have a nighttime routine? I’d like to think that Gogo does. Inspired by the elegant ladies of bygone eras, I decided to ‘dress up’ for bed. Picture-perfect hair, flawless makeup, and a touch of moisturizer to keep everything fresh. For my outfit, I’ve chosen the exquisite Dainty top and skirt set from Blume at Anthology.

    With so many events and so little time, I had a blast at the TSS Party and scored an abundance of gifts. However, the real challenge came afterward—I spent two days meticulously opening each gift and sorting through them, deciding what to keep and what to discard. My inventory is getting out of hand, aiming to keep it under 70k.

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