Blogger Challenge: What’s Your Beauty Base Zero? (Part One ~ Stylin’ Ain’t Easy)

Blogging isn’t easy.

I’m not writing this post to complain, far from it, but I would like to highlight the amount of work stylists undertake when putting an outfit together. Blogging said outfits is another challenge (but gosh, I love it) because the purpose is to highlight clothing in a specific, and often individual, fashion. The blog posts we love best seem effortless and perfect; it looks like a snapshot right out of someone’s second life. In truth, I’m certain that it’s the result of hours of work from beginning to end and I appreciate this process SO much. Behind every blogger, you’ll likely find a thorough and thoughtful individual who is just in love with SL fashion and wants to share this fascination with the world. Like me. 🙂

So this is the first installment of what I’m calling my “Stylin’ Ain’t Easy” tribute to SL blogging. It’s not definitive but it is a peek at how I operate. The first step for me is what I have named my BB-0 (Beauty Base Zero); it’s a term I’ve pillaged from book two of The Hunger Games trilogy because the concept was dead on. It’s where you start, imagining your nails are perfect, your hair is tied back and you’re staring into a mirror, or your closet, wondering what the heck you’re going to wear today.

( Not the most exciting shot, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t link you. 🙂 )

I use Firestorm so this is my default saved outfit (the first of dozens of others I’ve saved for whatever reason) and if you haven’t upgraded to a viewer that allows you to save your outfits, let me say that it’s worth the discomfort of learning a new UI just to have this functionality.* This outfit includes HUDs I use when taking pictures (listed below) but the important thing to note is that with everything here, I have all I need to start putting together any outfit I desire.

Here are just a few tips for creating your own BB-0:

~ Underwear: Odds are anything you’re putting on afterward will cover these but I have to say that after a few mesh alpha-layer-not-covering-my-bits blunders, I always make sure I’m wearing panties. Just saying.

~ Basic Makeup: I don’t wear much as a rule but when I’m styling I always consider extra tattoo layers at a later time. I’ve occasionally forgotten the basics, though, and had to go back and start pictures again because of this lack. Ugh.

~ Simple Eyelashes: You can always add or change these once you’ve decided on the basics of ‘casual vs. fancy.’ Minimal eyelashes gives you an idea of what you have to work with before you begin layering. I hope it doesn’t need to be said, but please do your best to make sure eyelashes fit your eyes properly. If you need help with this do not hesitate to IM me, day or night. ❤

~ Hair: This may seem like a no-brainer but I like beginning with a style that’s pulled back from the neck. You can always change it later but it’s helpful to make sure your jewelry is positioned properly before you go about covering it up with your lovely locks. **

~ Hairbases: First of all, I use an eyebrow shaper as my basic SL-driven hairbase. It gives my face definition and is just another way to squeeze a bit more individuality into my avatar. Hairbase tattoo layers are also something I recommend; even if you can’t see it under your current hairstyle, there’s -nothing- worse than tp’ing into a sim bald. Nothing.

~ Basic Shape: I have three shapes I use regularly in SL. One for mesh (smaller bust), one for system skirts (narrower hips, smaller bum, and less in the thighs), and the basic every day shape. These are NOT fun to confuse pre-clothing.

~ Nails: As much as they disagree with poses, as laggy as they can be in busy places, I really do love the look of them. Remember to take off your glove base if you’re going to put on actual gloves, though. If you always start with these you’ll just work it into your routine.

I hope this is enough to get you started! Stay tuned for the next installment of “Stylin’ Ain’t Easy.”

EDIT: Bloggers, Fashionistas, and fancy people of SL – What’s YOUR Beauty Base Zero?

( Earrings? Makeup? Bring it on! )

~ Portia’s BB-o ~

Skin: Fairy Skin -Avie- /*natural *REDGRAVE*
Shape: Portia’s Regular Shape
Hairbase 1: [PF] Eyebrow (Type 2)
Hairbase 2: Vanity hair base Platinium
Eyes: IKON Eternal Eyes – Pond (M)
Eyelashes: Miamai_Catwalk Lashes_Evergreen 04 Audrey
Lips: ROZENA/ Kiss Kiss ~ dolce

Hair: /Wasabi Pills/ Gloria Mesh Hair – Rye

Tank: *BOOM* Everyday Tank (cream) 1
Panties: *BOOM* Marin Ray culotte (creme)
Feet: Slink Mesh Feet XS (Rigged)

Nails: [PM]Sculpted Nails V2 – Size 20
Nail base: Candy nail Primnail Base (tintable)

Extra Stuff:
Remover SystemLashes *REDGRAVE*
AnyPose Expression HUD v1.0 (useful for eye positioning)
SERENADE Pose Stand Pro HUD v4.0 (handiest HUD ever!)

Pose: !bang

* We’ll talk a little more about viewer features I use in my SLife in a later post, so keep an eye out!
** A jewelry positioning tutorial will be available in part two of this series. Patience, Padawan.

Start-up music, just for you: