Starting out in Second Life in 2006 my first avatar Coco looked like a nightmare before a forum-friend took pity on me and steered me in the right direction. I stumbled frequently on the way, and still do occasionally, but I enjoyed that too. Back then I didn't read blogs so I don't know if there were any around but hopefully todays beginners take a moment to look around and see what's available before plunging into the inferno of shops around the grid.
Blogger Gogo of
Juicybomb proposed a newbie-challenge where the budget for creating a completely new look/new avatar was 550L and for many of us who frequent the weekly or bi-weekly sales that seems like a lot but if you just hop into a random shop you've no doubt discovered that it's not. For myself I set the limit to not use items from these discount events and only use freebies, group-gifts and store-sales when creating Cooper's friend. Or Cooper's dark side maybe. I also tried to think of it as a starter package rather than a cheap outfit.
I splurged on a no makeup skin from Dutch Touch since the sale they are having made it very affordable at 350L, still eating most of my budget but ensuring that there is a good base to build on. Once I had it all put together I had some fun working my computer around two viewers so get myself a memorable picture of my two current alter-egos. Come to think of it, I'm pretty sure everything Cooper is wearing was bought on sales as well so it's not exactly a budget vs luxuary shot!
We are wearing...
Miss Clarity
Shoes: R2 - Kapua in Orange
Stockings: DUTCH TOUCH - Stockings Socks/Legwarmer No3
Cardigan: BeetleBones - Light Cardigan in Periwinkle
Dress: -tres blah- C88 Vintage Slip in Soft Plum
Necklace: ::je::suis::tente: in aqua
Hair: Cri-Cri - Bon 7-A
Eyelashes: -16- Elemental *REDGRAVE*
Nails: [ Love Soul ] *Lovely* in hard pink
Skin: Esuga - Victoria in pale exgirlfriend
Eyes: (amperlope) - violet slur
Miss Ennui
Top : * LOULOU&CO *- JELLY POP in Green/Pink
(Freebie @ Seraphim)Jeans: JustB - frayed unisex jeans DARK WASH
( 32L @ JustB's closing sale )Shoes: JustB - platform stilettos in black
( 37L @JustB's closing sale )Tattoo: [bubble] - Bird love [Faded]
(Group gift with no join fee)Eyelash Alpha: *FTL* Alpha Mask - Eyelashes
(Freebie @ SLM)Makeup: Cheap Makeup - Eyeshadow in Smoke
( 25L ) Hair: ""D!va"" - "Naomi" in Onyx
(Group gift with no join fee)Leather Bangles: Sn@tch
(Group gift with no join fee)Eyelashes: Dutch Touch
(came with the skin)Nails: OW: Kawaii Nails
(Freebie @ Seraphim)[VIRTUAL/INSANITY] THE EAR PLUGS COLLECTION / SERAPH
(Freebie @ Seraphim)Piercing 1: ~MC~Flash Amethyst Collar Piercing
(Freebie @ Seraphim)Piercing 2: [Mad Echo] - Abbey Piercing
( 1L on SLM )Skin: Dutch Touch - MenSje in ROSE - Basic No Brows FR
( 350L )Eyes: [ROLY-POLY] - natural eyes in black
(Freebie on SLM)Look totaling:
445 L
I'm wearing...
