Top Hair Designers trending now in Second Life- Katrina Karsin reporting

Have you ever wondered who the top SL hair designers are for both men and women?   There are 834 pages of hair designers on the marketplace alone. Not including hairbands, pins, and other accessories! 

What are people looking for when they choose a new hairstyle, does quality and price play an important part in the decision making?

Men have had a hard time in SL finding items specifically for them in the past and even though there are groups and events geared solely for them today. Men I have interviewed believe they are still underrepresented in SL.  

This is interesting considering our unique world climate of having to stay home due to the pandemic there is a unique rise of makeup for men using video chat and not wanting to look tired in real life. Unfortunately, there's a shortage of shopping options for men. I asked several men if they would consider becoming a designer, they all said “No”! That may be where the problem is. We need more male designers.

Unlike the opposite sex, women’s hair is a massive industry just like in real life. Women like to change it up especially for a night out or hanging out at home. Most in Second Life will change their hair style daily. With color HUDS, there are many choices as well as ombre, streaked or even half and half. 

I asked various women in SL where they shop for hair and the majority think Doux offers a more realistic look. 

 

Trying to compare traffic count from one designer to another was difficult since some rent land or have just moved or are only on Marketplace. That said for both sexes Doux is the leader by far with a wide range of hair and newer hairstyles come with style options for that particular hair, like wearing your long hair on one side, all upfront or all on your back as part of the package including your choice of colours.

They also have a choice in hair bases and beards, for example, if you want to wear braided hair and want it to look more real you can buy a braided hair base to complete the look. What makes Doux so popular is the quality of the hair most believe it looks “realistic”, and just like in rl with big box stores, you can get hair, clothes, skin and more all in one stop as L’Etre and Doux have combined forces.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Secrets/163/154/23

 

When asked what women hate about Second Life hair they say it is the price, but all will pay begrudgingly. I think it is safe to say that Truth by Truth Hawks was the most well-known designer in Second Life for several years.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Truth/158/27/34

TRUTH, Stealthic and n0match followed, while honourable mention must go to tram, Dura, Wasabi, Kuni, Exile and unorthodox all offering a wide range of styles for both men and women. 

Stealthic hair HUD includes rigged and unrigged hair, style and colour options. I like their HUD because it gives you a choice showing your roots or not.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Truth/158/27/34

 

n0match has a wide range of Women’s and Unisex hair your pack will have two sizes and the colour HUD comes with a customization option. http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/VALHAL/119/132/21

 

Ladies will enjoy Tram hairstyles they are super cute and the hair colour blending is amazing! The more recent hair styles have a more every day realistic tousled look, and you may choose from rigged and non rigged hair in store.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Truth/158/27/34

 

Dura has lots of choses for men and unisex, each pack comes with a variety of styles and a colour wheel.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Dura%20Dura/69/125/1002

 

Wasabi will give you a couple of style options on the hair you choose as well as the colour HUD and resizing option if needed.  There are a few styles for Men too.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Coraline/206/135/53

 

I like Kuni hair you are given a range of styles to choose from on your HUD, colour options are very nice and they have some hair for both women and men.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/KUNI/140/173/26

 

Exile has been around Second Life for awhile and is fairly well known, they offer a wide range of hair for both sexes.  If you are on a tight budget you may want to check them out as newer hair comes with style option, colour choices and to resize the hair just click on your head.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Covet/119/109/26

 

Unorthodox offers up BOM, Genus, Catwa, and Omega hair for the whole family and extends a two payment option, one is a nice elite VIP price and other regular price.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/XODOHTRONU/128/129/3152 SLURL HERE

Facial Hair/ Beards

Long gone are the days where men would have facial hair included on their skin choice.  Today men have a good range of styles to choose from.

With Volkstone, Modulus and unorthodox giving you a good selection of styles and eyebrow styles as well for men.  Honorable mention goes to Rebirth.

Volkstone presents a very detailed look for beards some have six different styles on one HUD, and you can choose BOM, Catwa and Omega on newer styles. Very impressive!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Razors%20Edge/80/151/1069

 

Modulus is for men and a one stop shop, they offer a variety of hair bases, hair, beards, eyebrows and shapes.  They have BOM, Catwa and letLuka worthwhile to check out.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Movado/86/130/58

 

Rebirth is a made in Italy designer of beards with a variety of beards that will appeal to biker dudes and trend setting guys alike.  Classic Avatar, BOM, Catwa and Omega appliers and nice colour selection for each beard as well.

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Bagnomaria/97/103/3000

If you love to pull hair or tug on a beard guess what you can do that too! 

Dirty Secrets by ℒυѕhєѕ Jɑххoη (lushes.blessed) has both a beard and hair animation that you can touch yes I did say TOUCH on certain areas of each that will enable a response and works with Bento heads! Not to be out done Stealthic hair comes with hand animation to pull your hair back or forward on a timed cycle that you can turn off or on, same with the hair base!

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Busi/94/59/1902

As you sit down in your hairdresser’s chair there is lots of hair styles and beards to explore around Second Life. You will be entertained while chatting up your hairdresser as to what look you are going for, that fits your lifestyle and will look good on you!

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AVIE POLL: Sexy or Unsexy Trends in Second Life

Every culture has something unique to contribute to the world. We experience many trends which mold our own ideas and perceptions. Since Second Life mirrors the real world, we collectively co-exist freely sharing our various cultures, fashion trends, music, languages, and more. The SL Enquirer set out to poll avies across the grid about some of the things trending in Second Life right now.  Names have been changed.

The KFC Trend

Apparently, It doesn’t seem to be for chicken anymore.  We are not here to avie body shame, let us put that out there at the start but with that being said, Some avies want to know what the appeal is looking like a plucked chicken and calling it sexy. Do men and or women actually like this mesh body style or is it similar to one's own real-life body shape? 

This trend seems to be the most popular request to poll. It got its name because of the resemblance to a KFC chicken thigh, breasts, and drumstick. A body shape is wide and curvy then tapers down into a skinny chicken leg. Realistically, one's waist would not be that snatched in with the amount of fat deposit on the hip, thigh, and breast areas. Spongebob’s body shape would be a better example if avies are trying to “keep it real”.

Avie Poll

What do you think of avies that model themselves in SL as they are in RL? Do you think that is the true way to go or did they design your avatar for the complete opposite?

Ryan: “I love me some greasy a** chicken but damn how does chicken smell like bacon after a spin on the dancefloor?”

Bob: “Yes, we’re not here to avie shame, but that doesn’t have to mean you have to stretch out like the Stay Puft Marshmallow man either.  Don’t you have enough on your plate?

Sally: DAMN I want KFC chicken now !!!!

David: Hey some guys like it. I remember when I was first starting out in second life. My slacks were so tight I could barely walk and this nice woman approached me and offered to help. We’ve been together ever since and I love every curve! Don’t hate.

Karen: “I’m calling the police.”

Big ol’ Sloppy Boob Jobs with extra animated physics

Ann Hawkins Turner is the woman who currently holds the Guinness world records for the biggest breasts but she is in some serious competition for a title in Second Life! Since the beginning of self-body modifications, many avies especially those in the stripper and escort careers have really loaded up the breast prims. Sometimes to the point, wearing simple shirts makes their body style look like a sloppy stack of pancakes, and the added exaggerated physics for realism only adds to the secondhand embarrassment of those around them. This phenomenon has many SL residents scratching their heads. Here’s what they had to say when asking if it was sexy.

Steven: “I’m into boobs and don’t really mind a set that is a little on the larger size, but I have the draw somewhere”

Salvatore: “Maybe extreme motorboating is a sport?”

Karen: “It’s just ridiculous! I’m calling the cops!”

Mani: “I don’t think it’s sexy personally but some men seem to love it”

Louis: “Natural is better but big or small love me some t*tties!”

The Itty Bitty Mini Committee

Ok ladies, ever hear of leaving a little to the imagination? Since the beginning of Second Life, many of the club-going women seem to be in a highly competitive sport of seeing who can wear the shortest mini skirt in the club. If you are part of the mini-trend, before spending all your pole money on new outfits, here’s what some guys had to say about this never-ending trend.

Avie Poll: Is it sexy?

Conner: ”Ain’t nothing wrong with a little cheek showing.”

Lucy: “Women should be able to wear whatever she wants, people need to mind their own business omg”

Paul: “If we are keeping it real. Way too many women in SL seem to think that the shorter the skirt the more attention they will get. I see them everywhere,  can't catch a break! No. It is not sexy or cute. It just looks like a woman with low self-esteem.”

Jessica: “I think it is perfectly fine, but if they are going to wear those so short they need to make sure they wipe correctly and not leave any cling ons” Don’t even get me started when there are a bunch of them dancing in a club on a hot day!”

Darrin: “Why do I get the mental smell of a fish market?”

Karen: “That’s it I’m calling the cops! It is violating my rights!”

Larry: ”It is like seeing the whole cow before they cut your piece of Filet  Mignon. Not appetizing”

George: “It reminds me of being at a gentlemen's club AFTER the lights are turned on…*shudders*”

Wilted Fern and Tumble Weed Hair

Mesh is a beautiful thing. Why not upgrade? Since mesh has become a thing, more avies are stepping it up in the upgrade department but like a well-kept yard, Second Life still has some overgrown weeds that are sprinkled across the grid landscape. Sometimes the lack of lindens prevents many from moving to mesh but it doesn’t mean your hair has to suffer. The nice thing about upgrading is, not only does it make you feel better when getting a makeover, but it also adds to the virtual world environment.

Avie Poll: How do you know if you have a weed garden on your head and how can it be fixed?

Karen:  “Stop acting broke”. That hair is highly offensive and could cause emotional distress in my pomeranian who has to see that and relive the day he was snatched from the teet. I’m calling the cops!”

Pamela: “When your weave is so nappy you need a perm, it might be time to buy some new hair. Just saying…”

Sally: Girl!!! Please do us a favor and upgrade yourself and not look homeless. Time to spend those lindens!” 

Janine: “Krispy Kreme wants their secret hair gel back.Looks like your mother banged a furry is not the look you should be going for. Too lazy to just hit up the freebie galaxy to find better quality hair.”

Gary: “I’m bald so I don’t have this issue but in my professional opinion as a random guy being polled. I plead with all of you who suffer from chronic bedhead in SL. My only suggestion is to detach the wig and live your best bald life. It’s free and the ladies love it! Ladies, If you are going the bald route, I suggest at  the very least tape a bow to your head or something.”

Chester Mustaches,  The Lumberjack Beard

With all the hard work mesh head creators put into the features of a hot and sexy male avatar (well some), why would they cover up all that goodness with a thick overgrowth of facial hair including crumb catchers and handlebar mustaches? We have to admit some of the stashes are a bit uncle-touchy- creepy. And let's not even mention the Ramen Noodle perms and brillo pad combos.

Avie Poll: Is it sexy?

Sara: “From a lady's perspective it gets in the way. Not to mention the delicate areas. It might be time to shave.”

Glitterbomb: “If the top ain’t manscaped, I can only imagine the forest below!”

Bianca: “Manscaping isn’t only for the chest and berries. It is a must for the face as well. My only advice would be to clean the razor before moving from one piece of real estate to another.”

Beverly: “Oh nooooo. This isn’t sexy at all. The whole caveman meets Vegas-style is soooo not cool anymore. People are over the Geico caveman insurance commercials. These men can go get entangled in someone else's overgrown yard. Not mine! I keep my garden trimmed.”

Jonathan: “I once met a guy with very long, spiky red hair and a tiny red goatee...he looked a lot like Beaker from The Muppets.  Think before you drink, folks.”

Karen: “All I wanted to do was explore SL and I am being forced to see men in untamed facial hair everywhere. I can't take it anymore. I’m calling the cops because it is a fire hazard!”

The almighty strip club platform heels

Did you know there are over 200,000 reported high heel-related injuries a year in the U.S between 2001-2020? What is up with the towering platform heels? Please use caution dancing, standing, running, walking, or skipping in the sand or anywhere else for that matter. Thank goodness the reports are low in SL, the only damage done is wasting the Lindens. The groove may be in the heart but not everywhere in Second Life.

Avie Poll: Is this Sexy?

Kevin: “Why? Just why?”

Sally: “Too much lindens yes but at least I don’t have to go to the hospital after a fall like I would in real life.” 

Barry: “I don’t know how to feel about platform pumps after the incident in a strip club when one of the ladies stomped on my jewels while giving me a lapdance.”

Gale: “I recall a time when I could do runway in platform feels. Now, the guys are winning the catwalk. Yes it’s sexy!”

Susan: “I am not trying to be a “Karen” but really I think it's degrading women and making them an image of being weak, we feminst are strong damn it and no matter if we can’t walk, we have the right to do as we please because we are Women hear us Roar”

Greg: “The buck stops with pregnant chicks in pumps on the dancefloor.  That’s not sexy.”

Karen: “Don’t be telling me what to wear! I’m calling the cops because you are violating my freedom!”

Furries with Boob Jobs and bikinis

It’s bad enough SL has a vermin problem and they want to add huge breast implants and bikinis to the mix. Unless furries are trying to keep up the milk supply for their huge litters, there really isn’t a reason for it.  Aside from that, putting clothes on animals is frowned upon by the more serious animal lover communities.

Avie Poll: Are furries with breast implants and bikinis sexy?

Bruce: “I can’t even look at my pet rabbit the same anymore after catching a couple of furries yiffing in the bushes behind my club”

Sally: “right-click and derender because who really wants to see that maybe in a porn film … not me.”

Tommy: “OK, I admit I always wanted to see the Little Mermaid nude when I was younger, but not anymore…”

Jared: “Shouldn’t furries have like 3 sets of teets? The whole trend is inaccurate and confusing! Maybe if I was a furry I might be into it but I wouldn't want to compete with a pack”

David: “Well it is really hard to say, I mean if the boobs are good, sure, but come on if they are saggy, then no, make them perky damn it, Perky boobs for all!”

Karen: “I don’t know why we are talking about this, a person’s boobies are their own business you are violating them making them the focus of your article, that is rude and I am calling the police!”

We have come to the conclusion there are no right or wrong answers with Trends. They come and go. Sometimes for years and then return and the younger generations think they came up with the idea. Trends become trends because at least someone is into it and others follow.  No matter how silly they are to you, someone thinks it's sexy. Next time you see these trends around Second Life, you could either act like a Karen and cry about it or mind your own business, not everyone thinks your style is cute.

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EGOISME News: Great News at EVIAN! New Male and Female Skin Plus the Preview of New Male Skin called Eros!

Spring is just around the corner! With the New Season Comes Great New Changes.

Are you looking for a New Look for Spring?  We invite you to browse what EVIAN has to offer. 







Located on the stylish EGOISME Sim, you will find a great selection of skins for both men and women,  shimmery cosmetics for the ladies, and hair, bases and beards in a variety of fresh new styles.

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