Isabeau Reinard

My biggest concern was that she go for legal items. Kascha openly admitted she had someone modify content she had no permission to modify, so the content is stolen. She and the person who ripped them from SL to edit are both thieves. I imagine she had no idea that it could get her banned from SL (could you imagine giving Linden Lab roughly $115 only to have them ban you from ever using the items you bought?) but that doesn't excuse her behavior. No permission to modify means don't modify it. Find something else. Frankly with all the variety of content on the grid, I'm truly stunned that she picked a horribly outdated and extremely poor quality skin to modify, when I'm fairly certain she could've found something amazing had she bothered to explore a bit. I also wanted to let her know to stay away from freebie areas because they're so full of stolen content, including the poor quality 2007-2008 skins Kascha picked to customize. I think all new residents (and old ones stuck in old items) should definitely explore, and Google SL fashion to find fashion blogs and perhaps read the feeds. There really isn't a need for a custom shape; if you buy a shape and modify it, that automatically makes it custom. The odds are extremely slim that someone else on the grid has that exact shape with your exact modifications. I do agree with you that people should always buy a shape with copy and modify permissions. I have several versions of my shape (short, tall, curvy, thin, different noses and lip configurations to fit different skins, etc.) and I don't know what I would do without a copy/mod shape. Just a few more things worth mentioning to ChristineAngelHart: Bling is horribly passé no matter what anyone tells you. Face lights are unnecessary because of windlight. In Viewer 2.x it's under World > Sun > Environment Editor. Click "Advanced Sky" and use the drop-down menu to change your light settings. Anti-inspect devices are universally shunned and can get you banned from stores. It's NEVER cool to wear stolen items. If a content creator spots you wearing stolen items, they more than likely will ban you from their store, if not their entire sim. Also, designers talk to other designers, and you may find yourself banned from other sims as well. Oiled skins are never sexy. They're gross. Those who wear oily skins or oily clothing layers/tattoos on their skin are quite often the object of ridicule. Avoid them at all costs. There's no excuse to use the choppy free AO or ancient freebie poses. There are SO many great AOs (cheap and free) as well as hundreds of pose makers churning out thousdands of poses. I think that's all I've got for now.

ChristineAngelHart: I beg you not to take Kascha's advice. First of all, you'll want quality items from trusted creators. Second, a makeover can be had for close to NOTHING if you look in the right places. Perhaps try http://slfreestyle.blogspot.com/ where they regularly highlight free and cheap LEGAL items on the grid. They're quality items, and you'll see everything from skins to hair, shoes to eyes. At the very least, it will introduce you to countless new stores, places to explore, and show you what quality products are in SL. There are groups you can join where excellent quality free gifts are regularly sent, like skins and hair. You may pay once to join the group, but the gifts usually come often enough to justify the entrance fee. Also, most in-world groups reward you with group discounts on your purchases, and/or store credit towards future purchases. They're definitely worth checking out. If you want to spend money, by all means read the SL fashion feeds. Try http://iheartsl.com/. It shows hundreds of fashion bloggers in SL, with a variety of personal styles, one or two of which are bound to suit your needs. Again, at the very least, it will introduce you to countless new stores where quality products can be had. If you want, you can IM me in-world and I'll give you a folder full of landmarks for good skins, hair, eyes, clothing, shoes, you name it. You may also want to try Expos/Fairs, where hundreds of content creators gather on one or more sims to raise money for charity. You'll be getting great items, and giving back. Plus, it makes shopping easier because so many stores are in one spot. There are regular fairs held several times per year, like Skin & Shape Expo, Shoe Fair, Hair Fair, you get the idea. Stay out of Yadni's Junkyard, which is appropriately named because everything in it is either stolen or GARBAGE. Nothing good ever comes from Freebie Dungeon or Freebie Store B. The items are woefully outdated (mostly from 2007) and much of it was illegally obtained. There's absolutely NO reason to wear trash when so many quality items can be found cheap or even free. Don't support content theft. Support content creators. Good luck!