Amberyl Ethaniel

I've never heard of Love X so you all are one up on me..😆 shows how much even my main av gets out..

I agree with you 100%, I would never try to roleplay another race (although many do) or make friends..doing this strictly because I find many of the skins/accessories/looks to be beautiful. I spend the bulk of my time in SL shopping, taking pics and exploring..

I could..if I were going to roleplay or represent myself in SL. I bet that would be fun. However, I just had some art pieces in my head, and looks that my normal avatar can't pull off.I really like taking pics and posting on Flickr..

I think the 50 people is hard..because usually those numbers equal NSFW areas or "pickup" areas.I get hit on all the time at music clubs, it's like "dude, no I don't want to pixel bump you, I'm trying to just enjoy the music"..A friend told me to check out coffee shops. No idea there were such things in SL..

Boston Blaisdale has some really great YouTube videos, as does Strawberry Singh(Linden). I've learned so much from their channels..

I guess just " I have seen people trying to capture the vibe and just not quite getting it. At the same time giving, « this is what I find beautiful about you, but isn’t my version better than your authentic self? » That…is a little offensive in itself. " made me nervous..I mean..my style isn't necessarily others style, and a bad copy of anything is still a bad copy.. I hate the saying "you do you" but I think it somehow applies.. This is more what I'm looking to do.."If it's something as simple as you don't think certain things would work with your avatar, but would work with an avatar of a different ethnicity sure, go for it. That's what I mean by checking boxes." I have certain looks I want to try..are they authentic? Probably not..but regardless, looks I want to attempt. I'm not roleplaying her or using her as a person to run around SL with and interact..I mean, there's no way(at least I don't think) someone of one race could believably be another, especially when speaking to someone who is, in RL that ethnicity.. I don't wanna dig the hole deeper, so..I thank you for your input and will consider what you and others have said..

She's beautiful!Of course your main av pic is gorgeous too 😉 Totally agree about not perpetuating stereotypes..it's sad that some would create characters specifically for that purpose(like sex sims I've seen pop up based around this idea..ick) Thank you!

Very cool..I guess I was just referencing what Janet said" I have seen people trying to capture the vibe and just not quite getting it. At the same time giving, « this is what I find beautiful about you, but isn’t my version better than your authentic self? » That…is a little offensive in itself. " The last thing I'd want to be is offensive to someone who is in RL that ethnicity.However, like you mentioned RL black women wear whatever they want..just like everyone else does.I'd hate to think I would be restricted in my "look" by my race or even my gender..I don't see anything I would do as "better" it's my taste, and even people within the same races have a wide range of style and taste.. I totally understand it'd be different if I actually wanted to PLAY that race..I obviously wouldn't be able to believably. Anyway, I guess I'm going to create what I think is beautiful without trying to be offensive.I love the inspiration ideas and will definitely will check them out.. If some don't like it, they are free to mute or derender me..there's just too many "looks" I want to try and they definitely wouldn't be right on my current avs. Thank you to everyone who took the time to answer!I'm gonna go create now!

See, this is sort of why I'm nervous to try a black avi(or I suppose maybe another ethnic)I really don't think this avi will be out in the world, like I said I like Barbie-ing and picture taking but the comment "At the same time giving, « this is what I find beautiful about you, but isn’t my version better than your authentic self? » That…is a little offensive in itself." I wouldn't try to be offensive but it almost sounds like I'm striking out before I even start..I have ideas about pics I'd like to do, are they what an authentic real world black woman would wear? I have no idea..and sometimes they don't either. I mean take the example of Grace Jones..she is amazing but I think in her era (from what I remember I was a teen) she was really "out there" and different.I'm not saying I'd do something similar to hers, she has her style just as everyone else does..

aww too cute.I bet it does make people friendlier seeing that face 🙂

It's sad that one has to worry about also being painted by the brush of people who just love to create chaos and drama.I would have done this a long time ago if I thought it wouldn't be a big deal. I should have asked!!I just like being a virtual barbie for the most part 🙂 Thanks for weighing in!!

Yes..definitely noticed that, whole sims based around those, to each their own I guess. I agree with you..SL can be fantasy and therefore you should be able to be who you want to be. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't crossing some line that would upset people, so it's good that it seems like that won't be the case.Thank you for your thoughts!!

I replied to this but it seems to have poofed. Anyway, I thought I knew a bunch of shops in SL but totally new stuff here too. Thanks!

Grace Jones is so awesome, that androgynous high fashion style..no one exactly like her before or since..I really appreciate all the help!

YES! That's me. Thank you! I feel better now..

I'd almost be afraid to 😆I mean, however I'd style her, nothing would be done to offend anyone.There's this Flickr gal who post THE most beautiful black avs-seriously they look like they could be on a RL fashion magazine cover, anyway seeing her pics inspired me and made me want to pursue that "look".Lots of hers are the really dark skin that almost looks purple in the right light..I am just in..love.Anyway, she started that spark in the back of my mind saying "what would yours look like?" Thanks for all the suggestions, hadn't heard of most of those stores, so ohoh my pocketbook 😆

Thanks to everyone who answered my question and in the way you did. I was actually expecting worse..bottom line, I love playing Barbie and taking pictures and I just haven't ventured out too far beyond my normal avs looks. Ready to discover new shops and support some SL creators I didn't know about before!

I just worry if I state my actual ethnicity/color in my profile, it may stir up drama from people reading her profile. I mean, I'm not going to dress her as a stereotype, but there are so many people who just like to cause drama. There will be no RL connections so no disappointment from future prospective love interests or anything like that..Kudos for you stating that upfront though!

No, I probably would dress her the same way I dress my main av lately..kinda classic and/or island/tropical-ish for the most part because I have a sim that feels like the Florida Keys or some tropical island..I am itching to try out some hairstyles my main av probably can't pull off.

I get what you mean about the tones..they do tend to be close to regular skins but not exact.I do love Skinnery also as well as Deetalez which I adore all the detail on.I've never tried a fantasy color avatar but I bet its fun as well!

Hadn't seen Moccino Beaute but will check them out for sure.I don't care for velour bodies for the most part either, they are a little too airbrushed and soft for me, but the new line for reborn and Legacy is amazing..I hope eventually it will be available for Maitreya.

They are..the highlights, shadowing..and the actual facial features.It used to be many black skins were just the white skin in a different tone.I adore the ones who actually look realistic.

I wouldn't have thought so either, but I see in social media posts about an actress wearing cornrows or a instagram bride wearing a kimono and there are just so many negative comments about them appropriating the items or looks that I thought I should ask. I would never be rude or demean the races I'm representing, I just want to make pretty avs 🙂 Thanks for weighing in!

True, I don't even think I would use the avs for anything important..I just didn't want to feel like I was doing something "wrong". But the new ethnic skins are SO gorgeous and detailed now vs "back in the day". Thanks for weighing in!

I had a SL mentor when I first started that told me "you are as you present yourself in SL" and kept all her RL info to herself..I think of this every once in a while. Thanks for weighing in!