Tips on Looks

### **Top Suggestions**

These tips are a collection of advice and suggestions from HCV, top-scoring players. Probably no topic is as hotly debated amongst the Covet fan community as scoring. Keep this in mind when considering the following tips. Also keep in mind that there are a lot of factors players have no control over that affect raw style scores - like random match-ups, voter knowledge, and even clones and Covet bots. Many experienced players like to remind Coveters that it's a *game*, after all. Regardless of voting results, it's good to focus on having fun.

That said, some players do like to indulge their competitive side, or even just improve their scores in order to gain more in-game currency or to better contribute to their FH.

Top scoring players have the following advice on choice of hair, makeup, props and which required items to buy for Challenges.

### **Hair and Makeup**

Having access to higher-level Hair Styles and Makeup generally results in better scores. Not always, but a lot of the time. Ditto with Hair Accessories (HAs). And since HAs can't be borrowed, it's the longer-term players, or players who want to spend IRL money, who tend to have the best HAs for the respective challenge. LCV players are not often happy about this but it is a well established truth when it comes to Covet voting. And after all, pretty much any game works this way - the longer you play, the better you'll do. That said, there are a few things you can do to help increase the odds that your look will score well:

* ***Longer hair styles*** tend to score better. If the challenge picture specifically shows shorter hair and/or it fits the challenge -- e.g., a short-haired celebrity challenge, or a post-apocalyptic look with short hair pictured in the prompt -- then go for it. But even then, you'll still see some TLs with longer hair. (Dissertations could probably be written on why long hair is a big deal for dolls - but we'll leave it with the brief mention of Bratz dolls and save some time here. Ok, maybe we'll also just mention My Little Pony, even though they're not strictly human -- oh, those Covet Centaur challenges!)

* ***Natural hair colors*** also tend to score better - again, unless the bright or pastel hair colors really fit the challenge theme. Pro Tip: You can ***use the sliders*** beside the Hair Style selection bar to filter your available styles for length, color, texture, and updo/braid/bun/etc. So if you know you want green hair for a theme challenge, you can filter for that.
* ***Racially and ethnically appropriate hair and makeup*** are controversial topics, but if voter polls can be relied on, voters often favor appropriate LCV looks over inappropriate HCV hair, makeup, and HAs, if it comes down to a choice. (You'll still see TLs that aren't, though!)
* ***Facial expression*** is one of the engaging subtleties of creating looks in Covet. If the challenge describes the look as "angry," "wicked," "evil" or "monstrous," for example, makeup that features a happy, smiling expression may not do as well in voting as makeup that is more smouldering and dramatic.
* ***Very pale skin (Fair)*** also tends to score poorly - unless it makes sense for a vampire look, or similar theme. For regular challenges, it tends to look too unrealistic and paper-doll-like.
* It's worth noting that **some hair and makeup selections just don't play well together**. It's not always easy to put your finger on why -- proportions? contrast? balance off between bangs and eyeliner wings? The more combinations you try out, the more you'll develop a sense for which ones work and which don't. You can also check out our Looks Library galleries for inspiration on which hair and makeup combinations work especially well together for specific themes and periods.
* Maybe obvious, but a final piece of advice for hair and makeup - ***take the time to experiment***. The Covet app marks styles you've used most recently as "Favorites." It's easy to just click on these, and miss a combination that works better for the challenge and which might result in a better score. At the same time, though, some experienced players swear by certain hair and makeup and use them consistently. Perhaps if your looks haven't been scoring as well as you'd like, changing them up is a good idea? You can also ask for advice on the Covet Fashion subreddit or one one of the Facebook groups for what hair and makeup combinations do well in which levels.

### **Props**

Getting hold of some ***Prop Packs*** generally results in better scores, as with the HAs. They just look *extra -* splashy, attention-grabbing - and vote-grabbing. If you're going to use them, though, consider the following:

* ***Too much of a good thing is*** ... well, too much of a good thing. Filling up all of the prop slots with random, mismatched props can resemble a deliberate troll look. Even using all of the matching items from the same Prop Pack can sometimes result in a TL (Top Look), but can also sometimes just put voters off by looking over-the-top. Judgement and restraint are probably key here.
* ***Featured props*** are shownn at the top of the list and are often considered to be the most appropriate and/or trending prop items for the challenge. That said, there are often just as good or better props that aren't featured. Sometimes using an appropriate prop that matches your outfit better by echoing the colors, as well as the challenge theme, will give you a better result. By the same token, using inappropriate props (Victorian dolls with cell phones!?) can also kill your score. Specific props can also function as "insider knowledge." The Corgi dog often appears in Royals challenges because Queen Elizabeth II is a well-known Corgi owner. (If you're not British, you might have wondered what's with all the Corgis in these challenges - now you know!)
* ***Background props*** are fantastic for adding contrast between the doll and the background. If your doll is wearing black, for instance, and the surrounding image is dark, your look will just blend into it. Using a light or brightly colored background prop can really help differentiate the doll from the surrounding scene and make her stand out. And vice versa.

* ***Scroll down*** the list of available props. Featured props will be listed first, followed by props from any Prop Packs you own, and then the Monthly props. Next there will be greyed-out props from props you don't own. And finally, the always available props will be listed at the bottom. New players sometimes don't realize these additional available props are down there!

### **Garments**

* ***Trending Items.*** Quite often, if you browse the TLs for a challenge, you'll see that all of them have either the same featured garment(s) and/or the same in-season garment(s). These items are trending. If you're so inclined, go ahead and delve into psychology or marketing theory or any other explanations. Sometimes it's really hard to understand why a specific garment is trending. Sometimes, it's because it's a featured item (an item Covet highlights using the blue "Featured" button); sometimes it's one of the new, in-season garments, but sometimes it might be a Covet Collection item that is particularly appropriate for a specific challenge (for example, the Robyn vest for medieval challenges). Sometimes the trending item will be an expensive prize item won in a Spree or Rally.
* There are a couple of Facebook groups dedicated to predicting what garments are likely to be trending for specific challenges. You can check them out here: Covet Angels, Covet Fashion Addicts, and on Instagram: insta@queens.of.covet.br.
* ***Ballgowns.*** Love it or hate it, Covet players seem to favor them with mega-votes. When in doubt, use a ball gown. Yep, even for casual occasions like buying a house, going to a birthday party, or shopping with friends. We know - it doesn't make sense! But if you can resist the urge to put the doll in something logical and slap a ball gown on her instead, your style scores will probably go up on average. Our HCV Admins remember when things weren't always so .... but we digress.

June 2020