A Change in Technique

A few snippets of the current graphic I'm working on. I took your guys advice and updated my skin shading technique; first being the base I use for shadowing is using a few shades darker than beige, and lowered the opacity. I know I get a bunch of comments saying my shading is always too dark, so I tried doing something more in between what I like and personally cringe at. For lack of better words, I'm actually really happy with the results so far (and more or less surprised!) - it's not too harsh, yet the definition is still there.

Hopefully you'll see the final products within a few days.

Please let me know what you think :)
And oh! I've been absent on stardoll for a few days, anyone miss me? lol 
also, I know I should go, but did anyone watch Tuesday's PLL? I seriously need to vent out with someone about A... omg *dies*