Ah, OK... if the expressions aren't changing in the promos then it comes back to the shape of the mouth. That combines 2 of my gripes into 1! The mouth shape is definitely realistic, but not one I find particularly attractive, so back to my comment on buyer's aesthetic preferences.

The hair is probably down to just the scene and lighting and was just an opinion. I don't pay a lot of attention to hair in promos because the hair isn't part of what's being sold (usually). BTW, I do read the editorials, the promo blurb at the bottom, and all the promo images when buying. I think the more info available the better. I resist buying on single promo images because 'just occasionally' I don't get the product I was expecting.

By 'flat' lighting I mean lacks contrast. I'm not a fan of IBL and 'light sets', I just use IDL. Again, my own preference. Nothing at all to do with the characters, so ignore me on that one... I can't put my finger on what it is... maybe the textures and lighting made them look 'cartoony'? Hmmm... maybe if I add something as a point of comparison and let others rip into my image there may be some more specific feedback...

This is a test render of a Laura 3 character after applying a new skin texture and Snarly's EZSkin. Not at all meant as a promo, but lit and rendered to show her in as natural a lighting as possible. The hair is also just as old a mesh, but I used the new subdivision function to increase the poly count and remove the obvious jaggies for this close up. Just me, but I appreciate shots like this in promos...