If you're looking for custom content for The Sims 4 then there are two options. The first is Maxis Match, which aims to recolor or replicate the game's existing style. The second is Alpha, which focuses on creating a more realistic experience.
Alpha CC is favored by players who want their sims to be more lifelike. It removes the game's cartoony style and focuses on precision, fine details, and recreating real-life looks. Its use is often accompanied by pose packs and other mods that can be game-changing in nature.
If you're looking for more textured hair, more realistic fashions, and intricate jewelry, Alpha CC is where you'll find it. By ignoring the default style, the CC in this category is often based on replicating reality. Here we've found some of the most essential Alpha CC downloads from a range of talented creators.
Updated December 10th, 2020, By Helen Ashcroft: Now the skin tone update for The Sims 4 is finally here we have more diversity than ever before. You can now create Sims with a huge range of skin colors and as such the need for custom skin tones has been reduced. However, there are still plenty of wants we have for the game, especially when it comes to Alpha CC.
In this update, we widen our list to incorporate some CC from outside of create a sim. While a large amount of build and buy items are MM, not all are. Here are some more of the very best alpha additions to your game, this time focusing on clutter and creativity.
20 Everyday Clutter By Jenni Sims
Clutter is something that really adds to a house and JenniSims is the queen of clutter. Her Tumblr is packed full of a huge amount of Alpha CC, including numerous clutter sets. The themes are variable but we especially love the more everyday collections.
The vending machines, cereal, cans, and fast food from the image on the left are from her Everyday Beauty clutter set. On the other side of the image, you'll see more cereal as well as sodas, tins, and even a bread basket, all part of the I Made This For You clutter set.
19 Modern Furniture By Mxims
If you love modern furniture then clear some harddrive space and head over to Mxims Tumblr. The entire account is packed full of beautiful modern Alpha CC based on real life furniture sets.
There are modern pieces for every room in the house. Above is a versatile side table as well as a clean modern office space but this is just a small amount of what you'll find. Sleek dining rooms, modern lounges, stylish bedrooms and more are all beautifully showcased and ready to be downloaded.
18 RANGE Fashionstore By Slox
While this RANGE Fashionstore set won't be publically released until late December we couldn't leave it out. The stunning set from Slox offers everything you need to create a high end clothing store.
The set includes closets, bags, changing rooms, counters, clothing, display, rugs and a sofa. There's also a RANGE logo. Create your dream retail shop and ejoy living the high fashion life.
17 Kitchen By Novvvas
This kitchen by Novvvas offers a rustic yet contemporary look for any kitchen. It includes the table, bench, accessories and a number of common kitchen accessories including chopping boards and plates.
The set will allow you to add a rustic touch to any space and the bench seating table offers a great addition to many spaces.
16 Lykke Living Room And Bedroom Sets By Sanoy Sims
If you're looking for high quality CC then SanoySims has you covered. The detail in their work is so extensive that they contain warnings to only use it if you have a good computer. It's true to life and almost photolike in appearance.
As withMxims the style is modern and hyper-realistic. Content is set out in sections and you can download per room. Pictured above is the Lykke Living Room on the left hand side and Lykke Bedroom on the right side.
15 Eyelashes And Eyebrows By Bobur
Sim's eyes are one of the main things that many players want to adjust. Adding custom eyebrows and eyelashes can really make a difference in how your sim looks. It may seem like a small touch but it adds a lot of realism.
TSR featured artist Bobur has a large number of options for players who want more control over their sims faces. Above you'll see the Bobur Eyebrows 15 and Bobur 2D Eyelash 01. However, these are just two of the extensive number of options on Bobur's artist's page.
14 Bewitched Eyes And Vampyr Eyeliner By EvilQuinzel
For those who enjoy playing Supernatural characters sometimes the eyes can be too realistic. If you want more options to make your Vampires more vampiric, your Spellcasters more spellbinding, and your Mermaids more mysterious then EvilQuinzel has the answer.
Above you'll see the Bewitched Eyes which come in a huge range of creative colors. These are well complemented by the Vampyr Eyeliner, which gives a gothic feel to your Sims makeup options.
For even more supernatural custom content, EvilQuinzel's TSR artist's page shows they've created a huge amount of makeup options as well as mystical tattoos.
13 Beard And Brows By MagicHand
When it comes to male sims, getting facial features right can feel even more difficult. That's why we've added some beards and brows specifically designed for your male sims.
MagicHand has created some more realistic facial hair, including [MH] Beard N01 as seen above. You can also see [MH] Eyebrows N23, some male-centric eyebrows that are more natural and untidy looking than in-game options.
If you head over to MagicHand's TSR artist's page there are also a large number of other options for facial features. These include eyes, eyebrows, and facial hair. Masculine and feminine styles are both covered and there are also a number of makeup options to compliment them.
12 Trouble And Baddie By Nightcrawler Sims
No alpha CC collection would be complete without some of Nightcrawler Sims' work. A featured creator on The Sims Resource, known as TSR, Nightcrawler has several hundred CC items available for download. Many are hairs and you'll see a large number of alpha CC hairs using Nightcrawler's mesh.
We've picked out a couple of our favorites. The one on the left is Trouble and we just love the texture. Simple and elegant, this realistic hair adds depth to your sims style. For men, we've chosen Baddie because of how different it is from many in-game options.
11 Anto Child Conversions By Alfyy
Finding alpha cc hair for children can be a challenge which is why we love these conversions by Alfyy. The original designs are by Anto and these are converted to work with child sims. The one on the left is Owl and on the right is Amelia.
On Alfyy's page you can also find some other conversions including Citric, a shoulder-length bob with bangs and Aluna, a very long and straight style.
10 Jewelry By S-Club
Content creator collaborators S-Club have a huge range of jewelry as well as makeup available on their TSR page. Earrings are a particular specialty and we love these cherry influenced ones that look great on younger sims in particular.
The second design is a unique customization for those who prefer less conventional piercings and includes an ear cuff. The designs show the versatility and range of options created by S-Club.
9 S4 Winter Onsies By Margeh-75
We couldn't add to this list and not include some warm onesies you'll be sure to need when The Sims 4: Snowy Escape is released. The S4 Winter Onesies by Margeh-75 are Christmas and winter-themed and your sims are sure to stay warm in these creations.
Pajamas are still lacking in the game so we're always grateful for more options. If you want to kit out your wardrobe further Margeh-75 also has a huge range of other clothing on their artist's page, including swimwear, sportswear, and much more.
8 Calor Collection By Serenity
The Calor collection by Serenity-cc contains several unique and eyecatching pieces, perfect for summer days. Pictured above on the left is the Lolly Dress, a cute summer outfit with plain and patterned swatches.
In the collection, you'll also find the Aster crop top and some short denim shorts. Pictured to the right is the oversized top that makes great loungewear or nightwear, especially when paired with shorts.
7 Men's Collection By Darte77
Men's clothing can be quite bland but this collection from Darte77 will add some style to your male sims wardrobes. The t-shirt comes with the suspenders and has a variety of swatches, including plain, patterned, and slogan. You can get it with and without the cardigan.
The set also contains the scarf, rolled cuff jeans, and boots as separate downloads. The boots are work boot style with a well-worn feel and the jeans sit just at the top of them, thanks to the rolled bottoms.
6 Toddler Clothing By Lilka
Toddler clothing can be difficult to find but these creations by Lilka are perfect. The t-shirts are a great example of toddler clothing you'd expect to see in a store, often alongside items like this toddler dress set.
Searching Lilka's TSR page will also reveal many more toddler and kid's creations. They strike a great balance in terms of CC. While technically alpha, the items have been designed in such a way that they won't look out of place alongside in-game items.
5 Children's Clothing By Zuckerschnute20
If you're looking for a great selection of children's clothing then you can't go wrong with featured TSR artist Zuckerschnute20. Above you can see just a couple of designs, the smart boys shirt, suspenders and trousers, and some girls' dresses.
These are just a couple of the huge selection of children and toddler CC items available on Zuckerschnute's TSR page. The content is realistic, well-executed, and looks great in-game, no matter what you combine it with. A must-visit creator for anyone in need of clothing.
4 Toddler/Children's Steampunk Top And Dress By Bukovka
This selection is a little unique but absolutely adorable. Steampunk style is often found in custom content but it usually focuses on adult Sims. However, thanks to Bukovka, even the smallest members of your family can dress to impress.
If you're a fan of steampunk then you'll want to check out this Steampunk Top and Steampunk Dress for toddlers by Bukovka. You can also download the Steampunk Hat. Once they grow up don't worry as there are also Steampunk Shirts and Steampunk Dresses for kids.
3 Raven Boots By Lumy-Sims
These Raven Boots by Lumysims are a must-have for any players who have alternative, gothic, or rocker styled sims. While there are a number of boots in-game most are very bland, especially when it comes to swatches.
These Raven Boots are styled similarly to Doc Martens and have 40 color swatches. These include bold and plain options as well as a range of funky patterns to suit all tastes and needs.
2 Astrology And Military Tattoos By SimmieV
SimmieV has created a range of large and bold tattoos. There are several options to choose from including the US Navy Body Tattoo collection pictured on the left and the Aries tattoos on the right. There are also Pisces, and Aquarius sets, as well as several others, themed around the military.
Each tattoo set comes with several selections. They cover the back, chest, arms, legs, and neck. The designs are mostly large and bold designs, aiming to replicate large scale body art.
1 Melanin Pack 2 By Xmiramira
Fed up with what she calls "ashy sims" Xmiramira decided to create her own skin tones to more accurately represent black women like herself. This pack is an update to her original and features 54 skin tones to help create beautiful sims. The Melanin Pack 2 also includes new highlight and blush and has even been updated for vampires.
Xmiramira is an ambassador for black female gamers and this custom content aims to achieve better representation in the game by offering more realistic darker skin colors and makeup options.