Thursday, November 10, 2011

How to Become Picture Perfect!


Sharing an interview about my book, Face This:

Look Pretty in Photos (Without Retouching)

by Grace Gold | Source: MakeUp.com


Bat those lashes
Tired of getting caught looking less than fabulous in photos? Shelley GoodStein, author of Face This: Real Advice From Real Models, Photographers and Makeup Artists On How to Become Picture Perfect, believes there’s a science to making the camera your BFF. Here, she shares her top tips for scoring your best profile shot ever. Smiiiiilllle…
The focal point of a profile picture is always the eyes–so make ‘em pop. For a natural look, you can’t go wrong with cream or taupe eyeshadow. For more fun, try sheer washes of color with a soft sheen, which will add light to your peepers. Don’t forget liner for definition, curled lashes and mascara!
Instantly whiten teeth
Nothing lights up a photo like a pearly white smile. For a quick brightening, use this model trick: after brushing, rinse your tooth brush, dip it into hydrogen peroxide for 30 seconds, and then brush again. Hydrogen peroxide not only lightens teeth, it kills germs and heals canker sores.
Show off luscious lips
A contrast of  lipcolor looks great in photos, so don’t be afraid to experiment. Lipgloss looks best as a highlighter dotted down the middle of your lower lip and outlining the cupid’s bow. Unless it’s Halloweenm, steer clear of glitter in photos, which can add an unnatural glare to your face.
Go for a solid color
When it comes to clothing, patterns and prints can confuse the viewer’s eye, and stripes can make you look wide (Yikes!). Try a vibrant shade like red, purple or blue to enliven your eyes and convey confidence, or rely on basic black for a sleek, elongated look.
Embrace lightweight fabrics
Wondering why the camera adds 10 pounds? It’s likely the fabric you’re wearing. Stay away from bulk-adding sequins, corduroy, terry cloth, flannel, taffeta, velvet and angora sweaters. Say yes to lighter, matte materials made with cotton, silk or lycra.
Legs for days
Work those stems! Heels help define your calves and give your hips a little exaggerated curve, while nude shoes that match your skin tone will make your legs look longer. If you have a cute pedi, don’t be afraid to kick off your shoes and go barefoot–it makes you look approachable.
Make it about you
The background shouldn’t overpower you; go for simple and clutter free. Make sure that objects behind you don’t look like they’re growing out of you. A stone wall, leafy green nature and interesting spaces, like under a doorway or to the side of a window, all set the stage for you to dazzle.
What’s your look-cute photo secret?

Ageless Beauty - MORE Tips to Looking 10 Years Younger

A Ford Model's Secrets to Ageless Beauty

Advice from a successful model on skin, lips, hair, and fashion that will keep you looking — and feeling — young. 

by Shelley GoodStein • 
Shelley GoodStein is the author of "Face This: Real Advice from Real Models, Photographers and Make Up Artists on How to Become Picture Perfect!"
Competing in the modeling world at any age is challenging, but now that I'm 47 years old, hitting the runway with girls half my age is definitely a test in self-confidence. Here are some tips to keeping current and fresh in a world where looking your best is always the goal.
To become inspired, pick a few celebrities in your age range that resemble you and take note of the changes in their hairstyle, wardrobe, and overall look. They are getting the best advice from the best stylists, designers, and makeup artists in the world. My own style icon is Demi Moore, a standout beauty who continues to get better with age. Besides stalking the stars, here are some other tips you can use to help find your fountain of youth.
1. Let your skin show through.
Less is more when it comes to makeup. Using too much foundation and powder accentuates fine lines and is a one-way ticket to looking older than you are. If your skin is pretty even, you may want to ditch your foundation and just use a light concealer on areas that are pigmented to even out your skin tone. Try a tinted moisturizer or the new BB Creams, which are great all-in-one time savers! If you're using a foundation, keep it light and start with a primer, a silicone based under-makeup, makeup that sort of glosses the skin to keep product from settling into any wrinkles or fine lines. This is the place toshow some skin and let it glow through your makeup!
2. Lighten up your lips.
Dark lipstick will age you and seep into or draw attention to those fine lines around your lips that sometimes are referred to as "bar codes" as you age. It's best to trace around your natural lip line with a lip pencil that matches the color of your lips and then gloss or use a light shimmery pink color. Stay away from peachy orange shades, which can make your teeth appear yellow. Also steer clear of matte or traditional lipsticks that can dry out lips. Instead choose lighter, sheer, hydrating, glossier lipsticks to look younger instantly. Many higher-end brands like Dior and Chanel carry these in their line. They cost a little more but are totally worth the splurge. 
3. Define your eyes.
When you want to make an impact with your look, focus on your eyes — it's what people notice first. Lining your eyes will make them appear full and wide open, but go softer by using a pencil or shadow in charcoal, dark brown or navy. Nothing accentuates crow's feet and tiny lines around your eyes as much as a harsh, black liquid eyeliner. Use a less-intense line underneath or it will weigh your eye down and make you look tired. Skip mascara on lower lashes entirely if you have dark circles under your eyes, because it will draw attention to the darkness. 
4. Age-defying hair.
Age should not influence your choices with hairstyle, color, or length. What should be determining your decisions are your lifestyle/career, how much time you can devote to your hair each day, and the products and tools you want to use. I think a great length for almost everyone is shoulder-length hair, and it keeps people guessing at your age! As we get older our hair thins, but adding highlights for dimension will make it appear thicker as will long layers.  
5. Stay current.
Fashion changes twice a year so choose a trend that you love and incorporate it into your style. When it comes to your wardrobe, it's important to make sure your clothes are tailored and fit you. More bulk and heavier fabrics make you look bigger. When in doubt, always go the more classic, timeless route and add great accessories. 
The Biggest secret of all to looking youthful is staying healthy! Pay attention to your weight, what you're eating, and add exercise into your daily routine. There's a big difference in getting older and beingold. Have fun, smile, enjoy your life, and you will soon discover the secret to ageless beauty! 

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Spilling Beauty Secrets that Celebrities Would Rather Keep to Themselves.




As a model I am constantly having my makeup done by different makeup artists. Each one has their own special skills and techniques they use to make their A-listers look stunning! These secrets seem to be reserved only for actresses, models and celebrities because they are so well guarded, but I am sharing a few of them with you that the rich and famous would probably rather keep to themselves. Shhhhhhhhh....

Just like a fairy tale there is a beginning to the happily ever after beauty transformation. And it starts with a makeup primer. Good for you if you're already using this under your foundation, but I bet you missed the confidential memo about the importance of using one for your eyes. You need to use an eye shadow primer so the shadow has something to cling on to and doesn’t crease up into the folds of your eyes making you look old and tired. The one I see used the most on set is NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base $24.


The other trick that makes your eyes look bigger is lining the inside rim with a white or flesh colored eye pencil. My favorites to use are Tarte's EmphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener $18 and Smashbox 'Eye Beam' Double-Ended  Brightener $22. You can highlight and brighten your eyes in one step. After lining the rims, you want to make sure to highlight the inner corner of your eyes and the brow bone. This added step is what brings the sparkle you see from the eyes in red carpet photos.

It is well known that olive oil is a healthy alternative to use in our diet, but it can also be used to remove your eye makeup. A study from the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology comfirmed that oleic acid, which comprises 80 % of olive oil, can seep into the layers of the skin and help prevent premature aging. Not only effective in moisturizing this delicate area of our face, if you use olive oil to remove your eye makeup you may also notice an improvement in your lashes. See my Going to Great Lengths blog post for why moisturizing your eyes will add to oomph to your lashes and watch this video by Michelle Phan using olive oil to remove her makeup.


If your teeth are sensitive to whiteners, try using another little secret that some of my model friends use for their pearly whites. After you are done brushing your teeth, rinse your toothbrush and dip it in hydrogen peroxide and brush again. Hydrogen peroxide not only whitens teeth, it kills germs and helps canker sores heal.

Using injectable fillers are not the only way to get that bee stung lip look. You may have tried some glosses with lip plumpers (my favorite is Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker) , but the problem is that they are expensive and only come in limited shades and formulations. You can achieve this puckered pout after you apply your favorite lipstick by dabbing on some ordinary peppermint extract or cinnamon oil, which can last for up to 4 hours, or use it mixed in with some Vaseline for your lips. It puffs by irritating the lips and dramatically increasing blood circulation. You can purchase the oils at a health food or massage oil store for about $5 and the bottle will last a long time. Just be sure you are not allergic by testing on your wrist first.

If you like being in the know, order your copy or download my book  Face This  where I share these and many more secrets to looking prettier in your pictures!