Practical Insights - Tricks for Emergencies

Practical would not be a word I would use to describe myself, but one thing a model must always be is prepared! 

1. Keep a pair of cheap knee high stockings around to get those white deodorant stains off your clothing after you pull it over your head. Start at the top of the spot and wipe in a downward motion. 

2. Double stick clothing tape is a must have for those unexpected wardrobe malfunctions. Plunging necklines, peed-a-boo straps, falling hems, and tube tops dresses can all be rescued with these tapes to keep you covered up and your clothing where it belongs. Try Hollywood Fashion tape strips, 36 for $7.50 or Braza's tape roll for less than $6.

3.  Nothing looks tackier when you cross your legs and reveal a price tag on the sole of your shoe.To remove easily, without ruining your nails, get out your blow dryer! Heat up the glue on the label and then it will easily peel off.  Rarely will there be any remaining residue but if there is use WD40 or Goo Gone to clean off completely.  (This tip also works great of stickers used on the glass in picture frames). 

Sizzle this Summer!

As a model my summer must-have list will always include a little black dress and a great bikini, but here is a short and sweet list of what I think are some other essentials needed for a fun and fashionable summer!

1. A great coverup. Skin-tight silhouettes are replaced by loose fitting embellished cover ups for 2011. You can add a belt, some great jewelry and go straight to dinner.

Chiffon Coverup by ASOS.com  $44

Coverup by VIX

2. Around since the 14th century, add a touch of Spanish flair in the form of espadrilles!

 

3. A fedora or straw hat is also a great look for this summer!

4. High heat also means tiny or no straps so it's important to invest in the best fitting strapless bra or try the silicone adhesive reusable ones for backless clothing. And don't forget to make sure you are wearing  sheer undies!

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Look Better in Photos!

Sharing a page from Face This, Ch.12 - Shooting Star. 

There is alot of work that goes in to looking your best for a photograph, besides just being beautiful! Summer is here, which translates into weddings, swimsuits and more revealing clothing for the heat.  If your diet has not quite caught up with you yet, there are ways to make yourself look thinner in a photo by the way you pose or position yourself to the lens. You can also hide perceived flaws like a big nose, or close set eyes by how you are placing yourself in front of the camera. 

Face This offers all of this advice and more! It is available on Amazon.com, Nook and iTunes for iBooks. Just click Face This, to  buy all 188 color pages for just $7.99 on Kindle and download a free app to read on your phone, mac, or PC. 

Learn about the tricks and tips of real models, photographers and makeup artists to put you well on your way to becoming Picture Perfect! 

Well Polished

How do models manage to have radiant looking skin during 8 days of Fashion Week? 

Not only do they make sure they wash off all of the extra makeup, but they also exfoliate their skin to keep it looking fresh and vibrant. If your skin is oily it is harder for it to slough off dead skin due to the stickiness of the oils and when your skin is dry, the dead skin can accumulate leaving it dull. Dirt, makeup and pollutants can trap into pores and fine lines causing blackheads and irritated skin.

To solve this problem, many models use Clarisonic’s Skin Cleansing System, invented by the makers of the Sonicare toothbrush. I love using this handheld, waterproof device every day in the shower. The brush uses a patented sonic frequency of more than 300 movements per second to take off makeup and gently exfoliate, removing makeup 6 times better than ordinary cleansing. This action also preps your skin to better absorb other products and treatments. It helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes. A major beauty newsmaker, it has been featured as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things and received the Best of Sephora Award  in 2008.

Clarisonic is worth the splurge, but if cost is an issue, Olay makes a great little system that is visually similar, but uses a non-sonic rotating action that runs on AA batteries. It is not waterproof but is a great option. They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery … Olay’s Advanced Cleansing System is clearly giving the popular Clarisonic a run for the show.

Lip Gloss for your Hair.

Model's know that shiny and luxuriously looking hair is where it's at! 

Moisturizing shampoos and conditioners often leave a residue on the hair shaft that inhibit the strand from reflecting light. To make your hair vibrant, by helping the hair cuticle bounce off light again, try using some of the new products that are available ... similar to putting a clear top coat on your nails after painting them for added protection and shine.

A professional salon often offers these gloss or glaze services that will last 2-4 weeks, but to do it at home I recommend using one of these 2 products once a week in the shower; they won't leave your hair greasy and really boost the shine ~ John Freida's Color Glaze Clear and Alterna Cavaiar Shine Boost, $25 at Sephora, but a bargain for $15 on Amazon.  To use them, just shampoo and condition as usual, squeeze out the excess water and apply the gloss waiting 3 minutes to rinse with cool water. Or go green and use a bottle of beer or the juice of a fresh lemon squeezed into about a cup of water, but you'll need to leave these on a bit longer to see results, 15 to 20 minutes before rinsing.

Go ahead get your SHINE on!