Prepare Your Hair for the Plunge

Lathering on the SPF while swimming with my kids this entire weekend got me to thinking about how most of us are neglecting the damaging and drying effects the summer and pools have on our hair.

We all know how chlorine and salt water can wreak havoc with your hair. When your hair is dry it is porous and acts like a sponge, so the quickest thing you can do before swimming to protect it, is to get your hair completely wet with plain, clean water. This way your hair is too saturated to absorb anything else like chlorine.

But, the MOST effective way to create a barrier between your hair and harsh pool water is to coat your hair by using a small amount of oil, which is hydrophilic such as coconut oil, baby oil or even olive oil to protect the hair shaft. When you’re done throw it in a braid for a super shiny cool look. Try this cool comb by Rickycare infused with a sunscreen oil to protect and help with the frizzy ends at the beach.

Hair conditioner works too but only if you are in the water for a short time since it eventually gets rinsed away. Try out Bumble and Bumble’s Leave in conditioner. Also, use your kids spray on detangler like the one in the green bottle at the grocery store by L’oreal, not only will it coat the hair cuticle, but it will prevent those nasty snarls. Plus it’s “tear” free and smells good too!

When high PH levels react with the copper found in pool water, the metal bonds to the hair shaft and can turn it green. All of these tips can help prevent that but If it happens, squirt some ketchup or V8 tomato juice on your locks, comb thru and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing. The smell is not great, but it works!

Just like getting a sunburn, the sun also contributes to hair damage by drying it out. Sun-scorched hair, fades your color and highlights. Left unprotected it can also cause  breakage and damage your hair as much as the pool water. If you don’t want to wear a hat or scarf be sure to spritz on a leave in conditioner with SPF protectant to shield the harmful rays. A good one to try is Rene Furterer Okara 2-Phase Leave-In Protective Conditioner for color treated hair.  

You can make your own UV protection to use in a spray bottle on damp hair by mixing a Tablespoon of any sunscreen with a cup of water. 

An added note: If you are using lemon to lighten your hair be aware that this is extremely drying and is really just helping the sun damage your hair more quickly.

To learn more model's secrets to looking your best and taking your best photos check out my new book Face This: Real advice from real models, photographers and makeup artists on how to become Picture Perfect! Available for just $7.99 on Kindle, Nook and iTunes. Also as paperback from Amazon.com

De-bloat after your Vacation.

After returning from vacation, I noticed that suddenly my favorite jeans felt tighter. It's hard to feel my best when I feel fat. Stepping on the scale - plus 5 pounds, Ahhhhhh yes ...  the bloat. 

Eating out usually means a bit more gluttony, and definitely more sodium - leading straight to water weight. What you don’t want to do is to Starve yourself after your trip because it will slow down your body's metabolism to conserve energy. It will also set you up to overeat. 


It’s important not to freak out and remind yourself that weight loss and weight gain are mathematical equations and in a few days it would be nearly impossible to consume enough extra calories for a real 5 pound gain. 1 lb = 3500 calories AND 5 lbs = 17,500 calories extra. 

1.  My fist day back I cut back on calories. 

Not very hard to do since I have usually overindulged and felt constantly full on vacation. Bethenny Frankel, author of Naturally Thin, suggests whipping up a big pot of vegetable soup to slim down. Just throw some onions, broccoli and carrots, in a fat free chicken stock and puree to eat with brown rice. 

2.  Fill up with loads of de-bloating foods to tell your body to get rid of all that water. Some natural diuretics are watermelon, asparagus, oats, cucumber, ginger, pineapple, and yogurts containing probiotics ("good" bacteria) can help.

3.  Eat fiber to help clear your colon of any undigested foods and air. Foods like bananas that are high in potassium  have also been shown to beat bloat by causing your body to flush out the water.

4.  Drink lots of water to stay hydrated. Sodium intake acts like a water retention magnet so you need to drink enough water to flush all of this from your system or your body will keep trying to save water reserves.

5.  Sweat it out. Working out not only helps burn calories away but you can sweat out unwanted water swelling. Before supermodel Heidi Klum gets in front of the camera she de-bloats with an Epsom salt-rich bath. Magnesium sulphate in the salts draw out the fluids from your body.

6. Plenty of Zzzzzz's. Sleeping raises growth hormone and reduces stress. Stress can increase cortisol levels in your body over time and cortisol inhibits sodium loss through the small intestines. Water will stay where the sodium is which often causes water retention. So focus on getting to bed early and letting your metabolism get in check to help your body recover from the overindulging. 

To learn more model's secrets to looking your best and taking your best photos check out my new book Face This: Real advice from real models, photographers and makeup artists on how to become Picture Perfect! Available for just $7.99 on Kindle, Nook and iTunes. Also as paperback from Amazon.com

 

Travel Beauty

Models are travel show super stars, often jet setting and keeping long hours ... here are some of their tips to pack along for your next vacation.

July 4th is the time we really dig into Summer! BBQ's, beach trips and lots of travel. Whether you're driving to that family reunion or getting on board the plane, looking your best and traveling do not always go hand in hand. What to do when you are on the go:

1. Hydrate and Moisturize. The day before be sure to drink lots of water and put an extra dose of moisturizer on  the night before you fly to avert some of the dehydrating effects of the cabin pressure.

2. Skip the heavy makeup.  Instead, use a primer which is silicone based to put a layer of protection on your face and keep any makeup you do wear in place. Use a tinted moisturizer and add a little concealer on any uneven spots/redness instead of foundation. It is inevitable that you will snooze for awhile so to avoid mascara traveling down your cheek, go without, or use a waterproof formula. Creamy eye shadows also tend to become displaced.

3. Since you cannot travel with liquids be sure and pick up a travel size pack of baby wipes to use for any facial makeup mishaps and also to keep your hands clean. Try to not touch your face alot during your travel to avoid breakouts from bacteria you unknowingly pick up. Be sure and use your wipes before applying any makeup in transit to protect your skin from whatever is on your fingers.

4. Pass on the alcohol, because it will dehydrate your skin and make your face look puffy, but stow away a travel sized vodka if you're offered one and mix it with your shampoo for super shiny hair the next day on your trip.

5. Reading and watching back to back movies compounded with the dryness of the plane will leave your eyes stinging. Apply some ice under your eyes for a wake up call along with lubricating drops and Visine to bring back your twinkle.

6. To refresh your face, never put on more make up or powder, instead use a mist with glycerin (just water will evaporate and dry out your skin) and pack blotting or rice papers to soak up the shine without drying out your skin more.

7. Add some shimmer right before you arrive using a highlighter (creamy pen or powder) on your brow bone, top of your cheek bone, right above the cupid bow of your lip, and your collar bone to perk up your complexion. Finish with a nice glossy lip!

DrugStore Beauty on a Budget!

It is easy to spend lots of $$$ for great beauty products, but it's always fun to get a deal! There are some products that I think are definitely worth the splurge, like a concealer that blends perfectly to your skin tone and brand name eye shadows that are rich and adhere better, but sometimes just because it costs more and comes in fancy packaging does not mean it performs better. Here are some of my favorite steals available at your corner drugstore (and you'll still have change left over to buy some chocolate!)

Many great lipsticks have ingredients that allow them to really last and be long wearing, but lip glosses don't require so many to really SHINE! Try Sally Hansen Diamond 12 hour lip treatment for just $2.99, it's like a drugstore version of MAC's lipglass.

To liven up your hair color and to add shine John Frieda's Color Glaze at less than $10 is a real bargain considering you can use it more than once and is much less expensive than the $75 you'd pay at his NYC Salon for this glossing treatment.

Almost every makeup artist on every photo shoot I go to uses this mascara in the pink tube. For less than $5 it is a total WIN! There are few differences in high end brands since basically all mascara formulas are the same. What makes the biggest difference is the wand. Most all brands are switching from the nylon bristled wands to plastic or rubber ones so that any mascara you use will be clump free, but here's what you should know:

1. A curved brush gives you more lift.

2. A comb style brush will separate more.

3. A smaller brush will coat each lash.

4. Bigger brushes will put more color on your lashes but require a bigger tube that will dry out faster.

Be sure you are replacing your mascara every 3 months because of bacteria/ drying out, and clean off your wand to avoid clumping.

The pros know that great makeup brushes are the place to start for perfect makeup application! Sonia Kashuk, available at Target, is consistently known for her awesome, high quality brushes that are extremely soft and non-shedding. I love this flat blusher brush which is very dense and works great for powder. I would compare this to my favorite MAC brushes that go for over $50, but at $15 - this is definitely a MUST HAVE!




If you are looking to add a little drama to your eyes, individual lashes are your ticket! Ardell gets this done on the cheap with amazing individual lashes that lay flat and are virtually undetectable when used at the corner of your eyes.


Think you can't put them on yourself? Watch this short video by my friend Janine from Beauty Geeks to see just how easy it can be!

EYELASH DEMO CLICK HERE

This Model Talks ... Beauty after 40!

Click HERE to watch!
Great interview this morning on the Morning Blend. I talk about Beauty Advice, taking that perfect photo and the RULES after 40!

Look Better Naked

Get your tan on ... the safe and sunless way! Click here to learn how.

If you want to look better naked, but haven't got the time to get toned before your next trip to the beach - fake it a little with a sunless tan. Did you know that up to 80% of the wrinkles on our faces are caused by the sun? 

A survey of over 7000 people, conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology, revealed that although a vast majority of people have concerns about skin cancer, 72% of these people admitted they think they look better with a tan. 

The sun's UV rays speed up aging on our skin and show up as wrinkling, freckling, brown spots and changes in skin texture as well as skin cancer. People that live in sun intense areas like Arizona and Florida can see signs of photoaging as early as their 20's. 

The good news is that you can prevent this risk by staying out of the sun and using sunscreen daily, and then go get your Tan ON the safe way   ~SUNLESS.

It's Called Beauty Sleep for a Reason.

Need an excuse to sleep in? Beauty sleep is no myth! Research from a study published in the British Medical Journal showed that people are perceived as more attractive if they get a solid 8 hours of shut eye.

Sleep deprivation is also associated with obesity. A recent study showed that people who only slept 5 ½ hours at night ate 25 percent more calories after dinner than they did when getting a good 8 hours of sleep. When you are sleep deprived, cortisol levels rise. Cortisol often makes us feel hungry and can raise insulin levels, increasing fat deposition around the abdomen. People who are tired also crave more fattening foods and carbohydrates because a lack of sleep increases the release of ghrelin, a hunger hormone. And let’s face it you can’t be snacking if you’re sleeping. When you snooze - you lose, weight that is!

While you’re sleeping your brain and body are still active, deep sleep triggers a release of growth hormones that help build and repair cells and tissues including skin. Once you have lost sleep, it is lost. Not even make-up can hide the beauty depredations of poor sleep.

Rest is regenerative for your skin, your face, your body and your brain. Most of us have experienced a difference in how we feel after a good night’s sleep vs. a poor one. Many studies have shown that you are more alert after a good night’s sleep. Sleep can improve your memory, reduce stress and help reduce mood disorders. With enough sleep you’ll look refreshed, sharp …. AND more beautiful!

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!

.

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!

Inner Realm

Face This - 188 color pages by Shelley GoodStein

Sharing a few pages from my book with you in the coming weeks. Buy it on Kindle for just $9.99 and download a FREE app to read it on your iPhone, iPad, Blackberry, Android, mac or PC. 

It's time to stop being jealous of your friend who never takes a bad photo and start learning the tricks for looking like a cover girl yourself! There are so many books about how to take a good picture written that are geared only to the person behind the camera, the photographer. Face This is a book written just for YOU, the girl who wants to know what to do in front of the camera!

Even Cindy Crawford says she doesn't wake up looking like Cindy Crawford. Get advice from real models, makeup artists and professional photographers on how to have THE perfect picture!

The flawless face, lighting, background, style, composure and oozing personality all revealed. The cheats, the secrets and what you can do to expose yourself in the best possible light digitally and put your "tag" in the cyber universe for all of the world wide web to see!

Eyelash Extensions Naturally DIY

As far as hot beauty trends go, eyelash lengthening is becoming the new teeth whitening – Just like eyebrows and hair, our lashes thin with age. And if you are using false eyelashes or lash extensions, the glue can make them brittle if not properly hydrated.

The trick to long full lashes is in keeping them hydrated. Make sure you’re taking off your makeup gently every night and try using a swab of petroleum jelly or olive oil along the lash line to moisturize. This will promote eyelash growth without any special potion. Eye lash hair has a natural growth cycle, but mascara and dry lashes cause breakage long before is reaches it natural length so moisturizing here will help reverse this.

There are products on the market designed with powerful formulas to lengthen lashes like Latisse, a formula approved by the FDA available only with a doctor’s prescription, that is proven to work but not without potential side effects. It costs about $120 for a 30-day supply and is not reimbursed by insurance.

Other over the counter products which consistently get results are Lash Relonge’ (rated highest) and Revitalash. More economical and less risky. I found both on Amazon today between $60 and $99. Click on the photo for more information on ordering.

All of these products are applied like eyeliner, drawing a thin line daily to each upper lid at the eyelash root. Most users report that one bottle will last them at least 2 months, with expected results seen around 4 weeks, after which you need only use the product every other day or so. Long, thick lashes will likely always be viewed as the captivating symbol of universal glamour. With a little effort you can have them too.

PHONEography

Using your phone as your primary camera these days? Seems everyone is, and the photos are on par with alot of point and shoot digital cameras. But a smart phone with the right imaging app can take your photos to the next level ... and some of the apps are free or just $1.99!

You can rotate, crop, add filters, effects, borders, sharpen or add text bubbles into your photos. This is a great way to be creative as well as save a photo that you love but was overexposed.

Check them out in your app store. Instagram is one of the most widely used and did I mention it's FREE? Other popular ones that cool kids are using: Hipstamatic, Diptic, Everyday, and 3D Camera. Have fun and start snapping!

Suit Up

Swimsuit season is rapidly approaching so I just purchased these bikini's online from Victoria Secret. I love the fact that I can mix and match and order different sizes for top and bottom because let's face it, when it comes to swimsuits, one size does not fit all!

When planning for your next weekend getaway or that holiday pool party, choose a suit with a great pattern or color that looks fantastic on you. You may think that the more coverage the better to hide a few pounds, but in reality extra fabric can sometimes emphasize the thing you are trying to hide, so try on a few suits and styles you wouldn't normally, you just may surprise yourself! AND don't freak out that your swimsuit size is larger than your clothing size. Swimwear typically always runs small since they are meant to fit snug so remember to go up a couple sizes especially if you are trying on Junior brands like Roxy.

Use Victoria Secret Code SP1126065 thru 6/17 for:
$15 off  $100
$30 off  $150
$75 off  $250

Barely There

With summer fast approaching and temperatures rising it's important to re-evaluate your foundation and change from a heavier product to a lightweight and barely there look. Or consider using just a lightweight tinted moisturizer with SPF for casual days instead.

Makeup artists are raving about Giorgio Armani's new Luminous Silk Foundation. This will be my next purchase, but I am still really happy with Make Up For Ever's foundation, especially since it's half the price. It goes on sheer with good coverage but not settling into fine lines or looking cakey. Fools even the best HD camera for that invisible look in real life too. 

MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Invisible Cover Foundation 115 Ivory

Sun Kissed Damage

Murad by Murad Age Spot & Pigment Lightening Gel--/1OZ

It is well known that sun exposure contributes to premature wrinkles, 

but studies show that most people view mottled or blotchy, 

irregular patches on their skin as even older looking.

The good news is that you can use products to help fade these dark spots in as soon as a month with the help of an ingredient called hydroquinone. Murad Age Spot and Pigment Lightening Gel is a good one to try. Use it on your hands and face once or twice a day to fade the age away. And then keep vigilant with the SPF!

The Future's So Bright!

Sunglasses are thee IT accessory at the beach, but they are equally important when hiding from the paparazzi and covering dark circles from a sleepless night. These cat-eye sunnies by Victoria Beckham are my newest obsession and this feline, Retro trend is showing up everywhere for Summer 2011.

When choosing YOUR perfect frame, keep your face shape in mind to bring balance to your features. People with round faces should stick with square or rectangle shaped glasses that sharpen lines and add definition to your face, while square shaped faces look great with rounded frames.

Also keep in mind your coloring when choosing your perfect sunglasses. Yellowish/warm skin tones look best in gold, tortoise or brown colors while Cooler/bluish skin tones look best in silver, black or blue colors.

Finally, size does matter! Your sunglasses can be larger than regular glasses but need to be in proportion to your head making sure they don't reach too far beyond your temples. If your face is long or you have a larger head,  the oversized frame was made especially for you!

Mother Knows Best

Is it true that boyfriends should check out their future mother-in-laws-to-be for a glimpse into tomorrow?

According to a new study, facial aging does follow a similar pattern between mothers and daughters, but celebrity moms today don't seem like they're aging at all! Great looks are genetic, but it is our beauty routines that can make a difference in the years ahead.

For sure mother knows best when warning us about the dangers of the sun and wearing SPF. And my own Mom was definitely right when she told me orange lipstick was not my color and that my 10th grade boyfriend was bad news!

My advice for Mother's Day 2011? Listen to every pearl of wisdom your mother offers, because she is going through some of the very same feelings and issues you will be too one day. There is not a day that goes by I don't miss my Mom, wishing I had asked more questions  ... Here is a photo of us from the early 90's!