Pycnogenol: A Pill for Younger Looking Skin? YES Please!!!

We are all looking for the holy grail of younger looking skin. But could it really come in the form of a pill? According to new research, the nutritional supplement Pycnogenol, may just be the answer to slowing down visible sign of aging.

In a clinical trial published in the journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, women who took pycnogenol, 25mg three times a day, improved their beauty and enjoyed a more glowing complexion after 12 weeks with improved skin hydration and elasticity.

Pycnolgenol is an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree that grows along the coast of France whose main ingredient is procyandin. It is said that French explorer Jacques Cartier use it in 1532 to combat the spread of scurvy amongst his crew. Procyanidin is also found in food like grapes, berries, red wines and various nuts.

Certainly you are familiar with the antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E, and pycnogenol is among the most powerful free-radical anti-inflammatories with studies showing it's antioxidant capabilities 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E.

New to North America, but not to Europe, this natural supplement is considered safe and effective in various diseases because of its potent antioxidant ability to protect against damaging effects of free-radicals, maybe even slowing down the natural process of aging.

The lead researcher in this recent study from Germany says that "No other natural product has been shown to stimulate hyaluronic acid in the skin." and added that they are encouraged by the molecular evidence that showed supplementation with pycnogenol as beneficial.

And while the study was small, 20 healthy women aged 55-68 years old, they found that pycnogenol enhanced skin elasticity by 25% and skin hydration by 8% with women who had dry skin from the beginning gaining an increase of 21%. 

We must always remember that our skin often mirrors our overall nutritional health and is often our body's first line of defense showing signs of aging due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin especially from cumulative sun exposure, so to rebuild lost collagen start incorporating into your daily life these practices:

• Apply sunscreen to your face daily. Most collagen loss can be attributed to UV sun damage.

• Eat foods that contain amino acids lysine and proline, found in lean meats, fish, egg whites and wheat germ. And take Vitamin C each day because vitamin C is what is required to transform these  to hydroxylysine and hydroxypoline which is the form of amino acids necessary to rebuild collagen. Make sure you keep your Vitamin C sealed in a dark container because Vitamin C becomes inactive very quickly when exposed to sunlight, heat and air.

• Derivatives of vitamin A, retinoids stimulate collagen production and increase cell turnover rates which will help reveal smoother skin. You may want to talk to your doctor about prescribing a retinoid product, but several quality retinol products are available at drug and beauty stores.

TO learn more secrets about how to look your best Check out my new book Face THIS available on Amazon, Kindle, Nook and iTunes.

Look Good in Photos - Smile Tips and More

click {HERE} to view the video

Something to Smile About

First, a few tips on how to smile. Never have your teeth actually touching each other, even when your mouth is closed because it will make your neck muscles tense in an unflattering way.

Also, don’t force a smile by showing all your teeth in a joker grin.  We know you have beautiful teeth but why would anyone want to see your molars?

Another way to achieve a genuine, natural looking smile is by lifting your tongue up behind your front teeth. This also results in lowering your chin slightly and helping to relax your face.

Always try to give a genuine smile. Models know that real smiles are produced with the eyes. Top model Tyra Banks even invented a word for it “smizing.” When you genuinely smile it causes natural wrinkles around your eyes, regardless of age.

The eyes are the first thing to capture someone’s attention in a photo so when you’re taking your picture look into the lens of the camera. Anyone viewing the photo will feel like you are looking directly at them—making you look more open, interesting and real.

If you wear glasses make sure the photographer can see your eyes and that the top of the frame is not cutting into the eyes. To prevent a camera flash from reflecting shine or glare, tilt your glasses up or down so that the light is not rebounding off the lens. Glare can also occur when you’re photographing next to a mirror, TV, or window. Angle yourself so that the camera is not shooting directly into the reflective surface.

To avoid the double chin look, never pull back when someone is about to take your picture. No matter how skinny you are you will have double or even triple chins.  Fix it by thinking swan ballerina, Natalie Portman.  Chin up and out and then bring the chin down ever so slightly.

Also, avoid short cameramen. If the lens is below your eye level you’ll gain an extra chin. The lens should be either at eye level or slightly above.

Generally, natural looking hair is the best way to go. Keep it off your features so it’s not creating shadows on your face. If your hair is a solid color, add highlights for dimension and to prevent looking like you have a helmet on your head. Frizzy hair tends to be dryer so to tame it, moisturize your hands with lotion and quickly run them through your hair. If you notice your hair is sticking up in places, lightly rub a dryer sheet over it to eliminate static. It’s the only tip I know that works to get rid of the problem.

I hope you found these tips help you to look your best in your next photo!

Leather jeans

●► Leather is a trend you "gotta have" this season, but if you're a member of PETA then try this waxy leather-like coated skinny jean by J Brand in this oxblood red, one of the key colors this Fall! Keep in mind that leather, on it's own will grab tons of attention so keep it classic with little detailing and don't overload your look with Funky accessories. Check out more of my "gotta have it!" picks {HERE}

COVERGIRL Shelley GoodStein in More Magazine - No LIMITS

Cover Girl / Olay Feature

MORE Magazine October issue 2012 

October 2010 More Magazine

Grand Prize Beauty Search Winner

I think my husband nailed it when he described the difference in these 2 photos published exactly 2 years apart, as "raw Beauty" and "pure personality"! WOW what can't happen in two short years ... when you put yourself out there!

When you think back on your life, as I have been - turning 48 yesterday, there have been times when I was truly just surviving and getting by, but then there are these moments when something wonderfully unexpected happens. Like entering and winning a beauty search, publishing a book and having COVER GIRL endorse it, modeling for magazines and national ads, being chosen as the 2011 Juvenile Diabetes Foundations Promise Light Honoree, and guest co-hosting a television morning show.

My birthday dinner!

If I had listened to the limiting belief that a woman in her late 40's cannot break into these venues, I would have missed out on what might be the most amazing time of my life! But I still feel like this never-ending adventure has just begun because I  know now that it happens like that ... You put yourself out there and something wildly and totally unexpected shows up! There are no age restrictions to your goals, no limits not to reach for, no reasons not to give or care beyond hope, so D R E A M ... in spite of your fears! Start with a baby step today and let your blazing desire burn out loud!

XOXO

~ Shelley

Fall - Winter Shoes 2012 - TOP Footwear Trends

CLICK {HERE} TO WATCH THE VIDEO

The last few seasons have been overly saturated with thick platform soles but if you're bored with that chunky profile you'll be happy to hear that there is a major shift to the single sole, classic pump. 

The pointy toe pump is a great instant slimming style for everyone because the eye travels longer down to the toe, creating the illusion of longer legs. Black is always a good color to choose, it goes with everything and dark colors are universally slimming, so navy or burgundy will also be good choices. The other slimming color is for a pump is nude, in a skin tone that matches your own. It will make you seem taller too! Even if you have only these 2 shoes in your wardrobe, if they are these two they can take you everywhere. These are great paired with the menswear suits we are seeing this season along with pencil skirts and dresses or with a skinny legged jean. If this seems a little too boring for your taste, designers have given you lots of options to show your fashionable side. 

 I know you've probably heard that an ankle strap on a shoe should be avoided because it can cut your leg off, but as you can see in this photo, when paired with a pant it actually can tie the shoe in to the pants, elongating your limbs. Metallic cap-toes, see how to DIY {here}, made popular in the '50's by CoCo Chanel is a great way to spice up this wardrobe workhorse. Printed pumps will continue as a strong trend into Spring - this example shows how to mix prints and patterns together to be perfectly polished. AND if you like a little more edge to your footwear there are always studded pumps!

We are all captivated by dress up shoes, and this year satin is the chic'est prerequisite for anyone walking a red carpet. These are definitely not for every day wear since satin is a bit of a delicacy for footwear, but it adds instant glam with a cocktail dress or paired with your favorite skinny jeans for a cocktail hour. Metallics and glitter will also be the accents to add for that WOW factor. 

We've all been there ... gone out in heels and wish we could walk home in flats! Lucky for us that this year there seems to be a love affair with flats. The ballet flat gets a fresh update in this season's biggest trend called a smoking slipper. Of course, this may conjour up images of Hugh Hefner in his PJ's at the Playboy Mansion, but more than a menswear vibe these super comfy flats will be available in all sorts of fabrics and embellishments. They look great with skinnies, a fitted tank and a great slouch sweater or if you want to play it Hugh's way pair them with some wide legged silky pants for a lounging, just got up look!

Want to buy it now and wear it now? These sandals are perfect with bare legs, and when cooler temperatures are here pair them with an opaque hose for a color blocked look. I love this chunky heel, which is also big for Fall, it's so much easier than walking on a stilleto.

Why do we love boots so much? If I told you tall boots were back in season this year you'd probably wonder if they were ever out because every woman must own at least one pair of knee high boots and for good reasons! Always classic and chic, you can pull them on over pants, leggings or with dresses for alot of versatility, but this year designers are showcasing knee high boots with bare legs. 

It may still be a little hot outside right now, but there is nothing hotter than the over-the-knee style boots that are huge for Fall and only going to get hotter as the year goes on. They are sleek, sexy and yet oh so powerful!

The key in choosing the right boot for you is getting the right fit ... around your leg! Boot shafts come in all different sizes so this is where you really need to try them and not just rely on your foot size. It's best to have them fitted around your leg but not so tight so that your skin is bulging. You'll want about a half an inch from your skin to your boot to allow a jean to work inside too.

The mid-calf boot makes an entrance this year and is a great way to keep a dress looking ladylike without wearing a pump.

The bootie has had it's reign the past few years, but this year the ankle goes a bit higher. I really like the way Victoria Beckham showcased her motorcycle boots with a slouchy sock in her Fall collection. Even the sneaker gets wedged up for this season!



And if you're looking for a sensible boot, you'll fall in love with one of the seasons biggest trends - the Chelsea boot. Originally from the Victorian era these ankle tight booties were worn as a riding boot and are distinquished by the elastic siding that runs down both sides of the boot for an easy on/off. Models were spotted wearing them off duty everywhere last year because they are so comfortable to walk around in - sorta like what the flip flop is to the summer. 

We can never have too many shoes or boots in our lives and don't seem to go in and out of fashion as quickly as clothing, plus no matter how tight those skinny jeans get - the shoe always fits!!!!!

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