Monday, August 8, 2016

Gisele Bundchen - Model Crush Monday!


Brazil is hot on everyone’s radar and not only because of the Rio Olympics.  Over a dozen of the world’s top supermodels have come out of Brazil in the last twenty years, which far exceeds any other nation!  And topping that enviable list is the iconic Gisele Bundchen, who Forbes Magazine declared the top earning model of 2015, at 44 million dollars, and with an overall worth of over 300 million.  


At thirty five years old, Gisele has been at the top of the modeling industry for over twenty-one years.  Now married to Patriot’s quarterback Tom Brady, she is mom to two kids, and going as strong as ever, releasing a giant tome of a book published by Taschen this year aptly called “Gisele”, chronicling her career and showcasing her work with the best photographers of the last two decades, including Mario Testino, Helmut Newton, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, David Sims, and Patrick Demarchelier, who was the first photographer to notice she had something special at age sixteen, when he shot her on location for Harper’s Bazaar.


When Gisele began modeling she was regularly criticized for having a big nose and small eyes, but she was so focused and determined that she decided she would be the most professional, punctual, cheerful model on set, and right away  people started to take notice of her for her strong work ethic.  Even fashion design house Missoni ran an ad they had shot with her with Mario Testino, where her hair was blowing over her face, so as to disguise her nose.  But no one could deny that million-dollar body for long and in short order she was at the pinnacle of the modeling and fashion world, with rarely a break, even when she was pregnant.  Strong work ethic indeed! 


Gisele has proven that a gracious and outgoing personality, and complete professionalism are as crucial in a modeling career as physical appearance.    
She credits her success even more than her incredible body to her determination, professionalism, and positive attitude. 


Gisele has shot countless campaigns and magazine covers and editorials, including Chanel, Dior, Givenchy, David Yurman, Roberto Cavalli, Isabel Marant, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Pantene, and Stuart Weitzman.  


#giselebundchen  #brazilianmodels #supermodels  #topearningmodels  #iconicmodels  #forbestoprankingmodels #topsupermodelsofalltime

Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Traction Alopecia - Hair loss Caused by Extensions and How to Repair.


Traction Alopecia is more common than you think and within your control to prevent. Literally it is caused from constant tension, and pulling on fragile hair follicles. Women who wear hair extensions are at the highest risk of developing this condition, but the good news is that you can recover from traction alopecia if you act immediately! 

When extensions are glued, bonded, taped or sewn in to your hair, too much weight is placed on the hair follicles and can cause damage to them. Breakage occurs as hair is "lost" and literally breaks off the hair it is attached to. Also removal of hair extensions or new placement of the extensions for maintenance, requires chemical solvents for removal that are severely damaging. Even that gentle picking off can cause damage.   It is the pulling "traction" that causes traction alopecia and hair loss. If you detect this early you can repair the damage.

Hair follicles are very fragile and just like over plucking your eyebrows, once you damage a hair follicle it can forever stop producing a hair. We are born with a certain number of hair follicles at birth. There is nothing that can stimulate or grow a NEW hair follicle. You get what you get so to speak, so you must be gentle and take care of them. 

If you are an extension wearer and notice your hair is thinning, or falling out more than normal in areas where extension are, then it is time to rethink your hair choices. Because hair extensions are helping your hair appear fuller this may go on for some time before you notice.

First you need to remove the extension method that you are using. If you can't bear the thought of giving up your hair there is a design option that does not cause damage that you might consider, Hidden Crown Hair Extensions - this temporary extension design is a whole head of hair on a single invisible thin filament - it has no clips, no glue and can help you still have luscious hair while you recover.



Here are other tips to reduce your recovery time for traction alopecia:


  • Stop using any chemicals in your hair - hair dye or bleach
  • Air dry your hair - no Heat
  • Wash with restorative shampoos sulfate-free
  • Avoid harsh hair styles that pull tightly or use of elastic rubber bands


Finally, make sure you are nourishing your hair follicles from the inside out. Your diet should contain omega 3 fatty acids, lean protein, fruits and vegetables along with drinking plenty of water!

Please comment below if you have experienced this problem and the time it took for recovery, or any helpful tips for others facing this unexpected condition. 

You might also like to read what else you Might now know about Clip in Hair Extensions {Here}



Hello Rio! Top Models Train like Olympic Athletes


The Rio Olympics are in full swing and promises to be as spectacular as ever, with the added bonus of being set against a backdrop of dramatic scenery and exotic beaches covered in carioca and their enviable figures.  Not one nation does beach culture quite like the Brazilians with their emphasis on toned but curvy bodies, and sporty athleticism.  Beach sports are everywhere on Copacabana Beach, from sand volleyball, foot volley, surfing, to frescobol, which is a bit like paddle tennis on the sand, and everyone participates while showing off their fit bodies in the tiniest of swimwear – no wonder the Brazilian bikini wax started right here.  


The Olympics always inspire me in my own fitness routine to be stronger, faster, leaner, and to have more endurance.  It makes sense that many of the top models in the world train like athletes to achieve their amazing bodies and to be at the top of their game, some even after having babies, like Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, and Doutzen Kroes.  


Adriana Lima mixes jump rope with shadow boxing, Doutzen Krose goes for ballet and biking, Isabel Goulart mixes her routine up between running, TRX, and pilates.  Gigi Hadid also boxes several times and week, and Karli Kloss uses resistance bands and does pilates.  

Weight training, non-deep lunges, pilates, ballet and barre classes, jumping rope, boxing and running are the top choices of models, who mix up their training, alternating between cardio and weigh-bearing exercise.  Pilates and ballet improve posture and core strength and give muscles long, lean definition, which is essential for models.  Cardio gives them stamina and energy. Being genetically tall is one thing but these girls train like athletes to reach their peak physical potential, and to be lean and strong rather than skinny and weak.  


Traveling, or not having access to a gym is no excuse to skip a workout.  These models are prepared and diligent about getting in a workout no matter where they are in the world.  They bring ankle weights, slide plates, jump ropes and resistance bands so they can exercise anywhere.  I’ve even seen models doing lunges up and down hallways at castings, and jumping jacks in dressing rooms and pushups against the walls – every little bit helps and keeps the body alert and not always at rest, which maintains a good metabolism, and energy level.  Not to mention long, lean, muscle tone.  So no excuses!  We might not have access to top fitness trainers and gyms but we can follow these models and be inspired to get moving and to be our best. Many top models post examples of their workout routines on their instagram feeds if you need a daily dose of inspiration!  

#modelfitnessroutines #modelstrainlikeathletes #modelexercise #modelfitness #modelworkouts #victoriassecretmodelsfitness

Monday, August 1, 2016

Stella Maxwell - Model Crush Monday !


It’s been a steamy summer so it’s appropriate that our Model Crush Monday this week is the smoking hot bombshell Stella Maxwell.


Truly an international beauty, 26 year old Stella Maxwell was born in Belgium to Northern Irish Diplomat parents, and raised in Belgium, Australia and New Zealand, now calling NYC and LA home.  


2015 and 2016 have been banner years for Stella, winning her wings as a Victoria Secret Angel, and being named the #1 Hottest Woman by Maxim Magazine.  Not bad for a girl who calls herself a late bloomer!  She has walked the runways of Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Fendi and Balmain to name just a few, and shot editorials for several international editions of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Numero, Purple, and Glamour Magazines.  


Modeling is a stepping-stone for Stella who is recording her first album in hopes of a music career.  Rising to the top so quickly in the modeling world certainly won’t hurt her chances of staying in the limelight for a long time to come!  



#stellamaxwell  #supermodels  #victoriassecretangels  #futuresupermodels  #onestowatch  #Maximmagazine #hottestwoman #internationalbeauty  #bikinimodels  #swimwearmodels  #Maximmodels

Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Model Perfection, Photoshop and Filters ! Why don't my Photos look that?


Next time you are scanning magazines, Instagram feeds, and websites, and you see a perfect photo of a flawless model in a dreamy location and you start to think to yourself “why don’t my pictures ever look like that?’ or “why does my hair and makeup never look like that even when I spent hours on it” – just STOP!

You know all about image manipulation and photo-shopping of magazine and web images, and you’ve probably tried out photo filters on your phone to enhance your own pics, but there is often so much to it than that, and keeping this in mind when you look at these altered images takes the sting out of it this perceived perfection.  It takes a whole team to make an image for a magazine editorial when working with a model, and an even bigger crew when the feature involves a celebrity. Models and movie stars are mere mortals and just like the rest of us, not a single one of them arrives on set looking like the final image.

A typical editorial shoot has a large crew to make a production go smoothly and to help the team achieve the images to create the “story”.  The model may have been cast by the magazine’s booking editor, or a casting director.  The producer takes care of the location, catering, transportation, scheduling, and budget management.  The fashion or beauty editor represents the magazine, has the “concept” of the shoot planned out ahead of time, and sourced the other members of the team.  They might also have assistants on set.  The photographer and their assistants look after the technical aspects of the shoot and interpret the story line given by the editor.  The digital tech processes the images as the shoot progresses, so the team can be certain they are on the right track.

The stylist brings all the clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry that fit the concept and will have several options for last minute switch-ups.  The stylist also pins, stitches, clips, irons, tapes, and alters the styling to fit perfectly for the purposes of the shot.   The makeup artist and hair stylist are given a mood or inspiration board, and it typically takes two hours to transform the model into the “look” that fits the storyline for the shoot. 

For each shot the model and photographer work to compose the image, whether it is a static, posed shot, or if the model needs to repeat a specific movement.  Add in the changing lighting conditions, wind, or other variables in a shot such as waves, crowds, or vehicles, and each shot must be done like choreographed routine when shooting on location.  And normally the team shoots eight such images in a day for a magazine editorial.  The production team must be creative, good collaborators, proficient, and flexible to get it all done in a day.  Catalogue shoots might rotate models and shoot twenty “looks” per day.  Advertising projects might have an illustrated storyboard for the shoot, and the team is then  led by an art director. 

After each shoot is completed, the images are edited by the fashion or beauty editor and the photographer, to choose the best shots to tell the story.  These images then proceed to the post-production stage to be manipulated and retouched.  Hair out of place or skin imperfections?  Gone.  The dress blew in an odd way when the model moved?  Corrected.  Less than idea lighting conditions?  Brightened.  Tourists looking on at the edge of the frame?  Out.  Model’s eyes too small, legs too thick, hair not full enough?  Altered.  Colors too dull?  Enhanced.

It takes a team of top professionals to create the best possible images on set, and then the image is still manipulated to be optimal and void of any “imperfections”.  This is the case in nearly all photo productions.  How can anyone without all this creative help ever achieve these type of images?
So don’t compare yourself, or judge, or feel inadequate when you see your photos and feel they fall short.  Do your best and be your most amazing self.  Practice what looks good for you in photos.  Try filters, but not all the time.  There is nothing “wrong” or “less” about being yourself. 

When I started modeling there was no photo-shopping of images after they were completed. We used black and white Polaroids to check the light and the details. Yes, we still had a team, and it was so gratifying to see my pictures later knowing how hard we all worked together to make it happen.  We appreciated the efforts so much more.  It was me!  It was real!  Technology has trained our brains to expect perfection in images – and in ourselves – but it is not a true representation of reality.  No one can measure up to these standards. 

I have many posts on this blog to show you from my perspective as a model how to put your best face forward and pose like a star in photos!

Instant tricks to improve your phone photos!  But first - let me take a selfie! Real supermodel tips

Natural light is the easiest way to get the most flattering photos. When you are outside, position your head so that you can feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Learn more about how to find the perfect light outside {HERE} Lesson #1 - Soft lighting is a girl's best friend!

It's pretty easy to "put a smile on your face" - read this post to make sure it at least "LOOKS" genuine because you can definitely tell when it's not. {HERE} How to smile for a photo - No cheese please!


Use makeup to enhance your beauty and create illusions with highlighting and contouring. This is a trick celebrity makeup artists have used for years for flawless perfection in a photo. Learn how to do it yourself {HERE} Contouring is the New Photoshop #NoFilter!


Practice. Practice. Practice. Moving in front of the camera is easy - Learn how the pros do it {HERE} How to move for a photo like a model!



❤            ❤           ❤ ❤           


My book “Face This: Real Advicefrom Real Models on How to Become Picture Perfect!: A Model’s Secrets”  gives in-depth tips and photo illustrations to anyone who wants to look better in photos.  In today’s social media world, who doesn’t need this advice?  You can find my book on Amazon!



#modeltips  #modelingadvice  #howtolookbetterinphotos  #magazineeditorials #fashioneditorials  #beautyeditorials #facethis:amodel’ssecrets #shelleygoodstein