Rock Chic: Fall's Most-Wanted Fashion Picks

Everyone has dreamed of being a rock star - or maybe the girlfriend of the rock star - and the Fall/Winter 2016-17 collections paid homage to a few of these eternal style icons, Stevie Nicks, Bianca Jagger and Debbie Harry. Think luxurious designs in velvet, leather, black lace, and sequins, statement jewelry that is meant to be seen, and jackets with bandleader detailing.  It is the opposite of sweet and demure, and definitely not for wallflowers.

If you buy one thing this fall make it a trophy jacket. There is a style for everyone and every budget.  A bandleader jacket makes a fashion statement but retains a cool factor, goes with everything from skirts to jeans, to black trousers, to a topper over a dress.  You can wear it with anything from florals, to brocades, to leather.  It is every bit as versatile as a jean jacket or a black blazer so wear it with a laid back casual style or dress it up however you want.  It’s a classic style that repeats itself every few years so don’t be afraid to invest in your favorite one.  If you are on a budget, check for actual bandleader jackets at thrift shops and embellish it with pins or regalia to customize it. 

Bold statement jewelry is back, and has an almost eighties feel, with a major sparkle factor.  In the past few years the style has to been to pick one piece and let it speak for itself, but things just got a whole lot louder!  Wear a minimum to two pieces, such as earrings and large cuff or choker necklace, or wear gold on bare skin against black.  Just don’t be too minimal about it or you are missing the point.  Bold, Baby, bold!

Black lace is having a moment and the style this time around is to look a little racy while not looking at all vulgar.  So black lace lingerie that peaks out from a sweater, or from a jacket – leather or velvet would be nice, or even a camisole worn with pants hits the right note between “wow” and “whoa”.

 Channel your inner rock chick and kick it up a notch this fall by wearing your bandleader jacket every weekend wherever you go, add some black lace under your sweaters and jackets for work and lose the sweaters and jackets for after work, and add some jewelry that is more cool than heirloom-serious. Fall just got fun.

#rockchic  #topfallstyles  #topfallfashion  #fallsmostwantedfashion #topfallfashionpicks  #trophyjackets  #bandleaderjackets  #blacklace  #statementjewelry  #blodjewelry  #eightiesstyle  #seventiesstyle  #stevienicksstyle  #debbieharrystyle  #biancajaggerstyle 

Miranda Kerr - Model Crush Monday!

Women love her and men adore her – Miranda Kerr is the rarest of rare supermodels with broad appeal across the sexes and around the world, and her ranking as the second highest paid model in the world in 2015 proves it!

Cheeky dimples, an easy smile, and an amazing body belie the fact that Miranda is a smart businesswoman and brand expert.  Not only is she one of the few to be crowned a Victoria’s Secret Angel, she has also authored books teaching self-confidence and self-empowerment, has her own top-tier beauty and skincare line called Kora Organics, and a charming and highly successful collaboration with UK brand Royal Albert with her own line of teacups and accessories. 

Born and raised in Australia, Miranda was discovered when she won a modeling competition for Dolly Magazine at age thirteen.  Years of commercial success in Australia and Asia set her up for a big international debut, where she booked advertisements for many high-end advertisements for various brands in New York, and exposed her to international photographers and designers. 

Campaigns for Prada, Roberto Cavalli, Bally, Mango, H&M, and editorials with such star-making photographers as Steven Meisel for the cover and editorials for Vogue Italia, and Mario Testino for Vogue Japan’s fifteenth anniversary issue have made Miranda one of the most recognized faces in modeling around the world.  Over the last fifteen years she has achieved the “golden egg” of modeling - a beauty contract, becoming a spokes-model for Maybelline, and has been the face of both Clinique’s fragrance “Happy”, and Escada’s “Joyful”. 

Miranda’s brand is everywhere and it’s hard to keep up!  If you aren’t already one of her 9.8 Million Instagram followers, you are missing out!  Mom, girl next-door, amazing international beauty, smart businesswoman, champion of women and girls, and approachable beauty, makes her inspirational and a true Model Crush!   

Miranda Kerr’s website:  www.mirandakerr.com

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mirandakerr/

#mirandakerr  #modelcrushmondays #supermodels #forbeshighestpaidmodels #australiansupermodels  #victoriassecretangels  #roaylalbert  #koraorgranics  #modeslasmentors #beautymodels #celebritymodels  #modelcelebrities  #imgmodels 

Red, red wine…. THE top lip color trend for lips for Fall 2016 is a matte merlot

 

All the fall magazines are about to hit the stands and the stores are nearly full of fall fashion.  After months of casual, breezy styles, and natural, glowing makeup, it feels right to start planning our autumn wardrobe, including a more polished beauty look.

The Fall/Winter 2016-2017 runways showcased options to suit every mood and style and one of the strongest trends was a matte complexion and deep merlot-red, matte lip, which ranged from classic, to cinematic, to almost gothic. 

The deep, berry-hued matte power lip looks most current with an equally matte face, with simply a good concealer, rose blush, and mascara.  Begin by using a beauty sponge to apply matte foundation to lips.  Then use a lip brush to apply and blend the lip color, skipping a lip liner.  Set the lip color with a translucent powder. 

Lip colors to try:

• L’Oreal Paris Color Riche Lipcolor in Raisin Rapture
• Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in Zealot

Adriana Lima - Model Crush Monday!

Bringing it back to Brazil this week as we continue our crushes on the Brazilian bombshells ... this week’s supermodel is the stunning Adriana Lima!  We have seen those eyes and that body for twenty years now and no one is getting tired of it or moving on to the next.  35 year old Adriana has become an icon in her time, having walked hundreds of designer runways, appeared in countless campaigns world-wide, and for dozens of international magazine covers.  Adriana has been the spokesperson for Maybelline Cosmetics for seven years and a Victoria’s Secret Angel since 2000 - their longest reigning Angel to date.  

Adriana has as many guy fans as she does women, and for good reason: she is a girls’ girl who inspires women to work out harder and to embrace their inner goddess, all while appearing in record breaking issues of Esquire and GQ.  She has even appeared twice in the legendary Pirelli Calendar, one of those times pregnant.  Her Superbowl ads for Victoria’s Secret, Kia, and Teleflora ranked at the top for number of viewers, with Adriana being the first celebrity to appear in two Superbowl ads in the same year.  

Adriana carried the Olympic torch in Rio, tearing up with pride and exclaiming to the world what an honor is was to be a part of such an epic time in Brazil.   Hosting TV segments along with fellow Angel Alessandra Ambrosio and Ryan Seacrest have kept her front and center these past two weeks, and we can’t get enough of her laugh and flirty nature! 

Adriana has femininity with an edge, eyes to dream about, and an exotic mix that makes us wish we were Brazilian!  Maybe if we work out more, learn to make cat eyes, and practice how to work our curves, all while channeling our inner-carioca…..


#supermodels  #braziliansupermodels  #adrianalima  #victoriassecretangels  #pirellicalendar  #rioolympics  #adrianalimaryanseacrest  #superbowlads

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

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

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

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

Cayley King - Future Supermodel and Our Model Crush Monday!

Mid-west American beauty Cayley King is exploding on to the modeling scene and on her way to becoming one of America’s future supermodels.  Two years ago at age 16 her Dad emailed pictures of Cayley to Ford Models Chicago’s website and before she knew it, she was on her way traveling to NYC, Europe, and Asia.

Cayley has walked for Versace where she admitted the high heels were a major challenge, but she is sure to get tons of practice in the coming seasons.  She is quickly racking up credits in the top magazines like V Magazine, Interview, i-D, British Vogue, Bazaar Germany, Vogue Italia, Surf Magazine and Elle Kazakhsta, and has shot campaigns for Sass & Bide, Forever 21 and Carolina Sarria.

Cayley recently broke away from the pack of commercial blonde haired models by shaving part of her hair off, which immediately gave her an amazing editorial look with a touch of androgyny. Going from a fresh-faced teen to a striking editorial model with international appeal has changed the trajectory of her career. Remember her name – I predict an all-American supermodel on the horizon.

Cayley King’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/caylaylay/

#cayleyking  #futuresupermodels #teenmodels #IMGmodels #onestowatch #americanmodels #newfaces #breakoutmodels #supermodels

Modeling HOW TO: Stand out and Get Noticed!

Most models will tell you stories of long castings stuck in corridors, looking around at a sea of clones all dressed in tight black clothes, wearing heels, and with their hair pulled back in a pony tail.  How is a model supposed to stand out and get noticed?  There is no golden ticket answer, but how you present yourself and the impression you leave can go a long way in increasing your odds of separating yourself from the pack and getting the booking.

For over a decade the modeling industry has seen an extremely limited range of models, which is the polar opposite of the “cult of personality” of the supermodel era.  Knowing how agents and clients perceive you is critical: do they consider you professional, mature, focused, committed?  Do they see you as a waif when you feel like a bombshell?  There can’t be a disconnect here or it will mean a much bigger struggle to achieving your dreams. 

There are golden rules to creating a great reputation as a model so pay attention: 

• Always be professional:  Strive for a good relationship with your bookers and agents, since you must work as a team to build your career.  Always being professional, means being reliable, cheerful, a team player, on time, and never being a know-it-all.  If your agents and bookers know you are ambitious, focused, and a good listener, they are more likely to go above and beyond to help you achieve your dreams.  Ask them how you can build your brand to get more attention from editors and casting directors.  Be interested, and interesting!

• Be original:  The old adage that you should always be yourself because no one can do it better than you is true, and no more so than in building a modeling career.  Don’t be a cookie-cutter model. No one can do you better than YOU!  And do yourself a favor and don’t look at all the other models in the model apartments or at castings and measure yourself against them.  Ever.  Everyone is building their own career, so concern yourself with yours.  That goes for fashioning your “look” on another model – it doesn’t work, and a copy is just a copy. 

• Know your strengths and work them:  Whether it is high cheekbones, long legs, amazing eyebrows, a great body, a supermodel walk, a chameleon face, or a great personality, see it for the advantage that it is and work it.  Are you a good mover, or a power poser? Are you athletic or super feminine, androgynous or sexy?  Own it and make it work for you.

• Be aware of your social media presence:  This is somewhere that you can have more control over your “model image” and show your strengths to their best advantage.  But be careful what you show – clients DO look at model’s social media accounts – it matters!  If you are athletic and can do cartwheels, here is your platform to show it off.  If you are a fun-loving model who likes to dance and giggle, make a little clip and post it to show you have a great personality.  Just remember – the industry is watching.

Be fearless:  Stay true to yourself because clients and agents notice a confident, focused model who is a pleasure to work with, who delivers, and is professional.  There are too many models with hang ups, insecurities, or a bad attitude, so don’t be that model – and you will stand out for being the opposite!  Be YOU!

#business of modeling #standing out  #know your strengths #how to succeed in modeling #be unique #be original #beyourself