Spilling Beauty Secrets that Celebrities Would Rather Keep to Themselves.

As a model I am constantly having my makeup done by different makeup artists. Each one has their own special skills and techniques they use to make their A-listers look stunning! These secrets seem to be reserved only for actresses, models and celebrities because they are so well guarded, but I am sharing a few of them with you that the rich and famous would probably rather keep to themselves. Shhhhhhhhh....

Just like a fairy tale there is a beginning to the happily ever after beauty transformation. And it starts with a makeup primer. Good for you if you're already using this under your foundation, but I bet you missed the confidential memo about the importance of using one for your eyes. You need to use an eye shadow primer so the shadow has something to cling on to and doesn’t crease up into the folds of your eyes making you look old and tired. The one I see used the most on set is NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base $24.

The other trick that makes your eyes look bigger is lining the inside rim with a white or flesh colored eye pencil. My favorites to use are Tarte's EmphasEYES Inner Rim Brightener $18 and Smashbox 'Eye Beam' Double-Ended  Brightener $22. You can highlight and brighten your eyes in one step. After lining the rims, you want to make sure to highlight the inner corner of your eyes and the brow bone. This added step is what brings the sparkle you see from the eyes in red carpet photos.

It is well known that olive oil is a healthy alternative to use in our diet, but it can also be used to remove your eye makeup. A study from the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology comfirmed that oleic acid, which comprises 80 % of olive oil, can seep into the layers of the skin and help prevent premature aging. Not only effective in moisturizing this delicate area of our face, if you use olive oil to remove your eye makeup you may also notice an improvement in your lashes. See my Going to Great Lengths blog post for why moisturizing your eyes will add to oomph to your lashes and watch this video by Michelle Phan using olive oil to remove her makeup.

If your teeth are sensitive to whiteners, try using another little secret that some of my model friends use for their pearly whites. After you are done brushing your teeth, rinse your toothbrush and dip it in hydrogen peroxide and brush again. Hydrogen peroxide not only whitens teeth, it kills germs and helps canker sores heal.

Using injectable fillers are not the only way to get that bee stung lip look. You may have tried some glosses with lip plumpers (my favorite is Soap & Glory Sexy Mother Pucker) , but the problem is that they are expensive and only come in limited shades and formulations. You can achieve this puckered pout after you apply your favorite lipstick by dabbing on some ordinary peppermint extract or cinnamon oil, which can last for up to 4 hours, or use it mixed in with some Vaseline for your lips. It puffs by irritating the lips and dramatically increasing blood circulation. You can purchase the oils at a health food or massage oil store for about $5 and the bottle will last a long time. Just be sure you are not allergic by testing on your wrist first.

If you like being in the know, order your copy or download my book  Face This  where I share these and many more secrets to looking prettier in your pictures!

A Real Model's Diet - the Inside Skinny!

The Supermodel Diet … 
It’s not all about cutting carbs, starving or cabbage soup.

Many people ask me how models stay skinny? Convinced of some supermodel secret to dieting, everyone wants the short cut. Truth is, there is none. Some women, believe it or not, really don’t have to obsess over their weight. However, I have noticed some commonalities to the way my model friends eat that I want to share with you because models aren’t the only ones who like to look thin. 

Adhere to a Routine. Models tend to eat the same thing every day for breakfast. One of my best skinny model friends has a bowl of hot oatmeal, raisins and skim milk … EVERY SINGLE MORNING! This makes choosing what to eat a no-brainer and takes the variable of adding in extra calories out of the equation.

Brown bag your lunch. If you are grabbing something on the go, when ordering out do it the model way:

• Linda Evangelista has been quoted saying, “ I don’t diet. I just don’t eat as much as I’d like to.”  Order an appetizer as your entrée. Portion control is KEY and this method does it for you. If you’re with a friend order 2 apps and split them for variety.

• Skip the sauces and choose tomato or oil and vinegar in place of mayo, cream or butter sauces. Better yet, order all topping on the side and use sparingly.

• Use spices! According to a Forbes article, models that make the most money often eat fibrous foods with spices to speed up their metabolism. So reach for the red pepper flakes and hot sauce girls!

• What keeps me skinny is that I only eat food I really like. If something is on my plate that is just so-so, I leave it. It's important to be mindful of what you're eating and why.

Eat Green and Only White if it's protien . This is an easy trick we can all use. When you are making choices remember to load up on green leafy vegetables and keep away from any white processed carbs (bread, pasta, cookies, rice) Eating white only for protein  - egg whites, chicken, turkey, pork or fish.

Get Moving. Most models don’t aspire to have that hardcore, muscle-bound bodybuilder figure, but when interviewed you will hear ALL of them talk about doing some sort of regular exercise like yoga, pilates, or jogging ... several days a week – No Excuses!

Snack. At runway shows, it is common practice for the producers to bring in food platters. What is interesting is that the fruit and veggies trays are always empty, while the sandwich plates and chip bowls remain full. Models know that it’s important to snack on healthy low calorie foods. They are careful to never arrive anywhere feeling ravenous. I always carry a granola bar or nuts in my model tote when I show up for a job. Eating a banana and drinking a bottle of water before dinner will  help you eat less and pass on the bread basket or seconds because you already feel full. By the way, models are always drinking water and staying well hydrated!

Supplement. The Aussie supermodel, Elle Macpherson is reportedly a fan of dietary fish oil and makes foods like makerel and salmon, which coincidentally are good for glowing skin, a beauty staple. Emergen C and vitamins are also on a model’s list.

Work a Party. VIP invitations are always coming to models via their agency, promoters and social networks. Many believe that most models exist strictly on cigarettes, caffeine and alcohol, but lots of supermodels, like Heidi Klum, avoid alcohol. Most people realize that alcohol is filled with empty calories so drink sparkling water from a wine glass or a Diet Coke in between your cocktails. Also, carry a purse so you can’t snack as easily with your hands free.

Contrary to popular belief, not all supermodels have an eating disorder or believe in dieting, but they are motivated to keep a disciplined routine when it comes to eating. The secret comes from finding the sweet spot … a happy weight and an achievable way to maintain it.

Once you have the diet down pat, check out my other post on how to Make your Legs Look Longer or The Dream Diet: How to Lose Weight While you Sleep

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

 

How to DeBloat after all Your Holiday Partying

The media suggest that the average American usually gains between 7-10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Years, but according to the most reliable study to date published in the New England Journal of Medicine, it is less than one pound!


If your clothes feel tight and your face puffy it is more likely you are experiencing the "bloat" which can tip the scales up to 5 pounds plus.

Holiday festivities include family potluck gatherings, neighborhood gift exchanges, Thanksgiving dinner, cookie swaps, Christmas and office parties, not to mention the celebratory New Years toast!  All of these rich and processed foods that are being served usually mean more sodium - leading straight to water weight. 

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.  Here are some  strategies to help you de-bloat.

1.  In between parties cut back on calories. 

This shouldn't be very hard to do since you have overindulged and feel full. 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.

Shelley GoodStein is a 47 year old FORD model who speaks to women through television, national articles and public forums about a model's secrets to looking good from the inside out and the beauty of aging! She is the author of Face This: Advice From Real Models, Photographers and Make Up Artists on How to Become Picture Perfect!