Saturday, February 18, 2012

Bracelet Style Arm Candy. Layering Rules of the Wrist!


Photos via Pinterest

This is the season of the Wrist! 
Layered bracelets have been on trend for about a year, but in case you've been hesitant in doing it yourself now is the time to look through your jewelry box to dig out old charm bracelets, family heirlooms,  friendship beads, or if you're lucky, a gold Cartier love bracelet ... anything that is important to you! In fact, the more you have the better!

 There are no rules here, but here are some tips:





In my opinion, 5 to 7 inches is about as high up as you want to go, but make sure you have at least 3 layering pieces.

From glam to ethnic to biker rock ... everything goes!

Women are stacking mixed metals, varying widths, vintage, bangles, leather, fine jewelry, embellished costume jewelry, beaded, braided or different colors.











At the center of many of these looks is a great watch! 






Keep in mind that you will probably be questioned about the meaning of these stacks ... add something personal and tell the story, reliving the moments each time you do! 








One important tip is to make sure your bracelets are fitting snug and not overlapping each other too much.





Remember to keep the statement on your wrists and not to overpower the rest of your look with big necklaces and earrings or you will start to look like a walking Christmas tree! 

                                                                                                                        via Michael Kors 


Think of this as chaotic arm candy and head over to places like Forever 21 and H & M to fill in any missing pieces. Mostly, have fun creating your very own chic signature look!


If you liked this check out my new blog about the new ruler in town ... The statement necklace!



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

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

How to Move for a photo - Coco Rocha style! Take pictures like a model.

                                                                                        photo by Christopher Barr Photography


It is not true that a beautiful girl just naturally takes a beautiful photo.

Many times the prettiest girl doesn’t make it as a model because she has no clue how to work a camera. She is sweet, humble, modest … and because she hears all the time how beautiful she is, this girl says "ok, I’m gorgeous" and bounces around making all sorts of goofy faces, falling into old habits like slouching or weird poses during a test shoot when the pressure is on. None of which translates into a beautiful photo.

Any girl is capable of more than this, which is why not only the beautiful girls get modeling agents. You have to become arrogant when the camera is turned on you. You must give an attitude to the photographer like “I am doing you a favor letting you take my picture!” Leave the sweet, innocent vibe at home … it will be there waiting for you when you walk through the door, but at a photo shoot you MUST be in control. Think to yourself, they could have picked any girl, and they chose ME! I am going to remind them of the reason why! 

Ahhhh, Yes... Confidence! This is what it is about and it radiates from within your head all the way to your fingertips. Last month I did a photo shoot for the Phoenician (behind the scenes photo above) and the photographer gave me the most wonderful compliment. This is what he wrote: 


     "By the way, you were awesome ... it is such a pleasure to work with pros that bring more than just genetics to a shoot. The shoot archive is strong and your one of the reasons why."



Out-takes from another commercial shoot that my makeup artist, Giselle Fox, took with her camera phone. 

When the Camera is ON so are you. When the camera is DOWN you can go back to being yourself. 

What to do? You are on the beach in a bikini. You have a top and a bottom. No props, just you and your confidence. Sounds a little intimidating doesn't it? Rather than only striking a pose and giving a smile ... you can play with your hair, toss your head, arch your back, stick out your butt, turn, dance, crack up laughing, splash the water, the options are really endless when you free your mind and let yourself really model.  Check the stupid faces at the door, and think arrogant attitude … own the photo with your face, oozing confidence and control the entire time. 


Watch and Learn - Coco Rocha as she gets the cover shot in less than 20 moves - This is how you Move on camera!


My friend and fellow Ford model, Katie Reed says, 

"Models don't just pout their lips. They have to be willing to open up. They have to show us a little of their soul. Their secrets. Nobody wants to see photos of weak people. We look at great models because they open up from a position of strength."

There are a lot of books out there to tell you what a model does, types of models, how to get an agency, modeling lingo, etc but really EVERY girl wants to know how to take better pictures and my book can tell you the secrets behind the science of doing so. Face This: Real advice from real models, photographers and make up artist on how to become Picture Perfect! is available for $7.99 on Kindle, Nook and iTunes. Also as a paperback on Amazon.com What are you waiting for? Time to OWN my book and YOUR photos!

Friday, January 27, 2012

Best Way to Hide and Conceal Pimples and Acne!


It never fails, a zit shows up the night before a special event or worse you break out before a big photo shoot. It is well known that celebrity A-listers like Cameron Diaz, Brittany Spears and Megan Fox struggle with acne issues.  Unfortunately with HD, 10 times zoom, these stars often get caught in the spotlight with no place for cover.

MEGAN FOX
So what can you do when a pimple shows up? Yes there is photoshop, but for those times when you can't walk into a room with photoshop, it's time to think like a makeup artist! With the right techniques you can cover up that zit so that no one will notice. 


1. When you have a pimple one of your goals is to reduce the swelling and flatten it. First step is to try using ice or ibuprofen. Visine, offering the same vasoconstriction properties that get the red out of your eyes, can work on pimples too. Soak a cotton swab in Visine and hold it next to your pimple for 5 minutes. 

If have time, an overnight, check out my post about what to use in {Get Rid of a Pimple Fast} it's the best secret tip I know that really works!


2. If it is oozing use a tinted blemish cream that covers and heals like Clearasil. If you've already popped it, moisturize the area so that it is not flaky or dry from products that you've used to previously treat it. You do want to try to dry out the little monster but without irritating it. Benzoyl peroxide is your best choice to help shrink it.


Britney Spears
3. When you are choosing a concealer to cover a zit, pick a thick formula that is quite dry and use a very small, pointy concealer brush to cover it from all angles. It is best to use a makeup brush so that you can get into all the crevices that your finger cannot. Don't brush across but instead dab the concealer onto your little monster, then tap your finger on top to set. Use a green based concealer corrector followed by foundation to counteract redness. Don't choose a concealer that is lighter than your skin tone or you will just bring attention to the thing you are trying to cover up. Focus only on the pimple and not the surrounding area. After you are finished concealing you can blend out to your skin, but do not blend or touch the actual zit.

Cameron Diaz

4. Next you will want to blot with loose powder to make sure that it remains hidden and the makeup doesn't slide off the pimple's oily surface. It's best to use an eyeshadow brush loaded with powder.

5. My very good friend and go-to makeup artist, Colleen Stone, recommends mineral makeup for pimples because she says it really covers without adding bulk. Because a zit is usually raised, you will still probably see it on your face but it will be much less noticeable when covered well. If your pimple is large you might notice that it casts a shadow too. Use a lighter color concealer underneath the bottom half where the shadowing is for an optical illusion to counteract this effect, before setting with powder.

6. You might also like my article about some of the new at home devices: {Blue Light to Zap Zits}

7. Some of the best concealers I recommend are:

Makeup Forever HD Concealer

Amazing Cosemetics Concealer
Cle' de Peau Beaute Concealer


7. You may also like my article on How to get rid of a zit fast {HERE} - and it's not by using toothpaste! 

Acne scarred model and California teen, Cassandra Bankson, has learned how to apply makeup to conceal her zits to help others who suffer and has become a YouTube sensation. Watch as she transforms herself with her new found application skills using Make Up Forever HD Foundation.  




  All of this just goes to show that anyone can deal with an occasional acne break out by choosing the right cosmetics!


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! To learn more secrets on how to create a flawless face for photographs and real life purchase her new book, Face This: Real advice from real models, photographers and makeup artists on how to become Picture Perfect! Available for $7.99 on Kindle, Nook and iTunes and also paperback on Amazon.com


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