Tips For Great Skin

Sophie Dahl

The following are the anonymous tips that every model usually stick to because of contractual agreements.

“I boil some whole milk, and then let it cool down. I lift off the film that forms on the surface, and apply it to my skin. After it dries, I scrub it off and exfoliate my skin.”

“I drink a ton of spring water. I don’t smoke, and I rarely drink. When I do drink wine, I always choose a spritzer. Before a shoot, I avoid fatty foods and chocolate.”

“I wash my face with 2 teaspoons of sea salt, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice.”

“I add a tablespoon of honey to my bath. It invigorates my skin and leaves it feeling like silk.”

“I mash up a melon and leave it on my face for about 15 minutes. The melon is rich in beta carotene to combat cell damage.”

How Do They Stay In Shape

Sophie Dahl grows her own herbs and adds them to every dish to make low-calorie dishes more enjoyable.

Molly Sims swims and practices yoga daily.
Eva Herzigova starts every day with fruit and drinks different teas throughout the day.

Alek Wek’s skin is very dark and ashy, so she rubs baby oil all over her legs and arms at every photo shoot to give it glisten and shine.

Gisele Bundchen uses a dark concealer on the tip of her nose to make it appear shorter.

Naomi Campbell brushes her teeth, and then makes sure to also thoroughly brush her lip area to keep it smooth and slightly plumped.

Naomi Campbell

Years of taking pictures have yielded a list of dos and don’ts. Whether it’s for a business picture, yearbook, or that special family event, make your next picture session an absolute success!

What to Wear

Choose solid colours and avoid patterns, which grab too much attention away from the face.

Wear black and white with heavier emphasis on black for blondes and white for brunettes.

Avoid jewellery that would distract from the face or that would possibly date the photo.

Avoid clothing that would indicate a season or trend.

Stay with classic clothing.

Makeup

Don’t use moisturizer under your foundation. It can look extremely “greasy” in a photo.

Use lots of powder, but make certain its matte, not translucent.

If you’ll be snapped by flash photography, go heavier on makeup. Flash photography bleaches out cosmetics.

Line lips, then dip a Q-tip in powder, and run along the line. This will create a mouth that “pops” out. Never wear frosts or odd colours.

Avoid over styling or “big” hair. It looks overdone.

Models prefer running to any other exercise. They choose it not only for their figures, but for healthy complexions.

Most models agree that on-the-job training is the only way to learn. Many of the most successful models never attended “modelling schools.”

Designers each have their own rules for walking the runway. Too much posing is out.

A model’s bag is filled with things you’ve never dreamed of! Here’s a sampling of what you would find if you were to peek into the everyday bag of a working model.

P.S. Every model gets a workout just from lugging the thing around!

Baby Wipes

This is a great tool for both cleansing the face and removing makeup. Baby wipes are hygienic (use them once and throw them away) and gentle to the face. You’ll find that most versions contain lanolin, which is a skin softener. Purchase the convenient travel pack to freshen up at a moment’s notice. It’s also useful for taking up a stain or deodorant mark.

Haemorrhoid Cream

We use it on our puffy eyes, along the jawline, and on puffy cheeks. It is an instant facelift, and a favourite of the die-hard partygoers.

Chalk

Here’s a natural way to hide stains. Carry white chalk for white clothing, and coloured chalk for all the different colours of your wardrobe. I prefer that you use these natural treatments over chemical stain removers because they are safer for the planet and many fabrics can be ruined by chemical versions.

Garlic And Papaya Tablets

This is an absolute must when it’s necessary to get weight off in a hurry. Garlic and papaya tablets act together as a diuretic and can get up to six pounds off in a couple of days. Ask your pharmacist for the strongest strength available over-the-counter. Take two garlic tablets with two papaya tablets before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Eat lightly on these days, staying away from carbs and salt. There are “star” caplets out there on the market with similar ingredients priced at $100 and up. You can buy garlic and papaya tablets in your local drugstore or health food store. They’re usually priced at under $5 each. Of course, being natural supplements, they’re not as risky as the chemical weight-loss products so widely sold. However, don’t take this increased dosage for more than two days.

White Eyeliner

Models find white eyeliner essential to create a wide-eyed look. Use it along the lash line, and softly smudge it with a sponge applicator. Use it inside the corners of your eye to open and widen.

White Eye Shadow

Models use it to create a shimmering face base by mixing it with their foundation. Stroked just under the brow, it lifts the eye.

Petroleum Jelly

You can create your own tinted gloss, and save lots of money at the same time. Simply mix any of your favourite lipsticks with a dab of petroleum jelly. You can also turn a powdered eye shadow into a glimmering eye shimmer with a drop of jelly.

Eye Redness Reliever

Have I got a way for you to remove breakouts quickly! In just the way that an eye redness reliever takes the redness out of the eye, so does it remove redness from pimples? Squeeze out a little on a cotton swab. Hold it on the pimple for ten to fifteen seconds, or until it disappears. Models (and the people who hire them) consider it a catastrophe to get a pimple, but it’s also important for you when you have that big party to obliterate the appearance of those little suckers. Anyone who has tried to mask pimples with makeup knows that it just doesn’t work. This will do it, and quickly.

Panty Hose

What do you think models do with ripped panty hose?

They make their very own hair ties. You know those fabulous hair accessories that pull your hair back with so much style, but cost a fortune? Here’s what you do. Take the panty-hose leg (the more opaque styles provide more elasticity), and cut at two- to four-inch increments. You’ll find that these hair ties will hold the hair beautifully without any of the stress or split ends that rubber bands can cause. In addition, you can also use the colour closest to your own hair colour to make it blend.

Hair Spray

Hair spray is helpful for keeping our do’s in line, but it also prevents panty hose from running. Spray (lightly, please) a thin film up and down your hose before each wearing. To keep your makeup in place, close your eyes and, holding the can at arm’s length, spray a light mist of hair spray on your face. Be very careful if you have sensitive skin!

Should you happen to encounter an errant bug in your hotel room, just do what desperate yet resourceful models do? Take your hair spray and zap the pest with it. You will paralyze that little bugger more quickly than any insect spray ever did. Did you ever dream hair spray could be so versatile?

Erasers

What do models do when they lose an earring back? What do they do when their earring is just too heavy to stay properly on the ear? We take the eraser off a pencil and use it to hold that earring in place. Use this when you drop the back of an earring in your office, school, or at home. If you should find yourself in a restaurant, simply take a small piece of cork from your wine bottle.

Satin Pillowcase

A satin pillowcase is a model necessity. It keeps that hairstyle in place longer while traveling. Not only should you consider it an essential when you travel, but you’ll also enjoy using it at home. Sleeping on a satin pillowcase will help prevent wrinkles while you sleep.

Lemon Juice

Forget buying expensive toners. Models carry lemons in their bags to remove residue from their face and to refresh. The most diligent carry fresh lemons, but there’s only so much one can stuff into those bags. If you do choose to purchase reconstituted lemon juice, make sure that it contains real lemon.

Ice Water

You’ve heard that models drink lots of water. Well that’s very true, but only half the story. To get optimum benefits from water, models drink ice water. With ice water, the body needs to use up to 30 calories just to warm itself to body temperature to absorb the water. You are actually using more calories than you are taking in.

Teething Rings

Placed on the eyes, teething rings will reduce any puffiness, and provide a well-rested, wide-awake appearance. Frozen teething rings also soothe sunburned skin.

Beef Jerky

Here is a snack that has been much maligned and is really quite good for staying lean. Turkey jerky contains less than one gram of fat, and has only 75 calories. What’s especially appealing about turkey jerky is that it takes so long to chew (a good 20 minutes or so).This makes jerky orally gratifying. It may just keep you out of a few fast-food restaurants.

Spoons

Here’s yet another way to wake up tired eyes. Run a spoon under very cold water. Hold the spoon over the closed eye for about thirty seconds. The coolness of the metal “wakes up” the eyes.

Parsley

Parsley is rich in chlorophyll. It is a major ingredient in leading breath fresheners, such as Clorets and Certs. Breath sweetening is more effective when it’s done from inside the body. There is a lot of advertising going on now to get people to invest in internal breath fresheners. Again, don’t spend a lot for these products. Do what knowledgeable models do to ensure “kissable” breath. Eat the parsley on your plate at mealtimes, or carry dried parsley in your bag to instantly freshen your breath. Parsley will keep your breath fresher a lot longer than topical fresheners will. Plus, it’s healthy and low in calories.

Tea

Tea helps keep cavities away! Both green and black tea contains fluoride and polyphenols to prevent plaque from adhering to the tooth’s surface. Models drink tea for this very reason, and carry their tea bags faithfully. After models are done drinking their tea, they use their cooled tea bags to refresh their eyes. Simply squeeze the tea bag so that it isn’t “dripping,” and gently dab the bags under the eye area. If your face is clean, run over the entire face for a quick pick-me-up!

Avocado Body Butter

Models run to their nearest “natural” shop for this product. It gives a wonderfully smooth sheen to the skin. Even though it’s a little bit sticky, it’s very worthwhile.

Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar

What a versatile product! It’s a great blood purifier when you add a tablespoon to a cup of hot water and drink it. You can also use it as an astringent for both your face and hair. Use it as a toner for your face and as a final hair rinse to remove residue.

Toothbrush

Here’s an old model’s trick that everyone can copy.

Brush your lips whenever you brush your teeth! Not only does it take away any chapping, but it plumps up the lip temporarily for that sought-after “pouty” look. A toothbrush is super jewellery cleaner, getting into nooks and crannies, and it tames brows when lightly sprayed with styling gel.

Tape

Models always carry double-sided tape to tack up fallen hems, make quick repairs to their clothing, and “quick tack” an accessory to clothing, hair, or purse.

Candles

Carry a small birthday candle in your purse. Use it to get a stuck zipper going again.

Colon Cleanser

No, I don’t need to elaborate, but for beauty to really work, it needs to start from the inside. Top actresses and great beauties throughout history have used this unconventional beauty/health regime. Legendary actress Mae West was famous for her daily enemas. Her skin was like silk until her death. These cleansers are now extremely popular and expensive in spas. They are inexpensive and readily available at health food stores in kits and capsules.

Jelly Beans

A jelly bean is a quick energy boosts and surprisingly low in calories and fat. Most of these little treats contain only 5 or 6 calories each. Compared with a Lifesaver (10 calories) or stick of gum (up to 20 calories), it’s a pretty good way to satisfy a sweet tooth.

Kelp

Models carry kelp tablets to help speed up their metabolism. It should be available at your local drugstore.

Feverfew

Some super beauties eat feverfew sandwiches to relieve PMS and headaches. I would suggest that you get the tablets.

Olive Oil

Here is an all-natural substance that models use on their hair when they’re in the sun. Not only does it protect hair from the sun’s harsh rays, but it becomes a deep-penetrating conditioner in the sun’s natural heat.

Rosemary Oil

Rubbed into the temple, rosemary oil relieves pain by relaxing constricted muscles.

Candied Ginger

When traveling, models rely on candied ginger to prevent motion sickness.

Dandelion Tea

This is used as a diuretic. Find this product in natural supermarkets and drugstores. Stay near a rest room!

Update your look by keeping a tab on latest trends just like Priyanka Chopra. Her hairstyles of 2005 will make you (and PC) look out dated in 2010!
So, you have to find out what’s new and keep yourself updated. She (or he) can help you decide how you can adapt the trends in the best possible way. That’s important because the style that looks good on Priyanka (or your fav style icon) may fall flat on you.

PC In 2005

PC In 2010

What is your daily makeup and beauty routine?
Cleanse, tone and moisturise-nothing works better for me. As an actor, I’m required to wear a lot of makeup, whether it’s for films, photo-shoots or appearances. So when I’m not working, my routine is very basic. The things that I carry with me at all times are my Pond’s Perfect Results Multi-Benefit Cream and M.A.C Studio Fix.

And what about the big night out?
When I’m not making a public appearance, I use absolutely minimal makeup and spice it up with eyeliner, blush and lipstick. I slip on a sexy short dress and high heels, and I’m set!

Any favourite perfumes?
Smelling good is a must, no matter where you are or what you’re doing. My current preference is Dolce & Gabbana The One, but my all time favourite is Ralph Lauren Romance.

How do you take care of your flawless skin?
Quite simple-cleanse, tone and moisturise. On my days off, I don’t do much; I just allow my skin to breathe. I also drink lots of water and never forget my multi-vitamins. I think it’s important to pamper your skin as often as you can. My crazy schedule doesn’t allow me the luxury very often, but I try and get in a facial whenever possible.

What do you do for your hair?
Because of my profession, my hair is battered and abused. Given the trauma I put my hair through, I give it extra care. I oil my hair regularly and condition it as well. I trim my hair once in about two months or as and when I feel the need. I have different hairstylists for various films, but primarily they are Minal Sharma and Kanta Motwani.

Any favourite hair products?
Anything that is Sunsilk.
(Diplomatic isn’t she?)

Do you have a special diet to stay so slim?
It’s called good genetics and a great metabolism. Honestly, I am a complete foodie and a junk-a-holic. Diets don’t work for me. I try and eat healthy most of the time but also don’t stop myself from eating what I feel like, whether it’s a pepperoni pizza or aloo parantha!

One simple trick that makes you fabulous?
Comfort, and knowing what suits you- the fit, style and look-whether it’s hair, clothes or makeup.

What are you buying for this season?
I never have an agenda. I just pick up what I like.