Monday, December 8, 2014

Victoria Secret Backstage Runway Model Tricks YOU Want to Know!


The Victoria Secret Fashion Show has now become a tradition for the holiday season, attracting over 10 million viewers in over 180 countries ... it is hands down the most famous runway production I know of. 

However, what you might not know is that the model's call time is 9 am ... for a 7pm show. That's 10 straight hours of hair and makeup. So if you feel badly when you're watching tonight because you don't look like they do, just keep in mind that neither did they 10 hours earlier! So when you walk into the room, you might want to incorporate a few of these model's backstage tricks to look your best!


A big thank you to Arizona Midday for having me on their show today to talk about these behind the scenes tricks. You can watch the video {HERE}:


  • Hairspray to stop the Jiggles and Wiggles

A strong hold, aerosol hair spray can make the difference for jiggly thighs or underarms. Just spray generously on whatever area you want to stop wiggling and hold straight and still until dry. It should feel like you are shrink wrapping your skin.  Plus there's an added bonus if your using this trick for the back of your thighs - it will help hide cellulite because the reflection and shine of the spray will deflect the light and minimize the appearance of any "dimples".


  • Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs

I see bottles of Sally Hansen airbrush legs spray behind the scenes at a lot at photo shoots because it really works to make your legs look flawless! Not only will this easy to use spray hide flaws, it will give you color. Best of all, it is water resistant so it will stay on your skin and NOT transfer to your clothes or sheets.

Available in 3 colors, choose a shade darker than your skin and after you've sprayed it, use your hands to rub it in to make sure you didn't miss anywhere. The added color will give you the optical illusion that your legs are leaner - remember anything darker will look smaller!


  • Biosilk Shine On

One thing these leggy supermodels do not have is matte colored legs. A shine down the center of your leg will make then look longer. To get a perfect sheen without looking like a glitter bomb use a product that is really made for hair called Biosilk's Shine On. I like this because it won't transfer onto other things and it is more subtle than a shimmery lotion.


  • Tea to Tan by Terry

A water color bronzer - this product will help create the high cheekbones that you weren't born with. Bronzers are the easiest way to Contour the face but they can be super intimidating to use. This liquid bronzer is an easy way to build color one step at a time. Beautifully sheer and a color that works on almost every skin tone.


  • Facial Sauna

At some point we all feel like we have caked on the makeup. To help the makeup blend into your face, hover your face over a facial steamer for 15-30 seconds. This will help take away any powdery look, giving you a glow and letting your natural skin see through.


  • STILA Highlighter

An all time fave and easy to use highlighter by Stila called Kitten. A perfect combination of shimmer. Dust both colors together and use on the high point of your cheeks, center of nose, under the brow, and on your clavicles for a little extra radiant glow.



photos via CBS










Sunday, November 30, 2014

Best Products for Hair Growth: Biotin, Vitamins and Folic Acid for Longer Hair


Many myths exist surrounding hair growth. The truth is there we are born with as many hair follicles as we will ever have. Nothing can add more or reduce that number and you CANNOT generate new ones. When you were smaller, you may think you had more hair because your scalp had not fully grown so the density of that finite number of follicles made your hair appear thicker, but it was only perception.

Hair grows on average about half an inch each month. Each hair follicle will only produce about 20 hairs in a lifetime. The completion of a lifecyle of hair is 2- 8 years. So, even if you are cutting one of those hairs it is still growing from underneath the scalp. The cycle is such that at any one time about 90% of the hair on your scalp is in the growing phase. You might all notice that in pregnancy your hair appears thicker - it's not that you're actually growing more, but the hormones of pregnancy influence the hair follicle to extend it's growth cycle such that you are losing less. Then, after you give birth the body sheds the hair more quickly, losing what you really would have to make up for the hormonal influence.

What you eat will influence how your hair looks. Hair is also made up of 5% water so it is important that you keep hydrated with 8 glasses of water a day for beautiful locks. Below is a list of Vitamins and supplement that can also improve hair growth.

1. BIOTIN
Many experts recommend Biotin - it is probably the number one supplement that is mentioned and used for hair growth. I like it because it is water soluble which means that your body will get rid of whatever is not needed by excreting it. The other reason I like it is that you can find it in drugstores for not a lot of money.

Biotin is a B complex and the most significant food sources for it include peanuts, carrots, egg yolks, fish and cauliflower. You can also find it in pork, raspberries, and whole wheat bread.

Try: Biotin Dietary Supplement Tablets from Walgreens or Costco for about 15 cents a tab.

2. FOLIC ACID - WARNING 
You may be thinking to yourself that if your hair looked great pregnant why not just take a prenatal vitamin every day. This is tricky because remember it was the hormones that are most responsible for those thick locks.

A much more compelling reason not to take prenatal vitamins is new research linking breast cancer with supplemental folic acid. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition women who take supplemental folic acid increase their breast cancer risk by 20-30%.

Prenatal vitamins also contain more iron than most of us need if not pregnant. The danger is that even mild iron toxicity can increase your risk for a heart attack, diabetes and cirrhosis of the liver according to the Iron Disorders Institute.

This is why even with natural supplements and such we really need to research what we take and get the advice of our physicians before adding vitamins or supplements to our daily routine.

3. Vitamin D
It seems that the sunshine vitamin may also play a role in our hair health!  Besides helping to keep your bones and skin healthy, researchers at Harvard have shown that Vitamin D may play a role in waking up hair follicles that have been dormant. In fact, the research on this long time vitamin is exploding as it may be responsible for turning on the genes for hundreds of other diseases. 

I live in Arizona where the sun shines almost EVERY DAY and for that reason I wear sunscreen EVERY DAY. Statistics show that over 1 billion people in the world are Vit D deficient.  It is very hard to get enough vitamin D through natural sun exposure if you are wearing sunscreen so I take a low dose supplement just to be safe.

4. VIVISCAL
My girlfriend swears by this Scandinavian over the counter hair product. It has become highly hyped for the reason that it works for many people. It has a few ingredients you might be skeptical of like Shark Powder and Horsetail Extract along with Vitamin C and a fish protein. It does contains Biotin, but in such a small amount that many people will add a Biotin supplement along with Viviscal.

5. HAIR EXTENSIONS
Of course the fastest way to make your hair appear fuller and longer is to use hair extensions. My number one recommendation is Halo Crown Extensions - this is a new design that will not damage your natural hair like clip ins, tape ins or fused in salon extensions. The best part is that it will take less than a minute to put in your hair and is temporary - causing no permanent damage. 100% real human REMY hair - these look natural and healthy. It is the quickest solution for more hair and safest! Buy yours here: HaloCrown.com


Friday, November 28, 2014

Holiday Makeup Tutorial - The Makeup Artist Secret Products they use on Models



Tiffany: a beauty before - a BOMBshell after!
Here are the products to use to glam up your look for the holidays! 

I was at this shoot with professional Makeup  artist and PRO photographer Micheael Franco and he says that besides using his new favorite "HALO CROWN" hair extensions these are THEE products to create his signature looks that he depends on for picture perfection! 
  • Tom Ford foundation stick for face
  • Stila "kitten" highlighter for high points of cheek
  • Kevyn Aucoin skin enhancer for concealer
  • Mac's studio fix fluid NC50 to contour under cheek bones- Just a WARNING: the counter girl will tell you this is too dark, she will not want to sell it to you because she thinks you will return it. Trust me, this is the magic trick. Learn more on this here ●●►  Contouring is the new Photoshop!
Finally the hair secret everyone is obsessed with - the newest and hottest selling hair extension on the market that literally takes a minute to put on and take off ... the Halo Crown! They are not permanent, they won't damage your hair, and there are no clips to hide. 100% real human REMY hair on a wire.  Here is a video of Tiffany putting it on herself without even using a comb!


Buy yours at https://halocrown.com




Wednesday, November 26, 2014

But first - let me take a selfie! Real supermodel tips.


The holidays are fast approaching which means lots and lots of fun dress up opportunities! But first ... don't forget to take the selfie!

Here are some tips straight from the girls that get paid to look good having their pictures taken.






  • Find the light and point your face towards it
  • Check the background and get out of the dirty bathroom i.e. shower curtain backdrop. Hint: Try to find a solid colored wall or uncluttered area
  • Use a flattering filter - this can hide even the worst blemish!
  • Play to your best side - we all have one! For most of us it's the side that your nose slightly points to. The reason is that it will make your nose look straighter and smaller. 
  • Chin up and make sure you are holding the camera above you
  • Be silly and put your personality into the shot - pout or make the kissy face. 

You might also like to read about how to get rid of the turkey neck in your photos {HERE}








Tuesday, November 18, 2014

How to be More Attractive - for Free!



Have you ever wondered why some people seem to defy all odds, get promoted or influence others so easily? Let's face it, sometimes it's not the most talented or most beautiful model that gets the job or wins the beauty pageant. Is it chance; a lucky break? Nope ... it goes by the name of CONFIDENCE!

Forget the makeup tricks, the best angles - This is one attribute that can set you apart from the crowd. The best part about confidence is that you can increase the amount you possess at any time. Confidence is sexy, confidence is attractive and the best part about it is that you don't have to be born with it ... it's free and available to everyone.

A growing number of research studies indicate that everything I just told you is true. The Univ of California, Berkley showed that over-confident people are more admired, more influential and promoted over their more competent peers. Associate Professor Cameron Anderson who co-authored the report stated that "people are very easily swayed by others' confidence even when that confidence is unjustified."  

The fact is that confidence will take you places. Believe in yourself. Prepare yourself. Invest in yourself. Take the chance and walk into the room with confidence and other's will see it too. Time to get your mojo moving and go after your dreams.



Tuesday, November 11, 2014

A Models Recommends her best Holiday Beauty Gift Guide for 2014!






A big thank you to ULTA Beauty for collaborating with me for my favorite segment of the year - HOLIDAY gift sets. These are limited edition pairings that sell out quickly so be sure and take advantage of the savings and one stop shopping at Ulta.com 

Watch the video from the show {HERE}


I don't know about you but when it gets down to the 12 days before Christmas and I still have gifts to get and parties to go to I begin to panic. So this year I am going to end my day with a little beauty  from TARTE!

Petite Treat 12 days of Tart $37 ($122 value)
Exclusive to ULTA Order yours {HERE}


I also featured Tarte's amazonian clay blush - 12 hour, long lasting color infused with clay from the banks of the Amazon river.


  • VIVA la Juicy Noir gift set $76 ($97 value) {Here}
  • Juicy Pen Spray Set $36 ($66 value)  {Here}



Fragrance is always a go to and for the holidays you always get something extra in the set. I want you to look for the new rollerballs and pen spray sets that many brands are now making ... they are perfect for you purse!

Inevitably when I go shopping it is always tempting to buy one for you and one for me, which is why I love
 Lorac's Royal Eyeshadow Collection $38 ($305 value)


Literally I can keep one for myself and the cost of each of these GORG palettes is literally less than $10 each. Named for all your besties - Queen, Princess, Duchess & Countess!

               A total STEAL - don't wait - Buy Now {HERE}






While at the show yesterday, a stylist who was performing a makeover told me she had the CHI pro hair dryer for 9 years and just this year replaced it with a new one. I don't know about you but I use my hair dryer nearly every day! CHI is known for their innovative and infrared technology and trusted heat tools. These cool limited edition Ulta Exclusive colors just give you another reason to run out to get yours today and over $50 off!






Another Ulta Exclusive with EVERYTHING you need for that candlelight glow and DIRECTIONs on how and where to apply - an 8 piece set that includes a high quality shadow and blush brush!


Bare Minerals Vision of Light $49 ($145 value) 
Buy yours {HERE}





Ulta's Glam and Glow Blockbuster $19.99 ($175 value)

I can't imagine needing 54 eyeshadows or 8 eyeliners but I sure like the option of having them! A 76 piece collection in it's own case to update your makeup collection. Available {Here}




The most legendary Eye Primer in the beauty industry will make any shadow more vibrant, creaseless and last 24 hours. Now available in 4 different formulations:

URBAN DECAY Eye-Shadow Primer Potion $20



HAPPY HOLIDAYS - Happy BEAUTY!
XO
SHELLEY

Top 2014 Best Holiday makeup gift set ideas from ULTA Beauty!




As you know I am a girl who loves to play with makeup and every year I look forward to the new holiday gift sets from my favorite brands. Again this year I paired up with Ulta Beauty for Arizona Midday to bring you my list of the must have beauty sets - one for yourself and your A listers who were naughty but mostly nice. Host Destry Jetton was super excited to get her own Benefit Cosmetic advent calendar yesterday! (I think she's pretty much nice)

I have links to all the products below which are available at Ulta online and in stores - limited time only so don't wait!! Even Santa can't get his hands on them when they're sold out. You can watch the video of the show below and {here}





The advent calendar for the beauty junkie - a little surprise behind ever door ... Order yours NOW online - they sell out every year!
 Benefit Candy-Coated Countdown Advent Calendar 

Ulta Exclusive! Collectible tin with all of Benefits best selling problem solvers for lashes, brows and a flawless looking face.

Benefit Cosmetics Pretty Parfait $39 ($81 value)





IT Cosmetics

  • Bye Rye Undereye Anti-Aging Concealer $24 {HERE}
  • Exclusive Superheroes brush set $50 ($100 value) {HERE}
  • Limited Edition Matte Eye Palette $42 {HERE}










STILA and Bauble Bar $65 ($147 value)

What girl doesn't love jewelry and makeup? A magical collaboration for the holiday -  best sellers from Stila cosmetics encased in a beautiful festive clutch with a bracelet AND $10 gift card from Baublebar.com with Many sets to choose from 

Order {HERE}



Ulta Beauty is your one stop shop even for the guys. And who doesn't like to envision their guy smelling sensual yet modern. Straight from Italy, why not envelope his scent with inspiration from Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace EROS, the God of love. Gift with purchase!







Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Trick to making thin hair appear thicker Instantly!


Fake thicker-looking hair:

I have a lot of hair, but it tends to be finer the older I get. Plus my hair is a dark color and I have fair skin so the contrast in my part can make my hair appear even thinner than it truly is. 

A quick easy fix to giving the illusion that you have more is hair is by simply pressing into your part the same shadow that you use to darken your brows.

... hope you enjoy this little trick for thicker looking hair in an instant (and virtually free!)

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Get rid of age spots to look younger - Hydroquinone with alpha-hydroxy or glycolic acid



Age spots. No thank you.

What in the heck is an age spot? How do you get them, and more importantly how do you get rid of them?

Age spots sometimes called "gasp" liver spots, are brownish flat areas on the skin that usually show up in areas that have been primarily exposed to the sun. If you are over 40 and have fair skin you are likely to have a few of this tell-tale signs of aging.

The best way to lighten these spots is with hydroquinone. There are over-the-counter concentrations available up to 2 percent, but dermatologists can give you levels of up to 4 percent by prescription. Using daily, these products alone can take four to eight months, sometimes a year to lighten. So no quick fix. 

To speed up the process you can use an alpha-hydroxy product with a hydroquinone. Glycolic acid, lactic and citric acids are other common names for alpha hydroxy acids. One of my favorite and least expensive lactic acids is one I use for my dry elbows and feet called Amlactin. Super affordable for $12-15 - you can buy this at almost any drug store or Costco. Check out my post about what else you can do about hiding wrinkled elbows {HERE}.

If you are ready to attack these areas faster you should make an appointment with a dermatologist to talk about an in office peel or intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment, both of which will give you faster results than with a cream. 

Uneven skin tone / pigmentation will make you look older, maybe even more so than wrinkless will. Concealing well can help cover them up, but you walk a fine line with using too much make-up or foundation as you age since it can settle into fine lines and wrinkles making them more prominent. This is where I advise to take care of the skin first with products that can really help like these and use creamy concealer just on the areas that need covering instead of an all over heavy foundation.

Friday, October 3, 2014

Looking Younger after 40 - Get rid of Middle Age Belly Fat


Muffin top. Belly fat. Spare tire. Mid life bulge. 
These are the words that strike fear for women after forty. It is a fact that metabolism slow downs as we age, but decreasing estrogen levels are not the only reason it happens. Decreased physical activity, increases in insulin resistance and lack of sleep will all contribute to weight gain. However it's the loss of estrogen that can affect where those pounds accumulate. So fat around the middle is avoidable if you can minimize weight gain and improve your metabolism. Here are some tips on how to do that:

1. Exercise, duh. 
Make your exercise aerobic - and push yourself. The science behind this is that exercise at a sufficient level "anaerobic"will rev up you metabolism to burn calories for hours after your workout.

2. Drink Green Tea and Coffee.
Caffeine is a stimulant and it can raise your heart rate signaling your body to burn calories faster. Green tea contains "catechins" that can help burn belly fat and coffee jump starts lipolysis which is the break down of fat.

3. Spice it up.
Cayenne and chili peppers contain capsaicin which according to a 2009 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition increases metabolism and helps the body burn fat more efficiently.
Also read about the benefit of using Apple Cider Vinegar to Lose Belly Fat {Here}.

4. Power up with Protein.
It takes more calories to digest protein than it does for the body to metabolize fat and carbs. Think about replacing your carb intake with lean protein like fish and chicken.

5. Say no to Crash Dieting.
Eating less than 1200 calories a day may help shed pounds, but it can backfire if you lose muscle which will slow down your metabolism - making your body gain weight faster than it did before the diet. 

6. Increase your Sleep.
Hot flashes, night sweats, and the responsibility of caring for children and aging parents makes it harder to get to sleep and to stay asleep, but studies have shown that not getting enough sleep at night is associated with being overweight.  Sleep deprivation increases levels of ghrelin that can increase food cravings. According to a 2014 Canadian study published in Obesity, getting just one more hour of sleep per night reduces belly fat accumulation.  Check out the other benefits and ways to increase beauty with sleep {HERE}.


Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Fifty, Flirty and Fabulous - Shelley GoodStein



I wasn’t going to celebrate 50 - this is considered OLD in the modeling industry, but then again I keep getting booked, jobs keep getting better, and I keep walking in runway shows with girls half my age. Plus the older you get the more people think you know and the more valuable you appear to be! Ok ... but I still wasn't sold on celebrating this occasion and then, last month I was seated next to one of my beautiful friends and we began talking. She asked me about my mother's age when she passed away. I told her "60" and remembered how painful the year preceding her death in her fight against leukemia was. It occurred to me that this could be my last "zero" birthday that I felt healthy, happy and beautiful … so I decided to kick up my heels and have the party of a half century! 

I do NOT believe in the “rules” for women over “ahem” a certain age. For example I still wear short skirts, sky high heels, and sequins – just not all at the same time! However for this party I wore all three!!! (But, I have learned to say yes to solids and no to frou-frou.)

What else I have learned?

  • I know that the truth always reveals itself. 
  • I have painfully discovered over the years that it’s not important to have the last word –victories are sweetest when you can avoid the battle. You can trust that the Universe will solve the situation. I have found given enough rope, well, let’s just say that the best strategy to defeat an enemy is to deny engagement to the person behind the fight. And you sleep better!
  • I believe good deeds will be rewarded with crowns in heaven, and as a  past beauty queen I can tell you I always feel prettier with a tiara.
  • None of us like the idea of getting older and it is important to realize that it is impossible to look 30 when you’re 80, but that true beauty does last; It lives inside us and is a halo that everyone sees shining brightly.


What are my plans for the future?

Supermom …  supermodel … Check in with me in 5 years as I am working on super-mogul! Visit me at A Model's Secrets this month as I will be posting the best of ways to fake, beg, borrow and steal the fountain of youth and not looking your age!

A quote from my adorable husband's speech from the party:
"She is a woman who makes 50 look like she is just getting started!"

"Beware of the brunette in your life because she has plans."

My life-sized birthday card!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Behind the Scenes Beauty Short Cuts from an experienced Model! Beauty Hacks you need to Know!


I always love to check in to see all my friends at the Morning Blend and today we talked about some items at home that can help you get your beauty on ... 
  • Visine for pimples
  • Milk of magnesia for acne
  • Spray sunscreen (alcohol free) for glistening skin
  • Cooking oil for moisturizer
  • Coffee filters as blotting paper (and toilet seat covers)
  • Spray starch as a dry shampoo
  • How to make bobby pins stick
  • Straightening iron for wrinkled collars and hems
  • Powder for lashes that look like you're wearing falsies!
Watch and learn why here>


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

DIY Ombre' Hair Extensions




You would have to be living under a rock not to notice all the A-lister celebrities who are sporting ombre locks this season. No easy dye job, ombre hair is tricky to get right. Even harder - dying your extensions, but you can get the look just by using some tinted hair powder on extensions you already have ( I love Bumble and bumble), especially if your ends have lightened a bit from the summer sun. 

This will also help save your extensions from a wash since it doubles as a dry shampoo!



Of course there is a brand that did it for you, Halo Crown - the easiest way to wear extensions - on a wire with no clips to hide, and no damage to your own hair! For one night or every day. Perfect for any brown haired girl! You can order yours here: http://halocrown.com

COLOR T4 : Buy {HERE}