Archive for the ‘ Model Tips/Model Bootcamp ’ Category

Model Bootcamp: Swim Season

It may be freezing outside but Jan-Feb. is Swimsuit and pool photoshoot season.

I have spent the last week shooting at a pool and my next 4 shoots are all swimwear related.

To be honest I always feel a little guilty as I stand there in my full length parka and scarf watching the models shake and shiver on set, trying to keep it together and look warm for the shot….ahhh the glamorous life of a model.

You have seen a “How to Be Swimsuit Ready” post from me in the past but after a week of watching a few models fumble with being properly prepared I decided to give it an update!

A swimsuit refresher course!

Come Swimsuit ready. What does it mean?

This stuff seems basic to some but there are tons of others out there that come to set with at least one of these categories NOT taken care of!

Your bikini area must be properly maintained (waxed, shaved, depilatoried, trimmed etc) Both Ladies and Gents! Come on please! I have watched retouchers squirm as they zoomed in trying to clone out stray pubic hairs hanging out of swimsuits! I have handed out razor after razor on set sending girls to the bathroom to “trim up”. I should seriously buy some stock in Gillette! This needs to be done BEFORE you come to set!
Ladies make sure your legs and armpits are shaved..again gross!
Gents, make sure your chest and back are properly “Manscaped”.
Make sure your body is tanned (NOT a SELF TANNER OR TEMPORARY TANNER YOU PUT ON THAT MORNING or ON THE WAY TO SET THAT WILL STINK UP or RUB OFF ON THE CLOTHING!)
NO TAN LINES! Fashion involves swimwear of all different shapes and cuts so having tans lines can be a problem! Guys especially watch out for sock tan lines!

When asked to bring swimwear to set please bring a variety of swimwear that doesn’t have logos! Guys you are the biggest offenders of this! DO NOT BRING trunks that say “Quicksilver” or “Hurley” across them, you know we CANNOT shoot logos on ads and commercials. And while we are at it: FYI gentlemen, basketball shorts ARE NOT SWIMWEAR! DO NOT BRING THESE TO A SWIMWEAR SHOOT and try to pass them off as your swim trunks!

Make sure the swimwear you bring is well maintained. DO NOT bring the ones you have been surfing or wake-boarding in for the past 3 summers. They should look new and clean. (Hand-washing your swimwear will give it a longer life). You should have separate swimwear that you use for shoots than the ones you use on a daily basis.

Ladies. Unless you are asked to, DO NOT BRING THONG SWIMWEAR to a shoot! I know, I know, you want to look sexy but trust me regular bikinis are sexy enough…bring a variety of classy and upscale sexy swimwear.

Ladies you should always,always,always have nude G String underwear AND Panty Liners in your model bag. It should have string like sides and back (not lace, not thick, no bows or jewels) and should be smooth. I am partial to the Cosabella “Talco G String”. It lays perfectly under clothing and with swimweaR

Wear the nude G-STRING underwear underneath the swimsuit.

NEVER EVER EVER put on a swimsuit you are given by the Stylist with NOTHING under it! These swimsuits are usually samples worn by multiple models all around the world! They can be a huge Petri dish of disgusting. If the swimsuit has open sides then use a panty liner instead of the G String. Also by using a G String or panty liner there will be nothing “Left behind” for the stylist to deal with- if you know what I mean! Yep… it happens.

There are a couple extra things that you can bring with you that will make your day more pleasant.

Bring a robe! The first thing you should do when arriving to a swimwear shoot is to take off all clothing that will leave any lines or indentations on your body (socks, bras, jeans, etc) and put on a robe. This will help your body look smoother and toned on camera. Do this BEFORE you head into makeup so the lines that are there have time to subside. The robe will also come in handy when you have to take a long uncomfortable walk to set in a bikini with tons of patrons at that location staring at you.

Bring some flip flops, slippers or loose Ugg boots to wear to and from set. Usually you cannot walk in the shoes for the shoot, not to mention it gives your feet a break from heels.

Stock up on Hot Hands Hand Warmers. You can keep these ion your Robe pockets to keep your robe and hands warm and toasty!

Being beautiful is only part of being a model. There is a long list of rules, etiquette, and equipment you need to be successful! Follow my tips, keep your model bag stocked, your attitude sunny and you’ll be booking swimwear shoots like crazy!

Model Bootcamp: Size it Up

I just completed a 15 day photoshoot. Whew! I’m exhausted!

After working through 8 racks of wardrobe, 37 pairs of shoes, 40 principle models and 85 extras I realized it was time for another Model Bootcamp post!

Nothing and I mean nothing irritates me more than when I ask a female model their size and they say “Um, I’m like a 3/5”.

My face turns red and I have a compulsion to keep correcting the model as they argue with me.

I say “Oh you mean you’re a 2/4”?

They reply “Yeah I’m a 3/5”

I say “Yes a 2/4”

and so it goes…..round and round.

Why does this infuriate me? Well, a 3 or a 5 is a Junior clothing size. If you are over the age of 13 you are in adult sizes which run 2,4,6,8, etc. You are NEVER a 3/5 unless you are still making plans for the freshman Homecoming Dance.

The same goes for men. When a stylist asks you what your jacket size is the answer is NEVER “I’m a medium”.

You should always reply with a number and length such as 42R or 40L.

Here is what you should know:

Ladies

Bra/Bust

Dress

Inseam

Waist

Shoe

Men

Jacket

Neck

Sleeve Length

Waist

Inseam

Shoe

and if you want to be really thorough, Hat Size.

Gentlemen, if you do not know these sizes you can go to any retailer that carries suits and their sales experts will measure you for free.

Please beautiful people.

Don’t drive your stylist crazy and run the risk of having to wear clothing that is too small or waaaay to big. Size yourself up!

Model BootCamp: Don't Sweat It

The last 10 days are a blur.

2 fashion shoots an advertising campaign and a half dozen video shoots have given me one huge reason to pull my Model Bootcamp series out from the archives, dust it off and shine a light on some awkward topics once again.

Here is my message for the week:

Dear Models, deodorant is a requirement on a shoot NOT a choice.

Personal hygiene is of the utmost importance when you are wearing a designers or stylist’s clothing. We often work in crazy conditions and wacky environments all during insanely long hours where you need a deodorant that can stay with you for the long haul.

My personal favorite photoshoot worthy deodorant is Dry Idea’s new Stain Clear Invisible Solid. Not only does it deliver 72-hour deodorant performance it also has stain fighting power without compromising on ultimate sweat and odor protection. That means no annoying white streaks on the clothing and no salty looking sweat ring stains left behind!

This new formulation encapsulates the active ingredient in the water phase enabling the use of less wax than traditional invisible solids, allowing the formula to go on clear and STAY clear.

Pick one up at your local drugstore! For just $3.99 you can show up to your next gig and not sweat it.

Model Bootcamp: Pack your Bags!

My readers have spoken (through multiple emails, tweets, Facebook messages and on photo shoots) and what they want is more Model Boot Camp!

So here you go!

I have mentioned in previous posts about how models should have this or that in their Model Bag, readers have asked, “Exactly what should be in these Model Bags and what are they”?

A Model Bag is a suitcase or duffel that you ALWAYS have with you (no matter what type of shoot you are on. Even if you are told to bring nothing, you still bring this bag!).

Inside the Model Bag are essentials you need for shoots. Sometimes you are asked to bring more, like specific clothing, but these are the basic items you should always have!

Model Bags contain separate items than the ones you use (for personal use) in daily life, in other words: the heels you wore whoring it up at the nightclub last night that are all sticky from alcohol and who knows what else on the floor should not be in here. The items in this bag should be in relatively new condition. These are tools of your trade!

The bag should always be well stocked with a variety of shoes, under garments, healthy snacks, and personal hygiene essentials.

I’ve put together images of 2 sample bags: One for the Guys and one for the Gals with some of my favorite products! (For those of you that aren’t models these products are still big helpers to get you through your day! Keep them in your handbag, gym bag or desk drawer!)

Kids its time to Pack your Bags with my TOP rated products!

1. You need an easy to carry spacious bag to put everything in. Do NOT show up to a shoot with your items waded up in a grocery bag! “Stag Bag” duffel from American Apparel.

2. When you finish a shoot its always nice to be able to wash the makeup off before heading out the door, especially for guys! Rodial Glam Balm Makeup Remover Wipes. Ideal for delicately removing all traces of makeup from the face, lips and around the eyes. Natural, luxurious and paraben-free. www.beauty.com LOVE these! Your skin feels soft and clean after use! http://www.drugstore.com/beauty.asp?catid=9730

3. You always need deodorant touch-ups throughout the day especially under the hot lights of a photoshoot or outdoors! Kiehls product is great for shoots because its unscented and leaves no residue, nothing to get on the clothing! Kiehls Antiperspirant Deodorant Cream. An unscented, extremely gentle, yet efficient antiperspirant and deodorant cream offering unique skin care benefits. Leaves skin feeling soft, soothed and conditioned with 24-hour protection against sweat and odor. Reduces underarm perspiration utilizing advanced micro-sized drying molecules for sheer absorption with no residue. Available at Neiman Marcus or at http://www.kiehls.com/_us/_en/home/index.aspx

4. On long shoots you need to keep the energy up! I love Zizzazz because it doesn’t give you the upset stomach most energy drinks do and you don’t have a crash from it! Zizzazz Energy Mix. Comes in four great tasting fruit flavors and is a low calorie, vitamin fortified energy powder which can be eaten straight from the stick like candy or mixed with water to make a great tasting energy drink. As it has less than one gram of sugar, there is no crash that is associated with typical energy drinks. http://zizzazz.com/

5 and 6 . Always have both a black and brown belt in your bag! Brown Leather Belt by Salvatore Ferragamo. Black Slim Belt Topman.com http://us.topman.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopCategoriesDisplay?storeId=13051&catalogId=33059

7. Black socks are a must-have in your bag! Black Dress socks by Calvin Klein.

8 and 9. Just like the black and brown belts you need black and brown dress shoes! Brown Classic Brogue shoe topman.com Black lace-up shoe topman.com

10. It’s essential to carry both undershirts and tanks in your bag, these will help control sweat on set, no one wants to be shot with bologna slices under their arms! White undershirt by Hanes.

11. Most of the time you aren’t allowed to walk distances in the shoes for a shoot. Always have flip flops in your bag to wear to and from set. Men’s flip-flop by Havaianas.

12. Take care of your skin when shooting in the sun. I love Ocean Potion because it gives great protection and smells like a yummy Orangesicle, none of that typical stink associated with sunscreens! Ocean Potion 50SPF Broad Spectrum Anti-aging Sunscreen. Available at most drug stores. http://www.opotion.com/

13. You never know when you’ll need to shave on a shoot. I love this sleek travel shaver both for power and compactability! Braun Mobile Shave M-90. You don’t have to fear your afternoon beard shadow any longer. With Braun’s new MobileShave it’s easy and convenient to restore a freshly groomed appearance whenever and wherever you need to look your best. Compact size and powered by 2 AA batteries. http://www.braun.com/us/series-shavers/mobileshave/mobileshave-models.html

1.You need a spacious bag to put everything in, so why not make it a cute one! Denim Shiny Duffel by American Apparel.

2. When you finish a shoot its always nice to be able to wash the makeup off before heading out the door. Who wants to stop to get gas with “editorial” makeup on! Rodial Glam Balm Makeup Remover Wipes. Ideal for delicately removing all traces of makeup from the face, lips and around the eyes. Natural, luxurious and paraben-free. www.beauty.com http://www.drugstore.com/beauty.asp?catid=9730

3. You always need to bring your makeup to a shoot “just in case” and the cool-it caddy is amazing! No more melted make-up! Working in Las Vegas I am in Love with this product! Cool-it Caddy. Revolutionary Cool-it Caddy™ “grab and go” clutch bag conveniently travels with you in high temperatures keeping your costly beauty products protected from “heat meltdown”. Simply freeze, grab and go. No need to place a gel pack or ice pack into the bag. Cool-it Caddy™ has the coolant integrated into the design. Your items stay cool as the temperature rises.

4, 5, 6. Always, Always have nude, black and metallic heels in you bag! Nude Tribute Heel by YSL, Black Suede Mary Jane by YSL,Gold Caryssa Pump by Steve Madden.

7. Make sure you have a nude strapless bra that is smooth, no lace or jewels. This one is perfect! Papillion Nude Strapless Bra by Cosabella. (and ladies an old white one that has turned gray does not count as “nude”, ewe.) http://cosabella.com/

8. One of my Favorite secret stylist tools! Shibue Couture Stylist on the Go Kit. Contains a strapless panty, cover ups, silicone cover ups and adhesive strips. http://www.shibuecouture.com/

9. You never know when you are going to get a snack or what it will be on set. Its a good idea to keep a healthy snack like Julie Anne’s Super Delicious granola in your bag! Julie Annes All Natural Granola. The perfect combination of crunchy clusters and tart dried fruit makes Julie Anne’s granola ideal. Available at Whole Foods or at http://www.julieannes.com/

10. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Always Always Always have nude thong underwear with you on a shoot! Cosabella’s is Perfect! Come on Ladies, I’m going broke supplying you with undies! Talco Nude G-String by Cosabella. http://cosabella.com/

11. Same as the guys, ladies need to keep the energy up on long shoots! I love zizzazz because it doesn’t give you the upset stomach most energy drink do, it tastes AMAZING and you don’t have a crash from it! Zizzazz Energy Mix. Comes in four great tasting fruit flavors and is a low calorie, vitamin fortified energy powder which can be eaten straight from the stick like candy or mixed with water to make a great tasting energy drink. As it has less than one gram of sugar, there is no crash that is associated with typical energy drinks. http://zizzazz.com/

12. Take care of your skin when shooting in the sun. I love Ocean Potion because it gives great protection and smells like a yummy Orangesicle! Ocean Potion 50SPF Broad Spectrum Anti-aging Sunscreen. Available at Most Drug Stores. http://www.opotion.com/

13. Most of the time you aren’t allowed to walk distances in the shoes for a shoot. Always have flip flops in your bag to wear to set and give your feet a break from heels! Ladies flip-flop by Havaianas.

I have another great Enter to Win Giveaway for you this week! Some of my Favorite Product lines from above have teamed up with me to give you a jump-start on your Model Bag, or for those who aren’t models some great products!

One lucky reader will win a huge prize pack: Rodial Glam Balm Wipes, a Braun Mobile Shave M-90, Julie Anne’s All Natural Granola, a Variety of Ocean PotionSuncreens, a Cool-it Caddy, a TALCO thong from Cosabella, Zizzazz Energy Mix, and a Shibue Couture Stylist On The Go Kit!

To Enter:

1. click on the comment icon at bottom of this page or at top right of page.

2. Leave a comment (between July 26 and July 31) Telling me how the Model Bag items could help you be “prepared” for any situation.

Good Luck! Keep reading and re-post on your Facebook and Twitter!

(Last weeks winner is : Elizabeth A.! Congrats!!)

Model Bootcamp: Swimsuit Ready

(above: Photographer:Jerry Metellus Stylist:Christie Moeller Makeup/Hair: Melissa Conner Model: the always swimwear ready Anna)

(Last weeks Enter to Win winner is Kahshanna E. Congrats! Don’t forget to ENTER this week! Instructions at end of this Post!)

Just when I thought, again, that I might be running out of ideas for my Model Bootcamp section… POW..BLAM..WHAM , I work another job that slapped me in the face and left me scratching my head wondering “Why don’t they know this!”

Swimsuit ready. What does it mean?

This stuff seems basic to some but there are tons of others out there that come to set with at least one of these categories NOT taken care of!

1. Your bikini area must be properly maintained (waxed, shaved, depilatoried, trimmed etc) Both Ladies and Gents! Come on please! I have watched retouchers squirm as they zoomed in trying to clone out stray pubic hairs hanging out of swimsuits! I have handed out razor after razor on set sending girls to the bathroom to “trim up”. I should seriously buy some stock in Gillette! This needs to be done BEFORE you come to set!

2. Ladies make sure your legs and armpits are shaved..again gross!

3. Gents, make sure your chest and back are properly “Manscaped” please see my previous post for tips on this.

4. Make sure your body is tanned (NOT a SELF TANNER OR TEMPORARY TANNER YOU PUT ON THAT MORNING or ON THE WAY TO SET THAT WILL STINK UP or RUB OFF ON THE CLOTHING!)

5. NO TAN LINES! Fashion involves swimwear of all different shapes and cuts so having tans lines can be a problem! Guys especially watch out for sock tan lines!

When asked to bring swimwear to set please bring a variety of swimwear that doesn’t have logos! Guys you are the biggest offenders of this! DO NOT BRING trunks that say “Quicksilver” or “Hurley” across them, you know we CANNOT shoot logos on ads and commercials. And while we are at it: FYI gentlemen, basketball shorts ARE NOT SWIMWEAR! DO NOT BRING THESE TO A SWIMWEAR SHOOT and try to pass them off as your swim trunks!

Ladies. Unless you are asked to, DO NOT BRING THONG SWIMWEAR to a shoot! I know, I know, you want to look sexy but trust me regular bikinis and uni-kinis are sexy enough…bring a variety of classy and upscale sexy swimwear.

Ladies you should always,always,always have nude thong underwear with you. It should have string like sides and back (not lace, not thick, no bows or jewels) and should be smooth. Le Mystere “Y-not string thong” is a great one as well as the Cosabella “Talco G String”.

(above: Le Mystere Y-not string thong in nude)

Wear the nude thong underwear underneath the swimsuit. NEVER put on a swimsuit you are given by the Stylist with NOTHING under it! These swimsuits are usually samples worn by multiple models all around the world! NEVER go commando! Talk about a huge Petri dish of disgusting! If the swimsuit has open sides then use a panty liner instead of the thong. (You should always have a few of these in your model bag).

I recently discovered the Shibue Couture “Peel and Toss Disposable Strapless Panty”! I love this because sometimes panty liners can tend to bunch up and these stay nice and smooth! http://www.shibuecouture.com/

There are a couple extra things that you can bring with you that will make your day more pleasant.

Bring some flip flops or loose Ugg boots to wear to and from set. Usually you cannot walk in the shoes for the shoot, not to mention it gives your feet a break from heels.

Ladies! You are gonna LOVE this giveaway! Shibue Couture, the makers of the “Peel and Toss Disposable Strapless Panty” have partnered with me for an AMAZING Giveaway! SEVERAL readers will receive a “Stylist on The Go Kit” which contains 1 Shibue Strapless panty, 1 pair of Shibue cover-ups, 1 pair of Shibue silicone cover-ups, and six Shibue repair adhesive strips!

All you have to do to ENTER is:

1. Scroll back to the top of this post and click on the comment icon (between June 23 and June 27)

2. Leave a comment there Telling me “Why you need a disposable strapless panty” or “What you would wear your strapless panty with” Keep it Classy ladies!

Good Luck and Thanks for Reading!

Tags:Shibue Couture.