We had an amazing photo shoot in NYC! I sincerely enjoyed meeting Ivy, Elizabeth, Pietra and Susan. We have a special 'Behind the Scenes' video hosted by the lovely Megan Parken, so you can have a sneak peek into our day at e.l.f. Cosmetics...

After much thought and deliberation, e.l.f. Cosmetics has chosen the four winners for the photo shoot in NYC!

A huge congrats to Ivy (teen), Elizabeth (20’s), Pietra (30’s) and Susan (40+).

On April 19th, each of them will arrive at e.l.f. Cosmetics and participate in an amazing photo shoot with the very talented Tim Coburn....

The last few days, I along with the executives at e.l.f. Cosmetics have had the very difficult task of narrowing down the entries in our 'Beauty at All Ages' casting on ExploreModeling.com.

We had so many amazing entries! ALL OF THEM special in their own beautiful and unique way. While I LOVE giving these opportunities to the many hopefuls out there. I always find it difficult to choose in the end. Because every one can bring something special to a photo shoot. And I wish I could select everyone who entered...

One of my favorite things about ExploreModeling are our amazing opportunities. I just love seeing girls from all over fulfill their dream of modeling with one of our once in a lifetime experiences.... Whether it be shooting for a major designer, cosmetics or haircare company to walking a coveted runway like Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Bringing opportunities like this to the ExploreModeling community is truly a joy for me!

That said...

I am excited to announce a new modeling opportunity on ExploreModeling.com!

When asked over and over how to get comfortable in front of the camera... I always respond with the same answer.... Modeling is All about Acting and being comfortable enough behind the camera to ACT out different characters. NO, it is not all about being beautiful and looking perfect for a photo. That actually has very little to do with it in the end...

Time is flying by and our e.l.f. Cosmetics casting with be ending very soon... Have you signed up yet? If not, what are you waiting for!?!

http://www.exploremodeling.com/Casting/elfCosmetics2013/Default.aspx

This year we are excited to have Megan Parken as a Special Guest Host. You can check her out on YouTube here- ...

Megan also made a special video tutorial on...

Now there is a major difference between modeling for fun or having a career as a professional model. I find there are two major differences between the two... Money and professionalism- one seldom comes without the other!

I learned early in my career that if I wanted to pursue the modeling industry seriously and grow a career that would endure overtime...

When I first started modeling I had NO idea how to pose in front of the camera! I had done a few test shoots and then suddenly I got a professional modeling contract with an agency in Tokyo, Japan and WHAM I am suddenly a 'Professional Model'. Suddenly, I was expected to be as experienced as the other girls that had been in the industry for years. Yikes!!...

Jil Sander sent a paper bag inspired purse down her runway with her models for her fall/ winter collection runway show. The hefty price on this couture lunch bag is $290. How do you feel about this? Is the label worth the price? Read on to learn how to make your own for FREE!

I found this photo yesterday on Facebook and fell in LOVE with the updo... So I made it my mission to find a tutorial to share with you guys. This hairstyle definitely needs another person to accomplish but the final result is ohhh sooo pretty!! Click 'more' to see video.

Summer may be over but this hair trend is still going strong into the Fall. If you haven't mastered this look already, here is a really god tutorial to go by... If you have tried it, let me know how it went. Personally, I think I would need another set of hands!

Muriel Villera, Model Latina 2012, was recently signed to the Bella Agency in NYC through ExploreModeling.com! Muriel is a stunning Latina Model that has primary worked in the Miami modeling market. After her win on Model LatinaSouth Beach this past Summer, she decided to advance her career to the Big Apple!

The Bella Agency has offices in NYC and L.A.. The Founder/ Owner, Ray Volant, began his career at the prestigious Ford Modeling Agency before branching out with a boutique powerhouse agency representing women and men for Fashion, Catalogue and Commercial Print.

You can check them out here- Bella Agency.

Good Luck Muriel!! I know we will be seeing exciting things from you to come!!

Check her out in our backstage video with Nicolita Swimwear!

While at Fashion Week it reminds me of how overWORKED a models hair can get running from show to show. Backstage there is always tons of product, heated styling tools and elaborate hair designs. A model's hair can quickly get damaged. After the shows, many at home long to recreate these styles that cause stress on the healthiest head of hair.

I wanted to share some tips on how to protect your hair but still get to enjoy being a 'Hair Fashionista'!

1- Keep it DIRTY. Even if you are going from style to style, try not to wash your hair every day. Many of the more elaborate styles and updo's fair much better with dirty hair. When your hair is clean it tends to be too wispy to create the drama of a runway style.

2- SAY "NO" to Rubber Bands! Always steer clear of plain rubber bands- even in a pinch. They will pull and break your hair causing extra damage with every use. Always carry fabric protected elastic bands with you as an option if you are provided ones Backstage that will damage your hair.

3- YES to EXTENSIONS! If you like elaborate hair styles play with and use extensions to create DRAMA.
By using this technique you are sharing the damage with 'hair' you can purchase again when it gets overworked.

4- PROTECT your hair with a MASK! Apply a hair mask to revitalize hair in between styles. This will re-nourish your hair with the right nutrients. You can try PrX REPARATIVES mask by Frederic Fekkai- The Remedy to Restore Beautiful Hair.

5- Give it a break! Every now and then, just do nothing. No hair spray, no updo's, no hair dryers. Just nothing... A few days of this and your hair can some back to Life!

Never too late in the summer to find a great suit to lift your natural assets! As a proud member of the Cup A Committee, I know this has always been of great interest to me ;) However, many so called 'push up' swimsuits I have found are less than natural looking. So I have steered clear. While searching the internet I came upon Voda Swim. The were founded and designed by a model. And that I love!! You can check out all their designs here- Voda Swim.

Check out this video to see Voda in action!-



Want to have one of your very own?!? Leave a comment on this blog, join our Facebook Page and you will be entered to win a beautiful Voda Swimsuit!

It’s always nice to have a friend that can offer you trustworthy style advice. Girl, you can’t mix plaid with stripes. No white pants after Labor Day. Do you have a friend like that? ??Glamour Magazine got a few pointers from celebrity stylist, Rachel Zoe in this month’s issue featuring an article entitled, “Rachel Zoe’s Style DOs and DON’Ts.” There are several tips that every girl can take to the grave or pass down to the next generation of blooming fashionistas.

Check out her article here: Style DO'S and DON'TS.

I know as soon as my hair gets unruly the day after a good wash and blowdry, I go straight for the updo!
Unfortunately, living a busy lifestyle the updo is primarily what I do ;)

I found some great tips and tutorials for some perfect Dirty Hair Updos.

And for those of you who would like to make that wash and blow dry last another day or two... Get out the dry shampoo!

Here are some basic steps-

1- Choose a dry shampoo. (You can try Fresh Start from Tressume)
2- Brush your hair. Make sure there are no tangles.
3- Apply the dry shampoo.
4- Wait. 5-10 minutes should be long enough for the dry shampoo to absorb the sebum in your hair.
5-Brush the shampoo out of your hair.

On Monday July 30, HBO premiered a new documentary “About Face: Supermodels Then and Now,” that features an array of model talent from the last 40 years. Model favorites such as Beverly Johnson and Paulina Porizkova are interviewed in this gentle documentary on their lives now and some subtle details about their lives as models in the 1970’s, 80’s, and 90’s. They hit on some controversial topics that models face throughout their careers, so it should be interesting...

I came across this review of the program by The New Times, but I want to know what you lovely people think about the film. It will air again Friday, August 3 at 4:30pm and again Sunday at 5:30pm. I missed the first airing, but I will definitely be tuned this weekend so we can share our thoughts on it next week!

Check out the trailer below-

I came across some very inspiring videos by Cassandra Bankson. She is a beautiful young model suffering with terrible acne. Cassandra has put together some very helpful videos walking viewers through her make-up routine... Seeing her flawless skin, in the intro to the video, it is be hard to believe that she even has one blemish on her face. But when she strips away her make-up you can see more clearly the skin troubles she is dealing with. I have to say it takes a lot for someone to expose themselves in this way and I am inspired by her honesty and willingness to help others through her own experience...

I think it's time to dust off your flat iron and go back to basics...

It has recently been revealed that the active ingredient Formaldehyde found in Brazilian keratin straightening treatments can cause cancer. In addition, there are other health concerns including headaches, rashes, eye/ ear irritations and breathing problems. Check out his link for more results from the FDA-BRAZILIAN BLOWOUT IS DANGEROUS, FDA SAYS

Also, don't be fooled by those brands claiming to be Formaldehyde Free! Brazilian Blowout, a popular brand of keratin hair smoothers, touted this claim only to be proved otherwise. Now the brand is facing hefty fines for improper labeling. See more here- Brazilian Blowout hair-straightening brand ordered to warn that products contain cancer-causing formaldehyde

I also wanted to share the following informative video on the subject... Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below... Have you had a Brazilian Blowout? Will you continue having them? I want to know your thoughts :)

Hello you Socially Conscious EM'ers :)

Who would have thought a recycled bottle could become your favorite pair of trendy jeans,
top, jacket or any other piece of clothing in your closet! That's right! Just another great reason to 'Go Green' and recycle! I came across this great article on the entire process- How Does A Diet Coke Bottle Get Recycled Into A Pair Of Jeans? See and Learn!

For those of you that prefer a video... I found one of those too ;)