From Within

From Vogue Japan February 2013

Does this sound familiar? You see an ad for cosmetic company A's new miracle moisturizer that promises to even your complexion and brighten your skin in six weeks. Convinced it will work, you buy a bottle. Less than a month later, you're not seeing any results but your fave beauty guru is raving about the BB cream by cosmetic company B. So you go out and grab it. But then Hollywood's new it-girl swears by this other moisturizer you've heard of, and you figure "Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it."  By the spring you've got a medicine cabinet filled with half-empty creams and lotions yet your face isn't any bit clearer than the day you started this ridiculousness.

This, my friends, is what we call a product junkie. You've got so much stuff that you might as well have your own beauty counter at Macy's. I realized this about myself when I was packing for a trip last year. I was dead set on not checking any bags, so that meant stuffing my beauty and hair products into a tiny zip-lock. Daily face wash, gentle microbeads scrub, deep cleaning toner, soothing eye gel, balancing moisturizer, rejuvenating night cream, and makeup removal wipes. Sheesh, what a laundry list! To make a long story short, the bag ripped. I was so annoyed. But that got me to thinking... Maybe I'm going about this beauty routine all wrong.

When trying to fix things on the outside, we should probably start on the inside first. Whatever you're putting into your body is taking it's toll on your outward appearance. It makes perfect sense. If you eat a lot of greasy food, your face will look like a slice of pepperoni pizza. But other things that you think are good for you, may actually be causing breakouts too. Dr. Jessica Wu, dermatologist and author of Feed Your Face, says to cut the milk out of your diet. "Dairy products often aggravate acne in women of all ages" she explains. Milk and a lot of meats pack a great deal of protein and hormones that can have adverse reactions for your skin. It takes your body longer to break down protein which can lead toxins building up in your body and coming out through your skin. Also, there's a possibility you're drinking too much water. Say what?! According to Dr. Howard Murad and founder of skincare company Murad Inc, we should be eating more foods like zucchini and watermelon that have a high H2O content. Apparently, your body absorbs nutrients better when you're eating the water as opposed to drinking it.

I know what you're thinking, but don't rush to throw away your facial products just yet. Before you do,try incorporating a few new eating habits into your daily routine and see if your complexion takes a turn for the better. Oh, and cut back on the stress in your life. Those sleepness nights and comforting yourself with gallons of ice cream are resulting in dark circles and bags under your eyes. Not a good look, babe. Never underestimate the power of a good diet, exercise, and peace of mind. Clearer, healthier skin can be achieved as long as you're nourishing your body from the inside out. Let your beauty radiate.

Blank Like A Model: Essential Beauty

Being a model means that you always have to be camera-ready. Between photo shoots and commercials, there's no room for bad beauty days on my schedule. How do I pull it off? It takes a little dedication, but it's sooo simple. In this edition of Blank Like A Model, I'll give you a few of my essential beauty tips that will keep you glowing all day.

1.Deep clean: Splashing water on your face in the morning to wake you up is just not enough. Faces need a little scrub-a-dub every morning to get rid of the dirt and excess oil that collected during sleep. The same thing goes for a nighttime routine. Make sure to use a makeup remover before you cleanse. I like to scrub with an exfoliant cream every other day and use a facial mask at least once a week. Your face will thank you for taking special care of it.

2. Protect all your skin: Whether it's moisturizing or using sunscreen, it's important to protect all your skin, not just your face. I don't care if you've got skin as soft as a baby's bottom, moisturizing must be a priority. I love cocoa butter infused with vitamin E. It evens out my complexion while also protecting me from the sun. Just stay away from anything too oily or heavy that may clog your pores.

3. Hands off: Every time you bring your hands to your face it spreads germs and dirt that can cause pimples and other irritations. Train yourself to keep your hands off and to use tissues any time you need to dab or wipe something away. This is doubly true if you feel a pimple or blemish creeping up on your face, since the oils from your hand will make it worse. Also: keep your hands out of your hair! It’s a nervous habit for so many people and it just spreads oil and dirt everywhere. If you use your fingers to style your hair, be sure to wash them before and after.

4. Brighten up your eyes: Age and lack of sleep can take a toll on your peepers. Not to worry. Use a calming eye cream or cucumbers to soothe your eyes in the morning and at night. Keep the area underneath your eyes moisturized and dab a little highlighter in the corners to make them sparkle. Finish off with mascara on top and bottom lashes to really open your eyes up.

5. Just blush: I never used to wear color on my cheeks because I thought it looked unrealistic. Then a very cute guy made me blush. Rosy cheeks are a sign of youth and flirtatiousness. Dab a little pink on the apples of your cheeks to keep you looking vibrant.

6. Freshen up: Your face and hair can attract dirt and antioxidants throughout the day. I like to do a mini facial at lunch time that includes using a toner to clean off excess grime and reapplying. You can do the same thing for your hair with Free Your Mane's Reviving Spray. It'll bring life back to your beautiful tresses.

7. Do it with a smile: No matter how you may look on the outside, it's so important to feel good on the inside. When you laugh or smile, your face instantly lights up and you forget your worries at least for a moment. Smiles are infectious, so share that joy with those around you.

You may not be a Hollywood starlet or a catwalk queen, but you are lovely. May all your days be filled with happiness and beauty.