Beauty Secrets Of Top Models

- by Caroline Hastings-Brown -

Ah, supermodels! Those exquisite, mythical creatures of beauty, grace and style. Always with an enviable glow, the latest chic accessory and a flippant ‘I woke up like this’ air about them. Well, for those of us who don’t earn many millions every year just by stalking down a runway or having a few snaps taken, you might be surprised to learn some of the tricks of the trade that the models swear by!

They Are Human!

For starters, I would just like to state that, while being blessed with great genes, top models do not get to where they are without a bit of hard work and tenacity! And, they are just like us, with good days and bad days. Days when they haven’t eaten as healthily as they should, or work and stress have dried out the skin and it’s broken out in spots. But just so you know, here are some of the simple, and surprising beauty secrets of the hottest models out there today!

Gisele’s Perfect Pout Method

Take the quintessential Brazilian bombshell and Victoria’s Secret angel, Gisele Bundchen. The absolute last word in natural, golden, sun kissed sexiness! When she is not working, Gisele sports a very natural look that is enhanced by full and plump-looking lips. Her secret? She uses a nude lipliner that gives the mouth definition and fullness, followed by a slick of pink lipstick to achieve the look. Try Lavera Soft Lipliner in Rose 01, to define your lips and to stop your lipstick from feathering. To apply, start at either corner of your mouth and draw a line up towards the bow of your lips. Follow up with a slick of conditioning Burt’s Bee Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry.   

Lavera Soft Lipliner

Burt’s Bee Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry 

Cindy Combines Health And Haircare

When it comes to longevity and a lady who literally created the concept of a ‘supermodel’, look no further than the smouldering Cindy Crawford. Cindy is a businesswoman and mother who values multitasking and ‘double duty beauty’ above all. One of her favourite tips is to combine gym and spa and use a pre-wash conditioner on her hair while exercising, knowing that you will be washing your hair after. A greasy workout ponytail is a small price to pay! Try John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner –  an intensive conditioning for dry, damaged, color-treated and permed hair. It contains lavender and avocado oil with 10 certified-organic plant extracts and oils to bring intense moisture and vitality to dry hair. Hair is left shiny, soft and luxurious with a wonderful, light lavender scent.

John Masters Organics Lavender & Avocado Intensive Conditioner 

Kate’s A Tan Fan

The iconic Kate Moss, epitome of the ‘London Look’ loves a gentle tan, whether she is striding on a tropical beach in the sunshine or braving the British Winter. And, surprisingly, Kate prefers to administer her own beauty routine, rather than spend lots of time in salons. She swears by the natural, shimmery glow and hydration of St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil.

St. Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil 

Liu Blocks Out The Sun 

Runway regular Liu Wen puts sunblock at the top of her beauty regime list. And her favourite? It’s another multi-tasker –  Guerlain Lingerie de Peau BB Invisible Skin-Fusion Multi-Perfecting Make-Up SPF 30 PA +++ . Using this beautifier she can instantly perfect skin tone and vibrancy, provide sun damage protection and protect her beautiful asset – her flawless skin, from the sun! 

Guerlain Lingerie de Peau BB Invisible Skin-Fusion Multi-Perfecting Make-Up SPF 30 PA +++ 

Cara Keeps It Clean

One of the defining supermodels of our time has to be the girl who made full eyebrows covetable, Cara Delevigne. Her distinctive look and outgoing character have made her an icon of camera and catwalk. Her secret – having clean, make up-free skin whenever possible. So whether you are just too tired to do your normal cleansing routine, or you are on a long flight or other form of transport, Cara’s trick is to whip out some facial cleansing wipes and get rid of makeup and dirt whenever she can! Try Bioderma Créaline H2O Dermatological Wipes (For Sensitive Skin) for ultra-mild cleansing and makeup removal for sensitive face and eyes, that will eliminate all trace of makeup, even waterproof.

Bioderma Créaline H2O Dermatological Wipes (For Sensitive Skin)

So, you see. It is not all about the most expensive products and exclusive beauty treatments. Affordable products and clever use and you can adopt that air of confidence and beauty too!

How to Get A Body Like Gigi Hadid

- by Caroline Hastings-Brown -

Who’s that IT girl?

So, it’s no wonder she has graced the pages of Sports Illustrated, been in Guess campaigns and stalked the legendary Victoria’s Secret runway. But she has also crossed over into high fashion with the likes of Tom Ford, despite the fact that some have said she is ‘too curvy’. Well, if that’s too curvy, I’ll be that, any day!

Brave Enough To Be Herself

Gigi stands out in the world of ‘cookie cutter’ models by being herself. She is gorgeous, athletic, healthy and clearly has a lot of fun staying in shape. While she works extremely hard to look that good, the GREAT news is, it is actually achievable. Gigi is slender with rock hard abs, but she is not super-skinny, and this is what makes her a role model amongst models.

Athletic Tendencies – No Shortcuts

As a young girl, Gigi was a really competitive volleyball player, even making it as far as the Junior US Team for the Olympics. This focus on athletic performance is what makes her workout plans so great. No longer a volleyball star and now one of the world’s top models and current ‘IT’ girl, Gigi works out every day. And she works hard. Afraid there’s no shortcut here – what you put in to your workouts and body is exactly what you will get out!

Currently, Gigi gets intense daily workouts from a combination of boxing sparring, jump rope and ballet-inspired floor exercises. The key here is to find an exercise style that you love and keep going with it, every day, at least five days a week, no excuses! My saving grace is dance and Zumba style classes, because that doesn’t feel like work to me, it’s totally just fun, and the music keeps me pumping and jumping long after I have hit the ‘I’m tired’ point with a standard exercise regime. For you, it could be running outdoors, swimming, martial arts or boxing, yoga, cycling – the point is to do what YOU love because then you will stick to it!

Eat Clean To Stay Lean

The other piece of sensible advice Gigi has is to eat clean to stay fit, as there is no other way! BUT, she also suggests a cheat day to stay sane. As a self-confessed burger lover, her ‘cheat days’ (usually once a week) keep her on the straight and narrow the rest of the time. I like it! I think I’ll join you on that one Gigi!

But being a busy gal, keeping healthy on the run is not always easy. Sometimes you need something quick and easy, but that does not come from a fast food outlet! The perfect answer comes in the form of a smoothie. They can be vegetable and antioxidant packed, protein packed or full of health-giving, metabolism-boosting enzymes, like the ‘Beautiful Healthy Changes’ Enzyme Smoothie. 

Beautiful Healthy Changes Cocoa Enzyme Smoothie

Containing a whopping 384 enzymes from different plants and fruit, this can be whipped up with a little soya milk, coconut water or yoghurt and provide a satiating meal or snack that has detoxifying and slimming effects. Choose from delicious cocoa and refreshing honey and lemon. 

Beautiful Healthy Changes Honey Lemon Enzyme Smoothie

Control Your Environment – And Your Stress Levels!

And while we are on the subject of running around, be that in your daily life (like mine) or as a world-class supermodel (like Gigi’s), you need to make sure you stay full of energy, and do not succumb to any nasty bugs in the air! Taking a high strength vitamin C supplement helps a lot to keep you healthy and away from the sniffles. Get a high quality vitamin like Blackmores Dietary Supplement Bio C 1000 (Cold and Flu).

BLACKMORES Dietary Supplement Bio C 1000( Cold and Flu)

And vitamin C can be beneficial on the skin as well as within!  When flying around and spending a lot of time in air-conditioned interiors, your skin can become dry. Get a C-boost straight to your skin with John Masters Organics Vitamin C Anti-Aging Face Serum made with 9 certified-organic ingredients. Vitamin C, in its natural form, penetrates deep into skin to moisturise and protect the skin.  

John Masters Organics Vitamin C Anti-Aging Face Serum (Dry / Mature)

Be Healthy, And Be Yourself!

So, dearest ladies, while we all agree that Gigi has a body to die for, we are all uniquely beautiful in our own ways. And being healthy, fit and eating well will make you the best that you can be, and it will NEVER be out of style!

A “Natural” Experiment – An Alternative Approach On Haircare

----By Kylie Tang----

You had your hair dyed, curled or bleached last year, and you just made another color……You deserve to be the beautiful one! Yet your silk-like and good-looking hair seems to be an old story. I was addicted to various hair colors and styles, and it resulted in an enormous demand for haircare products. Some girls have tried the highest-rated products yet their efforts were in vain. “Which bottle shall I purchase next?” is often asked by girls with dried-out hair resulted by excessive, harsh style treatments.

Why did you buy the shampoos that you purchased recently? We bought them with thousands of reasons but we seem to be never satisfied with their haircare performances.

Attempt natural haircare, as you see the old ones might not be the best for you. How far are you willing to go for less-chemical products? Spend some months on the trial.

Before The Experiment, Understand “Shampoo”

The word “Shampoo” is derived from “champo” (Hindi), which means to massage or press. As early as the 1500s people combined soapberries and herbs to keep their hair clean. Shampoo has evolved over the years and was identified to use a couple times a week at most. Shampoo, in the old days, was recognized with a unitary usage to remove dirt from the scalp. Nobody needed to get functions like hair conditioning, moisturizing, color conservation or with good texture. On the contrary, now most of us desire a multi-purpose shampoo to be the very initial step in haircare, to cure our overstrained hair.

Less Is More

You ought to experiment an additive-free shampoo. It doesn’t mean to use a very primordial (some can’t even produce the lather) shampoo. Jessa Blades, a natural beauty artist, suggests avoiding:

-          Parabens (A preservative)

-          Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (A lather-producing agent)

-          Petrolatum (Creates shiny hair)

-          Propylene Glycol (Hair becomes smooth)

-          Dimethicone (Lubricates the surface of the hair), etc.

Using Dimethicone or not in haircare is still a controversial issue. To me, I find the disadvantages of Dimethicone outweigh its benefits. I value a shampoo that prepares hair for the next treatments. Yet, Dimethicone adds another layer to one’s hair, builds up and makes the hair heavy. I highly recommend a shampoo that simply clarifies the scalp (or even removes Dimethicone). Clean up, and that’s enough.

John Masters Organics Bare Unscented Shampoo (All Hair Types)

Try John Masters Organics Bare Unscented Shampoo. It features no Dimethicone, SLS and even fragrance. Organic extracts of Chamomile, White Tea and Jojoba oil gently cleanse your hair.

Melvita Expert Repairing Shampoo (For Dry and Damaged Hair)

I also like Melvita Expert Repairing Shampoo. It’s sulfate-free with good properties of Rose Hip, Camellia and Calendula Flower Oils. If you are concerned about your dry, damaged hair, let Melvita help you.

Make Use Of Good Herbs

We may not understand what the ingredients on the labels of shampoos are about, but it seems likely we know some of the names of flowers (or plants). I must say it’s an experiment (or a trial) – elements you might not have faith in them before. They are excellent nourishment indeed.

-          Argan, Camellia and Jojoba Oil restore over-processed hair

-          Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera keep scalp moisturized

-          Shea Butter enhances the shine and color of hair

Andalou Argan Stem Cells Conditioner (Thinning Hair Treatment)

Yes it’s okay to have a silicone-free conditioner. Andalou Argan Stem Cells Conditioner with Argan Stem Cells help strengthen strands with less breakage. It results in healthier hair and creates an amplified volume.

RENE FURTERER Absolue Keratine Ultimate Renewal Mask (Extremely Damaged, Brittle Hair)

Plant Keratin, Biocymentine and Camelina work well for extremely damaged hair. RENE FURTERER Absolue Keratine Ultimate Renewal Mask is a good choice for SOS treatment.

Olioseta Oro Del Marocco Oil Treatment for Blonde-Fine Hair Argan and Linseed Oil

I love oils! 2 lovable oils, Certified Organic Argan and Linseed Oil, are key ingredients of Olioseta Oro Del Marocco Oil Treatment for Blonde-Fine Hair Argan and Linseed Oil.

Be Healthy

The hair experiment requires you to consume more good food in order for it to succeed more easily. Avocados, nuts, flaxseeds contain Protein, Omega-3 fatty acids and iron that are hair-healthy while spinach, guava and sweet potatoes are also good choices.

Haircare Is Very Personal

That’s the truth. So which bottle shall you purchase next? Having a relatively low-chemical haircare routine means you are putting bounds to the drawbacks of harmful substances to your hair. I must congratulate you if you have discovered your ideal haircare. But keep trying, keep experimenting!

Secret Garden Week 3: Luxurious, Fragrant Lavender Has It All!

By now I know you have been doing your detective work around the COSME-DE website, looking for your secret codes that unlock a treasure garden of cash discounts and free gifts! And if you haven’t, do not despair, as Week 3 of our Secret Garden promotion has arrived. We know you love beautiful things, because you are a COSME-DE girl, and we are always the beautiful ones. Which is why we want you to have more of the exquisite products you love, for less!

All you need to do is put your most stylish detective hat on, and search the secret garden on COSME-DE.COM for our secret codes. Once you spot one, you enter it into the search box, and as if by magic, a cash discount on products or free gift is yours! So we have given the transcendent rose and the beautiful tulip each a week to bask in your attention, and now it is the turn of our exquisite new flower, lavender, to have its aromatic week in the sun!

Lavender really has it all – it’s beautiful, bright and extremely fragrant! Lavender has been used for centuries as a calming and soothing balm, one whiff and you feel restored, serene, fresh and calm. So, get your purple glow on and take a look at some of the pick of products that give you the beauty advantage.

What better way to get all the benefits of lavender in Jurlique’s Lavender Hydrating Mist. It’s the perfect pick-me-up if your skin is feeling a bit tight and dry, and if you need that boost to restore your senses and calm your mind. All you need to do is close your eyes and gently give your face a rejuvenating, moisturising, toning spritz.

Jurlique’s Lavender Hydrating Mist

When it comes to aromatics, Clarins just does it so well with their finest quality botanical ingredients. You can give oily and combination skin a fragrant boost with the Lotus Face Treatment Oil. Pure plant extracts of Rosewood, Geranium and Lotus tighten pores and refine skin texture, while Hazelnut Oil softens, soothes and seals in moisture for a perfect facial treat, in only a few drops.

Clarins Lotus Face Treatment Oil

And what self-respecting bathroom does not have at least one beautifully scented lavender soap in it? For a wash that smells so heavenly you will never want to leave the bathroom, try John Masters Lavender, Rose, Geranium and Ylang Ylang soap for an aromatic experience. It is also highly moisturising so will not dry your skin, but leave it soft, luminous and deliciously fragrant. This indulgent treat also makes a great gift – who can resist?

John Masters Lavender, Rose, Geranium and Ylang Ylang soap

And while we are basking in the glow of fragrant aromatics, you can make sure your environment smells as lovely as you do by adding a couple of drops of Aromatherapy Associates Relax Room Fragrance to an aromatherapy burner. Rich scents of geranium, myrrh and West Indian Bay will waft around your home or office, transporting you and all those around you to a happy place.

Aromatherapy Associates Relax Room Fragrance

Fragrance is the most evocative of our senses, we have all experienced that moment when a smell transports you to a place from the past. So, make memories in the present by using the calming, delightful aromas of nature to keep you deliciously happy!