Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to Alina Lapteva. My highschool friend from Russia. Alina arrived in Canada and joined my school as a student. As soon as she stepped into the school, all eyes were on her. Everywhere we went, everyone noticed her. Her long, enviable legs and golden locks never fail to make her the center of attention.

As soon as she’s done with highschool, she went to York University. There, she started her modelling career. She was Ms. RTVi Canada 2006. Now, she’s an Elite model and she travels around the world to do runways and photoshoots. As famous and successful as she is right now, Alina is very humble and modest. She’ll share with you her experience on the road to become a model! Thanks for sharing, Alina!

Modelling industry is a tough business with a lot of competition.  Modelling is a fun job, but you need to remember that this is, afterall, a job! You are going to be doing this everyday, so make sure to keep up with your phyical appearance. Daily diets, exercises, skin care are a must. Maintain yourself everyday and make sure that you look right.

In this industry sizes and measurements are very important. In the fashion industry, there is a height requirement of min. 5′ 9″, but preferably 5′ 10″ and your bum has to be around 35″ in circumference. So if you are 5’10”, start working on your body. Make it slim, toned, and no fat unfortunately.

Then you need a good portfolio. you can of course do it for free, but the pictures will never be as great as you can get from a professional photographer. A session with a professional photographer will cost around 500$, but it is worth it. Make sure that the photographer is a professional. For example my personal recommendation is Javier Lovera. He is an awesome photographer. You’ll get about 8 pictures for your portfolio.

When you have about 8-10 photos in your book, you can start visiting modelling agencies and show them your book. My recommendations are Elite, Ford, Next, Elmer Olsen. They are widely known to represent professional models and they have a good reputation in the industry. Try to go to these agencies, instead of others.

When you come for your appointment in the agencies, wear clothing that show your figure and a clean face (no make up please). Bring a bikini with you just in case, and be prepared to take some pictures there. Do not worry if you dont get it the first time. Don’t take it personally. Ask them, nicely, the reason why they rejected you and what you can do to improve yourself. More often than not, they will give you a good advice.

Persistence is the number one quality that a model should have. If you fail, try and try again. From my own experience, Elite rejected me when I went there for the first time. They told me that there is nothing that I could do to improve myself and that they don’t need me. However, I showed up again the year after and they immediately booked me and told me not to go to any other agencies. I ended up signing a 3-year contract with them.

You never know! You have to keep going if you really want this.

As you keep going, you will find a lot of obstacles in front of you, esp. if you start an international modeling career. At times, it’s tough psychologically and sometimes physically. I’ve to work for 15 hours/day for a week and at the end of the week you’re so exhausted and feel that you have no energy left. Sometimes, you need to be prepared for empty periods – no job. It happens everywhere, in Toronto, New York, Paris. There are seasons for work.

I wish you all the best. Good luck. Just remember not to compare yourself to anybody esle. You are unique. Keep going and don’t give up easily.

Pictures are courtesy of Alina Lapteva (www.alinalapteva.com)

I’ve changed my shampoo from Tre-Semme to an organic shampoo called Anti-Body shampoo and conditoner. The reason as to why I changed is due to allergic reaction to commercial shampoo.

Now, I think..I THINK (not proven scientifically), my hair looks soft, shiny and silky because of deep conditioning treatment that I do once or twice a week. Long before I discovered this product, I usually just used a conditioner. However, ever since I discovered this specific product, I am a huge fan!

This product is by Moroccanoil called Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask. I usually wet my hair, towel dry it and grab a generous amount of the mask on my palm. I massaged the mask to my scalp and hair and leave it for about 10mins. I found that a shower cap help to keep the hair in place (esp. if you have long hair). After 10mins, I take my usual shower and rinse it off without Shampoo.

Picture is courtesy of Moroccanoil

It’s pretty pricy. About $32 at Trade’s Secret in Canada. I think it’s worth it though. It leaves your hair feel so silky and smooth. Not to mention, it smells great too! This product lasts a long time. There’s also another mask called the Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask, and I think this one is for damaged hair. I think you should try their products if you have the budget to do so. If not, just stick to your conditioned and leave it for about 30mins. I used to do this all the time till beginning of this year.

The other thing that helps to keep my hair look shiny and healthy is: Kiehl’s Superbly Restorative Oil ($42 for the big bottle, $30 for the smaller one). Very pricy! I bought this out of impulse. You only need about 6-10 drops of this oil. Rub it between your palm and scrunch from the ends of your hair to the scalp. Massage the scalp afterwards. Apply it to a damped hair (after shower). I found that if you use too much or if you apply to your scalp first, your hair might look greasy instead of shiny. I used this almost every day. A little goes a long way. Smells pretty good too.

Picture is courtesy of Kiehl’s

Hope you guys enjoy my hair-care tips!

Disclaimer: I am not, in any way, being paid or endorsed to advertise the products on my website. I bought this entirely out of my own pocket and I am not being paid by anyone to do this.

How’s everyone doing with today’s matches in the World Cup? lol…I’m very happy with the result! =D Heheheehehehe..anyways, enjoy the tutorial!

My face was prep with MUFE HD foundation

Products used:

Foundation – MUFE HD Foundation

Eyeshadows – MAC Bright Future, MAC Cranberry, MAC Deep Truth, MAC Parfait Amour

Eyeliner – MAC Black Black chromaline

Mascara – Maybelline Bold

Blush – MAC Cubic

Lipgloss – vaseline

Anyhow, sorry for the missing tutorials lately guys. I’ve been working for a summer camp and it’s been keeping me busy. Not to mention I have makeup gigs on the weekend as well. My apologies for the lack of tutorial

Oh, on the other hand, I’d like to give a shout out to Luminess Air for their generosity! Thanks to Luminess Air, now, I’ve a set of Air Brush Kit! Yay! I’ll do a review on it soon (since tmr is Canada Day = holiday! yay)

Let’s get to the tutorial! (since I’m a dork, I accidentally deleted a few pictures for the eyes, but read the instructions and you’ll know how to do it)

My face was prep with MUFE HD Primer no. 6 and MUFE HD foundation. My eyes were prep with MAC Delft.

Products used:

Foundation – MUFE HD Foundation

Eyeshadow – MAC Shimmer Moss, MAC Deep Truth, MAC Club, Annabelle black eyeshadow

Eyeliner – Stila Onyx

Mascara – Maybelline Curl Power

Blush – MAC Fleur Power

Lipgloss – Clinique Mango

Very simple, very easy.

I prep my face with moisturizer and MUFE HD Primer no. 6

Products used:

Foundation – MUFE HD foundation

Primer – MUFE HD Primer no. 6

Powder – MAC Blot Powder

Eyeshadow – MAC Brulee, MAC Phloof, annabelle black eyeshadow

Eyeliner – Stila onyx

Blush – Cubis

Lipgloss – vaseline

July has been dubbed The American Cancer Society’s “UV Safety Month.” Since beach weather (thankfully) doesn’t wait until July, you should know that you can have your cake and eat it too when it comes to a golden glow without the risks.

We all know by now that we need SPF, and with many makeup and face creams including at least SPF 15 already built in, that’s already a step in the right direction for many of us.  I actually took a look around on my last shopping trip, and realized that it was almost harder to specifically find foundation or tinted moisturizer containing zero sun protection.

Now, if you are not one to wear makeup to the beach or say, for an outdoor jog, you really must get familiar with a good facial sun block in addition to one for body. Alba Botanica’s sun care line is a great choice for both, offering non-chemical protection up to SPF 45, and is loved by shoppers who choose natural products either for green reasons or skin sensitivity issues.

So what about the newer SPF 90+ lotions out there? While those with very fair, sun sensitive skin may want/need to go high with SPF, Dr. Edward Lack (Chicago rhinoplasty, dermatology) warns that this can become more of a marketing gimmick to make you feel like you need a higher and higher number whenever its available. Reapplying to keep that protection barrier on your skin strong is key, and will do a much better job than applying an extremely high SPF once and allowing it to wear off.

“Ideally you put on sunscreen an hour before going outside, then reapply it just before exposure. If you will maintain direct exposure as on the golf course or on a boat put the sunscreen on again every 2 hours,” Dr. Lack advises as a general rule.

Now that you are refreshed on staying adequately protected, we mustn’t forget the sunless tanner. If you’re a recovering sunbathing addict and haven’t tried one yet, now is the time; and sticking to some cult favorites will ensure a seamless transition into a faux glow with no looking back. Lavera‘s sunless lotion is THE organic choice, while the entire Clarins‘ line is highly recommendable- a favorite being the Self Tanning Instant Gel for a fast dash of color with no mess as you walk out the door in the morning. What’s not to love?

Written by Joseph Snyder, on behalf of MetropolitanMD, a Chicago liposuction, facial rejuvenation, and cosmetic surgery center.

Oh, btw..I’ve been asked why is it that the makeup that I show here are more “subtle” than the ones on youtube.. The reason as to why I kept it subtle is because I want everyone who comes here to be able to wear this look whenever they want. I don’t want you to look like as though you’re putting way too much makeup.

My idea of makeup is that makeup should look effortless. I promise you, when you follow the step-by-step instruction, and wear it outside, people will compliment your whole look for example: “you look so elegant”, or “there’s something different about you, but I don’t know what“…instead of “oh..your makeup looks nice“..

Anyhow, let’s get it started!

My face was prep with MAC Full Coverage Foundation in NC30, studio fix concealer in NC30 and set with MAC mineralized skinfinish powder

Products used:

Foundation – MAC Full Coverage Foundation

Concealer – MAC Studio Fix concealer

Eyeshadows -  Too Faced Boy Toy and Party Girl; MAC Hush and Parfait Armour.

Eyeliner – Annabelle black pencil liner.

Mascara – Maybelline Curl Power

Blush – Too Faced La Vie En Rose

Lipgloss – Too Faced I Love Myself

*all Too Faced products can be found in the Glamour Revolution palette*

Ladies and gents, I present you, Maxime:

6) Any tips on how to look great in front of the camera?

Photo is courtesy of Maxime Bocken (www.maximebocken.com)

My face is prepped with MUFE Primer no. 6 and MUFE HD foundation

Products used:

Brushes (same as Citrusy Revisited below)

Face – MUFE HD Primer no. 6 and MUFE HD Foundation

Eye primer – MAC Soft Ochre paint pot

Eyeshadows – MAC Shimmermoss and Stars ‘n Rockets

Eyeliner – MAC Black black chromaline and Stila onyx eyeliner

Mascara – Maybelline Curl Power

Blush – Revlon Blushing Berry

Lipgloss – Pink Peony

Bronzer – smashbox