Beauty & Lifestyle

Performing in the Real World

Many potential models suffer from self-doubt. Each and every day, they see images on their screens which portray perfection and provide an ideology of flawlessness. What they do not see are the hours spent in make-up and the huge amount of work that goes into making those pictures look flawless.

How often have you seen IG pics which purport to have been taken ‘on the go’ or showing the ‘real me’? In reality, most of these will have been taken previously and added to the huge bank of pics available. They’ll be photoshopped, airbrushed and ready for those concerned to post on their social media at any time.

Back in the real world
There is nothing that new in this. Once models would visit a studio, or if they were lucky to be invited on location, somewhere exotic. The photographer would then take 100’s of pics, go back to the studio, tidy them up and pass on the perfected pics to the model or their management. The only difference nowadays is that the ‘lies’ are easier to tell and the truth simpler to uncover.

It’s no wonder that girls often tell me they don’t feel up to the mark when it comes to modeling. They are so easily put off by these unrealistic images. My answer is quite straightforward – it really does take all sorts. You only have to look at some of today’s top models to see how different body shapes, sizes and colors really are, the ‘spice of life’!
Take a look at these models, all of which are unique and often lead award winning careers.

All of these models have unique features and do not conform to the blonde, blue eyed, big boobed, size 6 model that many people expect. They are, however, all extremely popular and successful in their respective careers. More importantly they are all focused on the belief that they are perfect in their own way. There is a huge amount of self-belief and determination which helps them through this strange, fake world of today.

It’s all character driven
Personality and charm are definitely the order of the day for a successful career in online modeling. No amount of makeup or plastic surgery is going to help you win loyal fans. And, if those pictures you posted on SM don’t match up to the real you, no one is going to be interested in developing a virtual relationship with you.
Instead of spending your hard-earned money and time on silicone, Botox and editing suites, try and find ways to develop your personality. The more natural you appear, the greater your fan base will be. It’s far easier to portray a character where you can be relaxed, rather than worrying if your make up has smudged or your wig is slipping!

Practice makes perfect
Make the most of your features by spending time in front of your camera. Practise poses and experiment with lighting and clothing. It’s the absolute best investment you can ever make into your career online. The more comfortable you are with yourself, will provide you with a greater chance of success.
When you consider people in the arts, such as dancers and actors, the best ones are usually those which make everything appear to be effortless. In actual fact, you know they have practiced their skills for years, so that every single movement appears to be perfection in itself.

Don’t be nervous, embarrassed or self-conscious, especially when you are starting out. No one expects perfection and honesty will get you a very long way indeed. Look for encouragement and ignore the haters who think they are better than you.
Remember that everyone had to start somewhere. Absolutely no one starts something with a full set of skills. Sometimes we learn through our mistakes and other times some things have to be rehearsed over and over again. The more practice you put in, the faster something will appear to be routine.
Having confidence is key in all areas of our lives. Be positive and be strong.
Please feel free to contact me or check out any of my articles offering help and support for models new and experienced.

Love Carla x

Beauty & Lifestyle

The most viral fashion moments from 2022

This year, a lot of news from the fashion world went viral, triggering frequent conversations on social media and other online platforms.

We have made a record of the events that caused the most significant online conversations in 2022, impacting movements, setting trends, and resonating beyond the fashion industry to affect wider society.

Bella Hadid’s Coperni spray on dress

Manel Torres, head of Fabrican Ltd., and an assistant made a splash at Coperni’s SS23 show, where they spray-painted a dress onto Model of the Year Bella Hadid during the runway presentation. This event quickly gained traction on social media and was deemed a defining moment in pop culture by analytics platform Launchmetrics.

The firm that evaluates the media impact value (MIV) of events reported that Paris Fashion Week amassed a MIV of 26.3 million dollars within 48 hours, including 20.9 million dollars of social media activity. A post by Hadid of the event generated one million dollars and received 2.8 million likes.

Kim Kardashian causes a stir at the Met Gala

After wearing a dress that was originally made for Marilyn Monroe to the annual event, the reality star caused an uproar from social media users, fashion history experts, and other celebrities. The piece was rented to Kardashian by Ripley’s Believe It or Not, which was also criticized for allowing such an iconic item to be worn.

A debate was sparked when it was seen on the red carpet, with many claiming that it had been damaged after a video on Twitter showed alleged rips around the seams. Nevertheless, the museum quickly quashed these allegations, asserting that it was in the same condition as before the event.

Kardashian’s stunt at the Met Gala made her the top performer, earning her 39 million dollars in MIV, and also placing her first in social media placement within the first four days.

Adidas collaborates with the luxury industry

Throughout much of 2022, Adidas was the talk of the town with its steady stream of high-profile collaborations with luxury brands and designers, starting off the year with its Prada joint venture which, according to Launchmetrics, generated more than six million dollars in MIV in the eight days preceding and following its launch.

The partnership between Gucci and Adidas saw a peak in popularity after it was showcased on the Milan Fashion Week runway, leading to the creation of a ready-to-wear collection. This caused Gucci to climb to second place on Lyst’s quarterly index, and Adidas to become a significant part of the luxury market, generating 75.8 million dollars in MIV by June.

Adidas’ Balenciaga collection, which was presented during the Resort 2023 runway show and included BDSM masks, earned 7.2 million dollars in MIV in its first 10 days of release.

Barbiecore takes over

With the release of previews of Margot Robbie as Barbie in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming movie, the trend of ‘Barbiecore’ began to take over the fashion industry, resulting in an abundance of brand partnerships and a surge of online enthusiasm for the color pink.

Celebrities adopted the trend and showed it off on red carpets and social media, and it was also seen in designer collections and runways such as those of Valentino and Balenciaga, which were heavily influenced by the youth.

Klarna, a payment solution provider, conducted research into ‘Hyperfemininity’, which included Barbiecore, Bimbocore, and Balletcore. This trend was mainly propelled by a rise of 126 percent in sales of pink items in August, according to the company’s findings.

It appears that the excitement for the Barbie movie is not going away soon, as the trailer released by Warner Brothers on December 16 has already gained 6.7 million views in just seven days. The movie is set to come out in July 2023.

Beauty & Lifestyle

2023: PH Makeup – The Science Behind the Glamorous Look

No matter how we feel about the TikTok trends, we can’t help but be captivated by them and want to figure out what the excitement is all about. What is the mechanism behind the Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip & Cheek Shift that enables it to adapt to one’s individual skin tone?

Although there is a wide range of colors to choose from, it is incredibly challenging to make a makeup product with a universal hue. Pantone, a renowned expert in color reproduction, has acknowledged 110 skin tones, but no cosmetic brand is likely to manufacture that many shades of anything in the near future. Fortunately, this is where pH-powered makeup comes into play – a lesson for all the science enthusiasts out there!

What is PH color changing makeup?

A makeup product with a pH color changing effect that is universal in hue (ranging from black to green to blue to clear or any other shade) can be blended into any skin complexion, transforming into the perfect shade when applied to the skin.

Many brands have tapped into the market by launching blushers, eye makeup, lip glosses, and even foundations in the same color so that people of all complexions can use the same product. Unfortunately, there is yet to be a brand that has developed a truly inclusive and universal ph powered foundation.

How does pH makeup work or is it just magic?

Much like a chemistry class, the pH makeup product contains a dye similar to a litmus paper. This dye is made of acidic, colourless and weak acids which, when in contact with the skin (cheeks, eyelids or lips) will trigger a small chemical reaction due to its higher pH than the product itself. This reaction results in a coloured pigment that is meant to perfectly match your natural complexion.

Your unique color is a result of your skin’s pH in that area at the time of day, similar to mood rings that shift depending on the body’s temperature which affects its natural pH.

Is pH makeup suitable for all skin tones and types?

Yes and no. Depending on the intended use, such as going from pink to neutral hues for eyes, cheeks, and lips, then it can work for any skin tone. The great thing about this type of makeup is that it is tailored to work specifically with an individual’s own skin tone.

The results of the reaction to the pH of one’s skin can differ greatly from person to person, leading some to believe that the intensity is dependent on their skin tone. However, when it comes to complexion-based products such as foundations and concealers, the science is not yet advanced enough to make such a claim.

Beauty & Lifestyle

Balenciaga latex sex mask trend

In case you missed it, the FW23 Balenciaga catwalk was swept down with unrecognizable models in full latex bodysuits with their faces obscured, some with tufts of hair springing out the top, and pinholes for the eyes and mouth.

Balenciaga wanted to make a statement about how the desire of money and the fetishization of finance makes us all into slaves for our jobs. Don’t you just love the nonsense they come up with?! Now let’s look at the real issue: What are the best latex face masks for authentic BDSM fun? Sex face masks are fairly similar to the ones used by Balenciaga’s models, they’re probably better for sensory manipulation during BDSM sex rather than strolling down the catwalk.

Sex face masks are identical in look to those worn by Balenciaga models, but instead of going down the runway, they are used for sensory manipulation during BDSM sex, being a great addition to anyone’s play box. They basically enhance your sexual pleasure and make your BDSM sex sessions more exciting and enjoyable. Depending on the bondage mask you get (dom or sub), you can explore the desire to be powerless or exceptionally powerful.
Latex is one of fetishists’ apple of the eye when it comes to sex toy materials. Its smell, wet look, and glossiness are just some of its features that BDSM players can’t resist. Just by looking at it, you can feel the sexiness and naughtiness of this material. How much more when you touch its super smooth texture?

You can find masks of different figures as well. Many of them mimic animal forms, like bunnies, felines, puppies, and even wild hounds. There are also plain and simple designs for those who prefer a low-key and straightforward look. All these allow easy breathing to the user as they have holes in the mouth area to breathe through. Some come in full head-and-face coverage, while some offer partial concealment of the facial features. Some hide the upper part of the face, while some hide the lower section of the head. You can also get latex hoods, which are open-face masks covering just the hair up to the chin and neck.

Are latex masks safe?
Worried that they may fall off during the play? Fret not! Some of these masks have zippers that serve as their locking mechanism. Also, latex alone is high in friction, making these gears clingy to the skin. They are all safe to use as long as they are BPA- and phthalate-free.

Everything is good, but in moderation, as they say. Playing with restraining tools such as BDSM masks and hoods can be risky. Therefore, it is essential to set the limits of the play. Assign a triggering word, too, or so-called safe word. This word or phrase should prompt the dominant player to stop if the submissive finds the former’s action to be overwhelming. By assigning one, it will keep your play safe and fun!