4 Beauty Trends That Blaze A Trail In 2011

I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one glued to the tube for the latest episodes of Kourtney & Kim Take New York if not to witness the meandering of mindless bickering then to keep a cool pulse on so-called style trends of today. Problem with that is, those episodes were filmed months ago and before we go running en masse to the local boutique or beauty counter to spend our hard earned cash on stuff from last season. Let’s take a look at where the world’s fashionistas will be getting their inspiration from in 2011. From Paris (not Hilton) to Hollywood, let’s take a look at some hot trends coming your way for Spring/Summer/Fall 2011.

Bold Lips That Pop
Bright fuchsias, hot pinks, shades of orange, all commanded the runways of Spring/Summer 2011. Textures varied from long wearing matte to lustrous and shiny; but one thing is certain, lips that pop are hot this spring. Indeed, these bright colors instantly amplify the lips & are also the easiest way to instantly glam up any look. So go kiss a rainbow and experiment with color, but ensure you’re starting with a lip liner for precision because with these bold colors your pout must be perfect. 

Slave Over Nails
Whether you spend ¼ of your pay cheque at the nail salon or ½ your evening painting them yourself; these are resources well spent because more than ever manicured nails are making noise. Deep gem- tone shades infused with black provided dark sophistication for the season and will  be a basic staple in your style portfolio. Metallics and patterns are also something to get creative with. It’s about extending your fashion sense to your fingertips and allowing your nails to say something when mingling in a handshake.  Another big trend next season  is the flat look, which debuted backstage at Alexander Wang. Look out for matte color collections this fall; OPI’s line is launching in July. 

Part & Pin Bangs
This is the most non-judgmental, non-fussy, moldable trend I’ve seen in awhile as pretty much anyone can sport this sexy swoop. I’m talking all hair types and lengths with a versatility that will garner praise from co-workers at the office or fellow guests at a glamorous event. Keep it casual by parting your hair to the side and finishing it off with a simple Bobbie-pin or give it more oomph by teasing the hair and wearing it sleek like Louis Vuitton did for their spring/summer 2011 ready-to-wear collection. Further accessorize your side-swoop by putting a decorative barrette on the side.

Optic Animation
What an energetic change from last season’s neutral palette and minimalist theme; this spring, it is all about color and as seen on the runways of Christian Dior there were no hues off limits. These electrifying colors were intensely brushed across the lid and even extended fully to the brow for a more dramatic look. Although you may not want to rock this bold eye at the office, it is definitely something to try for an evening out or a photography shoot. For a toned down street version, remember to keep the focus on your eyes, and apply minimal lipstick and blush. Enjoy this trend while you can though, come the cooler months, the intensity of these colors will be toned down.

This article was written by Krista Ho Lem - professional makeup artist 

Beautiful Mind. Beautiful Skin. Beautiful Self.
Our skin is a reflection of how we treat ourselves. The amount of exercise we get, hours of sleep, the nutrients we eat (or don’t), have a direct relation on our bodies, how it functions –and our skin. Achieving beautiful skin is therefore, a personal commitment to a lifestyle of doing what’s best for you. 

Maintain a healthy balanced diet
Strive to regularly eat foods from all of the food groups and include a wide variety of fruits & vegetables ranging in color. By offering your body an array of nutrients, you’ll be supporting the formation and maintenance of healthy skin. Antioxidants in particular are amazing; they help prevent and repair the skin, by slowing down and even preventing the effect of free radicals that are harmful to the body. High levels of antioxidants are found in berries, red beans, kale and artichoke hearts.

For many, this might be hard to do but… Do not smoke and avoid excess caffeine and alcohol; these will dehydrate your skin and promote premature aging.

Work up a sweat
Exercise increases blood circulation and the delivery of nutrients to skin cells. Besides lowering your stress levels -which also contribute to dull & tired skin- regularly exercising helps clean away toxins and gives skin the optimum conditions for making collagen.

Water, Aqua, H2o
The body is made up of approximately 90% of water, and literally as you breath, you’re losing some of it. We must therefore continuously drink water to maintain hydration and prevent dehydration. When you do not get enough water, your skin will begin to look rough, tired, and dull. Another huge benefit from plenty of aqua is that it rinses the unwanted toxins from the body.

Cleanse, Soften, Moisturize
Everyday, no matter what skin-type you have. Cleansing will purify and prevent premature aging; softening will help restore your skins natural ph-balance and increase the skin’s absorption power, while moisturizing will protect and revitalize the skin. Determine your skin type before finding the suitable products for your face and regularly evaluate your skin; it will change, along with the product type that best suits it.

Exfoliate. As we get older the production of new skin cells diminishes. By exfoliating weekly, we help with this process by buffing away dead cells leaving skin more radiant, smooth, & blackhead free.

Protect. Never leave your house without protecting your skin & do not visit tanning salons. If you can’t stand the thought of being fair in the summer, slather some self tanner on. UVA and UVB rays are the most harmful to your skin and responsible for pre-mature aging.

Be conscious of how you are taking care of your body. Take the time to exercise, eat healthy, limit your stress levels, & drink as much water as you can – really give yourself that extra TLC. The benefits will become apparent through not only a more youthful looking skin, but a clearer mind, and a more vibrant self.

This article was written by Krista Ho Lem - professional makeup artist

Modeling is a fun and exciting profession, but there’s a darker side to modeling as well. It’s unfortunate, but true, that there’s an inherent risk in the modeling industry with respect to safety. Although the large majority of people working within the fashion and modeling industry are respectful and honest, there are a few bad apples that can pose a problem. Thankfully, playing it smart is easy. With a few simple precautions, models can ensure they don’t put themselves at unnecessary risk.

Model Republic has assembled this list of safety precautions to help keep our industry safe. Whether you are meeting people through Model Republic or any other online community, these tips can be applied.

Before Committing
Before working with new photographers or clients:

Get references. Ask for two or three references from other models that the photographer has worked withMake sure you actually check those references!
Do background checks. For example, if a photographer claims to work for a magazine or agency, you should check to see if they are telling the truth.
Meet up. It’s a good idea to arrange an informal meeting (ideally in a public setting) with the photographer prior to committing to a photo-shoot. If you cannot meet in a public place, it’s a good idea to bring a trusted colleague. The meeting is a good time to discuss the creative goals of the photo-shoot, scheduling and compensation. It will also allow you to assess the photographer’s character. Be careful to indicate any personal limitations you may have, such as posing for nude photos.
Too good to be true. If a modeling opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. There are lots of scams posted online. A healthy amount of skepticism goes a long way.
Watch for warning signals. If a client or photographer asks lots of personal questions, or communicates with you in an unprofessional manner, you should pay attention to this. It’s OK to reject job offers if you feel uncomfortable.
Know your rights. Never sign a contract without reading it and understanding its contents first. If possible, have a qualified lawyer review any contracts you are asked to sign. When possible, provide your own contract.

On the Job

Have transportation. Ideally you will have your own transportation to and from the job location. Relying on the client or photographer for transportation is a risk that should be avoided.
Share the details. Find out where you will be, whom you will be with, and how long you are expected to be there. Then share this information with someone you trust.
Have backup. If at all possible, it is a good idea to have a colleague or friend present during the photo-shoot.
Bring a phone. Having a mobile phone is a good safety precaution in case of emergency.

Minors

A legal guardian should be involved in arranging all modeling work and projects. Any and all correspondence between an under aged model and a client/photographer should be facilitated by a legal guardian.

Ultimately, your safety is your responsibility alone! The tips and suggestions on this page are only a starting point. By researching online and learning from other industry professionals, you can augment your safety knowledge and pass this knowledge onto others.

Disclaimer: Model Republic does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information and does not accept liability for any actions by the reader or the actions of any other individual with respect to this information.

Biography: An account of a person’s life, written, composed or produced by another. 

How general an explanation is given by the modern dictionary!

The fact is, not all biographies (bio) can be so loosely defined. In the business world, a biography typically focuses on an individual’s experiences and career path. In today’s world, expect that you will need to provide a bio at some stage in your career – developing a good one is an important part of your self-promotion and a concise way to set you apart from the crowd.

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Introducing Model Republic Magazine

As we near the first year anniversary of Model Republic at the end of March, it's clear we've had a pretty good ride so far. I've personally met tonnes of new people; fantastic photographers, beautiful models, talented makeup artists... the list goes on and on. We've had pub-nights, parties, art showings, and each time more people turn up. Some people have been there from the beginning, but there are new faces every month. We've had some good times and there are some great stories to tell! (more on those later).

It occured to me that Model Republic needed a way to tell those stories and share our experiences with the greater Canadian fashion community. Hence, our new blog dubbed Model Republic Magazine.

With so much going on in Calgary and all across Canada, we'll have our hands full trying to even scratch the surface, but our intention is to try. This blog will feature articles and stories about style, culture, industry as well as informal reviews on gear and useful tips.

So stay tuned and be patient. This is new to us, but with any luck we'll have some great content for you to tweet about and share on Facebook. If you want to lend a hand, just send me a site message. We're always looking for stories!

You gotta fight for your right to write!

No, not really. It's a lot easier than that!

Model Republic is seeking enthusiastic people with a penchant for publishing. We're excited about the opportunity to communicate directly to our Canadian Fashion Industry audience about style, culture, industry happenings and more. If you've got a story that needs to be told, please send a site message to Jesse Yardley.