The winter is harsh on our skins and it’s really important to take care of it. The biting cold weather and dry air can really quench its thirst and wreak havoc with the condition of our skin.
Here are some tips to help you combat the icy conditions so your skin can come out of winter looking its best.

Gently cleanse, tone and moisturise

Your skin needs a regime even during the winter period but it needs switching up a bit. How? Be even more gentle with it, please. When cleansing and toning, use gentle, natural ingredients.

Layer your skin with a thicker moisturiser so that it can stay softened throughout the cold hours of the day and night. Choose a moisturiser that suits your skin type – normal, dry, sensitive, oily or combination which are the five common types of skin. Use a gentle lip scrub and lip balm too to protect your lips!

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen

The sun never stops shining unless it’s night but whenever it pops up, use a high SPF factor sunscreen to block those UV rays. We might think that the winter sun is less harsh than the summer’s but it’s still the same source of light omitting good and not-so-good rays. Please use SPF all year round to shield your skin.

Drink plenty of water and stay healthy

Keeping hydrated is paramount no matter how old you are and what season you’re passing through. Keeping yourself watered from the inside will help you stay hydrated on the outside. Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can be triggered and flare up in the winter weather so drinking water can help.
Keep in check that you’re eating healthy too. When the winter comes, we know how tempting it’s to indulge in lots of hot beverages and treats, it’s comfort eating at its very best. Keep your diet balanced and remember it’s okay to enjoy some delish food and drinks from time to time but eating healthy is a health goal.

Avoid bathing with hot water

As tempting as it can be to plunge into a hot bath (hopefully not with a splash, we don’t have a slipping hazard on our hands!) or walk into a lovely warm shower, both can strip your body’s natural oils so stick to lukewarm water instead. This will hopefully keep your own skin’s moisture locked in without irritating it and making it feel sad.

Layer up with protective accessories

With the winter weather comes winter accessories such as gloves, scarves and hats to safeguard your skin from the cold. Whenever you head out into subzero weather, be sure to layer up and add those must-have protective accessories.

Have a humidifier? Use it!

With the central heating on most of the day and night, it can seriously dry out your indoor air. To bring it back to life and add that much-needed moisture that your skin needs at this time, use an energy-efficient humidifier.

And that’s it for this blog. There’s more of where this has come from so go ahead and dive into our library full of blogs that cover so many areas of the modelling world and what are agency is involved in!

Your skin is amazing!

Your skin is your body’s largest organ. We tend to think of internal organs but this external one is very precious and versatile. Adults carry around 8 pounds of it and has many benefits! It’s our easy-to-move, waterproof superhero, blasting harmful chemicals and deterring bacteria, protecting the body from extreme temperatures, shielding us with insulation, converting calcium into healthy bones and keeping us in touch with the outside world with millions of sensory nerves.

We’re in awe! We rarely get the chance to sit down and soak amazing information like this but we’re glad we did so we could share it with you.

But it’s no fun when your skin is prone to a range of reactions when it meets the abundant solar rays: dryness, itchiness, redness, acne or getting easily burnt aren’t the intended results.

Here are some Models Direct tips to help you keep your skin healthy in the summer sun.

Wear sunscreen

To help beat the harmful UVA (damaging skin causing premature ageing and wrinkles) and UVB rays (skin burning), apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen 15 minutes before you step out into the sweltering heat. SPF 30 is a good starting point and reapply every two hours or more often if you’re sweating or swimming. You’ll have happier sun-ready skin – really!

Moisturise the light way

The light way is the right way particularly when your skin might be feeling parched. You don’t want anything weighing your skin down, clogging your pores and making your skin oily so choose natural (or as natural as possible) skincare that combats oily skin.

Drink lots of water

Drink plenty of water to cool down, replenish lost fluids from perspiration and keep your body and skin feeling fresh and healthy. Having a handy 500ml + bottle will help you know how much you’ve drunk so you can stay on top of your daily intake. You should avoid hot caffeinated drinks, chances are your body will say no anyway, as they make you feel dehydrated.

Leave the spicy foods for another time

Hot and flavour fuelled foods can make you feel even hotter so put down that chilli sauce, pack away the fiery seasoning, and opt for yogurts, fruits and cooler foods.

Avoid going out at the hottest hours of the day

If you can help it, stay indoors so you avoid the sun at its most ferocious period. We admit this cannot always be possible (you might be working on a modelling assignment, say) so stay in the shade to dodge sunburn and possible heat stroke.

Loose clothes, yes, please!

The ickiest feeling when it’s bubbling outside is to wear skin-tight clothes and then come out with a rash! Opt for cotton, loose and free-flowing clothes to keep you cool, calm and collected. Your skin will agree that it’s the wisest choice during a heatwave. Stick on some sunnies too to protect your eyes.

Chilled shower time

Take showers to cool down and help your skin feel revitalised. It can be a refreshing reset from the heat to cool down and enjoy some downtime.

Models Direct hopes these tips help you get through hotter periods so you can take care of your skin in the heat. If you’re experiencing skin-related problems, please seek professional advice from your GP.

Dryness is a common complaint
So, why does it happen? No matter where you’re seated on a plane, you’ll face the lower humidity levels that cabins typically experience every time rather than when you’re feet are on the ground. That skin-tight feeling begins once the moisture is drawn out and leaves you high and dry.

Breakouts? Why, oh why?
When you think that having parched skin is the only skin problem you’ll face thousands of feet up in the sky, we’re sorry, models, but it isn’t! Your skin can go into overdrive, much the opposite of it being dehydrated, where your oil glands (yes, oil!) can overproduce sebum to try and counteract the moisture-quenching action of the flight but do something quite different. The extra sebum can clog pores and encourage breakouts which is the last thing you want stepping off a plane. Germs fest is present in the air onboard which can mean more risk of blemishes leaving your skin feeling unhappy.

Flying high with SPF
The higher you go, the more UVA rays increase and unfortunately an aeroplane glass doesn’t shield us from it. In fact, studies have shown that they double up when you’re in the sky so an SPF is an absolute must! Once every 2 hours will be perfect for perfect modelling and all-around skin.

Hydrate, and keep on hydrating
This one never gets left out – it deserves the top spot! Everyone knows how important it is to drink, plain, neat water. Whether you’re a model on the go trying to get to an assignment, on a set under the hot lights or on a long-haul flight, water is your hydration hero. Drink plenty to help your skin, clear your mind and keep you feeling fresh inside and out.

Travel sizes minis
Grab yourself your fav minis but don’t be tempted to transfer what you already have into another teeny container. You’ll be exposing your product to bacteria which will then go onto your face which is a big no-no. Compact products are perfect, they don’t cost very much either and do the job just as well as a standard-size product.

Cleanse away debris
With all the germs that have landed on your skin, it’s only right to get to your apartment and get cleansing. Twice. Just to be double sure that you’re skin is free of all the debris that it could potentially be home to. Cleanse, pat dry gently and apply that SPF again.

If you’re on a short or long flight, we hope that these four simple tips will help your skin feel fresh and look in top form so that if you’re booked to be snapped or filmed shortly after landing, your skin will glow and smile.

Whether we are models, would-be models or simply those eager to look our best, it doesn’t take much to help it become healthier this season.

Here are the top 10 tips from Models Direct towards a gorgeous summer skin:

1. Remove your make-up properly

Make sure you remove your make-up well at the end of each day. Use a light product that is suitable for your skin type. In the summer you will sweat more, your skin is likely to be oilier and your pores could easily become clogged.

2. Use the right face wash

In a similar vein, make sure you choose the right face wash for your skin and be particularly vigilant about using it when you wake up as well as last thing at night. After hot summer nights, you could wake up with a much sweatier, oilier face and you need to ensure it is clean before you apply your make-up.

3. Don’t overdo the make-up

Resist the temptation to use too much make-up during the warmer months as you don’t want to overload your skin for the reasons outlined above. Remember less is more and a light touch with make-up can really work well with floaty summer dresses, t-shirts, shorts and miniskirts.

4. Keep moisturising

It is essential to keep moisturising in the summer to ensure your skin stays well hydrated. Again, take advice on the right product for your skin type, gels can be lighter than creams and can work particularly well at this time of year.

5. Try to exfoliate

Exfoliating too much can damage your skin, but in the summer it can help keep it clearer if you do it carefully. Perhaps build in an extra exfoliation every few days during warmer weather.

6. Protect your skin

Always use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 during the summer. Some make-up products have an SPF in them, but these are rarely strong enough to offer a high enough level of protection from the sun’s rays. Remember too much exposure to the sun will damage your skin irrevocably. Wear a hat and try to stay in the shade as much as possible. Don’t forget to use a protective lip balm and to apply sunscreen liberally to other areas of your skin as well as your face that are exposed.

7. Act quickly if you burn

If you do experience sunburn, then act quickly. As soon as you realise you have been overexposed, get out of the sun and into the shade as fast as possible. Cool your skin down with cold water and dry it carefully. Apply and keep reapplying aftersun cream or spray. Keep out of the sun. Try not to scratch your skin and do not pull off any dead flakes when it starts to peel. If you feel very ill or your skin becomes swollen, then seek medical help.

8. Drink lots of water

Staying well hydrated is an essential step towards looking after your skin. Drink lots of water when it is warm, try to take small sips throughout the day. You could also try some hydrating skin products, such as masks.

9. Be wary of air-conditioning

We all love nothing more than stepping into a cool, air-conned space when it is sweltering outside, especially when we are on holiday! But just remember that air-conditioning can really dry out your skin. Try not to spend too much time in an air-conditioned space if there is an alternative; if you have to, then moisturise more frequently.

10.  Don’t soak in hot water

Too many hot showers and baths can dehydrate your skin. In the summer months this will only exacerbate any problems. Try to reduce the number of baths and showers you have and the amount of time you spend in hot water.

Skincare and beauty is big business, especially in the modelling industry and something most of us invest heavily into. Believing we need the latest moisturiser, serum or foundation to get the flawless complexion we are aspiring to, endless hours desperately searching for the perfect shade of lipstick or the eyeliner that is apparently smudge resistant – does that really exist?!

Being a model it is very important to look after your natural looks, days spent filming or on photo shoots will mean having heavy make up applied on a regular basis, this can take it’s toll on your skin. It’s essential to let your skin breath, recover and for you to feel confident to bare all.

Here are a few helpful tips to feeling beautiful naturally:

1: Stick to the basics of a good skincare regime on a daily basis, morning and evening. Choose products that are right for your skin type and source advice from industry experts if you are unsure what would be best for you. Try and use products that are not full of chemicals and are made from natural ingredients. You don’t need lots of products as then you can over feed your skin, but a cleanser, toner and moisturiser at a minimum. Be sure you cleanse, tone and moisturise thoroughly before going to bed, this will remove any build up from the day and also allow your moisturiser to be absorbed into the skin before you go to bed.

2. Your skin may be have a dull appearance to it, to overcome this use a good exfoliater twice a week to remove the top layer of dead skin cells. By doing this you will encourage new skin cell growth and increase the blood flow to your skin, this will help create a natural glow.

3. Make sure you have a good ‘day’ moisturiser, by applying this after you’ve cleansed and toned in the morning you will begin the day knowing your skin is absorbing lots of natural and healthy ingredients throughout the day.

4. Eyebrows frame your face, often we can ‘over do’ them with too much make-up, making them appear to severe. For a more natural look simply keep them tidy with a brow comb or even an old toothbrush, comb them up and out to create a shape and this will also open up the eye area. You can use a very small amount of vaseline or brow gel to help keep them in place.

5. People’s attention is often drawn to our mouths, so it’s important to make sure your teeth are sparkly and clean! After brushing it’s good to also floss, this will help keep your breath fresh and your teeth extra clean. After brushing use your toothbrush to exfoliate your lips, by doing this you will remove any dead skin cells and increase blood flow, giving your lips a fuller appearance.

6. To brighten your eyes and appear awake and fresh use saline drops or non-medicated eye drops to hydrate them. This is particularly useful if you have been on lots of shoots and castings and you may have slightly blood shot eyes from lights and make up.

7. Make sure your hair is brushed and in good condition, you an do this by using a hair mask or with natural ingredients to ensure your hair is healthy and shiny.

Going make-up free might be a step too far for some, however following these useful steps might allow you to have days when you let your skin breath and you find confidence in making the best of yourself and be a natural beauty!

In all the excitement to see the sun and feel the warmth it can be easy to forget to protect our skin,   so the Models Direct beauty team have put together some helpful reminders on how to remain safe in the sun while of course achieving a gorgeous sunkissed glow!

There is lots of information in the media about how harmful UVA/UVB rays are to our skin and with  longer expsire times to it in the Summer months it’s really important to protect your skin from them.  Too much sun  can  age a person and cause discolouration to the skin, this is something models are particularly careful of and will use a high factor suncream and  avoid too much sun.

There are lots of moisturisers  on the market which have an SPF,  to protect your skin everyday use one of these on your face and body . You might want to consider using a hydrating serum in the warmer weather , being a lighter product it will feel nicer on your skin, but still hydrate and protect you with the  SPF factor.

Dry lips are something models will avoid,  when you’re infront of the camera  a model will want to have well moisturised lips, so keep them protected in the sun!  Purchase a high SPF, moisturising lip balm and be sure  to apply a good layer to your lips if you are outside.

There’s something lovely about having a shower when you have spent time in the sun, your skin feels warm and glowing, so  to cool your skin down be sure to turn the temperature of your shower down to avoid any further dehydration to your skin. Warm water dehydrates the skin, so keep the water temperature cool.

Exfoliating is an important part of the Summer skincare routine, make sure you buy a good quality one that you can use all over your body and also  a separate facial scrub. If you are infront of the camera or under lighting alot as a model you will be wearing alot of make up on your skin, so it’s essential to remove it all correctly and also use a scrub to help remove any dry  and dead skin . This will make your skin appear brighter and smoother which is ideal if you have an assignment coming up.

Body moisturiser is essential in the Summer as more of our skin is on show!  When modelling you may be wearing different clothes, be on camera or be walking the catwalk, you will want your skin to look the best it can. Moisturise your body while wet after a shower, by doing it this way  you will lock in more moisture  so your skin will stay hydrated for longer.

In the Summer months, don’t forget your legs!! When wearing dresses and skirts it’s nice to make sure our legs look the best they can, so give them an extra exfoliate and moisturise morning and evening.

For models hair is a big thing!!  Models will spend alot of time ensuring their hair is well hydrated, glossy and in great condition, so don’t let the sun dry it out! To avoid this you can use a UV protective styling balm before blow drying or a UV protective product which can be applied after blowdry, this will protect your hair and keep it in tip top condition!

We of course all want to achieve that beautiful, golden sunkissed glow and  if you live in the UK are very aware we don’t get as much sunshine as other parts of the world, so can be guilty of binge sunbathing to achieve the perfect tan, however sometimes it is better to fake it!! In the modelling  world  we are not looking for sunburnt skin or tan lines, so consider one of the  amazing numerous tanning products on the market today, alot less harmful to the skin!!

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