Do something for YOU

Sometimes we can feel that we are operating for everyone around us. There is always something to do for someone else. Hey, that’s life – full of responsibilities and duties to fulfil. However, taking a step back to do something for ourselves isn’t being selfish – it’s about valuing our own needs to promote effective self-care and self-love (without feeling guilty about it either!). Discovering something new or revisiting an old hobby that we’d forgotten about is one way to start to do something for ourselves. 

Cast your mind back – did you find yourself stepping in to be a hairdresser, barber, beautician, dentist or teacher (or maybe all!) during the three lockdowns we’ve faced? Did you enjoy any of your new, fun roles? If you’re unsure, maybe speak to a friend or family member to bounce some ideas off. Perhaps applying to become a model could be a thought. Campaigns are requesting modelling talent regularly – maybe it’s your time to shine on camera? Get in touch with us to find out more!

Surround yourself with positive people

Moving forward with positive people around you can help this year feel like a better year than the last. It is difficult to always maintain a positive mindset and it isn’t humanly possible to be constantly happy go lucky but if you actively surround yourself with positive people and people who bring out the best in you, stick with them! They will help you journey through a more productive and happy year. 

Spend your time wisely on social media

We live in a digital age where our devices are our go-to tools for many of our daily activities. With this comes social media and as great as it is, it can also be a time-consuming distraction and a bit of a pain really. It’s easy for us to say to limit your time spent in front of a screen, we’re all guilty of this, but if you want to save this year like the superhero you are, start it off by reducing your time on social media so your time doesn’t slip by on trawling through pointless and unrealistic feeds. 

Be grateful for each day 

Being grateful can lead to a more positive outlook. It can reinforce new and improve existing relationships. Taking a step back and looking at what you have within yourself as a person and around you can help you feel more grateful for what you have been blessed with. Keeping a gratitude journal can be a good way to record how you are feeling every day. 

Positive affirmations

If you’ve not come across positive affirmations before, not to worry – we’ll tell you all about it. Affirmations are short but powerful statements that can help you rewire your mind and rid yourself of limiting beliefs about yourself. This could be anything from, “I believe I can achieve whatever I want,” to “I am confident and strong!” Repeat these positive statements till they stick and become second nature to you. Write them down on post-it notes and stick them around your home or in a journal to remind yourself to repeat and believe. 

As you walk away from reading all this, we hope that these suggestions help bring you a brighter and better year. 

Models Direct have been representing female models for 30 years now…we’ve seen that this modelling category continues to be in high demand where our extensive client database frequently call for women to model for their marketing campaigns. 

Models Direct have been finding work for our amazing models in photographic, promotional, fashion, advertising, film and TV jobs. When you see females representing a brand or organisation on print or digital, the chances are that their look has been called for by a client and they have been selected by a modelling agency.

This is exactly what we do at Models Direct!

Female models work on a daily basis promoting brands and products, big and small, for local and worldwide audiences. Our modelling talent feature and represent plenty of industries including hair and beauty, fashion, travel and tourism, fitness and wellbeing, lifestyle, business, education and lots more. 

When opening the pages of a magazine, catalogue, booklet, pamphlet, leaflet or any other type of print, you are bound to see a female model who has been pictured (or filmed, just to add). The goal is to promote a product or service aiming to engage and build a connection with the target audience. Think of all the adverts you have seen which have been memorable to you; the ones that stick in your mind with a female model representing the brand. Olay? Pandora? TUI? There are lots out there therefore lots of opportunities and lots of potential for newcomers to the modelling industry. 

Modelling has an interesting way of opening possibilities of self-expression, boosting confidence, having fun whilst earning money. That’s why our female models enjoy being part of the Models Direct team and thrive on new assignments which open doors to networking and exploring other paths and routes such as TV and film work whilst being an out-of-the-box career that sets them apart from the crowd. 

We welcome models from all walks of life; different cultures and backgrounds regardless of age and size. We pride ourselves on diversity and inclusion within our organisation. We have a very fun, hard-working and honest culture that is supportive of open communication and collaboration between our team, models and clients. 

If you’re ready for something unique, sign up with our top UK modelling agency and see what modelling is like for yourself.

Our no-nonsense approach backed with in depth knowledge and a pizzazz of positivity and encouragement is what our models love about working with us. You can read their reviews here to see what they say about us and life as a female model. 

The social media team at Models Direct are offering you the exciting opportunity to have your blog post featured on the Models Direct blog and be seen by thousands of followers across our social media platforms – Interested?

For the first time Models Direct are looking for new contributors to our blogs. One article will be selected per month from the entries received and featured as a guest blogger on the MD blog for that month. The blog article will also be posted on our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to be seen by thousands of models and clients worldwide!

If you would like to be considered for this amazing opportunity then please email your blog entry to editor@modelsdirect.com. Your entry needs to be related to the modelling, beauty or fashion industry and be no more than 1000 words. Each entry will be considered with one entry being chosen to appear each month by the MD social team.

All guest bloggers featured will be credited – What are you waiting for??…….you could become one of our regular contributors!

Good Luck!

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!

To help you out the Models Direct team, of which a large percentage are parents, have compiled their top tips to make travelling with kids that little bit easier!

Our junior models also often have to travel for assignments , generally within in the UK, but sometimes it means going on a plane and travelling further afield, so what ever your reason for travel it helps to be a little bit organised and take the stress away.

If your travels this season are taking you over seas here are Models Direct’s  helpful tips to flying with children:

1 –  Comfort:   It’s a good idea to  dress your children in comfortable clothing when travelling, make sure they wont be too hot or too cold and are not restricted by what they are wearing. There’s no need to look super stylish when travelling, it’s much more important that your children have comfortable clothing on so they can relax and  can sleep if tired and   can sit in it for long periods of time.

2 –  Food & Snacks: Food can  be expensive and sometimes difficult to find when travelling, so have a bag of tasty snacks with you . It’s a good idea to have a variety of different things, some healthy snacks, some treats and also some thing the children haven’t tried before  to keep it interesting. As we all know children get super grumpy when hungry, so a little pick me up during a long flight or car journey can make all the difference. Also carry plenty of water with you, it’s very important to stay hydrated, particularly if it’s warm or you are flying, dehydration can make you feel very tired, so often regular sips of water can keep moral up!

3 –  Activities:  With tablets available to many of us it’s very easy to sit a child down with a tablet and headphones, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing,  parents are now able to download educational and fun games for children of all ages , so make sure you have updated your /their tablet with some new apps and games that will keep them interested.  If you are on a long journey then it’s useful to pack a variety of activities and space them out over the travelling time, so they are new to the child, could be a new coloring book, spelling game, maps and maze puzzles, reading book,  etc – there are lots to choose from on the market. Trick is to not give  them all to your child at the same time, keep their curiosity!

4 –  Stay Calm:  As a parent it’s really important to try and stay calm with your children while travelling, try and avoid arguments and upset as this will make the journey and travelling experience much more stressful than it needs  to be.  Aswell as looking after the needs of your children make sure your own needs are met also so you feel the best you can.

5 – Sleep:   If you are travelling for a long time make sure your children have a chance to rest and ideally sleep! Try and stick to their routines as much as you can, feeds and naps are essential especially with babies and toddlers. So if you are flying make sure your baby is fed when they usually are and  made comfortable so can drift off to sleep rather than getting over tired and grumpy. It can be useful to have a small blanket and pillow with you if in the car or a plane so that your child is comfortable and  warm.

6 – Other Passengers:  Whatever mode of transport we may be on we are often in close proximity to other passengers, so try and be cheerful and polite to the people near you, especially if you have a baby or young child with you who may be noisy or cry, it’s useful to have the people around you on your side  and possibly may help you out if you need it!

7 – Organisation:  There is so much for parents to think about before going away, it can often seem overwhelming, but organisation is key and will make your travelling experience much calmer and enjoyable. Plan ahead with your packing, don’t leave it until the last minute! Make sure your hand luggage is organised and prepared in a suitable bag and has everything you need for the plane or is within easy reach in a car or train, you will be calmer if you know you have everything you may need for your baby or child.

Whatever the distance you are travelling, the most important thing is to stay calm and try and make each part as fun as possible, it’s all part of the holiday experience and  can be a great time for your children to learn and see new things!

With the modelling industry evolving it’s refreshing to see that curvier models are featuring on the covers of International magazines and it seems the hour glass figure really sells – curves are being celebrated by big brands around the world!

The plus size clothing market is approximately worth £4.7 million and brands are extending their sizing range daily, it makes sense that big name brands are now including plus size models, (size 12 and above is considered plus size, so that’s the majority of women!), in their advertising campaigns. It is a sure sign that the industry is taking note that diversity is needed and Models Direct are delighted to be able to represent many of these models.

#Realgirl, #Honouryourcurves, #Bodypositive #Loveyourself………

Models Direct is a commercial modelling and talent agency, therefore we have a more varied demand from our clients for the types of models and talent we represent and have done since the agency was created, this is why ‘size’ is not a consideration for us!

For a long time, women (and men!) have been influenced by the stereotypical body type we have been exposed to in the media and in the fashion industry, but a very small percentage of us fit that mould – hardly any of us! Therefore you could argue it is not relateable to the consumer, creating a relateable marketing campaign is key when selling a product.

Models Direct have always represented plus size models, though ‘plus size’ is not a term we like to use, they are beautiful and often very talented. The average female in the UK is a size 16, so a plus size model can vary from a size 12 upwards, simply depends on the the type of modelling they are being considered for.

If you are interested in modelling, have a unique look and are 12 size or above then please visit www.modelsdirect.com.

NEW YEAR, NEW START….. or are new year resolutions not your thing?!

It’s that time of year when we reflect on our own highs and lows of 2018, what we did well, where we could improve and what we still would like to achieve, big questions, but do we need to make such big changes??

It’s good to take this opportunity to make a plan for what you would like to achieve in the year ahead, whether that be in your personal life or career goals, possibly both, however stay true to you and remember everything takes work!

It’s an exciting time of year at Models Direct, our models are keen to update their online portfolios with new content to represent themselves with, it’s a great time to make sure your portfolio is the best it can be!

If you have a talent or have always liked the idea of working in the modelling and entertainment industry then 2019 might be the year for you to join an agency and be represented to clients across the UK and Internationally, who know’s what new and exciting opportunities it may bring you!

New faces are applying to join the Models Direct books, maybe it’s the year they’ve been waiting for to kick start their modelling career or maybe have decided that this is something they have always wanted to do, however you have found Models Direct we can’t wait for you to join us in 2019.

This is also the time of year where business’s plan their marketing campaigns and commercials, set budgets, time frames and start looking for the new faces they need to promote their products or services, the Assignments team are chatting away wishing all our regular clients a Happy New Year!

Models Direct has an exciting year ahead, having been established for 30 years we work hard to stay ahead in what is an incredibly competitive and ever changing industry. 2019 will see diversity in the modelling world and the team here couldn’t be more ready to embrace that….bring it on!

Whatever your resolutions are for 2019 be proud of what you have achieved so far, follow your dreams and dare to dream big…..

Happy New Year from the Models Direct team x