Taken in March 2014.
Tag Beauty
Instagram And Instant “Models”
Every once in a while, I will stumble upon an Instagram account for an individual who clearly is NOT a model, but who has included “fitness model” in the profile description. A perusal of the user’s images almost invariably reveals NO professional images, but will have a whole slew of half-naked selfies shot in front of a bathroom mirror, or worse yet, on a bed, with a blue steel scowl or a do-ya-think-I’m-sexy pout in every single selfie that just makes me want to laugh. Just because someone WANTS to be a model doesn’t make it so, and no amount of selfies will ever generate the monetary compensation or exposure that would equate with a bona fide modeling career (unless you are Kim Kardashian). It also doesn’t count if you just so happened to have put on some fitness apparel once during a photo shoot with one of your friends who is a photographer, and struck poses which you believe to be fitness poses. Whatever you do, don’t be one of those wannabe fitness models who throws the title of fitness model around like you earned it! And stop using a ton of filters to make your images look better, then peppering them with a hundred hashtags to get more attention. All those things make you seem like a douche.
Fitness models are seen in print and online catalogs, ad campaigns, commercials, fitness expos, and are featured in magazines. The top fitness models make a very decent living doing what they do, and they work HARD for the money they make. That is why I get annoyed when I see a wannabe making false claims on social media. I have actually asked individuals who claimed to be fitness models where they were featured, only to get a flustered, cop-out response which I fully expect. There are some people out there who are photogenic and who have well-muscled, aesthetically pleasing physiques which lend promise to the possibility of a career as a fitness model, but they must prove that they possess the talent and work ethic to make it as fitness models. If you feel that you have some promise, then you can say that you are an aspiring fitness model, but don’t claim the title until you have actually worked as one.
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Get The Best Skin Ever Part 1: Lifestyle Adjustments
Originally published on RxGirl on Tuesday, 25 November 2014
http://www.rxmuscle.com/rx-girl-articles/11853-get-the-best-skin-ever-part-1-lifestyle-adjustments.html
“What skin cream do you use? Your skin looks amazing!”
This is a common exclamation from women who admire the flawless skin of those who are either naturally dermatologically blessed or have been proactive about practicing good skin care. Perhaps you are one of the blessed individuals, but most women deal with acne, wrinkles, oiliness, hyperpigmentation, dry skin and dark circles under the eyes, all of which can be addressed with targeted products. If you practice consistent skin care with the right products, you will see improvements in the tone and quality of your skin.
Before delving into topical products in Part 2 of this article, I will utilize Part 1 here to review the many variables which can dramatically influence the quality of the skin.
Sleeping Beauty –
There’s a lot of truth to the adage about getting one’s beauty sleep. When you get adequate sleep, you optimize your body’s ability to repair itself because it has a chance to release human growth hormone in the deep stages of sleep. Conversely, cheating yourself out of a good night’s sleep results in an increase in cortisol release, which increases the amount of inflammation in the body. Basically, the inflammation prevents your cells from repairing damaged collagen, and if this occurs chronically, your skin will adopt an aged appearance. So get some quality shut-eye every night!
Don’t smoke –
I know most of you ladies don’t engage in this habit, but if you do, bear in mind that the habit breaks down the collagen and elastin in your skin, aging you prematurely. Smoking also constricts the blood vessels in the upper layer (epidermis), which interferes with delivery of oxygen and other vital nutrients which are involved in cell renewal. Lastly, the constant pursing of the lips which occurs while puffing on a cigarette causes fine vertical lines (“smoker’s lines”) to develop around the mouth.
Internal antioxidants –
We have all heard of the benefits of daily antioxidant intake and how these nutrients boost the body’s immunity, decrease inflammation, and even improve cognition, so it shouldn’t surprise you that antioxidants also promote cellular repair in the skin as well. Make sure to incorporate foods and supplements which have antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, cofactors like CoQ10, and polyphenols like resveratrol in them.
Hydrate from within –
Drink plenty of water, and you will be rewarded with glowing, healthy skin. Every time I have told a patient who suffered either from dry skin or from stubborn acne to drink plenty of water, I have seen dramatic improvement in the quality of their skin after they began drinking at least three liters of water per day. Adequate hydration will ensure that toxins are flushed out of cells and the cells are filled with water.
Healthy fats –
One of the hazards of competing is the tendency for coaches to completely strip dietary fat from contest prep diets. What results is a gaunt, unhealthy, aged appearance in the face which looks terrible and just screams for dermal fillers. Rather than wreak havoc on your youthful appearance, why not keep healthy fats like avocado, MCT oil, coconut oil, olive oil, flax seed, almonds, cashews, and fish oil in your daily regimen?
Limit alcohol –
Alcohol is notorious for dehydrating the skin and for that reason alone should be ingested in moderation. Also, since alcohol is toxic to the liver, it impairs the body’s ability to remove other environmental toxins which will be reflected in the quality of the skin. And for those of you who suffer from rosacea, that relaxing glass of red wine with dinner is a big no-no because it will aggravate the condition.
Clean makeup brushes –
When was the last time you cleaned your makeup brushes? Makeup brushes should be thoroughly washed on a regular basis to remove product build-up, bacteria and oils. If you suffer from acne, you need to be especially diligent about cleaning your makeup brushes regularly. As a general rule, clean foundation and concealer brushes at least once a week (twice a week if acne is a major issue). Eye makeup brushes should be cleaned every two weeks, and other brushes should be cleaned monthly. There are some excellent brush cleaning solvents, but you can mix one part baby shampoo with four parts water for an excellent and cheap brush cleaner.
Sanitize cell phone –
Cleaning your cell phone on a regular basis is a good sanitary practice to adopt, and can also save your skin from acne breakouts and rashes. Think for a minute how much you touch your phone and how much dust, ear wax and fingertip residue can accumulate on its surface. It’s no surprise that putting this bacteria- riddled device next to your cheek can cause skin flare-ups to occur. The best way to clean your phone is to use a soft cloth which is lightly sprayed with a dilute isopropyl alcohol solution (equal parts iso alcohol and water).
Stay tuned for Part 2 of this article which will cover topical products and treatments for luminous, youthful skin!
Easy Hairstyles For The Stage
Originally published on RxGirl on Thursday, 09 October 2014
http://www.rxmuscle.com/rx-girl-articles/11651-easy-hairstyles-for-the-stage.html
After competing for six years and fussing with different hairstyles for the stage, I have adopted a less-is-more attitude and have found that the NPC and IFBB judges seem to prefer a more natural look in competitors these days. There is no reason to fuss incessantly over one’s hair unless someone is going for a rat’s nest look. The more natural a style is, the better it looks onstage and the more it flatters a competitor’s facial features a322677nd physique without distracting the judge’s eye from essential judging elements.
A great hairstyle for stage should follow these guidelines:
1. It should flow nicely with the lines of the body, especially in women’s physique, fitness and women’s bodybuilding where there is a lot of movement.
2. It should look natural and not overdone.
3. If a competitor opts for an edgy look or cut, it should complement the appearance and demeanor of the competitor as well as the routine performed.
4. In most cases it should have a bit of height at the crown.
Please don’t go for the overcurled, oversprayed look which makes competitors look like beauty pageant rejects from 1984. It’s no longer in fashion and looks clownish onstage. A BIT of hairspray is fine, as long as it is used to increase volume at the crown or hold the general shape of a hairstyle while still allowing some movement. Women who have fine, thin hair often have to use hairspray, hairpieces and extensions for extra volume and length, but if the hairstyle doesn’t create a seamless blend of natural hair with the extensions, the results can be quite unattractive.
If you have difficulty doing your own hair, hire someone to do it for you. Many competitors visit the hair salon early in the morning before a contest to make sure that their hair is styled to their liking. However, if you are blessed with great hair which needs little styling, you might want to save some money and try one of the basic styles listed here.
LONG & STRAIGHT:
The latest trend for competitor hairstyles has been the long, arrow straight, flat-ironed look. This is a great look for “ethnic” ladies who have thick, dark hair. Even the curliest hair can look beautifully sleek onstage when it has been straightened. This particular style is especially popular within the Bikini division and one which I turn to for most contests I compete in now. If you decide to go for this look, make sure to flat iron small sections to get the best effect, and add a bit of height at the crown. Also make sure to arc the hair away from the face so that it doesn’t fall into eyes and cover up facial features. This can easily be done by arcing the flat iron in a C shape around the face.
BEACHY WAVES:
If you opt for a wavy look, and your hair is naturally straight, the best and most natural way to achieve this look is to put damp, clean hair into one big braid, or twist your hair and pile it into a bun, and keep it like that for several hours. Another way to get beachy waves is to use a 2-inch barrel curling iron. I always advise curling the hair in front in a direction away from the face so that it doesn’t keep falling forward and covering facial features.
SOFT CURLS:
Many women opt to curl their hair with a 1 inch or 1-1/2 inch curling iron, hot rollers, or regular rollers, imparting a soft, feminine look. This is a very popular and simple look for any women’s division. However, if your hairstyle has to be perfectly curled every second, and you have limp, fine hair which doesn’t hold a curl well, you run the risk of having a meltdown backstage. I have seen competitors work on their hair literally for hours on end, constantly fussing, spraying, teasing, only to have it all fall by the middle of prejudging. So by all means do the soft curls as long as you know they will probably morph into beachy waves as the day progresses, especially if you are a fitness, physique or bodybuilding competitor performing routines.
NATURAL CURLS:
If you have naturally curly hair, why not let it be? If your curls tend to be unmanageable, allow a hairstylist to tame any frizz and add gloss and body to what you already have. You can also tame the frizz by using a diffuser on your hair dryer at home and create beautiful curls which look great onstage.
PONY UP:
Fitness competitors will often don a ponytail during their routines, but I love the elegance of a high ponytail which a handful of figure competitors have sported. Not only is it different, it shows the competitor’s face, neckline and upper back more clearly. Whether the ponytail is arrow straight, wavy or curly, it’s a good idea to slick back stray hairs with a bit of hairspray for a finished look.
The Details Count: Tips For Great Stage Hair
THE SHORT OF IT:
Some ladies have edgy, short hairstyles which completely suit them and look fantastic onstage. However, I wouldn’t advise getting a radically different haircut from what you are accustomed to right before a contest, because it could throw you off your game, especially if you aren’t happy with the results. Allow at least a couple of months between an extreme cut and a contest.
TEASE ME:
I firmly believe that unless you have big hair, you need to do a bit of teasing at the crown and also volumize the hair around the face to give a bit of height and depth. Whenever I see ladies who go onstage with their hair completely flat against their skulls, their natural facial beauty is diminished and their heads look tiny. The key is to do a bit of teasing, apply hairspray to the teased sections, then smooth hair over it so that it looks seamless.
BARRETTES & CLIPS:
I am not a fan of stage hairstyles which feature hair drawn up into a barrette or clip because they interrupt the natural sweep of hair as it falls around the face, but this option can work well for competitors who have especially unruly hair. A bit of bling on a barrette can be very nice, but big bows and flowers generally look tacky onstage and should be avoided.
A PART OF IT ALL:
I see way too many competitors with deep side parts and hair falling into the face like Violet from the Incredibles, and to be honest, it isn’t alluring at all. All it does is hide the face and all the efforts of stage makeup application. If you are dead set on parting your hair on the side, style the hair around your face so that it arcs away from the face and frames it.
Since we are on the subject of hair parts, I want to caution you fair-skinned ladies on the importance of shading in the part with bronzer. If you don’t do this, a very prominent white line will be evident on your scalp which can be very distracting. Don’t forget that portion of scalp!
SHINY GIRL:
Stage lights will really make you stand out if your hair is shiny. For this reason, I highly recommend shine serum, but make sure to use a light hand with these serums to avoid looking like you fell into a grease pit! Pay attention to stray hairs and flyaways, as these catch the light and register as a strange haze or halo around the head.
One last bit of advice: It’s a good idea to plan out your hairstyle in advance, especially if you are in a division which requires you to perform a routine. Make sure you can move without any restrictions and without worrying if your hairstyle is staying in place. All the mental reminders about tucking in the abs, pulling shoulders back, walking properly in clear heels, etc. are worrisome enough, so you shouldn’t have to stress out over your hairstyle!
Are You A Sponsored Athlete Or An Unpaid Salesperson?
Originally published on mensphysique.com on Wednesday, 12 November 2014
This was the most popular article I ever wrote for the site, getting over 2,700 likes.
Most sports supplement companies and other fitness related companies aggressively promote their products through athletes who can sing the praises of their benefits. Who could be better at describing the efficacy of a product and how it enhances training or recovery than an athlete who not only already uses those types of products, but someone who has a following and who can convince new customers to purchase from the company which they represent?
Here’s where things get problematic. The pool of bodybuilding and fitness athletes is pretty massive, and the waters are teeming with athletes who are anxious to get their so-called “big break”. As a result of this, savvy marketing teams from fitness related companies often sweep up these individuals because they are enthusiastic and can propel a brand’s exposure. All the company needs to do is to offer some free product to the athlete and provide instructions on how to use social media to get the word out that these products exist. Then the athletes post images of themselves holding or using products, and add affiliate codes so that any orders which are generated through that athlete’s post are credited to the athlete. This can be a great way for an athlete to make some extra money while competing or chasing down fitness related gigs and projects.
It is important to bear in mind that such athletes really aren’t sponsored, but are instead unpaid salespeople who provide free advertising and generate sales via social media posts which direct followers to product websites. Yes, they get commissions if they have affiliate codes, but such commissions are nothing to write home about unless someone is really blowing the roof off in sales. This is in stark contrast to a true athlete sponsorship, in which an athlete is paid to represent the brand as a brand ambassador.
The sponsored athlete is chosen for his or her physique, performance history and awards, facial good looks, charisma, enthusiasm, and often the size of his or her social media following. Usually a sponsored athlete signs a contract which stipulates that he or she will receive a certain amount of free product, and in most cases will also receive financial compensation which is either paid via a monthly salary or via a contest stipend. Though the athlete usually agrees to a set requirement or recommendation to provide social media posts for the company at regular intervals, the company pays the athlete for his or her trouble. Personal appearances and events are also part of the sponsored athlete agreement and clearly described in the written contract. The sponsored athlete is compensated for use of his or her likeness on advertising materials as well.
Obviously it is a far better deal to become an official sponsored athlete for a company. Otherwise, you are just providing free advertising and cheap labor in exchange for products which are sold at a significant markup from what they are manufactured at. If you post a selfie with product that somehow goes viral, the company will certainly love the boost, but I doubt you will ever see any type of compensation if you aren’t a sponsored athlete, which means you provided your likeness for free.
The truth of the matter is that there are only a handful of athlete sponsorships to go around, with a massive surplus of athletes vying for those spots. The athletes who end up getting sponsorships stand out from the crowd in some way, or fit a brand’s look and philosophy so well that it makes sense to bring them on board to represent a brand. The rest of the athletes must navigate through all the companies out there to try to find an arrangement which benefits them in some way. Sometimes it is easy to sell a product, usually because the athlete enjoys using it so much that he or she doesn’t mind providing free advertising or labor.
Sometimes a supplement company will launch a contest which is based on social media posts. One company, which shall remain unnamed, launched a huge campaign this year that was patterned on this idea, and decided to award 5 of the entrants $10,000. Sure, that sounds like a good chunk of change, but if there were 8,000 entrants, then 7,995 walked away with nothing. At the end of the campaign, the company got tons of free advertising and all those hashtags they requested for “tracking” purposes also propelled their brand in a huge way. To be honest, this is a brilliant marketing tactic, but not the best move for the majority of athletes who participated.
I have also seen companies launch contests in which entrants must purchase a product, then post on social media with hashtags to enter the contest. This is another form of free advertising for the company, a great way to generate sales, a brilliant means for them to boost exposure, and yet another way for athletes to be suckered into doing free advertising. I don’t see much harm in taking part in such a contest if you truly love a product and want to proclaim it, but just remember that it works wonders as an advertising tool for the company without any benefit for you.
One thing I will never advocate is purchasing products, even at a steep discount, while also representing a brand as one of its “sponsored” athletes. If you are asked to pay for a product while also providing free advertising on social media channels, run quickly in the other direction! Basically you are dealing with a company which doesn’t value you enough as an athlete to provide compensation for your advertising efforts. This isn’t the same as purchasing a product, finding out you like it, THEN posting something on social media which lets people know how much you like it. I know of several athletes who had done this, which sparked the attention of the company which manufactured the product, eventually leading to a sponsorship deal. But do not, I repeat, DO NOT PAY for products as a way to get false sponsorship for a company.
It isn’t a bad thing to work as an unpaid salesperson in the fitness industry as long as you know your place and value. Once your following builds, the smart thing to do is to leverage your visibility into getting an athlete sponsorship. The main thing is to make sure that you don’t get taken advantage of in the process.
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