I believe I’ve spent more time in my life waiting at castings than I have eating and breathing. I’m very familiar with the typical model look (ironically called model-off-duty) and I’m even more familiar with common missteps.
For clothes, it’s simple: flattering jeans and a basic tank top. So why is it that agencies will tell their models exactly what to wear down to the brand but give very little guidance about what goes on your face? Most agencies will recommend no makeup and a bit of gloss, but in my opinion, that’s pretty outdated and ignored by most models.
A few weeks ago we talked about great casting makeup tips. Today, I want to share some common model makeup mistakes that are all too familiar, and painfully jarring when a big part of your job is to be a blank canvas.
Don’t assume that you can cover up your skin problems with makeup. While it’s normal to have blemishes, you have to treat your skin as your #1 beauty tool. Keep products off your face whenever you can.
Try to stop smoking. I can almost always tell when a model smokes, so don’t assume you’re getting away with it. For the sake of your career’s longevity, seriously consider kicking the habit. It’ll be the best thing you ever did for your health and your skin.
Use a tinted moisturizer. Save the thick foundations for the professionals. A tinted moisturizer is plenty and will look healthier and more radiant.
Don’t forget to exfoliate. I see a lot of young boys and girls starting out who seem to have a rough layer of dry skin just sitting on top of their faces. What’s up with that? Try using a pinch of baking soda with your cleanser once a week. Massage gently to slough off the excess so your skin can get glowing.
Easy on the falsies, Kim Kardashian. In your career you’ll have plenty of time for fake eyelashes, hair extensions, and dramatic makeup. Let directors see you as you are, not as an image you’re trying to project.
Leave your hair alone, and stop fighting your hair’s natural texture. A good hair stylist can completely transform your hair on set so save it from the extra damage when you’re not shooting and opt for a natural look. Who knows, a casting director might fall in love with your look because you have quirky tresses. Usually, a simple low ponytail (middle part for extra chicness) is the perfect casting hairstyle. Try to use special hair elastics that won’t leave a crease in your hair.
Save the experimenting for weekends. Just as you wouldn’t test out the sheerness of a blouse at a job interview, don’t test out any newly-honed beauty skills at a casting. Under all those lights and lenses, it probably won’t look as flawless as it does in your bathroom mirror. I’m looking at you, contour experts.
While this is general advice, your agents will tell you how they want you to present yourself. Just because you don’t understand their vision doesn’t mean you should go against their look for you.
More on that in the next article, when I’ll tell you about a time when I was basically that girl from America’s Next Top Model who refused to let Tyra cut her hair.
