There’s nothing better than receiving a gift that was selected just for you. The kind of gift that when received you know it isn’t an afterthought. As a model, there’s always something I can use to advance my career and I always try to give my model friends gifts that they can and will enjoy using on the daily basis.
The most important thing a model needs is a sturdy portfolio. Portfolios go through a ton of handling, travel and weather conditions. Models are always on the grind showing their portfolios to clients, agents, and casting directors which means that a lot of people are touching and flipping the pages of a model’s portfolio. A durable portfolio is also important whether you’re in a hot climate or a cold one as they are often made from cheap plastic that can melt the pages together and ruin thousands of dollars of photos. The Scuba Portfolio Book is a legend in the industry all on its own. Made from actual scuba material, this book will last many, many years.
What seems like a vacation for many is work for a professional model. Traveling is such a core part of a models job. Sometimes models have just a few hours to a day to pack to travel which means that there’s not much time to replace a damaged passport so protecting a models passport is top priority.
Considered the holy grail posing guide for aspiring and professional models alike, Study of Pose by Coco Rocha and Steven Sebring is not only a collector’s coffee table book but also like having a posing coach right in your living room. Study of Pose is a beautiful collection of photos done in the most simplistic style using lighting, a dramatic black background and a leotard.
Fenty Stunna Lip in Uncensored
Literally the sexiest lipstick on the planet, Fenty’s Stunna Lip in Uncensored is absolutely breathtaking on every complexion.
Headphones for models are good for so many things - keeping you entertained during long waits between jobs and castings, blocking out guys trying to hit on you while you’re walking down the street, listening to ebooks and podcasts during a commute on the subway or metro. I’ve carried a set of earbuds with me from the very beginning of my career and today I make sure to keep a pair of earbuds in all of my m model bags.
Keeping a models skin looking fresh and clear requires olympic level consistency. One of the best skincare products for keeping a models skin glowing is The Ordinary’s AHA 30% +BHA 2% Peeling Solution. In as a little as 10 minutes, your skin will look like your ready to step in front of the camera.
Models having great hair off camera is rare being as the job calls for so many style changes and products. Hair damage is a real issue for models across all hair types. So doing regular deep conditioning treatments like this Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Hair Mask really comes in handy when you’re trying to repair damaged and heat fried hair.
For most shoots and shows, models are supplied shoes to wear but that doesn’t mean a model doesn’t need to have a staple pair of amazing high heels. Red bottom Christian Louboutin may not be in the budget but great, stylish shoes come in all price ranges.
It's arguable important for a model to always look like a “model”. I can definitely take this statement to task as I think there’s a lot of layers expectations there but for those models that always like to keep it 100, sometimes the simplest accessories, shoes and jackets can spruce up a look real quick. For models, that one statement piece can make an outfit look fire. An all seasons denim jacket can go casual or dressy when paired with the right garments.
Ok so a little self promotion here! Every new model needs career guidance and I started the Starter Model Guide as a resource for aspiring models to get clear, digestible information. My latest edition of Starter Model Guide is the new handbook, Discover 7 Hidden Traps That Gatekeepers Tell Models which helps aspiring unsigned models understand why they’re not excelling in their careers and how to overcome rejection.