Photoshoot with Jose Luis

This past week I was in Dallas shooting with the amazing Jose Luis. We shot for 2 days and shot 7 different looks. It was a great time and I'm planning another trip very soon.   Xoxo       …

Model Tawny Swain in “Be My Boy”

This past week I was in Dallas to shoot with the amazing Jose Luis. We shot a bunch of different looks and got some really great film footage. Check out our short film “Be My Boy” and if you like it, share it!

Model: Tawny Swain
Credit: Jose Luis
Location: Studio 310
Make-up: Kay Castro
Song: Be My Boy by Handsome Boy Modeling School

XOXO

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*Note*There is adult content in this video*

Be My Boy (Model: Tawny Swain) from Jose Luis on Vimeo.

The Do’s and Don’t of Beauty

Below are the best natural beauty habits that you should keep, and why – plus, the ones you should probably stop, asap. Let us begin!

XOXO

Keep doing this: Applying your skincare products from forehead all the way to the chest. Seriously! This is not a fun habit for people who are skimpy with products, but it’s essential because really, the neck and chest get zero love in common skincare routines. We don’t moisturize there, or apply antiaging products there, but it gets a lot of sun exposure, and it’s an area that starts showing signs of aging around the same time as the face. Instead of using just 1 pump of product (moisturizers and any treatment products, like serums) to cover your face, do 2 pumps and massage the product all the way down to your upper chest. You’ll be glad you did!

Drop this one: Going to sleep in your makeup. Even just once or twice a week. When we sleep, the entire body goes into maintenance and renewal mode, and the skin does too. Sleeping with makeup on interferes with the skin’s natural regenerating processes, and can clog pores. Makeup-removal wipes are okay, but because there’s no rinse involved, they usually leave some kind of residue on the skin’s surface. It’s best to head to the sink and do a full wash – Refreshing Cleanser is a 2-in-1 cleanser and makeup remover, while preserving hydration for a healthy glow.

Keep doing this: Applying your Body Oil (or natural body lotion) immediately after stepping out of the shower, while the skin is still warm and slightly damp. Doing this ensures that the water that’s still on the surface of your skin gets brought into your skin as your body oil is absorbed, to ensure that your skin stays hydrated for longer. Revitalizing Body Oil is perfect for this because it’s a super low-molecular-weight, so it sinks right in with no greasy finish.

Drop this one: Drinking 3+ cups of coffee a day. It’s brutal to admit, but coffee isn’t very good for the skin, because caffeine is very dehydrating. If you’re frustrated with the performance of your daily moisturizers, it’s key to think about what you’re doing each day that could actually be drying the skin from the inside out (like drinking lots of coffee, or smoking, or forgetting to drink water).

Keep doing this: Wearing SPF every day. It may seem like a pain to do that extra step in your skincare routine each day, but it’s important because UVA rays are the ones that contribute mostly to wrinkles and the skin’s degradation (photoaging), and they can reach our skin through clouds, fog and glass. So load up!

Drop this one: Getting frequent intense chemical peels. While they leave your skin glossy and glowing and looking pretty much perfect, they are very intense treatments and, when used often (like once a month), can actually contribute to aging because they are stripping to the skin’s strength and structure. Anti-aging is all about reinforcing the skin’s youthful structure and collagen matrix; intense treatments can compromise that structure and weaken the skin in the long-term. Stick to getting a peel treatment every few months at the most, and look for more gentle natural treatments that offer similar results (like Resurfacing Mask, a gentle beta hydroxy treatment for instant glow).

What are your skincare-habit resolutions this year? Any you think everyone should hang on to, or let go of?

Fitness Friday

So I’m starting something new, Fitness Friday. Every Friday I will post a motivational quote, a workout, and a healthy recipe. Enjoy!!
XOXO

Photo Blog: Fab Nails

Here is some inspiration for you to take with you on your next trip to the nail salon!

XOXO

My Shoot with Dark Stripe Media

You probably saw my post a few weeks ago with my behind the scenes photos from my shoot with Dark Stripe Media. As promised, here are some more.

Photo Blog: My Week in Review

Hey guys 🙂

Happy Saturday. I’m currently in Atlanta visiting friends and family and working on some up coming projects. I’ve been on couple adventures this week and I thought I’d share them with you. What have you been up to the week before Christmas? Enjoy.

XOXO

I got in town late Monday night. Woke up early Tuesday morning to drive to downtown Atlanta for my shoot with Dark Stripe Media. We were on location at an abounded train yard. We were blessed with lovely weather. After the shoot I went to the nail salon and got my nails done. Later that evening I met up with my friend Rachel from high school. My parents gave me two Justin Timberlake tickets for my birthday this June so Rachel and I went to the concert. Justin was absolutely incredible. He sang, he danced, played the piano and guitar. It was a very well put together show. Go see him if you can!

Wednesday I ran errands and picked up some Christmas gifts. I also went to Petsmart and picked up food, cookies, toys, and shirts for my two chihuahuas. I spent some time at home and started reading Perks of being a Wallflower. I also stopped by Whole Foods Market and picked up a Kale Smoothie and some lunch.

Thursday I had a shoot with Christina Kelley in Little 5 Points and on location at an abandoned green house near Emory. Later that day I went to see my hair stylist that I’ve been going to for several years. She worked her magic as always.

This weekend I’ve just been relaxing and spending time with friends and enjoying the holiday. I have lots exciting things coming for 2014!

Outfit of the Day

Sweater: h&m
Dress: Material Girl
Socks: Free People
Boots: Nine West
Watch: Michael Kors