Bombshell Buffed Beach Body - Model Tricks

Model Tricks for smooth, toned and (faux) tanned skin!

Summer is in full swing and you may be thinking about that trip to the beach or a pool party invite. We all need a little extra "buffing up" so are a few tips and tricks from Victoria's Secret runway and swimwear models who have to look good for a living. You heard it here first:

Skin Prep-Exfoliate First
If you routinely practice Dry Skin Brushing, something I've recommended many times here, your skin may not need very much exfoliation. You can skip this section and move on to your cellulite cream application. If not, try a fine scrub with something like aluminum oxide crystals. Bioelixia Exfoliating Body Polish is a good one but there are others. You can also use a Clarisonic with a Body Brush Extension Handle. What you want is everything smoothed down so that the cellulite treatments and self tanners will take evenly.

Scrubs and or a Clarisonic offer excellent exfoliation 

Try Dry Body Brushing
Using a dry, natural bristled brush, start with the soles of your feet and move up with strokes towards the heart. This is like an external lymphatic massage and is very helpful in removing toxins and increasing circulation. Be sure to include the area of your arm pits and bikini line. Your skin will glow with a healthy pinkness! Jump in the shower to rinse away any excess skin cells you've brushed off. Now anything you apply on your skin will absorb evenly and completely.

Sublime Beauty Cellulite Whisperer - Crystal Springs Resort & Spa

Sublime Beauty Cellulite Whisperer Gel and Cream
The next step after your Dry Body Brushing and shower is to apply a really effective cellulite gel or cream. Even if you do not have cellulite, a product like this can help smooth the skin and add to a sleek body. Now I've tried nearly every cellulite cream out there from Lancome to Embryolisse to ones used exclusively at spas. None have them have even come close to the tightening and smoothing I've gotten from dry brushing PLUS using Sublime Beauty Cellulite Whisperer products. The Gel and Cream are made with mostly organic herbs, green tea, vitamins and minerals. They also contain the key ingredient in all good cellulite creams, CAFFEINE. First I apply the Cellulite Whisperer Gel and let it absorb. Next I apply the cream and I'm done.

My legs poolside in West Palm Beach

Get That Polished Look
Once your legs (arms too) have been treated with Cellulite Whisperer, you can add your self tanners, shimmers and leg oils. Kate Moss swears by a dry oil by St. Tropez and others rave over Brazil Nut Oil but you can do better with applying some Australian Gold Spray Gel with Instant Bronzer. The Australian Gold contains sunscreen and Tea Tree Oil to help protect your skin from sun damage. Top that off with a bit of Pure Certified Organic Sesame Oil which can also be combed through your hair before hitting the beach or pool. 

Runway Secret: Add a little gold shimmer highlighter down the center of your legs before going out for the evening for extra drama! It will make you legs look extra glossy and slimmer.

Pure Certified Organic Sesame Oil for skin and hair

Do a 3 Day Juice Cleanse
This is something you can do over the weekend because there is a lot of water involved so you might want to stay home. I like Chef V's Green Drink and if you live in the greater NYC/Metro area like me, you can have it delivered fresh to your door. This is a way to get rid of toxins which are the result of eating fast food and processed treats. I eat very clean but like to do a 1 day juice fast once a month. You can find similar Green Drinks at Wegman's and Whole Food Markets or just blend up your own at home using raw kale, spinach and beet tops. Chef V includes a delicious summer squash or sweet potato soup in with your Green Drink Cleanse. So delicious and you'll fit into that bikini in no time. 

NYC's Chef V Green Drink

Summer Haircare & Style Secrets
If you are going to the beach or pool, be sure to add a little protecting oil or cream to your hair. Comb it through and pull it up in a bun and pop on a swim cap if you are going in the water. If you are going to be near the water but not necessarily doing swan dives, you can lightly flat iron your hair with Theorie's Heat Shield Thermal Spray. It adds a super high gloss while protecting your hair from the flat or curling irons. It also blocks humidity for up to 24 hours which should keep the frizz away until you get home.

Theorie Saga II Classic Flat Iron
Speaking of flat irons, Theorie's Saga II Classic is so luxurious. State of the art Titanium floating plates have rounded edges for snag free styling. It heats up in seconds with LED temperature settings from 310 - 450 degrees. Far infrared technology helps hair retain moisture for a silky-smooth finish. Get the Heat Spray and Flat Iron both at YourTheorie.com

Theorie's Saga II Classic Flat Iron and Heat Spray

Tone It Up! - BioElixia's NEWLY Released BodyShapers

Want tight and toned legs like these? BioElixia's new BodyShaper Line will firm you up in only 4 weeks!

I first reported on BioElixia's BodyShaper Cellulite Control Creme in my Resorts Fashion Week Body & Sol article last month. First of all let me say that I am a fitness advocate and walk, hike and bicycle quite a bit. That having been said, I've seen a marked improvement in my skin's firmness and tone after only 4 weeks of using their BodyShaper creme. I've tried quite a few products over the years, many of them like one from Lancome which was expensive and painful. It consisted of a bar of soap and a bath massager with rubber nubs. I'm not making this up.

BioElixia's BodyShaper Cellulite Control Creme 
This is the first product that I tried from BioElixia and it is a GOOD one. After three weeks I noticed a difference in how firm my thighs and tummy had become. By week four I was sold. It boasts TMP Dermal Delivery Technology developed in Australia.

BioElixia boasts TPM Dermal Delivery Technology for maximum absorption.

How I Use It
I have used this product in conjunction with my Clarisonic Plus Sonic Cleansing System. This unit deeply and thoroughly cleanses the skin and with the handle extension attachment, it's now a back brush. Right after my shower, I apply the BodyShaper Cellulite Control Creme to my warm, moist, skin. I let it completely soak in before applying any extra moisturizing or self tanning products.

My Clarisonic Plus with Body Brush Extension Handle attached. Body Cleansers & Lotions by Embryolisse

NEW BioElixia November 2013 Releases!
Given how pleased I was with the original BodyShaper product, I was happy to learn that the BioElixia line was to be expanded starting this month! Mind you I've just started trying their new additions but I'm already seeing some front runners in the sleek and chic division.

New additions to the BioElixia BodyShaper line!

Radiance Body Cleanser - Made with green tea, trehalose, fruit enzymes and skin conditioning minerals, I like that this cleanser is pure and clear. Leaves no residue and rinses cleanly. 250ml/ 8.45 fl. oz.

Stretch Mark Diminishing Creme - Technically, stretch marks are tears in the skin's collagen. This happens when the skin stretches faster than the collagen can keep up such as when we have quick weight gain during a pregnancy. Yes, I know about that! There's not a whole lot you can do but I'm looking forward to some positive improvement. 125ml/ 4.23 fl. oz.

The Cellulite Contour Creme was the first BioElixia product I tried

Exfoliating Body Polish - Ding Ding Ding, we have a WINNER! Made with Sweet Almond, aloe vera, vitamin E and micro crystals, this product leaves you feeling like you just had a microdermabrasion treatment.
Skin is incredibly smooth, almost slick afterwards and deep cleansing like this allows the other BioElixia products to sink right in. 200ml/ 6.76 fl. oz.

Firming Toning Body Lotion - Another WINNER! You get an almost instant tone-up and tightening with this lotion as it contains aloe vera, shea butter, vitamin E and firming green tea, caffeine and maca herbal extract. 200ml/ 6.76 fl. oz.

Modeling for a photo shoot for Pistil Designs.

Tone it Up!
I model for a number of really great fashion designers and BioElixia BodyShaper products are now part of my over-all beauty regimen. I still have to work out and lift weights but these products really do it and shown results I can see. Like the icing on the cake, (I'm not supposed to eat)! Whatever your lifestyle or if you just need a little extra confidence to rock that bikini, I think you'll be pleased with BioElixia BodyShapers. BioElixia products are currently available at Henri Bendel or online at BioElixia.com

BodyShaper Skincare Products c/o BioElixia

Get Glowing! Dry Brushing

What is Dry Brushing?
Dry brushing has been around for more than 25 years and was first made popular by health author, Paavo Airola.  It has been a long term staple treatment in European Spas.  Dry Brushing is a very simple yet effective way to stimulate the lymphatic system which is responsible for helping to rid the body of toxins.  Cellulite represents an accumulation of fat but also stored toxins from years of exposure to pollutants.  Dry brushing also improves the look and function the skin while stimulating the nervous system and improving muscle firmness.

You can best benefit from dry brushing by purchasing a natural bristle, boar's hair brush or even a loofah will work.  Upon arising, do not wet your skin or shower; save that for after your treatment.  Using a dry brush on your dry skin, begin at the feet and brush upwards towards your heart in smooth long strokes.  Do this while including the trunk, buttocks and upper extremities which should take between 2-5 minutes.  The main goal is to increase blood flow which will show with your skin turning a healthy pink.  Now you can shower and remove any loosened dead skin cells dislodged during your brushing.  In the shower, I like to use a natural Goat Milk bar soap with a glycerin base.  This type of organic soap is nourishing and non-drying.  If you wish an even deeper cleansing after your dry brushing, gently glide a Clarisonic Ultrasonic Skincare Brush over your skin.  You will find that your lotions & oils penetrate more effectively after doing so.

Skinny Tone Ultra Firming Cream 
Now that your skin has been exfoliated and purified, you'll want to capitalize on the toning that dry brushing is known for.  You should use something that will optimize the detoxification that the manual brushing has begun.  Skinny Tone Ultra Firming Cream is by Mission Athletecare and is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and botanics such as Butchersbroom, (Ruscus Aculeatus), Ivy and Goji Berry Extract.  All of these are herbs are prized for their ability to detoxify your system and can work synergistically with your dry brushing regimen.

After your dry brushing and shower, apply Skinny Tone to problem areas to help firm and smooth the appearance of cellulite.  You should see a marked difference using dry brushing and Skinny Tone together after one week or sooner.  If you want an extra dewy glow, layer a little sweet almond oil infused with lavender over your skin.  Your skin will look like 24 k gold!   Here is a very good demonstration video of how to Dry Brush by "Kiki Says" on YouTube.