Coconut Wonders: The Supermodels’ Best-Kept Beauty Secret Hits the Shelves!

Coconut oil has commonly been referred to as a ‘superfood’ ingredient among health-conscious foodies; however, it wasn’t until we started taking notes from the models that we learned of its incredible beauty benefits. That’s right! Despite its origination on the shelves at Whole Foods, coconut oil is actually one of the beauty industry’s best-kept miracle products with the powers to treat everything from dry skin and acne, to split-ends and rough cuticles. The key to the ingredient’s magic lies in its genetic makeup of anti-inflammatory dietary fatty acids and superior antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.  What that means is that when applied topically, coconut oil has wonderful moisturizing effects, providing deep moisture while also helping to improve skin’s overall elasticity and surface texture.  Rich in minerals and nutrients such as lauric acid and vitamin E, coconut oil is one of the most natural and effective sources of skin hydration, as well as a natural sunscreen aid— a definite bonus as we prepare to spend the next several weekends basking in the sun’s warm glow.

In addition to these skin-saving wonders, coconut oil has also proven to be just as versatile in the realm of luxe hair care, tackling a number of our most troublesome mane issues.  Doutzen Kroes for one, has championed the use of the oil as a leave-in conditioner, applying a small amount of the product to her hair before bed to keep her strands soft and shiny.  For more humid days, the product can be used as a frizz-fighting agent when a dime-sized amount is lightly smoothed over fly-aways, acting as a barrier against the hair-raising heat.  Coconut oil’s strengthening and protective qualities are also said to help ward off environmentally-caused damage— i.e. destructive free-radicals and sunlight exposure— all without the added buildup of artificial chemicals.

So, there you have it— a miracle working beauty product actually worth its weight in supermodel endorsements!  No matter what your beauty trouble may be, chances are there is a coconut oil fix just waiting to be tested.  Not sure where to start?  Check out our slideshow below for a few of the best new beauty buys that currently have models and beauty professionals alike going cuckoo for coconut!


See the full slideshow on modelinia.com

Joan Smalls Reveals the Models’ Secret to Having Fun on the Catwalk!

As glamourous as the supermodel lifestyle may appear to wishful onlookers, like every job known to man, it too has its downsides.  To start, there’s the never-ending jet lag, the nail-biting casting sessions, the long long hours of stiff posing— not to mention there’s that whole crazy walking business that Cara Delevingne so aptly pointed out to Interview magazine a few months back.  Confronted with these trying tasks on a daily basis,  it’s easy to see why these gorgeous gals would be on the lookout for any free moment to let loose and have a little fun of their own.  Little did we know that those moments have often taken place in front of our very own eyes, all without our knowing! That is, until now.

Speaking to Net-a-Porter.com’s digital magazine, The Edit, in this week’s edition, Joan Smalls revealed her secret to having fun on the runways, chalking it up to nothing more than a playful sense of humor.

“I like to mess with the other girls,” she says. “We stare each other out as we walk past and try to make the other girl smile. I play with Karlie [Kloss], but she has her game face on and never cracks, but on Karmen [Pedaru] and Abbey Lee [Kershaw] it works. The trick is to do it when you’re going back and they are coming towards the camera, so nobody knows it’s me!”

So, they’re catwalking champs with some serious comedic chops to boot— is there anything these beauties can’t do?! Needless to say, we’ll be on the lookout all throughout September Fashion Week for any sign of models cracking up on the catwalk, although we’re sure the task will prove harder than it seems— after all, no one knows how to rock a poker face better than a top model!

For more on the Puerto Rican model’s rise to super-stardom, check out this week’s edition of The Edit now available on Net-a-Porter.com!  And while you’re at it, here’s another look at a few of the other top models we’ve caught goofing around on the job in the past:


See the full slideshow on modelinia.com

Modelinia AM Reads: Vote for Your Favorite Model Look From the 2013 CFDA Awards!

It’s official— Jason Wu is headed to Hugo Boss!  The New York-based designer has confirmed that he will assume the role of artistic director of Boss’ womenswear division, while he continues to work on his namesake label!  ~ Telegraph

Meanwhile, Mulberry has announced this morning that its creative director of five years, Emma Hill, will step down in the coming months, leading many to believe that she is now in the running to succeed Reed Krakoff at Coach! ~ WWD

The 67th annual Tony Awards took center stage at Radio City Music Hall in NYC on Sunday, bringing with it a host of A-list celebrities and memorable red carpet looks! ~ PopSugar

Master couturier, Valentino Garavani, had the honor of dressing Princess Madeleine of Sweden for her royal nuptials in Stockholm on Saturday, creating a bespoke Chantilly lace gown featuring a four-meter long train! ~ Elle UK

The Kaiser has spoken!  Karl Lagerfeld has given Kiera Knightley’s “unpretentious” wedding ceremony his official seal of approval. ~ Vogue UK

In even more fashion job news today, Marc Jacobs is now the latest designer rumored to be in the running for Coach’s vacant creative director position! But what does this mean for Louis Vuitton? ~ Grazia UK

The fashion world continues to pay tribute to famed celebrity stylist Annabel Tollman, who passed away at her home late Thursday at the age of 36. ~ The Cut

Look out businessmen, there’s a new female powerhouse in our midst!  Burberry CEO Angela Ahrendts has just been named the UK’s highest paid chief executive, making her the first woman to top the country’s pay league! ~ Guardian

Alessandra Ambrosio, Erin Wasson, Adriana Lima and Jessica Hart all rocked the red carpet at last week’s star-studded CFDA Awards, but only one can be crowned the Look of the Week winner.  So, who’s it going to be? ~ Modelinia

Model Twitpics of the Week!

Erin Heatherton and Lily Aldridge celebrate working out in style while Kate Upton breaks it down on the dance floor in today’s Twitpics!


See the full slideshow on modelinia.com

The Cindy Crawford Cover That Started It All…

We love following Cindy Crawford on Twitter, if not for the weekly #ModelMonday musings, then for its never-ending stream of flashback photos!  The ’90s glamazon never fails to churn out the very best #ThrowbackThursday pics, featuring such fan favorites as her early Vogue covers, infamous Versace campaigns, or as was the case last night, her very first modeling gig!

Don’t let the photo fool you.  While Cindy’s snap may be a simple (albeit slightly confusing) black-and-white newspaper clipping of her at just 16-years old, it is also the supermodel’s first ever cover shot circa 1982!  Featured on the front page of her hometown paper, the DeKalb Nite WEEKLY, the all-American beauty is seen lounging alongside a pool in a striped bikini looking, oddly enough, every bit the supermodel we know her to be today.  Even more impressive than her apparent natural talent, is the fact that the model’s cover debut was made not in the hands of famed photographer such as Testino or Bensimon, but rather in the hands of her high school boyfriend at the time.  Hardly the high-fashion infused covers we’re used to seeing from the hot mama!

“My very first cover during high school in DeKalb shot in my high school boyfriend’s backyard,” tweeted Cindy.  “Believe me when I say I had absolutely no idea where that photo would lead to!”

It would lead of course, to one of the most-successful modeling careers of all time, not to mention covers of a more glamourous variety.

 

Look of the Week: Who Was the Best-Dressed Model at This Week’s CFDA Awards?

@modelinia: Look of the Week: CFDA Edition

It’s Friday! Celebrate with today’s Look of the Week: CFDA Edition round up!  These A-list nominees rocked the red carpet at the 2013 CFDA Awards at Lincoln Center in New York City on Monday night.  Over 20 catwalkers strutted down the red carpet at the event, but we’ve narrowed it down to our top-four favorite looks and now, were asking you to help us decide the winner of this week’s poll. Will it be Alessandra Ambrosio, who turned heads in a backless one shoulder white KaufmanFranco gown, or fellow Angel, Adriana Lima, who looked as fabulous as ever in sheer Givenchy. Then of course, there is Erin Wasson who wowed in a sleek, architectural Alexander Wang white column, and Aussie stunner Jessica Hart, who cut a svelte figure in  her sexy cut out two-piece Rachel Roy ensemble. All of these ladies looked flawless, but only one can be crowned the winner- the choice is yours!

To vote, click on your favorite model look in the image above.

Rumor Alert: Is Cara Delevingne Teaming Up With Rita Ora for Topshop?

Cara Delevingne and Rita Ora have fast become two of fashion’s most noted BFF’s, sharing everything from their prolific streetwear to tattoos by Rihanna’s go-to guy.  Now, it appears that the wifeys are ready to share their fashion friendship with the masses via an upcoming Topshop collaboration!

Yes, that’s right, the multi-talented pair are rumored to be working on a joint clothing line with a little help from the retail giant’s reigning heiress, Chloe Green.  According to The Sun, the pair are already plotting the launch of their first design collaboration, enlisting Green to help get the project off the ground as a source told the newspaper, “Rita and Cara have ben talking about the idea for weeks now.  Cara has great fashion industry contacts and Rita loves her clothes and keeps up with trends.”

The anonymous source goes on to say that the pair’s collection would be done in the vein of Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss’s widely popular Topshop lines of the past. “Rita’s become increasingly matey with Chloe Green and has mentioned the idea to her in the hope that she might help get it to her dad, Topshop boss Philip Green,” the source continues.

While the rumors seem entirely unfounded at this point in time, we wouldn’t put it past these two BFFs, both of whom are well-known for their headline-grabbing spontaneity.  Let us not forget that Cara has also already registered a trademark on her name for the sole purpose of protecting her money-making moniker in the wake of future product lines.  We’d like to imagine that if this product line were to hit stores in the near future, it would be full of specialty onesies, embellished kicks, kitschy tees and wacky sunglasses galore!

We’re skeptical, but you can bet that we’ll keep our ears to the ground on this one— just in case!

 

Modelinia AM Reads: The VS Angels Share Their Sexy Summer Style Picks!

It’s a proud day for Carrie Bradshaw fans! Sarah Jessica Parker is finally designing her own line of shoes with the help of a footwear legend! ~ Vogue

Marchesa and Revlon are prepared to make beauty dreams come true with the launch of a beauty collection inspired by the label’s couture gowns! ~ WWD

For the second season running, Givenchy has decided to forgo its couture presentation as creative director Riccardo Tisci continues to expand his atelier! ~ Telegraph

Get ready for Haider Ackermann Menswear!  The designer is set to join the Paris menswear lineup for the first time at the end of the month! ~ WWD

Happy Birthday Lacoste! The iconic French label is celebrating 80 stylish years this month with a set of exclusive presents designed by nine of France’s most-luxurious labels. ~ Vogue UK

Spend your ‘Summer Friday’ with an all-new episode of the Victoria’s Secret Live Show, in which Angels Candice Swanepoel, Adriana Lima, Erin Heatherton and Lily Aldridge share summer’s sexiest trends and their workout tips! ~ Modelinia