by Anastasia Roussel
You’ve booked the job! Hooray! As the shoot day or days approach what can you do to guarantee you look your best for camera? Unfortunately we actors let vanity get the better of us. But in all fairness for good reason, it’s our face and frame that get scrutinized from every angle. The intimacy of the camera can be cruel, but there are some quick and simple tips to ensure that you do the best with what Mother Nature gave you.
Sleep - Yes, there’s a reason why they call it beauty sleep. There’s nothing that a good night’s rest can’t cure. Besides overall rejuvenation and the disappearance of dark under eye circles, here are a few more benefits:
Water - Another thing we often under-estimate are the healing powers of water. When you're dehydrated, your body will begin to retain water as a survival mechanism. Drink lots of it because it flushes out a multitude of diet sins. Your skin will love the hydration from the inside out. But also take advantage of various forms of Hydrotherapy. If you don’t have the time or budget to visit a spa and take a steam or jacuzzi, you can create your own spa at home. A hot bath followed by a cold shower will work wonders. Steam your face to open the pores, then once you’ve washed away the impurities close them with an ice water wash.
Exercise - Cardio, cardio, cardio, I can’t stress it enough. It’s the best form of exercise before a shoot because it helps muscles release excess water. Unless you need to bulk up, any form of strength training will put your muscles in repair mode. Microscopic tears occur in your muscle fibers when you lift weights. These tears are part of the muscle-building process, and they are often the cause of delayed-onset muscle soreness after intense training sessions. When these tears occur, muscles may swell slightly and retain fluid for a few days after the exercise. Plus who wants to be sore during a 10-12 hour long shoot day?
Healthy Diet - Eat clean and simple so your digestive system is not strained, prevent bloating, and so you don’t feel sluggish. Most people do best with lean protein, veggies, fruit, and limiting complex carbs. A little juicing isn’t a bad idea either. Replacing one meal with a healthy low glycemic juice will help you to feel lighter and leaner. Some ingredients that promote detoxification: grapefruit, cucumber, celery, ginger and lemon. Limit your alcohol consumption, and if you’re a smoker try to cut back. Alcohol and smoking will dehydrate you and takes a toll on your skin, so let it go if you want to glow!
Skin Care - Ready for your close-up? Your star-meter not high enough yet to afford spa facials? Here are some do it yourself facial tips for a youthful and glowing complexion.
Exfoliate - Oatmeal and Honey Mask
Simply blend together rolled oats and a good organic honey into a paste. The oats rub off dead skin, and the honey repairs damaged skin cells with it’s antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is a great mask to battle acne.
More ideas here: http://www.enkivillage.com/oatmeal-face-mask.html
Tighten & Brighten - Papaya and Egg White Mask
Egg whites will tighten pores and remove excess sebum on the skin’s surface. “Papaya is a beta-carotene-rich food filled with powerful enzymes and phytochemicals. The enzymes slow down the formation of fine lines and wrinkles by combating free radicals. The secret beauty nutrient in papaya is papain, an enzyme that has skin-lightening properties and can reduce the visibility of blemishes and acne scars. Together with alpha hydroxy acids, papain acts as a gentle exfoliator that dissolves inactive protein and dead skin cells. Applying papaya topically to skin will soften your skin, leaving it smooth and supple.” - bellatory.com
Check out all sorts of Papaya Facial Mask recipes here: https://bellatory.com/skin/papaya-face-mask-recipes
Moisturize
Slather on extra amounts of your favorite moisturizer throughout the days leading up to your shoot. And if you really want an inexpensive secret to silky smooth skin try Coconut Oil. That’s right, organic extra virgin coconut oil is the best night cream I’ve discovered. Some people, especially those with oily or combination skin are afraid to give it a try. Turns out coconut oil is antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial, so it’s actually good for all skin types. Add a little Tea Tree oil too if you suffer from acne.
Relax
Sometimes relaxation is the hardest thing to do before a job. As actors we are often hustling for work so when one finally comes around our excitement hits the roof. Unless you’re working on a regular basis and are use to long days on set you’ll probably find it difficult to stay balanced. My suggestion is do something fun that helps you unwind a little and take the edge of the nerves or excitement, any activity that gets you out of your head. Meditation, a yoga class, watching a good movie, reading, listening to music, hanging or playing a sport with friends, or getting a massage are all good options.
When you decompress and relax you remember why you became an actor in the first place- because you love doing it. When you love what you do it shows, and you can be certain that when that shines through you’ll look your best no matter what.
Have some tips of your own to share? We want to know, so comment below!
Sleep - Yes, there’s a reason why they call it beauty sleep. There’s nothing that a good night’s rest can’t cure. Besides overall rejuvenation and the disappearance of dark under eye circles, here are a few more benefits:
- Better memory, better performance.
- Helps creativity and keeps you sharp.
- Curbs hunger and promotes healthy weight, lessens inflammation in the body.
- Lowers stress levels.
- Levels out mood and helps prevent depression and anxiety.
Water - Another thing we often under-estimate are the healing powers of water. When you're dehydrated, your body will begin to retain water as a survival mechanism. Drink lots of it because it flushes out a multitude of diet sins. Your skin will love the hydration from the inside out. But also take advantage of various forms of Hydrotherapy. If you don’t have the time or budget to visit a spa and take a steam or jacuzzi, you can create your own spa at home. A hot bath followed by a cold shower will work wonders. Steam your face to open the pores, then once you’ve washed away the impurities close them with an ice water wash.
Exercise - Cardio, cardio, cardio, I can’t stress it enough. It’s the best form of exercise before a shoot because it helps muscles release excess water. Unless you need to bulk up, any form of strength training will put your muscles in repair mode. Microscopic tears occur in your muscle fibers when you lift weights. These tears are part of the muscle-building process, and they are often the cause of delayed-onset muscle soreness after intense training sessions. When these tears occur, muscles may swell slightly and retain fluid for a few days after the exercise. Plus who wants to be sore during a 10-12 hour long shoot day?
Healthy Diet - Eat clean and simple so your digestive system is not strained, prevent bloating, and so you don’t feel sluggish. Most people do best with lean protein, veggies, fruit, and limiting complex carbs. A little juicing isn’t a bad idea either. Replacing one meal with a healthy low glycemic juice will help you to feel lighter and leaner. Some ingredients that promote detoxification: grapefruit, cucumber, celery, ginger and lemon. Limit your alcohol consumption, and if you’re a smoker try to cut back. Alcohol and smoking will dehydrate you and takes a toll on your skin, so let it go if you want to glow!
Skin Care - Ready for your close-up? Your star-meter not high enough yet to afford spa facials? Here are some do it yourself facial tips for a youthful and glowing complexion.
Exfoliate - Oatmeal and Honey Mask
Simply blend together rolled oats and a good organic honey into a paste. The oats rub off dead skin, and the honey repairs damaged skin cells with it’s antibacterial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is a great mask to battle acne.
More ideas here: http://www.enkivillage.com/oatmeal-face-mask.html
Tighten & Brighten - Papaya and Egg White Mask
Egg whites will tighten pores and remove excess sebum on the skin’s surface. “Papaya is a beta-carotene-rich food filled with powerful enzymes and phytochemicals. The enzymes slow down the formation of fine lines and wrinkles by combating free radicals. The secret beauty nutrient in papaya is papain, an enzyme that has skin-lightening properties and can reduce the visibility of blemishes and acne scars. Together with alpha hydroxy acids, papain acts as a gentle exfoliator that dissolves inactive protein and dead skin cells. Applying papaya topically to skin will soften your skin, leaving it smooth and supple.” - bellatory.com
Check out all sorts of Papaya Facial Mask recipes here: https://bellatory.com/skin/papaya-face-mask-recipes
Moisturize
Slather on extra amounts of your favorite moisturizer throughout the days leading up to your shoot. And if you really want an inexpensive secret to silky smooth skin try Coconut Oil. That’s right, organic extra virgin coconut oil is the best night cream I’ve discovered. Some people, especially those with oily or combination skin are afraid to give it a try. Turns out coconut oil is antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial, so it’s actually good for all skin types. Add a little Tea Tree oil too if you suffer from acne.
Relax
Sometimes relaxation is the hardest thing to do before a job. As actors we are often hustling for work so when one finally comes around our excitement hits the roof. Unless you’re working on a regular basis and are use to long days on set you’ll probably find it difficult to stay balanced. My suggestion is do something fun that helps you unwind a little and take the edge of the nerves or excitement, any activity that gets you out of your head. Meditation, a yoga class, watching a good movie, reading, listening to music, hanging or playing a sport with friends, or getting a massage are all good options.
When you decompress and relax you remember why you became an actor in the first place- because you love doing it. When you love what you do it shows, and you can be certain that when that shines through you’ll look your best no matter what.
Have some tips of your own to share? We want to know, so comment below!
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