Hold the Glamour

I am a full-figure model and working mother. I am a wife, a sister, a daughter, a friend. I am a Leo. I am a first-generation Aussie and mother to two amazing little native New Yorkers. I believe that fashion is important—but so is real life. I believe that all women are beautiful and strong. I believe in working hard and loving harder. I believe in eating delicious food and drink with close friends, in breathing deep the air of new places, in laughing until you cry. I believe that when our bodies and minds are healthy and balanced, anything is possible.

Tag: artist

April 16, 2013

Hair, glorious hair!

Lucky for me, my parents gave me good hair. I have thin hair however, a lot of it. It really helps in my industry. My hair is worked on most days of the week so it’s important to have a lot of it and for it to be healthy and strong.

NYC - A hair piece

NYC – A hair piece

Many models and actors don’t have the same amount of hair as I do so they resort to hair extensions or hair pieces. I knew nothing of this until I moved to New York 11 years ago. It wasn’t something I had to deal with.

On occasion, when a client likes to use the wind machine and they love good hair, the hair and make-up artist will add some additional hair pieces to my own hair to fill in the gaps or the holes that the wind machine can create.

NYC - Bill Westmoreland taking my hair pieces out

NYC – Bill Westmoreland taking my hair pieces out

I love working with Bill Westmoreland. He is old-school and has been in the industry a long a time. He knows how to handle hair and make you look your best with the face and hair you were blessed with. Bill is an artist.

NYC - Bill Westmoreland and I

NYC – Bill Westmoreland and I

The hair pieces clip into your own hair after it has been back-combed a bit. It adds some tension for the clips to hold on to (not fun combing/brushing it out at the end of the day though). Then you are good to go.

I don’t feel the hair pieces in my hair until the end of the day when they start to get heavy and my head gets a little sore. I really don’t know how the girls who rely on their hair pieces or weaves can handle it after so long. Thank goodness it’s an added bonus for my look, not a necessity. I am one of the fortunate ones I have come to realise.

NYC - Liz Polden, me and Bill Westmoreland

NYC – Liz Polden (stylist), me and Bill Westmoreland (h&m)

My team of Liz and Bill are bar none! They are fabulous and make my day so easy and fun. I had a great day at work. Lucky me…

I’ll find out some of the best brands to buy to make life easier for you. In the meantime…

Have you ever worn hair pieces or hair extensions?

What did it feel like?

Do you know of any good places to have these hair pieces/extensions made up for you?

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March 26, 2013

Have you heard of Kelley Quan?

NYC - Our shoot day begins

NYC – Our day begins

Recently, I had the pleasure of working with the brilliant hair & make-up artist Kelley Quan on a job in New York. I’ve known Kelley for almost 10 years and we used to work together a lot and often and then our careers, schedules and lives took us in different directions… Until now.

NYC - The delightful Kelley Quan

NYC – The delightful Kelley Quan at her h&m table

We couldn’t stop talking the entire day as we discussed our new, exciting, busy and sometimes crazy and hectic lives – juggling career and family simultaneously. A massive undertaking at the best of times.

As this master of both hair & make-up worked on me, Kelley used this atomiser spray on my face that I simply flipped out over and had never seen anything like it before. You see, I love Rosewater spray and I’m a huge fan of hydrating my skin – I use it everyday as a part of my daily routine. I asked Kelley where I could get it from and she told me she invented it and came up with the concept. Genius!

NYC - Kelley Quan's pocket spa

NYC – Kelley Quan’s Pocket Spa

I initially didn’t believe her and then she showed me how her Pocket Spa worked and explained why it was so unique and different – I wanted one on the spot. With all the traveling I do, I simply could not get enough.

Not only had Kelley gotten busy with her Pocket Spa creation however, her Vegan Beauty Brushes were born. As if this mother of two young lads wasn’t busy enough, she gives birth to another baby – a line of beauty brushes that are made entirely out of vegan products. I love it!

NYC - Kelley Quan's Vegan Beauty Brush collection

NYC – Kelley Quan’s Vegan Beauty Brush collection

Kelley’s aesthetic is similar to my own – natural, organic and gentle. You should feel and experience her vegan brushes! They are unbelievable and she has an entire collection for you to build upon (15 to date).

I have the brush numbered 9 and it is the softest  and lightest touch on my skin and face I have experienced in the longest time – and I’m not just saying that! Try it for yourself and see. I was blown away.

You need to know that I’m not a paid brand ambassador for Kelley Quan nor am I getting paid for writing this post about her amazing products. I am doing it because I want you to know what great choices and products are out there for all of us to use and benefit from. I love to share!

If you would like to know more about this amazing woman and her secrets in looking your best, please visit www.kelleyquan.com for more details.

NYC - Kelley and I at the end of our shoot

NYC – Kelley and I at the end of our shoot

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