What’s in a model’s bag

A model's bag is filled with things you've never dreamed of! Here is a sampling of what you would find if you were to peak into the everyday bag of a working model. Every model gets a workout just from lugging the thing around!:-)

Baby Wipes: This is a great tool for both cleansing face and removing makeup. Baby wipes are hygienic (use them once, and throw them away) and gentle to the face. You'll find that most versions contain lanolin, which is a skin softener. Purchase the convenient travel pack to freshen up at a moment's notice. It's also useful for taking up a stain or deodorant mark.

Hemorrhoid Cream: Hemorrhoid Cream is the secret backstage of top runways. Models use it on puffy eyes, along the jaw line, and puffy cheeks. It is an instant face lift, and a favorite of the die-hard party-goers.

Garlic and Papaya Tablets: This is an absolute must when it's necessary to get weight off in a hurry. Garlic and papaya tablets act together as a diuretic and can get up to six pounds off in a couple of days. Ask your pharmasist for the strongest strength available over the counter. Take two garlic tablets with two papaya tablets before breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eat lightly on these days, staying away from salt. There are "star" caplets out there on the market with similar ingredients priced at $100 and up. You can buy garlic and papaya tablets in your local drugstore or health food store. They are usually priced at under $5 for both. Of course, being natural supplements, they're much safer than the chemical weight-loss products so widely sold.

Chalk: Here is a natural way to hide stains. Carry white chalk for white clothing, and colored chalk for all the different colors of your wardrobe. It's preferred to use these natural treatments over chemical stain removers because they are safer for the planet and many fabrics can be ruined by chemical versions.

White eyeliner: Models find white eyeliner essential to create a wide-eyed look. Use it along the lash line, and softly smudge it with a sponge applicator.

White Eye Shadow: Models use it to create a shimmering face base by mixing it with their foundation. Stroked just under the brow, it lifts the eye.

Vaseline: You can create your own tinted gloss, and save lots of money at the same time. Simply mix any of your favorite lipsticks with a dab of vaseline.

Eye Redness Reliever: Have I got a way for you to remove breakouts quickly! In just the way that eye redness relievers take the redness out of the eye, so does it remove redness from pimples. Squeeze out a little on a cotton swab. Hold it on the pimple for ten to fifteen seconds, or until it disappears. Models (and the people who hire them) consider it a tragedy to get a pimple, but it's also important for you when you have that big party, to obliterate those little suckers. This will do it and quickly.

Pantyhose: What do you think models do with ripped pantyhose? They make their own scrunchies. You know, those fabulous hair accessories that pull your hair back with so much style, but cost a fortune? Here is what you do. Take the pantyhose leg (the more opaque styles provide more elasticity), and cut two- to four-inch increments. You'll find that these scrunchies will hold the hair beautifully without any of the stress or split ends that rubber bands can cause.

Beef Jerky: Here is a snack that has been much maligned and is really quite good for staying lean. Beef jerky contains less than one gram of fat, and is only 75 calories. What's especially appealing about beef jerky is that it takes so long to chew (a good 20 minutes or so). This makes beef jerky orally gratifying. It may just keep you out of a few fast-food restaurants.

Erasers: What do models do when they lose an earring back? What do they do when their earring is just too heavy to stand properly on the ear? They take an eraser off the pencil and use it to hold that earring in place. Use this when you drop the back of an earring in your office etc.

If you should find yourself in a restaurant, simply take small piece of cork from your wine bottle. It works just as well.

Hair Spray: Hair spray is helpful for keeping those coifs in place, but it also keeps pantyhose from running. Spray (lightly, please) a thin film up and down your hose before each wearing.

To keep your makeup in place, close your eyes and, holding the can at arm's length, spray a light mist of hair spray on your face. Be very careful if you have sensitive skin!

Should you happen to encounter an errant bug in your hotel room, just do what resourceful models do. Take your hair spray and zap the pest with it. It will paralyze that little pest more quickly than any bug spray ever did. Did you ever dream hair spray could be so versatile?

Satin Pillow Case: A satin pillow case is necessary to keep that hair style in check while travelling. Not only will it be an essential when you travel, but you'll enjoy using it at home. Sleeping on a satin pillow case will help prevent wrinkles while you sleep.

Lemon Juice: Forget the expensive toners. Models carry lemons in their bags to remove residue from their face and to refresh. Sometimes they carry fresh lemons, but there's only so much one can stuff into those bags. If you do choose to purchase reconstituted lemon juice, make sure that it contains real lemon.

Ice Water: You've heard that models drink lots of water. Well that's very true, but only half the story. To get optimum benefits from water, models drink ice water. With ice water, the body needs to use more than 100 calories just to warm itself to room temperature to absorb the water. You're actually using more calories than you're taking in.

Teething Rings: Placed on the eyes, teething rings will reduce any puffiness, and provide a well-rested, wide-awake appearance. Frozen teething rings are soother for sunburned skin.

Spoons: Here's yet another way to wake up those eyes. Run a spoon under cold water. Hold the spoon over the eye for about thirty seconds. The coolness of the metal "wakes up" the eyes.

Parsley: Parsley is rich in chlorophyll. It is a major ingredient in leading breath freshners, such as Clorets and Certs. Breath sweetening is more effective when it's done from inside the body. There is a lot of advertising going on to get people to invest in internal breath freshners. Again, don't spend a lot for these products. Do what knowledgeable models do to ensure "kisseable" breath. Eat the parsley on your plate at mealtimes, or carry dried parsley in your bag to instantly freshen your breath. Parsley will keep your breath fresher a lot longer than typical fresheners will.

Tea: Tea keeps cavities away! Both green and black tea contain fluoride and polyphenols to prevent plaque from adhering to the tooth's surface. Models drink tea for this very reason, and carry their tea bags faithfully. After models are done drinking their tea, they use their cool tea bags to refresh their eyes. Simply squeeze the teabag of so that it isn't dripping," and gently dab the bags under the eye area. If your face is clean, run over the entire face for a quick pick me up!

Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar: What a versitile product! It's a great blood purifier when you put a tablespoon in a cup of hot water and drink it. You can use it as an astringent for both your face and hair.

Avocado Body Butter: Models run to their nearest "natural" shop for this product. It gives a wonderfully smooth sheen to the skin. Even though it's a little bit sticky, it's very worthwhile.

Origins "Sunny Delight": This is a cream for the face that many models can't live without. It provides a healthy outdoorsy glow. You can use it with or without makeup.

Toothbrush: Here's an old model's trick that everyone can copy. Brush your lips! Not only does it take away any chapping, but it plumps up the lip temporarily for that sought-after "pouty" look. A toothbrush is also a super jewelry cleaner, getting into nooks and crannies.

Tape: Models always carry double-sided tape to tack up fallen hems, make quick repairs in badly fitting clothing, and "quick tack" an accessory.

Candles:Carry around small birthday candles. Use them to get stuck zipper going again.

Colon Cleanser: For beauty to really work, it needs to start from the inside. Top actresses and great beauties throughout history have used this unconventional beauty/health regime. Legendary actress Mae West was famous for her daily enemas. Her skin was like silk until her death. These cleansers are now extremely popular, and readily available at health food stores in kits and capsules.

Olive Oil: Here is an all natural substance that models rely on when they are in the sun. Not only does it protect hair from the sun's harsh rays, but it is enhanced as super conditioner by the sun's natural heat.

Jelly Beans: A jelly bean is a quick energy boost and surprisingly low in calories and fat. Most of these little treats contain only 5 or 6 calories each. Compared with a Lifesaver (10 calories) or stick of gum (up to 20 calories), it's a pretty good way to snack.

Kelp: Models carry kelp tablets to speed up their metabolism.

Feverfew: Some super beauties eat feverfew sandwiches to reduce PMS and headaches. I would suggest that you get the tablets.

Rosemary Oil: Rubbed into the temples, rosemary oil relieves pain by relaxing constricted muscles.

Candied Ginger: When travelling, models rely on candied ginger to prevent motion sickness.

Dandelion Tea:This is used as a diuretic. Find this product in natural supermarkets and drugstores. Stay near a restroom!

Brewer's Yeast: When a breakout occurs, it can sometimes mean the loss of an important job for a model. That's why models always keep brewer's yeast close at hand. Mixed with plain yogurt and applied to skin, it can prevent a pimple from coming through.

Surgical Tape: Use surgical tape (available at most pharmacies) to smooth skin while you sleep. Tape an "X" between eye brows, just above the nose. We often make many expressions while we sleep that can cause wrinkling and furrowing.

Lemon Peel: Lemon peel is a great natural mouthwash that is more effective than commercial brands. Combine the lemon peel with a small amount of witch hazel and rinse away.