Your body is your "product" and you need to keep it in top shape. As a model you are judged on your performance and your looks. You need to maintain a healthy weight level and exercise on a regular basis to keep muscles toned. You should not look anorexic. Note that models of any size are expected to maintain a stable weight, even if that weight is "Overweight. "Good, healthy eating habits include lots of fruits and vegetables. Also avoid caffeine, smoking, alcohol, and other substances that will deplete your energy and health. Make water your drink of choice.
Don't make any changes to your appearance before a job. No perms, colorings, or haircuts unless you are requested to do so. Longer hair is usually preferred on models. Try to limit make-up except for actual jobs and interviews. Make-up blocks pores and can cause acne and pimples. Bathe a couple times a day and use appropriate skin care products to keep your skin as healthy as possible. Avoid tanning as being sunburned will not help and a pale model can be made to look tanned easier than getting a tan model to look pale. If you do tan, tan in a tanning booth in the nude to avoid tan lines.
Manicures and pedicures are a must for any model to keep their nails in great shape. Never, ever, bite your nails! Next to your face, your hands get a great deal of attention in modeling.
Women (and men depending on the project) should shave unwanted body hair at least 8-16 hours before the job. Waxing should be done at least 24 hours before the job. This will give enough time to allow any red marks to fade.
For most clothing shots, the model should expect to pose without underwear on. Underwear colors and patterns show through lighter clothing or may create lines or bumps in the fashions being worn. Typically the model will wear only the clothes provided. If you are posing in revealing clothing, such as lingerie, swim wear, or nude, come to the photo session wearing loose fitting clothing and if possible, no socks or underwear. Anything that presses on the body creates reddish pressure marks that take an hour or more to go away. If you have a shoot like this, do not wear any tight clothing or clothing with elastic in it for at least a few hours before the shoot. If possible show up early for your shoot, undress and put on a robe, this will help your skin lose any pressure marks it may have.
If you are doing a test shoot, portfolio work or work that requires pieces from your own wardrobe, pick out clothing ahead of time which will give you a variety of looks and which flatter your figure. Avoid distracting patterns that lead the viewer's eye away from you. Bring a wider selection of clothes than what you will need. That way you will have backup outfits and choices to pick from.
