Reid Kastyn is a model I worked with when I styled a photo shoot for an accessories company last fall. She is a chameleon, and it was so fun to style her as an Upper East Side socialite with a Great Dane, a downtown hip chick, a casual girl walking around town, a girly girl and more.
Reid is originally from Canada and has lived in NYC for a very busy five years. She’s worked on over 35 editorial shoots including Elle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire; 20 ad campaigns including Kate Spade, Chapstick, Fructis; 22 catalogs including Gap, Ann Taylor and every major department store, along with many, many fashion shows and commercials.
Reid is as nice as she is beautiful, which can be an oxymoron in the fashion business. When I asked for some beauty tips ( hoping that I could magically look like her if I used the same products), she was kind enough to give me the lowdown on what she’s learned in the business. Here’s Reid…
One trick of the trade that was passed on to me when I first started modeling was using hemorrhoid cream for puffiness under the eyes. This shouldn’t be used long term, however if I wake up and have super puffy eyes and shoot that day I dab a little on and it definitely makes a difference! Nelsons H-Care Hemorrhoid Cream. $7.29 for 1 oz.
One thing you will always see in a makeup artist’s kit is Embriolyse cream. This is every makeup artist and model’s go-to lotion. In the summer it can be a bit heavy for my skin, so I switch it up, but for this time of year it is perfect. Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre. $14.94 and free shipping on orders over $25.00.
Makeup remover is something that I am very picky about. I wear contacts and most makeup removers makes them blurry if it gets in my eyes. Bioderma makes a Crealine H2O makeup remover that is amazing. This is a model favorite and almost every girl I know uses it. Bioderma Crealine makeup remover. $13.55
I have really long eyelashes (thank you mom!), however they are very straight and blonde. I always make sure that my eyelashes are curled even if I am not wearing mascara because curled eyelashes automatically make you look more awake. My favorite eyelash curler is the Shu Uemura eyelash curler, but they no longer sell them in the USA. Since ordering them from Japan can be kind of a pain, I found another one by Shiseido that I love almost as much. Shiseido ‘The Makeup’ Eyelash Curler. Free shipping and free returns, $19.00
Since my eyelashes are blonde, my favorite mascara of the moment is BADgal Lash by BeneFit. I like the shape and texture of the brush and the consistency of the mascara. I don’t leave my house with at least a little of this on my lashes! Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara, $19.00
I use Caudalie as my daily face wash, so I decided to try another one of their products and fell in love. I have since seen it in a lot of makeup artists arsenals, so its obviously a favorite of theirs too. The Caudalie Eau de Beaute (beauty elixer) wakes up your face and gives you a nice glow with a light refreshing spray. I use it in the morning before putting on lotion.
CAUDALIE Cleansing Water. Free shipping and free returns. $28.00
CAUDALIE Beauty Elixir. Free shipping and free returns, $18.00
When argan oil became popular, I decided to give it a try. I found that if I wash my hair at night, put a little on my damp hair and let it air dry that it was super soft and shiny in the morning. Right now I am using Moroccanoil Treatment Light for fine hair and I love it. Pre de Provence 100% Argan Oil. $25.00 for 1 oz.
Moroccanoil Treatment Light. $43.00 for 4.3 oz.
My last tip is if your hair is damaged from coloring, or it just feel like your hair needs a good conditioning, there is an amazing treatment by Miss Jessie’s. It’s called Rapid Recovery Treatment, and I use it every time I color my hair for a hair campaign. It is meant as a treatment more than a conditioner, but when my hair is very dry I use it either alone as a daily conditioner or mix a dab in with my conditioner. It’s the only thing that makes my hair go from completely dried out to amazingly soft again! Miss Jessie’s Rapid Recovery Treatment. $9.00 for 2 oz.
Thanks to Reid for taking time out of her busy schedule to give us her beauty tips from a fashion model. Hope you’ve got your shopping list together. I do!
Illysia Neumann-Loreck