For a random time in my life this year, I’ve spent about 2 months living in Detroit. This gallery is a snippet of the visuals that I encountered during my time there. I was able to take the time to view some of the city’s beautiful site and drink in what Detroit has to offer. I will be updating this gallery as I finish goint through all of the pics on my phone…lol
Author: Alean “@TopModelWithBottles” Elston
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Detroit, MI – #afeTRIPPIN
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Should You Pay to Join A Modeling Agency?
Should you pay to join a modeling agency?
Lemme get straight to the point….NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The End
But seriously…No, You do not have to pay an agency to represent you.
When it comes to getting representation by an agency, you will have a percentage deducted from your check that will pay the agency for representing you. it can be anywhere from 15% – 25% depending on the agency and your contract. When it comes to spending money in regards to working with an agency, they may ask you to get your pictures done to their standards or to take acting classes. They may have a list of recommended photographers or acting coaches that would be able to help you but you don’t have to use them its completely up to you. They give you these
reccomendations because your model tools may not be the right tools for them to use to market you properly.For example, you may have a ton of photos in your portfolio in the style of an editorial or high fashion model. The agency that is interested in working with you feels that you would make the most success as a commercial model, so they suggest you get a few shots done that represent your commercial look. If you get them done, great, you should start having
work in no time. If not, expect that it will be hard for the agency to “sell” you to clients.If an “agency” asks you to pay money to have access to various jobs that are available, it’s not an agency, its a job listing service and if they are portraying themselves as an agency and not a listing service, don’t bother spending money with them. That just screams SCAM to me.
As a model, or with any profession, you don’t need to pay to get work. With the internet and social media, you can find information on various bookings and agents that can help you along in your journey, you just have to do your work and build your network to help you grow.
Read my post on how I got started in my modeling career!
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Black Models and “Professional” Hair
Black models hair is so unique and versatile. One of my most Frequently Asked Questions is, How should I wear my hair to a Casting?
More specifically, I get that question from Black aspiring models the most.
So how should you wear it to a casting…Its a simple answer really.
Wear it HOWEVER you want, just make sure it is out of your face.
In essence:If you have a huge afro…wear it (as long as
its out of your face)
If you have a lace front…wear it (As long asits out of your face AND looks natural)
If you have a weave…wear it (As long asits out of your face)
If you have a relaxer…wear it (as long asits out of your face)…see where I’m going with this?
You can wear your hair out, up, down, and swirled around town. Just make sure it is out of your face.
BUT
Be prepared to possibly be told that they will want to style your hair differently to fit the look for the booking. If its something your aren’t comfortable with, be professional and say “thank you for your time” and politely decline.
Then move on to the next gig.
Want to know if you should wear braids to a casting?
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Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show…Did you see me on CBS?
If you are in Philadelphia Area and stayed up to watch the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, I hope you stayed up a bit longer and watched the news to see me giving you my runway and smizing tips!
Special thanks to CBS 3 and Tori Woodill for having me! I hope to come back for the 2018 show!
Just in case you missed it click here to watch!
If you learned anything from it, be sure to comment below and let me know what you think.
And if you are looking for my tips on what you should wear on a casting click here!
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FAQ: I have braids/weave, should I wear it to a casting? #modeladvice
I get asked this question all the time from young models of color who want to break into the biz. In my experience, you should not wear your braids or a weave to a casting. Personally, have never worn braids to a casting but I can tell you that when I have been considered for bookings (after being submitted via a photo casting) and we start discussing the look for the show/event/shoot and I tell them that I currently have braids or faux locs… I can almost guarantee that I won’t get booked unless I am willing to take them out and have my hair styled according to their guidelines/desired look. Have I ever taken them out for a booking, YES and I only did it if the pay/project was worth the time and energy to take them out. It sucks sometimes but that is, unfortunately, the nature of the business.
When you go to an in-person casting, more than likely the job they are booking you for is not going to be styling your hair in braids and even if they are, they need to see what the current state of your hair looks like. Most models of color are not wearing their real hair in the first place and if they are it is in an afro (kinky or curly) or it is a low cropped cut.
My Advice:
Wear your hair how you like it. Be sure it is out of your face and make sure it shows off your face in the best light. With that said, I advise against wearing braids to a casting. Braids don’t show off your hair in its current state and if you wear a weave make sure it looks realistic, don’t wear bangs, and be easy on the baby hairs. Also, Stay away from the lime green and other unnatural hair colors.
The key to hairstyles for a casting: make it look as natural as possible even if it is a weave.
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Absolut Lime Launch Party : My Recap [VIDEOS] #absolutlime
Pause the music…
Atlantic City, NJ
Premier Night Club
January 23, 2017
I was there…
I was at the launch for Absolut Lime Vodka and I had sooooo much fun!
If you were following my Instagram Story you would have felt like you were there, forreal!
Let me lay it all out for you…
When I walked in, this is what I saw
Absolut Lime Models I mean, I expected a lime green atmosphere, but I didn’t expect this! It was so fun to be around and generated the energy I expected, which was the sense of a night where anything is possible.
As I made my way through the green atmosphere, got a quick pic with the Absolut Lime Models,
then I made my way to our favorite place, the bar. 😀
Before I came to this event, I heard about the launch of lime and already had a ton of ideas about the cocktails that one could make with Absolut Lime. I even bet myself (yes, you can do that) that there would be a cosmo on the menu…and ya know what…it was there.
My First Drink – Absolut Lime & Soda I started off with the Absolut Lime and Soda because I really wanted to get a taste to see how intense the taste of lime was in a cocktail. I’m not a big fan of doing shots while I’m out, so for me, trying vodka with soda is perfect for getting the full flavor of flavored vodka. On the first sip, I honestly couldn’t taste the lime too much. It was a subtle texture of lime flavor but it didn’t over do it. As I took my 2nd sip, I could taste it more and a bit more as I continued on with my drink. It was as if the lime flavor was building on top of what I tasted in prior sips but still didn’t overpower the simplicity of vodka, soda and lime.
My 2nd Drink – Absolut Lime-ito (right) / Absolut Lime Cosmo (left) Next I decided to try the Absolut Lime-ito. I figured since lime is a pretty important part of a Mojito, a “Lime-ito” would have to have good attempt to measure up to the classic cocktail, and it did, BUT. (There’s always a but) I think the bartender took away from all the drink really could have been because he didn’t muddle the mint. The cocktail was great, but I was looking forward to really getting that “mint spritz” lol (you know what I’m talking about).
The Absolut Cosmo pictured is my friend’s cocktail and I opted not to get a full version of that drink. I did, however, try a sip of hers and it was pretty much what I expected from a cosmo. I guess with the lime flavor already in with your vodka, if cosmos are your thing, you don’t have to go the extra step/ingredient to making your Cosmos.There was another cocktail that was available to try, but I opted not to for several reasons, the main reason being I didn’t want to drink too much at one time, the other being I didn’t want a super (what i perceived to be) sugary cocktail. That cocktail was the Absolut Cherry Limeade which consists of:
- Absolut Lime
- Sprite
- a splash of grenadine
- cherry/lime garnish
But enough about the drinks, you should see the party!!!!!
It wouldn’t be a brand launch without a photo booth right?!
Oh and can we talk about how this girl was going AWF on the violin…yes, a violin!!! Me in front of the Marquee! 😀 I had a ton of fun at this launch, this was definitly one for the NJ launch books!
Thank you Absolut for the invite.
I can’t wait until the next one!
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What to Wear to A Casting in the Winter #FAQ #ModelAdvice
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Top 5 Things to wear to a casting in the winter FAQ
The key things to remember when you are going to a casting are to look tall and look in shape. In the summer its pretty easy to pick anything that would compliment your shape but in the winter most people tend to wear clothes that can be a bit on the bulky side. (I mean its winter, we have to keep warm somehow!) I’ve gotten a lot of questions lately on what to wear to a casting if you happen to live where its cold this time of year like me.
Check out my suggestions on 5 outfits that are appropriate to wear to a casting in the winter months.
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[tps_title]First things first….The Shoes![/tps_title]
Image – Pinterest The key thing to have as a model even in the winter is a great modest pair of pumps. Avoid clunky heels and platforms and go with a stiletto or plain pair of pumps or ankle booties in nude or black. You may want to wear your favorite thigh high boots, don’t. Even if they fit the shape of your leg closely, just wear pumps it makes the casting process easier especially if you have to try on various outfits of which your boots will take away from the overall look.
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3 Dryuary Recipes from my TV segment on What’s On Tap
Somehow somebody let me back on TV! lol
If you are reading this its probably because you are looking for the information about the Dryuary products that I talked about on What’s On Tap. And if you are here by chance or because you missed that episode, don’t forget to check it out by clicking here.
Here goes!
The 3 drinks that I talked about on the show
The de-alcoholized wine – Ariel Cabernet Sauvignon
The de-alcoholized champagne – Fre Brut
The cocktail – The Southampton
- Tonic Water
- Lime Juice
- 3 Splashes of Angostura Bitters
Let me know if you try any of these and if you have any suggestions for more great tasting cocktails/mocktails for Dryuary!
Cheers!
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Alcoholic Sparkling Water…Yea that’s a thing now #LiveTruly
Disclaimer: This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me. I have received no forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation for writing this post.
Have you ever been thinking about something and then magically it appeared? That’s what happened when I was thinking about something light and not overly sugary, like wine coolers, to sip on over the weekend. Enter my mom, asking if I ever heard of Truly…
…and I’m like WHUT?!
Apparently, the person that was reading my mind was the folks over at Truly. Truly is a “Spiked Sparkling Water” that claims 100 calories and 2g of carbs. Now, to some of you, you probably wouldn’t care about that, but me, I care.
I’ve had a few friends deal with health issues this year, and I recently started working out more and watching what I eat (sometimes, lol) including what I drink. I’m working on becoming healthier in all aspects of life, especially with my sips. So something like this sparkling water deal was perfect for my Sunday sipping because I really didn’t want to do club soda and vodka or anything that might take me from 0 – 100 real quick (Drake voice), or something that felt too heavy to drink.
Side note – Most alcoholic beverages don’t have Nutritional Facts on them…can Truly get a round of applause for that please?! We need more brands to do this!!!
Soooo…I took a sip and it was just what I was looking for something with a light texture that I could sip on all day. It was bubbly, but not to the point where it felt like I was drinking soda. It reminded me of a settled sparkling water with a little bit of flavor. The one I had was Grapefruit & Pomelo (wth is a pomelo?) but the flavor and the taste of alcohol wasn’t overkill, it was enough to where you got the point, this ain’t some plain water.
So would I drink this again…welp yea!
I could see this really mixing well with a few cocktails I like to make with sparkling water on top of being able to sip it and being able to still function after it. The taste was very clean and not overly bubbly and if I had to suggest the perfect thing to mix with it, it would be Belvedere. ONLY because it has that clean taste also and Putting the 2 together I imagine it would taste light and refreshing, but pack a punch (that 0 – 100 I was talking about earlier).
Have you tried any other sparkling waters with alcohol? Tell me about it in the comments or on Social Media!
Follow me:
@topmodelwithbottles – IG
@topmodelwbtls – Twitter
Drink Responsibly!