Carving pumpkins this weekend? If you don't want to make pie, why not use the leftovers to look better than ever with these quick and easy do it yourself pumpkin beauty recipes. C'mon give the jack'oLantern a higher purpose!

You know you'll be binging on Halloween candy leftovers so balance your diet AND your weight with this soup recipe from Dr Oz that is only 85 calories and full of carotene to keep your immune system pumped up. It takes less than a minute to make and tastes great! 

Dr. Oz's Pumpkin Purée Side Dish

The carotenes found in pumpkin are converted to vitamin A, which is essential for a strong and healthy immune system. One cup of pumpkin a day will get you to the recommended daily dose. This recipe from Dr. Oz is only 85 calories, tastes like mashed sweet potatoes, and can be prepared in under a minute.

Ingredients

1 can 100% pumpkin purée 

1 tsp cholesterol-lowering spread 

Pinch of stevia 

Pinch of cinnamon 

Directions 

Mix all ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the mixture in the microwave for about a minute. Let cool and serve.

COOKS NOTE: To roast pumpkin, preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut whole pumpkin in half and then cut each half into several pieces. Discard seeds or reserve for another use. Place pumpkin on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in oven until tender but not falling apart, about 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool, peel away skin, and dice.

Pumpkin MASKS for Skin and Hair

Pumpkins are also great for your skin because they contain antioxidant vitamins C and E, and zinc which soothes irritated skin. Here are a few recipes that I've tried and modified depending on your skin type to leave it looking better than before - or make your own recipe using these as your base!

Pumpkin Face Mask for Dry Skin and a Great Deep Conditioner to Use on your Hair:

• 1/3 cup pumpkin (canned or fresh)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cream

{Milk or whipping cream is great for dry skin and will help nourish and moisturize.}

For Normal skin:

• 1/3 cup pumpkin
• 2 Tablespoons plain yogurt
• 1 teaspoon honey

{Honey hydrates and is antibacterial. Yogurt contains lactic acid and helps refine pores.}

For Oily skin:

• 1/3 cup pumpkin
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or cranberry juice

{Egg whites exfoliate and tighten the skin while the yolk helps moisturize. Apple cider and cranberry contain natural antiseptic properties}

Mix all ingredients together and apply to your face for 20 minutes. Rinse well with cool water.

Shelley GoodStein

TO learn more beauty secrets from Ford model Shelley GoodStein check out her new book Face THIS Real Advice from Real Models on Amazon, Kindle, Nook and iTunes.

When it comes to money sometimes there is a disconnect between what we know, what we want and what we do. 

Below is my quote for an article published yesterday on Yahoo Shine about women's best money advice:

To read the entire article click {HERE} 

Evaluate your priorities

"Take a look at your credit card statement to see your real priorities ... it will quickly become apparent. 
If you are spending all your extra cash on clothes, entertainment and facials but your desire is to invest in your business, buy a bigger house or give to others, you are losing credibility if only to yourself." - Shelley GoodStein, Tucson, Ariz.

{I am thankful to my friend Allison, who reminded me that it actually is an investment in my business to spend money on makeup and clothes! HA ... but always good advice to check in with yourself every once in awhile to be sure!}

This article reminds me about another valuable money lesson that I've learned over the years, which is to never put yourself "on sale" and I am not referring to the Julia Roberts Pretty Woman way! Whatever it is you do, never devalue yourself or settle for less. The minute you do, you create an impression that you are worth less to others and yourself. Put a real value to what you do - sometimes that is not always monetary but when it is, make sure you are respecting your true worth.

Check out my book Face This: Real Advice from Real Models for tips to looking your best that are FREE and EASY!

No one is happy to see an uninvited zit show up on their face, especially the day before a photo shoot or a big night out. It's tempting to take drastic measures which often only makes things worse. 

The quickest and most effective way to get rid of a zit fast is to go to your dermatologists office and have it injected with Kenalog, a steroid cortisone shot, but if that is not an option for you here is a model's secret to doing it at home that really works!

The most important goal in getting rid of a zit and saving your face for a photograph is to decrease the redness and make it flatter so that it is easier to cover up. 

First, you will want to shrink it using the strongest percentage of benzoyl peroxide cream you have. Then take the highest percentage of hydrocortisone cream that you can find, usually 10% unless you have a Rx from your doc, and dab it on top of the little monster before you go to bed covering it with one of those little round bandaids so that it maintains it's potency and doesn't rub off on your sheets and pillow. Because cortisone cream is a steroid you only want to use this little trick at most 2 nights in a row or it could thin your skin and possibly stimulate more acne.

You may have heard that toothpaste can dry up a zit overnight but I advise against this. It may help dry out the pimple but the fluoride in the toothpaste could burn your skin, increasing redness and irritation. Years ago toothpaste contained zinc which helps with inflammation (better when it's used as a supplement), but most toothpastes no longer contain zinc so unless you are stranded on a island taping a reality show and toothpaste is all you have ... I would forgo using this on your face.

Visine is also a popular recommendation that can help because it has an anti inflammatory ingredient that can reduce redness but be sure to follow up with some OTC benzoyl peroxide acne cream to git rid of it your blemish.  

Crushed aspirin helps too since it contains salicylic acid, another popular ingredient in acne medications. You can mix it with a bit of water in your hand to form a paste and apply to your skin. This must be uncoated aspirin to work and don't do this if you're allergic to aspirin or have sensitive skin because it may cause irritation.

Another option? Blue light. It's not just a gimmick. You can purchase an at home device that works for just $49. Check out how in my post about how it works {HERE - High Tech Zit Zapper}

Finally, if you must pop a zit please watch this video and advice given from Dr Oz on the best way to go about it.

Shelley GoodStein

To learn more model's secrets to looking your best and taking your best photos check out my new book Face This: Real Advice from Real models ... Available for just $7.99 on Kindle, Nook and iTunes. Also as a paperback from Amazon.com

YIPPEE! You got the call, you're booked for the show, but what should you wear? YIKES! As excited as you are, a bit of a panic sets in when you start to think about what you should wear, so here is some key information to help you find your perfect TV outfit.

I have been there with you in closet hell trying to channel my inner stylist to pull clothing as a daily TV morning show co-host, for commercials, videos, television interviews ....  and every show format/set are vastly different so it's best to start by finding out as much before hand about the circumstances and go online to see the program. Here's what you should be watching for.

• What are the background colors? If the colors are soft your options are endless, but if they are bright you will want to wear something bold so you don't get lost.

• Will you be sitting or standing? If standing keep in mind that the microphone pack will need to attach somewhere, and if you wear a dress it must be roomy enough to allow the box to hook on the back of your bra underneath your clothing. On many television sets there are limited number of mic sets so you often wait to use a previous guests after they are finished. The timing on this can be a quick turnaround so if you're standing you may want to consider something other than a dress, but when you sit they will often be fine with the pack set behind you not attached to you directly. Also, if you're sitting try out your outfit sitting at home to make sure the skirt's not too short and nothing is pulling too tightly.

• What does the host usually wear? Does she have a certain style? You will not want to show up looking like her my twin doll, so try to keep that in mind when making your choices. Once, when I was doing a morning show, my co-host and I showed up in the VERY exactly color combos, down to the very hue of pink mauvey silk shirt {see photo above}. Luckily I had a jacket in my car that I ran out to get or the entire hour would have been a little creepy for anyone watching. 

It's not a bad idea to bring a second option with you to the set. I would hate to hear that a wardrobe malfunction cancelled your big debut like Sofia Vergara's broken zipper almost did at the Emmy's. And how about Kim Kardashian's split that happened right before her Jimmy Kimmel interview? Your show probably won't have a seamstress to "sew you in your dress" like Kim K's did so better to have another change of clothes just in case!

• What about the "green screen"? Sometimes you will film in front of a green backdrop. The reason it's green is because it's a pigment we don't usually have in our skin, so they are able to remove the color and replace it with a virtual studio behind you, leaving you looking perfectly real. The thing to know in this case is that if you do wear anything green, you will become invisible! So avoid all greens - olive, khaki, lime green, even turquoise green.

Conveying your message is obviously most important here, but keep in mind that you will not be effective in doing that if what you're wearing is distracting or confusing. By confusing I mean, if you are an artist or in a creative industry talking about design and you show up in a stiff buttoned up shirt, people will have a hard time understanding. And it would be hard to be taken seriously if you were an analyst dressed in a bohemian free love sort of ensemble. Basically, be true to your message and help people make the connection between you and what you're saying. 

When you are choosing clothing these are some of "the RULES" to know, it's easier in this case to talk about what not to wear :

• Avoid solid whites - The camera picks up the light from white and it can wash you out. And if you want to make friends with the Director in the camera room I guarantee wearing white will not be the way to do it because they have to make many adjustments to try to make this look better.

• Avoid solid blacks - Yes this color is great for high fashion and in real life is quite slimming but on set, if your arms get too close to your body it makes you look like one big black blob and if the background is also dark you could end up looking like a talking head. Even dark blue is not good for most video work.

• Avoid Small Patterns - Checks, stripes, plaids. What happens, even in HD, is that the camera cannot pick up the focus on these and they almost start to "dance" on screen as you begin to talk or breathe!

• Avoid Large Patterns - These are too distracting and compete for attention when you begin to speak.

• Jewelry - Dangling earrings will reflect light with any movement even breathing - attracting attention away from what you're saying, so it's better to wear earrings that aren't swinging unless of course you are trying to sell earrings. Wearing more than one bracelet could be a bad move because the mic that is attached to you will pick up the clacking of the back and forth sound when you move your hands. Necklaces that are too heavy can turn or become un-centered also causing a distraction. My advice when it comes to jewelry is to keep it simple!

• Trendy clothing - Contemporary outfits that are industry appropriate are always a good idea because the audience will identify you as modern and forward thinking, but too trendy clothing will always date your interview. Media interviews and videos are often saved online for eternity and a great way to promote yourself/cause. You do not want these things to become dated, so dress up and keep it trendy in a more classic looking way avoiding fads. You want to wear modern clothes that fit you perfectly. 

Clothing can be a powerful medium in appearing more successful, but the words you use and the knowledge you display are all up to you! 
Break a Leg!

TO learn more secrets about looking good in front of Every camera AND in real life - check out my new book Face This available on Amazon, Kindle, Nook and iTunes.

We are all looking for the holy grail of younger looking skin. But could it really come in the form of a pill? According to new research, the nutritional supplement Pycnogenol, may just be the answer to slowing down visible sign of aging.

In a clinical trial published in the journal Skin Pharmacology and Physiology, women who took pycnogenol, 25mg three times a day, improved their beauty and enjoyed a more glowing complexion after 12 weeks with improved skin hydration and elasticity.

Pycnolgenol is an antioxidant plant extract from the bark of the French maritime pine tree that grows along the coast of France whose main ingredient is procyandin. It is said that French explorer Jacques Cartier use it in 1532 to combat the spread of scurvy amongst his crew. Procyanidin is also found in food like grapes, berries, red wines and various nuts.

Certainly you are familiar with the antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E, and pycnogenol is among the most powerful free-radical anti-inflammatories with studies showing it's antioxidant capabilities 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E.

New to North America, but not to Europe, this natural supplement is considered safe and effective in various diseases because of its potent antioxidant ability to protect against damaging effects of free-radicals, maybe even slowing down the natural process of aging.

The lead researcher in this recent study from Germany says that "No other natural product has been shown to stimulate hyaluronic acid in the skin." and added that they are encouraged by the molecular evidence that showed supplementation with pycnogenol as beneficial.

And while the study was small, 20 healthy women aged 55-68 years old, they found that pycnogenol enhanced skin elasticity by 25% and skin hydration by 8% with women who had dry skin from the beginning gaining an increase of 21%. 

We must always remember that our skin often mirrors our overall nutritional health and is often our body's first line of defense showing signs of aging due to the breakdown of collagen and elastin especially from cumulative sun exposure, so to rebuild lost collagen start incorporating into your daily life these practices:

• Apply sunscreen to your face daily. Most collagen loss can be attributed to UV sun damage.

• Eat foods that contain amino acids lysine and proline, found in lean meats, fish, egg whites and wheat germ. And take Vitamin C each day because vitamin C is what is required to transform these  to hydroxylysine and hydroxypoline which is the form of amino acids necessary to rebuild collagen. Make sure you keep your Vitamin C sealed in a dark container because Vitamin C becomes inactive very quickly when exposed to sunlight, heat and air.

• Derivatives of vitamin A, retinoids stimulate collagen production and increase cell turnover rates which will help reveal smoother skin. You may want to talk to your doctor about prescribing a retinoid product, but several quality retinol products are available at drug and beauty stores.

TO learn more secrets about how to look your best Check out my new book Face THIS available on Amazon, Kindle, Nook and iTunes.

click {HERE} to view the video

Something to Smile About

First, a few tips on how to smile. Never have your teeth actually touching each other, even when your mouth is closed because it will make your neck muscles tense in an unflattering way.

Also, don’t force a smile by showing all your teeth in a joker grin.  We know you have beautiful teeth but why would anyone want to see your molars?

Another way to achieve a genuine, natural looking smile is by lifting your tongue up behind your front teeth. This also results in lowering your chin slightly and helping to relax your face.

Always try to give a genuine smile. Models know that real smiles are produced with the eyes. Top model Tyra Banks even invented a word for it “smizing.” When you genuinely smile it causes natural wrinkles around your eyes, regardless of age.

The eyes are the first thing to capture someone’s attention in a photo so when you’re taking your picture look into the lens of the camera. Anyone viewing the photo will feel like you are looking directly at them—making you look more open, interesting and real.

If you wear glasses make sure the photographer can see your eyes and that the top of the frame is not cutting into the eyes. To prevent a camera flash from reflecting shine or glare, tilt your glasses up or down so that the light is not rebounding off the lens. Glare can also occur when you’re photographing next to a mirror, TV, or window. Angle yourself so that the camera is not shooting directly into the reflective surface.

To avoid the double chin look, never pull back when someone is about to take your picture. No matter how skinny you are you will have double or even triple chins.  Fix it by thinking swan ballerina, Natalie Portman.  Chin up and out and then bring the chin down ever so slightly.

Also, avoid short cameramen. If the lens is below your eye level you’ll gain an extra chin. The lens should be either at eye level or slightly above.

Generally, natural looking hair is the best way to go. Keep it off your features so it’s not creating shadows on your face. If your hair is a solid color, add highlights for dimension and to prevent looking like you have a helmet on your head. Frizzy hair tends to be dryer so to tame it, moisturize your hands with lotion and quickly run them through your hair. If you notice your hair is sticking up in places, lightly rub a dryer sheet over it to eliminate static. It’s the only tip I know that works to get rid of the problem.

I hope you found these tips help you to look your best in your next photo!

●► Leather is a trend you "gotta have" this season, but if you're a member of PETA then try this waxy leather-like coated skinny jean by J Brand in this oxblood red, one of the key colors this Fall! Keep in mind that leather, on it's own will grab tons of attention so keep it classic with little detailing and don't overload your look with Funky accessories. Check out more of my "gotta have it!" picks {HERE}