My Little Fashion Blog

What got you into modeling? I did a sample photo shoot for a family friend when he was in a photography class, I never thought that I would turn it into career, but when I saw myself looking back without acne I cried. I actually felt beautiful for once, and started pursuing modeling as a full-time way of gaining confidence, having fun and learning how to develop and express creativity.

 

Who have you modeled for? Oh goodness haha! I've been a model for around 5 years total now so I don't want to note you with the list, but one of my favorite campaigns has been with Dermablend cosmetics, which you can now see in Ulta stores!! I love the fact that Dermablend featured me both with and without acne. It's the first time a large brand, or corporation, has actually respected and acknowledged acne and my skin the way it is. (slide #5 here: http://www.dermablend.com/) Dermablend "Blend In To Stand Out" video Launching March 10 .

 

The absolute best runway experiences I've ever had are for New York fashion week, with designer Stacy Igel of Boy Meets Girl USA clothing. I've done multiple New York fashion week shows, but Stacy's brand is something I love, and would personally wear. With modeling, you don't always get to work clothes that are "cute", you get to wear whats "in style". Stacy's clothing is about living life young, in love, and free– I love everything the brand stands for, and feel like it not only represents fashion as a whole, but myself too. It's awesome to be able to model a line that I love to buy in the store and spend money on personally!

Example here! (http://www.boymeetsgirlusa.com/collections/one-of-a-kind/products/one-of-a-kind-no-1-rockstar-tee-1)

 

Some of my other favorite campaigns and shows to date have been Bebe, Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Allure Magazine, Hourglass Cosmetics/Sephora, Seventeen Magazine, Los Angeles Fashion Week, Lee+Lani, and Benefit cosmetics to name a few!! I am also currently working on The Beauty At All Ages campaign by exploremodeling.com and ELF cosmetics.

 

I love the chance to help other woman look and feel beautiful at all ages, and launch their careers on a national ad campaign-being the face of the cosmetic line! I think it's a great opportunity to help other girls get their foot into the door and launch their careers!

My Exploremodleing Portfolio & Beauty At All Ages here: http://exploremodeling.com/Member/Cassandra_Bankson/Profile.aspx

 

Did you find it difficult being a model and having acne? Definitely. When I first started, it was so hard because no make up artist could cover my skin. After a little bit of trial and error, and actually being declined some work because of my skin, I ended up just wearing a fullface of foundation to every single show and shoot, and having the make up artist do everything else such as eyes, lips, cheeks, etc. When other girls and other models didn't know that my skin had acne it wasn't that big of a deal, but if the make up artist had to take off my foundation I would get looks from across the room from the other girls, because almost all of them have perfect skin. It really did make me feel insecure.

 

The video you did revealing your acne how difficult did you find it to do and what made you decide to do it? I honestly had to wait to post that video for almost a month and a half. I was so scared that by posting it, I would get the exact same comments that I got from people in my day-to-day life for kids at school. I was crying before I filmed the video, and posting it it was also nerve-racking. I know how it feels to hate yourself, and go through life feeling so insecure – if makeup is what helped me succeed in life, and become a model, I wanted to help someone else who is in the same situation. I know how devastating it can be in life to feel so alone, and I didn't want anyone else to go through that if I could share my tips with them. As tough as it was I was willing to go to the ridicule to try to help someone just like me.

 

Other then acne what else do your Youtube videos cover? My YouTube channel is kind of like a flock of my life, I definitely am learning as I go, but I love to use the YouTube community to share what I know, and learn new things as well. I do everything for make up, fashion, skincare, Health and fitness, and even just day-to-day life talks, such as dealing with things such as bullying her insecurities.

 

Video Examples:

Acne Foundation Routine Flawless Skin

5 Must Have Styles Of Stilettos!

5 (Actually 6) Tips To Get The Most Beautiful Hair Ever!

Secret Diet Busters! Foods That Are Sabotaging Your Weight Loss

Tv Workout Routine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr1gbmOR2os

 

What made you decide to start making Youtube videos? I found out about YouTube because I needed help. I was a telemarketer, making minimum wage, and I know how frustrating it is to go to the store and buy a product if you think it is a "Holy Grail", spend a time of money, and come home and it sucks! I ended up going online to find reviews of products, and they were so helpful to me because they allowed me to save my hard earned money for products that were actually worthwhile. When I started learning about foundation to cover my skin, the YouTube community was the only place I had to get that feedback and advice. When I started my channel, it was my way of "giving back" to those who helped me. I want to share my tips, my tricks, and my opinions to help other people feel better about themselves and hopefully save money too.

 

Do you enjoy being a rolemodel to other women? It's still unreal to me. When people call me an inspiration, or a role model, it's such an absolute honor – but the same time I am still a little bit insecure. I guess I'm just not good at excepting compliments, but I'm working on it! It's hard for me to imagine that I've change somebody's life, but being able to meet people in real life, talk to them online, and really just driving to what an amazing YouTube family I have has help me personally so much. Being a role model for others is definitely a big responsibility, but I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. It's still unreal when people notice me downtown, at the store, or in real life, but it absolutely makes my heart go thumpity bum bum bum!! It's really what I live for. Coming from a place where I had no friends to having so many who are truly meaningful to me is the best feeling one could ask for in life.

 

What is your favorite saying? I have a few! Ha ha. One of my favorites, is "Diamonds are built under pressure." It's something I didn't understand until quite recently, but I definitely am a strong believer that everything happens for reason. If I didn't go through the self-hate, the bullying, the insecurities etc., I would not be able to put myself in other people shoes, and would definitely not have the opportunity to connect with others the way I do now. Everything is a blessing in disguise, and sometimes you have to go to the tough parts, to get to the best parts. "Diamonds are built under pressure" is a quote that I think sums that all up pretty well. Not only that, but times are supposed to be a girls best friend, right? :)

 

Following you on twitter I noticed you where in New York during Fashion Week. That's amazing! What's that like? New York during fashion week is always crazy, but always the best time one could imagine! I'm a lover of beauty, style, and the fashion industry in general: being able to experience that first hand while working, and having fun is always amazing. I love being able to walk the shows and express the designers creativity, and also talk to other bloggers, models, and industry professionals about their take on the next seasons beauty looks or fashion trends. The creativity, time, and work that goes into every beauty look, or fashion piece always baffles me. They always have the secret stories to tell, but I love to unravel!

 

What is your favorite and least favorite part about modeling? My favorite part is definitely the creativity. I love being able to work with such happy people who love what they do, whether that be designers, people in hair and makeup, other models, etc. Being able to learn how someone's entire life could influence just one certain fashion piece is always amazing to me, is a story behind everything, and I guess I'm just curious by nature. I love being able to step outside of my own box by getting into clothing that I would never wear normally on the street, but for a day, or for an hour at a photo shoot, it's wonderful that it can kind of take you into a new world, turn you into a new person.

 

The hardest part of modeling is definitely balancing my schedule. I honestly have so much going on, and at times it can become very overwhelming, there is also the industry pressure, namely from other models who sometimes can be a little bit catty, but usually if you talk to them there is sweet as can be. Sometimes it's just tough to break through that first! Everyone can be shy at the beginning :) there are days where I forget to drink water, because I'm honestly so rushed going from casting, to casting, to fitting, to shoot, to work meeting, to show, to anything else I have planed! I only have one kidney, and staying hydrated is very important for that reason, and for your health in general. I definitely don't want to let my career get in the way of my health, but sometimes it has happened before-The stress, the pressure, I'm just staying peaceful in your own mind is definitely one of the hardest parts of working in the industry.

 

What are your go to makeup items? When it comes to being a girl on the go, I need a product actually works, and that are easy to take with me! Hourglass Cosmetics has an amazing primer that I can use under makeup, but on days that I'm just going out I even use it because it has SPF to protect my skin! I love using Dermablend's cover cream of the concealer underneath foundation, and two of my favorite liquid foundations currently are Benefit Cosmetics The Big Easy for light coverage days, or Make Up Forever for a more full coverage look. Mai Couture foundation papers are honestly a holy Grail for me – they're kind of like blotting sheets, but they apply foundation at the same time – no brushes needed! It takes away the hassle of lugging dirty brushes around, and cleaning the bacteria off of them. The line also has awesome blush, contour, and even acne blotting papers that I love to use. The size that can fit in your wallet and I can't go anywhere without them! 

 

Nars Cosmetics has some of my favorite eyeshadow duos and the fact that they have multiple colors in each is a great way to cut down on your book on the go. Givenchy lipsticks are so moisturizing and pigmented they are a must, and currently Elf Cosmetics have been my favorite blushes and bronzers. They have a blush and Bronzer duo that is perfect for on the go, and they're only a couple bucks for top-of-the-line quality. J cat beauty is currently my favorite pink lipgloss, and NYX cosmetics has been making my favorite drugstore mascara – I love playing around with mascaras but this one is so affordable, and lengthening it makes me look like I'm wearing falsies!

 

What are your favorite skincare items? Skincare for me is always so hard to pick favorites! I try to switch up my skincare routine every three, or six months. But I want to make sure that my skin gets used to a certain line of product, and give it a break before traumatizing it with trying different things. Outside of things that I'm testing out for my blog, and for my own acne issues, I do have favorites that have stuck with me no matter what!

 

To name a few, I am obsessed with omoroviczas cleansing scrub- it's gentle, and effective, like fine sand on your skin! Lush cosmetics and Givenchy she both create facemasks that are to die for! Givenchy creates the black for light mask which is black with glitter to brighten skin, and Lush Cosmetics has a fresh facemask called cupcake. It's amazing for oily acne skin, and actually smells like chocolate on your face! Both of them are literally a party at your bathroom sink! Yes two tomatoes has an amazing acne serum is almost 100% natural, it's made from tomatoes with salicylic acid and has been very effective on my skin so far. Proactive has a new line called proactive plus, and I just recently got their body scrub. I have honestly been obsessed with it, and its made its way to my favorites list!! I have to use a little bit longer before I call it an all time winner, but so far I have seen a great difference in my chest, and back acne.

 

Caudalie and Laroche posay create some of the most soothing moisturizers, and daily SPF moisturizes that anyone could ask for! They are so soothing on my skin, and I love that they have added benefits. Caudalie uses grape extracts and top-of-the-line technology to soothe my skin, and Laroche posay uses thermal springwater from France to hydrate and perfect. Clinique has acne cleanser that doesn't stain my bedsheets, and my favorite toner currently is a collagen boosting anti bacterial algae one from Michael Todd organic's, and I love the fact that it's natural and organic too.

 

What are some tips for staying heatly and fit? When it comes to staying healthy and fit, I definitely have many different things I've tried, and some that I would certainly recommend!

 

For health, I definitely believe that you are what you eat. Some doctors have told me that that's not true, but honestly what you put into your body is the building blocks of what comes out. Eating right is important to the feeling and looking good, whether it's beauty or body wise. I have a very sensitive digestive system, and I love giving it a break and the nutrients it needs by doing one, or two day juice cleanses. Organic Avenue, Suja juice, and blueprint juices are absolutely the best. You can find them at the local drug stores, or in their free standing stores, or online. Being a busy girl, I especially love that blueprint juices deliver right to my home, or hotel! They're great way to detoxify, and cleanse your system, while giving your body allof the concentrated nutrients it needs from fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other sources. Staying hydrated is another huge thing that I need to practice more!

 

Having one kidney, my doctor recommends drinking a gallon of water a day. It's hard to do, but I always feel better when I listen and abide! Water hydrates your cells, aids digestion, helps you feel full, and keeps your body running the way it should. Also, because of my stomach issue I have to cut out almost all gluten grains, dairy, soy, corn, and beans. I've never been a dieter, and I've never had to go on a diet, so this new refining was very difficult for me, but I do feel like I am healthier overall! For those who are trying to diet, or on the medical diagnosis like me, I recommend thinking about the things that you can have, as opposed to the things that you can't have.

 

Make a grocery list and prepare food at home as well, boxed, or packaged foods tend to have a lot of artificial ingredients and fillers and preservatives that out bodies don't need and find hard to process. If you have the time, precook meals, keep them in your fridge or freezer, and take them with you want to go when you need them!

 

As far as fitness goes, I am definitely not the kind of girl that ever wants to go to the gym. I've been using a guest pass with a friend, but I've never had a gym membership. That being said, it's still super important to stay active every single day! For me, I absolutely love hiking and walking. Whether it's up in the hills in the San Francisco Bay area, or down the streets of New York City, finding a way to incorporate exercise into daily routine is always a must. Whether I'm traveling, were at home, I always have a pair of walking shoes, or running shoes with me. That way if I get done with an appointment early, I myself with some free time, or find a cool trail I have no excuse not to get some cardio in!

 

I also find activities like dancing ballet, and practicing yoga, more fun than fitness – but they are still upping up your heart rate, keeping you flexible, and overall healthy! If exercise feels like a chore, you won't do it. Find something that's easy to fit into your schedule, that you actually like to do! It's also great to have a buddy that you can go with, I love hiking with my mom. Having someone else to go with you can be that extra motivation on days when you aren't feeling hundred percent like going out to exercise that day:)

 

An finally, what is one thing you think all us women should know? I believe that weather for woman, or for men, it's important to find out what inspires, motivates, and drives you. What is your personal purpose in life? What are you passionate about? What burns inside of you that you can't ignore? For years I drifted through life not knowing what I wanted to do, and just kind of feeling unfulfilled. For me, giving back, and helping other people is how I define my life and success. I definitely believe that everyone should have that passion that is ignited inside of them, and use that to live your life to the complete healthiest, and the complete happiest!

 

 

Watch Cassandra on Youtube "DiamondsandHeels14"

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