Some models starve themselves to get a career on the catwalk, and some have the smarts and savvy to get a job modeling hands in major campaigns and commercials.
Until I heard about Ellen Sirot, I had no idea there was such a thing as a hand model. A “shoo-in” for hand shots for some A-list celebrities and TV personalities including Sarah Jessica Parker, Hilary Swank and Rachael Ray, Sirot has made a career of keeping her hands elegant, beautiful, and as ethereal as Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face.
Sirot’s beginnings were serendipitous. She wanted to be a dancer, and hand modeling turned out to be an avocation that eventually turned into vocation. What’s surprising is the upkeep that she had as a hand model: moisturizing her hands up to 20 times a day and wearing gloves to prevent sun expopsure, limiting sodium intake…..wow, wouldn’t it have been easier to just starve yourself silly into a size 2 and strut the catwalk?
The way Ellen turned her hands into Benjamin Button’s story is through these products (and mind you, if you’re serious about hand care, you’ll do well to follow her four step program just as rigorously as the 12-step AA guidelines).
Step # 1: Moisturizing Cleanser for Hands ($30)
This is a creamy formula that’s derived from coconut and helps preserve the hand’s natural oils. Guess what? Soap saps all the good stuff from our skin (who knew?). It has Borage Oil, an essential fatty acid.
Step # 2: Complete Day Cream ($50)
This cream, I love as much as I love Golden Retrievers and raspberry tarts. It’s thick, it’s heavy and it protects your hands like a strong picket fence.
This day cream has evening primrose and linseed oils, antioxidants, amino acids and is full of omega-3 fatty acids. The aim of this cream is to protect your hands from environmental assaults (yep, even if you live in NYC). Think of it as your personal Fort Knox.
Step # 3: Nail & Cuticle Treatment for Hands ($22)
We need those nails primed for your Lippman Collection, so lavish this gorgeousness over your nails and cuticles. Vitamins A and E condition, and the interactive pen dispenser makes this exercise the easiest A+ you’ll receive.
Step #4: Night Solution ($75)
This solution heals skin cells overnight. Water holding sugars help retain valuable moisture so it doesn’t evaporate and leave your hands looking like shriveled prunes the next day.
Sirot also retails some really neat gloves that will protect your hands from just about everything….except receiving your credit card bills.
Hand perfection is available at www.ellensirot.com