2003 Finalists' Beauty Tips

Ten spirited, energetic knockouts (out of 10,500 entrants) made it to the finals of our fourth annual Model Search with Wilhelmina Models, looking as good in their jeans as they do in dresses to diet for (designed exclusively for MORE by Donna Karan, Norma Kamali, and Nicole Miller). But the do more than look great — they are all women of real accomplishment.(from left)Maggie McDermott-Walsh, 40Bernardsville, New JerseyMarketing consultantMichele Smith, 47New York CityInterior designerLinda Fischer, 51Napa, CaliforniaGraphic designerTina Kraft-Brickowski, 41Lake Oswego, OregonFull-time mom, launching a gift-service businessLezlie Brant, 46Las Vegas, NevadaActressBy Lois Joy JohnsonPhotographs by Michel Arnaud

(From left)Deborah Ann Sweezy, 53Hickory, North CarolinaArtistTeresa Norris, 43Glendale, UtahRuns a mother/daughter spiritual retreatSuzanne Heaney, 44New Bedford, MassachusettsAttorneyLeslie Bereiter, 45Bellevue, WashingtonMotocross mom and personal trainerWanda Zee-Cheng, DO, 41Manhattan Beach, CaliforniaAnesthesiologist

Grand Prize WinnerTina Kraft-Brickowski, with a $15,000 modeling contract from Wilhelmina Models"Frankly, I look this good because I feel good about my life. After trying to have a child for a long time, I finally conceived Jack, who is now 2. Recently divorced, I’m moving forward in my life with a new business, new lifestyle, and now a new modeling career."

Power Plan: “I mow the lawn, do the gardening, walk my yellow lab, and take Jack to the park — along with a million daily errands, so currently, I don’t work out. Getting to the gym would simply cut into my day too much, and I prefer being with my son.”Guilty Pleasure: “I just love trying new beauty products — bronzing powders and quality makeup brushes are my latest craves.”Uniform: “Just try to get me out of jeans and sneakers — I live in them! I’m a sneaker-a-holic. Pumas, retro-look Converse, Nike sneaker-slides — you name it, I have it! But I always add floaty camisoles or chiffon shirts, dangly drop earrings, and the bag-of-the-minute for style.”Trademark: “My long, straight hair, like Demi Moore’s or Cher’s, has become my signature. Other than occasional trims, it requires no styling.”Passions: “Decorating and restoring old homes, including my own and the cottage I’ve been using as a base for my gift-service business. Moving back to my hometown from California gave Jack and me a warm extended-family environment — smart move!”

First Runner-UpLinda Fischer, with a $10,000 Wilhelmina modeling contract"I’d been coloring my hair for years. While pregnant at 42 with Lily, I decided to stop. Rather than deal with an awkward grow-out, I chopped it into a half-inch crewcut. Which, to my surprise, was a gorgeous platinum."

Must-Haves: “I never leave the house without lips and eyes on. Each year I seem to add another essential. Pink lip gloss is a constant, so is foundation here and there and an SPF 50 sunblock.”Lifestyle: “I’m a self-employed freelance graphic designer and copywriter, but my husband and I are caretakers for a thirty-acre family estate in the Napa Valley, where with live along with our daughter Lily, now 8, and a herd of ‘guest cows.’” No workouts, but it’s an active life — I hang our laundry on a clothesline, walk our two dogs, run up and down a ladder to my work-loft all day long. Of course, my real job is Lily.“Passion: ”Gardening. I planted our property years ago for my dad, and it’s a tapestry that keeps growing. My rationale is that whatever isn’t covered in plants will need to be weeded."Constant Comfort: “I live in shorts and khakis — clothes I can get dirty in. In fact, I take off my dry-cleaning clothes the minute I walk in the front door. Simple classics suit me best, and with platinum hair, I feel you need neutral colors — no prints or trendy accessories.”

Second Runner-UpMichele Smith, with a $5,000 Wilhelmina Modeling Contract"I know I look younger than my age, and that’s due to my serious attitude toward fitness. No excuses!"

Mission Possible: “I started working out fifteen years ago, determined not to get middle-age flab. Now I go to the gym for cardio-training five days a week, adding weights for three.”Lifestyle: “I’m a freelance interior designer, and a newlywed. I met my husband, a journalist, walking our dogs, my Shih Tzu and Pomeranian and his Burmese Mouth Dog. We lived in the same neighborhood, but never spoke. Then a house-hunting friend asked me along on a prospective purchase. The house was his, and it was love at first sight — well, second — sight.”Top Secret: “The way I eat makes the real difference in my body. Lots of grilled chicken and fish. Breakfast is oatmeal with one scoop of protein powder, nuked for fifteen seconds — delicious and energizing. And I drink four liters of Evian every day with a tiny bit of Crystal Light added for flavor. My husband, who is 63, eats everything and looks great!”Style Points: “I indulge my taste for pricey European designers like Valentino at department-store sales. What can I say — I just love really good clothes. And of course Barneys shoe sale is amazing for size 6 1/2 Manolos. I’m Mrs. High Maintenance — facials, manicures, pedicures, haircuts every three weeks; and I relax my hair for a spiky, rather than curly, look.”Passion: “I’m of Spanish descent, born in the Dominican Republic. The Latin population is booming in the U.S., but there are so few images of great-looking 40-plus Latin women in beauty and fashion advertising. I’d like to be a part of changing that — winning a modeling contract with Wilhelmina is a big step forward.”

(from left)Maggie McDermott-Walsh, 40“My family life is pretty active — with three children under 11, I’m a mom first and a freelance marketing consultant second. Life is a constant diet, and I try to avoid cheese, butter, dessert. There was a time when I considered my hair my best accessory — it was long, black, curly. I cut it short and streaked it seven or eight years ago, and it suits my sporty look and life.”Deborah Ann Sweezy, 53“I’m a self-taught painter — trompe l’oeil effects on furniture are my specialty. My mornings are reserved for workouts — a circuit class and a show-no-mercy personal trainer who keeps everything going north rather than south!”Linda Fischer, 51“Winning is a lark, a thrill and — not to minimize it — part of an already busy life-in-progress. But modeling is my new adventure.”Wanda Zee-Cheng, DO, 41“Medical school and my residency years were the most challenging of my life, and the reward is that I love my job as a physician and working with patients. Three years ago I lost thirty pounds by making workouts part of my daily life. I’m an adventure junkie — travel vacations are great energizers. I celebrated my fortieth birthday by climbing Mouth Kilimanjaro — over nineteen thousand feet and not one blister!”Leslie Bereiter, 45“I’m married to my childhood sweetheart, and am the mother of three motocross-fanatic teenage sons. I’m the mechanic, so I wear dark polish, usually, to hide the grease stains under my nails. My 12-year-old son Tyler colored my hair with a cap and highlights kit before this event — and then we did his!”

Michele Smith, 47“This is my dream — honestly. When I was younger, you needed to be taller to be a model. By the time Kate Moss came around, I thought I was too old.”Teresa Norris, 43“I live in a solar- and wind-powered log home, doing all the carpentry and repairs. My 18-year-old daughter, mother, grandmother, sisters all have that same hardworking, strong, independent pioneer spirit.”Lezlie Brant, 46“I really believe in positive energy — I sent my picture in to the Model Search for four years, and finally made it this year! Of course, we all have days where we look in the mirror and grumble — only now I get over it in two minutes, not two days.”Suzanne Heaney, 44“After a career as a trial attorney, I left law in 1998 to work in the energy business. I wanted a change. Then I met the man of my dreams on a blind date at 43 — he’s a Navy Seal who was in the film G.I. Jane and is a private investigator. We work out together, and I lifts weights at the Y, do yoga and the StairMaster. I’m the strongest I’ve even been in my life.”Tina Kraft-Brickowski, 41“I have learned to just accept myself. Instead of focusing on what needs improvement, I appreciate what I have, and it gives me confidence.”