Red Carpet Prep, I'm Heading to the Grammys

Who's excited to watch the Grammys?  I'm pumped!  I'll be reporting live from the red carpet and the show thanks to Herbal Essences!  (So make sure you're following me on Twitter, Insta and SnapChat - for exclusive behind the scenes pics.)  During the day, I'll be filming commercials for Herbal Essences that will be broadcasted on E! before and after the show.  About what?  Well, read on.  Oh and PS: Which dress should I wear?

On Grammy day, I'll be in LA priming for the red carpet at the Herbal Essences Suite with E! Host, Ali Fedotowsky, my blogger BFF, Sydne Summer and Vine comedian, Brittany Furlan.

Celebrity Stylist, Charles Strahan Baker, will be using the new Herbal Essences Wild Naturals collection on each of us during our red carpet prep.  Have you heard about the new collection yet?  Each shampoo smells divine!  There are three shampoo and conditioner pairings– Rejuvenating, Illuminating and Detoxifying– plus, stylers that go with each.  Made with cassia (an Ayurvedic herb), the products help to strengthen and restore your hair by protecting it from damage and breakage in its most vulnerable state, when it’s wet.  Perfect for red carpet prep.

Want to check out my journey to the red carpet?  Make sure you're watching E!'s Live from the Red Carpet before the show on Sunday and then Fashion Police on Monday to catch the commercials.

*This post is sponsored by Herbal Essences, but all of my thoughts and actions are true.

A Recipe for Red Carpet Skin from Dr. Lancer

It's officially red carpet season!  A-listers frequent LA Dermatologist, Dr. Lancer's, office on Rodeo Drive months before red carpet events to make sure their skin is even in tone, texture, and color, and of course, glowing.  I spoke to man behind the famous faces to find out exactly what he does to his patients and how we can get real results on our own.

"Currently, there is a definite trend towards a more natural, bare-faced look than in the past where heavy, powdery foundation was common on the red carpet," comments Dr. Lancer. "Having excellent skin care helps dramatically, as less makeup is needed, and as less makeup is worn the skin becomes much healthier."

Seems like common sense, but the main ingredient in this equation is good skin, which Dr. Lancer calls  "a lifestyle."  So how does he ensure that all of his celebrity clients end up on the red carpet with flawless skin?  First, he gives them a skincare regimen and they combine it with weekly office check-ins, facials and microdermabrasion.  Sounds like a full time job, and who has time for that?

For us, you know, non-celebs, he recommends making sure you're on a quality skincare regimen tailored to your skin's needs.  "Just because your best friend is using retinol every night and looks amazing, doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you." Once you're on the right track with your regimen, make sure you're exfoliating regularly. "This will give you that dewy "glow" that everyone is seeking."

The Secret Behind the Oscar Red Carpet Glow, Get It At Home

Spotted: Halle Berry walking into Kinara Skin Clinic and Spa in Los Angeles, CA to prep for the Oscars.  An email I received from the spa's PR rep stated, "The spa literally closes for celebrities the days leading up to the Oscars."  No wonder other famous faces that frequently visit for their signature "Red Carpet Facial" include Eva Mendez, Emily Blunt, Amy Poehler and Sofia Vergara.  The three step facial isn't unattainable though!  Even Emily Blunt does it at home sometimes.  Here's the scoop: The Kinara Red Carpet Facial is fifty minutes and costs $160 at the spa.  Known for giving an instant glowing complexion by starting with a peel to turn cells over revealing fresh, brighter skin, then neutralizing and revitalizing and finishing with a mineral mask that increases cell renewal.  Some celebs treat themselves to the facial regularly for maintenece and others pop in just before big events.

At home, Kinara created a Red Carpet Facial Kit that mimics the facial so carefully even celebrities use it when they can't make it into the spa.  You can get the kit for $145 at shop.kinaraspa.com.

Awards Season Beauty Predictions by Celeb Glam Squads

It's no secret that red carpet season is my favorite season and it kicks off this Sunday with the Golden Globes hosted by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler!  Are you ready?  I'll be speaking to the actors and actresses hair stylists, makeup artists and manicurists as soon as they send their talent off to the red carpet, but for now, L'Oreal's dream team gave me the 411 on their beauty predictions. Makeup

“The red carpet is no place for natural – it’s a place to make a statement. I expect to see a return to full, unapologetic glamour. I predict lots of rich black liquid eyeliner and classic matte red mouths. Think Sophia Loren," states Billy B., L'Oreal Paris Consulting Makeup Artist.

Hair

“I predict this season we’ll see throwbacks to classic Hollywood with polished waves that move. We can also expect to see looks that are more architectural, such as bold, blunt fringe and hair that’s super sleek.  As for updos, I think we’ll be seeing an element of texture incorporated into styles – like braids and twist for a bit of visual interest," explains Johnny Lavoy.

Nails

“Nail art is huge right now and texture/dimension is going to be everywhere in 2013 – including the red carpet. As for the shades I predict we’ll see a lot of, red (from burnt winter red to deep, rich bordeaux) is always a red carpet favorite – it’s classic but timeless. Plan on also seeing bright trend tones on the young and fashion-forward ladies who want to show a bit of personality," remarks Tom Bachik.

Taylor Swift & Nicki Minaj Talk Beauty at the Billboard Women in Music Event

Yesterday I had the pleasure of reporting on the red carpet at the Billboard Women in Music Awards thanks to Crest 3D White, where Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj were honored. They were both incredible to talk to!  Check out highlights from the event including video interviews with both songstresses after the jump! Taylor Swift was named Billboard's Woman of the Year!  As she stood up to accept her award she said, "Out of all of the day dreams I've had as a child, I keep taking a step back and saying, I guess this is what it looks like."  She was so gracious and poised.  She speaks about her New Years Eve look, love for Ralph Lauren Rugby and new bangs in the video below.

Taylor Swift Red Carpet Video:

Nicki Minaj was awarded Billboard's Rising Star and told me on the red carpet what her next beauty project is (video below).  While accepting her award she said, "I'm no different than any other struggling artist that tried one last time."  She was so honest and real.  It was great to see this side of her.  She also spoke about her wigs saying, "Hair changes my mood. It's not always about how I look, it's about how I feel. It does something to my brain, I can't stop!"

Nicki Minaj Red Carpet Video:

Oscar Beauty Predictions

I absolutely cannot wait for the Oscar's tomorrow night, but feel it's bitter sweet because the ceremony brings a close to awards season, my favorite season of the year. I got the scoop from celeb stylist, Sally Hershberger who works with major A-Listers including Julia Roberts, Meg Ryan and Blake Lively on her predictions for Oscar-worthy hairstyles.

"I predict lots of flow and movement," Hershberger commented.  "For those who opt for their hair up, the the overworked, over-styled updos are gone and the modern take on it is a soft, sophisticated style that is still youthful and pulled together."

Thinking back to the Golden Globes, which was just a few weeks ago, I guess Hershberger would be surprised to see anyone walking the carpet with a 'do like the stiff mess that was on Scarlett Johansson's head.

What was she thinking anyway!?

Best Dressed at the Emmys: Jimmy Fallon

Every time I cover a red carpet event it's always about the women – their glowing skin, twist on a smokey eye and who's wearing the chicest chignon.  However, this year a different breed caught my attention, a man in a tux named Jimmy Fallon. There's something about it that's mysteriously sexy.  This year, Fallon hosted the Emmy Awards held at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles.  The Late Night host was looking dapper in a navy Tom Ford tuxedo with a white shirt, black bow tie (love!) and black patent leather shoes.

Not only was Fallon looking sexy thanks to Tom Ford, but his sense of humor came through and hair was looking right.  Who ever groomed him prior to the show, God bless.

Oscar Party & Dove Giveaway

Last night to celebrate the Oscars I hosted a Red Carpet inspired party sponsored by Dove. Starting at the beginning of E!'s red carpet coverage promptly at 6pm, ten of my good friends piled into my tiny NYC apartment and we had our own version of Fashion Police in my living room. Overheard at the party:

"Obsessed with Rachel McAdams!  Dress, hair, everything!"

"Zoe Saldana looks like a purple monster!  The bottom of her dress looks like hair scrunchies!  Tragedy!"

"Julianna's boobs have to be fake and Ryan Seacrest looks like a frat boy."

"Dove is the only thing that touches my face and my body."

"Richard Gere should go for the buzz cut."

Thank you Dove for supplying me with everything needed to make this party a success! My friend Crystal who owns Tasty Morsels Bakery even made branded Dove cookies that had a gold foil dove in the center.

Dove Giveaway!

How did you celebrate the Oscars?  Celebrate Dove's new product launch of Visibly Smooth, their latest deoderant that will leave you stubble free for longer, by participating in my giveaway!  Comment below by telling me how you celebrated the Oscars and five winners will be chosen at random.  Winners will be announced on Friday.  Good luck!

Monday's Muse

This Monday's Muse is Kathy Griffin.

Nominated for a Grammy for a second year in a row, the comedian looked fab on the red carpet last night. Obviously some credit is owed to all of her plastic surgery, a nose job and a ton of lipo, but she spilled some of her other secrets to E! personality Guliana Rancic. 

"It's frustration and starvation," Griffin blamed for her thin figure.  As far as her breasts, "They're real!  I'm not pulling a Montag."  So maybe she hasn't had 10 plastic surgery procedures in one day, but I definitely think she's close to having ten in her lifetime!

Either way, Ms. Griffin was looking fantastic and credited her style to Mr. Robert Verdi, who I love.  Way to work the carpet lady!