I stopped by the MAC Cosmetics PRO store on Robertson Blvd. the other day to chat with Rick Baker and check out his collection for MAC. Now, obviously, MAC is known for being the go-to Halloween makeup brand since they have some truly amazing products that boast rich pigment and long wear, which is why it’s no surprise that I was truly in AWE of the three looks that Rick and MAC came up with for Halloween 2013. By the way, these makeup looks were done with just MAC makeup, no plastics or additional costume products, which is insane! I spoke to Rick, legendary Hollywood makeup artist, about his favorite MAC products to use on set. The answer? “Makeup effects demand very specific products as many ordinary makeup products won’t work on rubber appliances. If I am doing paint makeup, I like to use Chromacakes, Paint Stick and MAC’s acrylic paint. I also like a combination of mixing medium and cosmetic pigments.”
To view the entire Rick Baker MAC Collection, click HERE.
Back in June I hosted a Healthy Happy Hour for Urban Remedy that was such a hit that we decided we needed to do something similar every six weeks or so. Since the Urban Remedy brand is all about treating yourself and your body right, I hosted a small blogger event where we gathered in a circle (in a tepee, duh) and celebrated ourselves. Celebrating yourself is something that’s so easy to forget to do, which is why it was really very enlightening to “circle”, as they call it, with 15 amazing women.
I don’t usually do posts that are so local, but if you live in Los Angeles, it’s pretty much guaranteed that, at some point, you will find yourself near or around a celebrity or two…or six. But while working out? Sure…IF you know where to go. Celebrity bodies are always a topic of conversation, which is exactly why you need to know where some of Hollywood’s most gorgeous get (and stay) toned and trim. Secrets, no more. After four years here, I felt an obligation to share how some of the best bodies stay fit. Enjoy.
Celeb Regulars: Katie Holmes, Sophia Bush, Edward Norton
This small, hot yoga studio is basically a hidden gem on La Brea, which is perfect for high-profile celebrities like Katie Holmes. Celeb-approved classes include:
Moksha Original- A unique series of 40 postures. The postures combine the precision of therapeutic yoga, and the foundations of traditional yoga, all in a tiny, heated room. The Moksha series is a cardiovascular workout that loosens, strengthens and tones the muscles, while calming the mind and reducing stress. The heat allows for deep, safe stretching and promotes detoxification of the skin, blood and muscles through sweat.
Moksha Flow- This fun class takes the regular Moksha series and connects the postures with more fluid movement. However, the studio recommends that you take at least five Moksha Original classes before trying “the Flow.”
Celeb Regulars: Vanessa Hudgens, Allison Williams (Girls)
We’ve been told that you need to prepare to sweat, if you do decide to take this class. Core Fusion uses a combination of weights, bands, balls and your very own body weight for resistance…it’s a heart-pumping workout that focuses heavily on core strength and relaxation of the mind.
Celeb Regulars: Nicole Kidman, Keith Urban, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Charlize Theron, Gerard Butler
Sure, cycling studios are pretty popular these days, but Cycle House has managed to stay under the radar…until now. What we love about Cycle House (aside from the A-List clientele) is that the studio donates two meals to feed the homeless for every class that is purchased. Now if that’s not motivation to work out, we don’t know what is.
POUND combines easy cardio moves with strength training and, get this, drumming. This combo works the entire body, raises the heart rate, and forces each move to be as precise as a basic beat – hence, the weighted drumsticks. The instructor plays a 45-minute “Poundtrack” (yes, that’s really its name) that is carefully planned out to get you through 15,000 reps, which are performed over 30 extended interval peaks with more than 70 techniques…and we can’t imagine this not being fun.
Celeb Regulars: Selma Blair, Leslie Bibb, Mario Lopez, Hilary Duff
Described by most members as a “hole in the wall,” this tiny gym is just about big enough to fit one boxing ring…but, that doesn’t stop the celeb masses from flocking in. The trainers are known to be some of the best around, and the classes are cheap to boot. According to clients, the celebrities are known to join in on group classes, in addition to one-on-one private training.
Beth Behrs, of “2 Broke Girls” fame, is described by the studio as a “die-hard fan” and Beth even claims that Fitmix’s Endurace Pilates and interval running has totally changed her body. The 55 minute group class uses customized pilates reformers for 30 minutes, after doing 25 minutes of cardio on the treadmill. The concept is designed to raise your heart rate, which will, in turn, burn calories and promote long, lean muscle.
“YAS,” which stands for “Yoga and Spinning,” is the first studio dedicated to the super powerful workout combination. The space itself is large and offers fun music, easy-to-learn routines and, of course, the chance to watch two of Hollywood’s most gorgeous women work out. It’s a win-win, really.
The BeWell Expo is a two-day expo created to honor your inner and outer self: an exclusive beauty and wellness getaway where attendees can experience and indulge in the industry’s best kept secrets, and I’m all about it. As an attendee, you’ll be given the opportunity to empower yourself, by embracing the tools that your body, mind and spirit need to look and feel good.
If you’re in the LA area on October 12th and 13th, you’ll be treated to the below and guys…it’s a REALLY good deal. Tickets are $25 for a one-day pass and $50 for a two-day pass. Use code BW2013 for 20% off!
Here’s what you get at the Expo:
Identify your skin type and understand the current condition of your skin…at the Skin Analysis Lounge
Find the best natural makeup to lock in your look… at the Eco–Beauty Makeup Bar
Whole new look with a beautifully shaped eyebrow at the Brow Bar
Treat yourself to the healthier gel polish manicure with trendy colors at the Eco–Nail Bar
Feel like you had just spent a week on the beach…by stopping at the Tanning Bar
Enjoy a party Lash application at the Lash Bar
Emerge in a relaxation and healing sound bath with Tibetan bowls by Karma Moffett
Aura imaging (value $20.00)
Initiate, inspire and transform yourself at the Yoga Studio + receive free GAIAM mats on a first come, first serve basis (value $45.00)
Attend a plethora of lectures/demo on energy healing, chakra balancing, relaxation techniques, color therapy, inner peace solutions, aromatherapy and much more…
Shop from the beauty and wellness industry leaders.
I’ll be there on Sunday, so make sure to tweet me and say hello!
FTC Disclosure: This post was sponsored by the BeWell Expo but all opinions are very much my own, as per usual.
Life has definitely thrown me a few curve balls this past year, I have to say, but one of the things that I’m most proud of is the fact that I’m heavily involved with charity. Sure, the ups and downs have been rough, and we all have our “days” where we feel like we have the worst life EVER, but in reality…it’s not even close to that. Cory’s sudden passing was not only devastating to me and my circle of friends, but it actually served as yet another wakeup call that basically reinforced the fact that 1-) life is short and 2-) I’m lucky on SO many levels and need to be better about appreciating that fact. We all have our battles, some worse than others, but anyone who’s reading this is still HERE, and enjoying their life.
I thought hard about the way that I wanted to honor Cory’s memory; I wanted it to be something that I’d be good at, and yet still fulfill something that was deeply important to him. Last year I did a charity sale that benefited animals so I thought “why not re-create that with two of my friends who also knew Cory?”
And enter: The Cory Monteith Memorial Sale
Saturday, October 12th
11-4pm
I’ve partnered with Nadine Jolie and Maggie Lee to sell discounted beauty products, jewelry and accessories on October 12th. We’re donating 100% of our proceeds to Project Limelight, one of Cory’s favorite charities that provides free theater programs to underprivileged children in Vancouver, where he lived for many years.
Please stop by if you’re in the LA area, and feel free to forward the invite around!
If you read my blog on the regular, you know that I almost NEVER do an outfit post and, and if I do post what I’m wearing, it’s usually someone else’s Instagram photo that I stole. Not kidding. I really just don’t like posing for photos, the same way that I think selfies are the most awful thing invented during the modern century. When I see a selfie on Instagram, I actually feel awkward…for the PERSON TAKING IT.
Regardless, I’m trying to expand my “horizons” and try new things, which is why I decided to post an “outfit photo” from the Capwell + Co. event at Bar Marmont last week. The fabulous jewelry brand revealed new pieces, all awesome, and treated us to some mingling and cocktails, all at one of my favorite bars. Do I plan many outfit posts in the near future? Probably not, but you never know…I AM pretty obsessed with Capwell’s collection. What do you guys think?
My girl Kelly Go Lightly hosted a fabulous Emmy’s viewing party, sponsored by Glade, at the chic Sunset Tower Hotel. I mean. Kelly’s hosted many a viewing party before but this one definitely takes the cake. We hung poolside, drank cocktails, ate good food and, of course, watched the show. Here are my fashion favorites from the night:
