Out & About with Susan Hornik 3/15/2017


by Susan Hornik



Award season is always a busy time for Hollywood journalists and celebrities. While I attend many red carpet events, one of my favorite things to do is talking to all the great charities at the gifting suites.

Celebrity Connected had several vendors dedicated to fighting cancer, including Joe Cans Coffee for a Cause and Balm Skincare. The owner, Lindsey Moeller, founder of Balm, lost her mom to the disease and designed an organic beauty products line that could help women in need. Held at the Milennium Biltmore Hotel, the gifting lounge is always popular with bloggers and celebs.

Luxury lifestyle lounge and special events company, GBK Productions, highlighted Sugar Ray Leonard's Foundation, a nonprofit committed to funding research and creating awareness for childhood type 1 & 2 diabetes and help children lead healthier lives through diet and exercise. Also, Reach Up Reach Out, a wonderful non-profit helping Ugandan orphans and widows, was at the suite. Anything that can help Uganda have a better future is so important; the charity has many amazing features, including an Arts camp, and a Widow and Vulnerable Women Business School Scholarship. In Addition to that, GBK made another wish come true by treating a Make-A-Wish child like a celebrity for the day.
 

The Highlight of the Event was Il Palato, and Michelin Star Chef Fillipo Sinisgalli, who is quickly turning into the go-to chef for many of the stars. They not only showcased many of their top products, including the best pasta and a variety desserts, but they also offered all guests the opportunity to bring Italy to their home, with a certificate valued over $10,000. Of course, one needs a little vino with their food, so Heitz Cellars & Moraga Vineyard provided their top of the line wine. If wine wasn't enough to ease the stress of the weekend, 4 Copas Tequila - The Original Organic Agave Tequila made amazing margaritas and gave out shots to those inclined. That said, many asked for seconds. After the celebrities indulged in the goodies, they had the opportunity to partake in a massage from the top spa in Southern California, Burke Williams. Burke Williams also provided certificates to visit their brand-new Spa in West Hollywood. After a massage, everyone says you needs to drink lots of water, so Earth Water was there with the greatest water on Earth, composed of up to 70 Trace Minerals and +9ph. It was a bit cold outside, so many were in the mood for Snarky Tea, a strong tea for strong women. They also gifted their Snarky Bouquet which included six of their delicious and diverse blends.

To keep the celebrities fashionable and ready for the Red Carpet, there were gorgeous bracelets with diamonds and various other stones by BOPULENT Jewelry, and GuiltySoles was their providing high quality, fashion forward footwear at a guilt free price for the women, while Tucci Polo had their elegant shoes for Men. Mesa Dental, a high end Cosmetic Dentistry Centre located in San Jose, Costa Rica, dedicated to providing exceptional dental care, made sure the celebrities were pearly white by gifting their whitening kit. Most importantly, Jiusko USA, wanted make sure the celebrities were on time for the festivities and looking good, so they provided everyone with their Luxury Timepieces, manufactured in China with precision, quality parts. For the day after, when the ladies don't want to do their hair again, Maria Shireen provided chic bracelets designed to also be used as beautiful hair ties to put their hair back, or American Hat Makers was providing another option with their stylish handmade leather hats. They could also throw on vintage inspired pieces from Demure 31, a chic modern line owned by sister duo Elle and Alyana. Pure Seduction, is a premium underwear store from New York, and Berlin made it out to Hollywood, to the celebrities liking.

I also loved Jeanne Verger's bracelets; each one had an inspirational saying-a few kind words are everything in this life.

Doris Bergman has strongly supported foster children for years. At her Style Lounge and Party to honor the upcoming 89th Annual Academy Awards, guests and sponsors donated unwrapped gifts for young adults (ages 13-18) for a Post-Holiday Gift Drive benefitting 'Wednesday's Child' -- a weekly segment airing on KTTV FOX 11 News, Los Angeles, with Anchor Christine Devine. 'Wednesday's Child' highlights 'harder to place' children in the LA County foster care system who are in need of adoptive families. "In Los Angeles County, alone, there are over 35,000 children receiving child welfare services," said social worker, Professor William Wong.

Held at the Fig & Olive, the Hollywood Hotspot which features gourmet cuisine from the French and Italian Rivieras, over 100 of Hollywood's finest turned out to celebrate and honor the film industry's Oscar® Nominated actors, former Oscar® winners, presenters, stylists and industry VIPS. In the spirit of giving back, Bergman always invites two foster children to join in on the festivities and experience what it feels like to be treated as a VIP.
"I felt so lucky attending Bergman's gifting suite," said actress Nikki Leigh. "There was so much quality in all the vendors and products that were given out, an incredible array of fashion for him and her including couture gowns, bespoke tuxedos, the finest in beauty, skin and hair care. I loved being there."

Gifts and services were provided by:

The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Dr. Perricone Hydrogen Water, Vida Emanuel European Day Spa, Isdinceutics, USA, Photo Tee-Shirts, Buywine.com, True Love Skin Care, The Footmate System by Gordon Brush, Rejuvenation in Motion Mobile Med-Spa, Timmy Woods Handbags, Twisted Silver, My Saint, My Hero, Sassy Locks Custom Baby Clothing, The Coffee Chef, Samiah Hinton Designs, FIBRUM Virtual Reality, Sue Wong Couture Gowns & Fragrance, Single Dress, Kaya Di Koko, Single Underwear For Men, Rekorderlig Cider, Handmade Hearts By Hillel, Hint Water, Art Lewin Bespoke Suits & Tuxedos, Spa Girl Vodka, M & R Photo Gallery, Pura D'or Hair Care, Spongelle, Zozo Bean Bakery, Zenful Water and Dr. Perricone Gift Boxes (containing Cold Plasma, Cold Plasma Eye, Cold Plasma Sun-D, The Essential Multivitamin, Super Greens and H2 Elemental Energy.) VIP Gift Bags were also provided by Dr. Perricone.

Red Carpet Ready

The suite featured Dr. Sal and his mobile concierge med spa. The veteran doctor told me that even if you are not a celeb, you can still have red carpet ready skin. "The best way to pamper your skin is hydration, hydration, hydration. Each year you age, you lose more and more collagen and elasticity in your skin. You can keep your body and skin properly hydrated by regularly drinking 8 glasses of water per day, while also using sunblock on sunny days and moisturizers before bedtime," he said.

At his Rejuvenation In Motion mobile concierge med spa practice, Sal performs house calls and provides many cosmetic rejuvenation therapies-all in the comfort of your own home.

And here's another skin tip: Most of the celebrities' favorite treatments for award season need be done 1-2 months prior for optimum results. "The camera catches everything and we want to be sure our clients look their very best!" said Nurse Nataly at IGlow Med Spa.

To ensure skin is glowing and looking its best, Nataly recommends their Glam Ready Facial, which is good for every skin type. "It's one of our top treatments for those getting ready for an important photo shoot or event. The Glam Ready Facial is infused with LED Light Therapy, IV Therapy and a 24Karat Gold Carat Mask. It gives skin a glow from the inside out and includes our smoothing diamond-tip microdermabrasion and an oxygen infusion of essential vitamins and minerals, lifting high frequency, detoxifying galvanic currents, massage, steam, extractions, and our 'liquid ice' that kills bacteria. It's finished off with our exclusive brightening mask from Spain."

Also got all dolled up at The Glam App's Oscar beauty lounge event, which featured Dermaflash skin preps, and nail, hair and makeup services.

Backstage at Distinctive Assets' Grammy gifting suite, celebrity hair expert Laura Ashtyn offered a variety of tips while styling celebs. "Taking care of and protecting your hair is enormously important," she said.

"By using organic styling products, especially a volume shampoo and conditioner, moisture spray, and heat protectant spray, you ensure that your hair stays shiny, healthy and strong no matter how many times you blow out your hair."

"You can never go wrong with a good, classic blow out. It's perfect for a casual night out with your friends, but can so easily be dressed up for a timeless look," Ashtyn noted.
If you have fine, flat or thinning hair, Ashtyn's company makes hair extensions that can cover roots and give you volume. "Extensions can be added with absolutely no damage to your hair! But even if you have thick hair, our Volume Extensions can be added to give you even more va-va-voom length for your fancy night out."

The company offers free consultations on their website to help consumers choose the perfect extensions and color to match your natural hair.

At the Oxygenetix table at Distinctive Assets, celebrity makeup artist Patty Bunch spoke about what she has learned during her 37-year career making up A listers.

"Because of hormonal fluctuation, women need more hydration and skin tightening. Choosing the perfect foundation with complimenting effects like Oxygenetix is very important," the Emmy nominated artist noted. Preparing your skin before any fun event you are going to is mandatory, Bunch acknowledged.

"I have my actors and clients coming to my business, Bungalow Skin Spa for Oxygen Hydration, which helps tighten the skin. This locking in of moisture and the tightening effects will last for days, so when you are ready to apply Oxygenetix's breathable foundation, your skin will be ready."

"When you look like a winner, you really can't lose," Bunch enthused.  She also talked about the magical uses of concealer.

"Concealer is the magic that hides the flaws. Place it in the corners, keeping the eyes bright and melting it with your fingers to camouflage dark circles and imperfections," she said.  Also, concealer around your mouth will mask lines and bounce light back, to defuse the appearance, making your lips more radiant. "Powder, then apply lip pencil to hold color, with less migration of your lipstick choice," Bunch said.

Oscar Jewelry

YOGAJEWELZ, the makers of exclusive yoga inspired necklaces, bracelets and earrings, gifted all Oscar nominees in the major acting and directing categories with their beautiful "good luck" Petite Om solid 14K gold and diamond bracelets. Om, the iconic image of the YOGAJEWELZ brand, is a sacred symbol written in Sanskrit which embodies spirituality, energy and strength. Co-owners and designers Judi and Natalie hoped this year's nominees will embrace the positive energy and be inspired.

"We started our company as a way of giving back," said owner Judi Langburt. By donating a percentage of all sales to important charities that resonate with us, we are able to live inspired substantive lives. We hope that our bracelets will bring the nominees luck, love, peace and harmony on Oscar night and every night thereafter!"




Susan L. Hornik is a contributor to Good, ETOnline, Livestrong.com, Industrym.com, NBC Today.com, Realtor.com, FiftyistheNewFifty.com, Canada's Chatelaine, Brainworld, CSQ, First for Women, Twist, Discover Hollywood Magazine, Maxim, Health, Mademan.com

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Posted By Susan Hornik on March 15, 2017 04:56 pm | Permalink