Best Self Tanner for a Healthy Glow

The last step to get ready for all the NYE events was a nice healthy glow. I stay away from the tanning beds though because I am very cautious about protecting my skin. However, I am skeptical with most self tanners because they usually leave me looking orangey. 

Luckily to my advantage my make up artist referred me and her star clientele to the VersaSpa sunless tanning booths. The VersaSpa transforms your skin in just minutes bronzing, hydrating, and smoothing fine lines. A single session combines a pre-sunless PH balancing treatment, a sunless bronzing treatment, and a post-sunless hydrating treatment. The best part of all is that there is no orangey residue just a beautiful bronze glow.

To find a VersaSpa location near you:

http://locations.versaspa.com/

The Perfect Brow

With the New Years festivities just days away it is time for some beauty prepping and that means cleaning up the brows. 

Today I took a visit to the legendary Damone Roberts Salon in Beverly Hills to get that perfect eyebrow arch. 

Damone is considered one of the top beauty artist in the business. Damone’s talent for painting faces and sculpting the perfect arch has graced some of the world’s most beautiful and famous people including Madonna, Beyonce, Gwyneth Paltrow, Megan Fox, Vanessa Williams, Mandy Moore, Alicia Keys and Robert Downey Jr.

Damone is also a regular contributing beauty editor for www.Oprah.com.

Damone's salon has turned my eyebrows from drab to fab.  The best part is that if you do not live near Beverly Hills you can still get the perfect brow with Damone's brow kit. The kit includes everything you need to have World Class eyebrows (Tweezer, Brow Shadow, Brow Highlighter, Brow Pencil, Scissors, Brow Gel, Brow Shadow/Eyeliner Brush, Brow Highlighter/Concealer Brush, and Sharpener).

You can order your own online at:

http://store.damoneroberts.com/products/Brow-Kit.html

Perfectly Sexy Brows in time for New Years= Check

Bolt to the Body Factory LA for a Post Holiday Detox

Are you feeling sluggish and under the weather after numerous Holiday grazing sessions?

Your not alone! In fact some of  LA's hottest stars are fighting off  those exact same post holiday pounds.

Now there is no need to beat yourself up because your skinny jeans are barely buttoning. All it takes is getting back on track with some healthy diet and exercise.

One of the best places in LA to do some good for your body detoxing is The Body Factory in West Hollywood.

The Body Factory is known for their Green Protein Smoothie whose loyal A-List customers include Halle Berry, Jake Gyllenhaal, Selma Hayek, Kim Kardashian etc, etc.

The Green Protein Smoothie is equivalent to an entire balanced meal packed with vegetables, protein, vitamins, and flavored with fruit. It may not sound very appetizing but trust me, I have never had a Protein drink that is so yummy and nutritious.

It gets even better,  the Body Factory actually sells a powdered version of their most popular smoothie online. So even if you don't live in LA you can mix the powdered shake right up in your blender with a little milk, yogurt, ice, or fruit of your choice.

http://www.bodyfactory.com/prod-BodyFactory_BodyFuel__As_featured_on_E__Entertainment_-9.aspx

Red Raspberry Lips

Just in time for the holidays the Hollywood beauty trend is going for sexy raspberry lips.
The pink-based color has the elegance of a classic red but with a sweeter quality. The perfect combo for a holiday soiree.

Here are some popular picks from this season's happening shade:

1) Lip to Be Squared Lip Tint in Sheer Red $7 (Comes in Pack of 3)
www.MeetMark.com

2) Philosophy Have a Cherry Christmas $10
www.Macys.com

3) Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Star Ruby Red $20
www.EsteeLauder.com

Pomegranate Champagne Punch

I have to admit I am a sucker for sweet, delicious, calorie packed cocktails. Unfortunately, I have learned that they are not good for your waist line nor the headache they bring the next day.

However, there is a way to still get a tasty holiday concoction minus all of the calories.  Here is a recipe to one of my favorite holiday drinks I tried this season which was being served up at a private Christmas event in the Hollywood Hills.

This tasty cocktail contains only 100 calories and contains a healthy dose of antioxidants!


Pomegranate Champagne Punch:

* 2 Cups Champagne
* 1 Cup Pomegranate Juice
* 1 Cup Seltzer
* 1/2 Cup Citrus Vodka
* Lemon Twists for Garnish

**Preparations: Combine Champagne, Pomegranate Juice, Seltzer, and Vodka in a large bowl or pitcher.      
Serve over ice with a Lemon Twist.

Cheers

Holiday Dresses that Sparkle

I recently attended a big Los Angeles talent agency holiday party, as well as many others and noticed that the trendy attire was sequined cocktail dresses. The sequins ups the game on the typical little black dress. Sequins also add some shine to your dress and give it that eye-catching appeal. Here are a few of my favorite picks this season:

1) www.Delias.Com

2) Scala Dress: www.edressme.com

3) Jovani Dress at www.edressme.com

Is that....RAIN?

Los Angeles has some of the best weather year round in the country. However, every now and then such as this current week, the city will get a rare down pour of rain that usually will last days at a time. 

When it rains in LA the city literally shuts down. I still do not quite understand it being raised in Minnesota where we fight snow storms, but people in LA literally do not leave the house when it rains.  Lets face it bad weather can be depressing wherever you live. I must admit though there is nothing better than cuddling by the fire and watching some movies on a rainy day. 

However, if you do have to venture out into the wet mess make sure you have some key essentials prepared:

1) A Cute Bright Umbrella (www.umbrellaheaven.com)

2) Classic Black Trench Coat (www.overstock.com)

3) Hunter Original Gloss Rain Boots (www.Zappos.com)

Get Fashionably Fit

Every time I go to the gym I spot at least one person wearing a toning shoe such as the Skechers Shape-Ups or the Reebok EasyToners. These shoes have become popular with many Celebs such as Kim Kardashian who wears her Shape-Ups during morning workout sessions.

These shoes are designed to tone your butt, hamstrings, and calves with every step. Even if you do not have time to go to the gym, you can still get a great toning workout just by simply wearing the toning shoes when running your daily errands.

While wearing my toning shoes at an LA gym this morning, I found myself discussing toning gear with one of the trainers who informed me Reebok has recently introduced EasyTone apparel.

Thats right, now there are actually shirts and pants that will give you a toning workout! Best part of all they are super cute and fashionable!

The EasyTone tops have built-in resistance bands to create resistance as you move. Designed to tone and strengthen upper-body muscles and improve posture.

The EasyTone pants have built-in bands to create resistance as you move. Designed to tone and strengthen key muscles in your legs and butt with every step.

Now thats a fashionably fit MUST have!

http://www.reebok.com/US/womens/easytone-shoes

Amp up the Volume with BLOW

One of the genes I was unfortunate enough to inherit is my extremely fine hair. It is so frusterating when I spend hours curling and spraying my hair with excessive amounts of volumizing spray only to find it dull and lack luster 30 minutes later. Lets face it, big volumous hair is so sexy, fun, and trendy.

Luckily for all you ladies with fine hair there is a solution with BLOW Hair Care. BLOW hair products have been all the hype with A-List Celebtirites from Angelina Jolie to Cameron Diaz. They have been featured in Oprah, Glamour, and In Style magazines.

Created by the award winning New York Blow Dry Bar, this exclusive collection of "blow dry care" products was specifically designed to give you better blow dry results at home. The nourishing, yet weightless formulas provide all the protection you need and the lasting voluminous body you want.

Check out www.blowny.com for purchases

Easy Appetizers for Entertaining

The holidays are all about entertaining. It is the best time of year to bring people together and throw a get together to spread some holiday cheer. However, like most of us, it also happens to be the busiest time of the year.  Instead of stressing about making over the top, time consuming dishes for your guests why not make a bunch of easy appetizers?
My friend and Chef to the Stars Keven Lee gives me a lesson on how to make Vietnamese Spring Rolls. They are one of the hottest appetizers that his clients such as Paris Hilton are dishing up.

Katy Perry and Russell Brand at The Tempest - Movie Premiere - Los Angeles

It was another night on Hollywood Blvd where a red carpet movie premiere is never uncommon. On this particular night it was the premiere of the upcoming film "The Tempest" based on Shakespeare's original play write featuring Russell Brand.

A lot of the times when I meet celebrities in person they tend to be complete opposites of the characters they play on the big screen. This was not the case with Russell Brand as he is equally hilarious in person as I quickly found out when I interviewed him!

Check out the video above

It may not be too hard to spot Russell riding his bike around town as we discover that he still does not have a drivers liscence! Although Russell claims that he is just a normal guy as he states that he and his wife Katy Perry plan to do "just normal stuff" over the holidays.

What do you think Russell Brand means by "normal stuff"? I haven't got a clue!

http://www.youtube.com/user/HollandBaxley#p/a/4E06F1D961684655/0/jg3kWJrtk-M