5 Lovely Valentine’s Day Gifts
Set the mood for a romantic evening with these tokens of affection.
February 03, 2012
Wendy Williams Unplugged
While she loves “the big wigs and the glam,” Williams has a side unseen as a low-key mom and businesswoman.
February 03, 2012
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When we sat down with chat show queen Wendy Williams we knew interesting conversation would ensue. To our delight, we got a glimpse of the glamazon that many have come to associate with Williams, as well as her more introspective and down-to-earth side.
You embody “living out loud.” How do you define a full and fulfilling life?
WENDY WILLIAMS: For me it is all about authenticity. I am finally living as the woman I always was inside my head. Honestly, at 21 I was too afraid to be her. But now… Living out loud? I am not sure what it means to other people, but for today it is whom you see and whom you hear. It’s me.
You’ve traversed radio and television. Which do you prefer and why?
WW: I would have to say television. But that comes with a caveat: I believe you only have one first love—romantic or otherwise—and radio was my first. But television has opened up an entirely new world for me, full of new experiences and opportunities. It is bigger and bolder—just like me.
Besides your show, what else are you working on?
WW: I am working with QVC on an affordable and fabulous line called Adorn. My weight has gone up and down, so I understand how difficult it can be to wear something that works no matter what. I believe that if you make the right fashion choices, what you wear, or how you adorn,will never let you down. I tell people all the time, ‘If you like it on me, you will LOVE it on you.’
What is the greatest misconception about you?
WW: Oh my! I think people don’t fully understand how much time I invest in my personal life. I am a celebrity, but I am also a mother and I do my best to be a good one. I might be sitting in the parking lot waiting for practice to end with a flashlight reading up on topics for the next show, but I am there. I am supportive and I take my role as a parent very seriously. People see the big wigs and the glam, but it is more than that. I have a personal life that brings me great joy.
Read more from Joshua Estrin at popmuncher.com.
photographs by karl giant
Catching Up with Full House’s Candace Cameron Bure
The actress and her husband, hockey star Valeri Bure, discuss family life and their burgeoning family winery.
February 02, 2012
The Bure family in Napa Valley
Candace Cameron stole America’s hearts as D.J. Tanner on television’s Full House. After an introduction made by Cameron’s co-star David Coulier, Russian NHL player Valeri Bure stole her heart. The two were married in 1996 and now have their own full house of three children—Natasha, Lev and Maksim. Now Candace Cameron Bure, the actress spent a few years away from the limelight while her husband played for the NHL and won two Olympic medals (1998; 2002). These days the Bures’ are most dedicated to spending time together—and producing Bure Family Wines.
Are you a hockey dad now, Val?
VALERI BURE: For a little period of time, I’d had enough. Then, about four years ago, my youngest son asked if we could sign him up for hockey. I couldn’t just stand and watch. So I put my skates back on and now I’m on the ice five or six times each week.
Do all the kids play hockey?
CANDACE CAMERON BURE: No, just the boys. Natasha wants to be more like me. She enjoys acting and dancing and singing.
Would you encourage her to do a sitcom?
CCB: Yes. I had a great experience with it and obviously came out okay—and am still in the business today. I think I learned enough along the way to be able to help her navigate and make good decisions. I’ll be as protective as my parents were with me.
What made you want to go from drinking wine to making wine?
VB: As my hockey career ended, I wanted to do something very special and I wanted to spend time with my family and eventually create a label for a family wine. Luckily, I got introduced to the right people, like my winemaker [Luc Morlet]. We became friends and I asked him if he would make my wine.
The cabernets—especially Thirteen and Duration—of Bure Family Wines have received accolades from the wine world. What other wines are you producing?
VB: We have a white blend of versanne, marsanne and viognier. It’s called Marlena, after the first two initials of my kids’ names. We are also producing about 100 cases of a really Bordeaux style blanc. It’s called Nuit Blanche, which translates in French to ‘white night.’ In St. Petersburg, we have a white night where it never gets dark in the summer. Then, we will be introducing a chardonnay from Ritchie Vineyard. We picked it in October of 2011 and it’s been sitting in a barrel.
CCB: We’re also doing a dessert wine, too, which Val kindly named after me.
VB: Our winemaker’s making it in the style of French sauternes. The name is going to be Candy. This wine is going to be thick and sweet like candy and it’s going to be delicious.
photograph by Promise Tangeman
Turn Back Time with a Sapphire 3 Facial
Touch of Faith Aesthetics offers a restorative crystal dermabrasion facial.
February 02, 2012
Touch of Faith Aesthetics
Get ready for your close up with a sapphire 3 facial ($600) from Touch of Faith Aesthetics. A beauty ritual for stars like Kate Bosworth and Drew Barrymore, the signature facial is customized for each client using sapphire crystal dermabrasion combined with red and blue LED light therapy. The scientifically advanced treatment guarantees a fabulous, glowing complexion and even skin tone. Through March 1, enter to win a complimentary sapphire 3 facial by scheduling an eyebrow wax with Touch of Faith’s grooming guru Nora Charles. 717 N. Highland Ave., # 6, LA, 323-939-1654
Behind the Scenes: A Hunger Games Hair Report
A look at the eye-popping wigs that bring The Hunger Games to life.
February 01, 2012
Wigs used in The Hunger Games
The upcoming book-to-movie saga The Hunger Games (out March 23) is predicted to reach Twilight-mania proportions for two reasons: Its attractive, young cast (Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hensworth) and its fantasy fight scenes and stunning visuals. Given the book’s precise descriptions and outrageous hair colors, creating each character's aesthetic was a huge undertaking. Helping to bring the vision to life was Joico colorist Cherry Petenbrink, who co-created hair color/wig designs for the cast, as well as 500 extras. Based at West Hollywood’s Salon Republic, Petenbrink gave us a glimpse at what it was like to bring these fantastical characters to life.
How specific was the hair direction on set?
CHERRY PETENBRINK: The director [Gary Ross] was very specific on the lead color makeovers. Josh Hutcherson’s hair is naturally very dark and we had to dye it an exact shade of sandy ash blonde. Jennifer Lawrence is a natural ash blonde with highlights but played a brunette. Thousands of dollars were spent just renting wigs.
How did the books help you develop the hair concepts?
CP: Reading the books several months before the project started was a huge asset. I had a pretty clear vision of each character in my mind. The end result was dead on to my original ideas of how the characters would look when brought to life.
Which character was your favorite to work on?
CP: I have to say coloring Effie’s [Elizabeth Banks] wigs and hearing the words “it’s perfect,” was awesome. Creating pastel shades of pink, lavender and chartreuse [and] combining human hair and synthetic hair that had to match perfectly was an amazing challenge.
How did you make the color so bright and vibrant?
CP: Joico’s Vero K-PAK ColorIntensity semi-permanent colors were the only product that could create the amazing jewel tone colors that had to be created. It had to last several weeks of filming without refreshing and touch-ups.
Do you think the look will become a trend?
CP: I predict that we will see a lot of different period influence popping up in fashion, hair and makeup trends—splashes of bright colors in hair, finger waves and up-styles.
Stark Waxing Studio Opens in Studio City
The new location bundles French waxing with manicures, pedicures, facials and more.
February 01, 2012
Stark Waxing Studio Studio City's retail area
Valley girls will rejoice in the opening of Stark Waxing Studio’s newest location in Studio City. Famous for swift and (nearly) pain-free waxing services—courtesy of high-quality French blue wax and skilled aestheticians—the studio’s fourth spot comes with added benefits. (Silverlake, West Hollywood and New York City are home to Stark’s other three locations.) Operating as a full-service spa, Stark Studio City will feature mani/pedis, facials by Face Place, beauty products and accessories. 12324 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; 818-505-3665
Hammitt's Bright New Bag Collection
The LA brand proves leather is not the last word in handbags with its new jelly bags.
January 31, 2012
The LAX jelly bag
We’re loving LA-based handbag line Hammitt’s first-ever collection of non-leather bags for Spring. Aptly named the LAX jelly, a nod to its TSA-friendly design, the beach or duffel bag ($195) makes the perfect travel companion for a tropical weekend getaway or a day at the beach.
Roy Teeluck Simplifies Red Carpet Hair
The master stylist discusses awards season trends and his Beverly Hills Pop-Up Grammy Beauty Bar.
January 31, 2012
London-born stylist Roy Teeluck may have trained in Paris and opened his eponymous salon in New York, but he never lost his gritty London edge. A master of texture, Teeluck takes loads of inspiration from English punk bands such as The Clash and The Jam. Leading up to the Grammy Awards (February 12), Teeluck will host a Pop-Up Grammy Beauty Bar on February 10 and 11 at Beverly Hills salon Cristophe, where guests can indulge in a complimentary cut, blow-out, updo, manicure, facial or scalp massage. We caught up with Teeluck to get his take on this year’s awards season trends and the celebrities that will dominate the red carpet.
How does a Grammy look differ from an Oscar look?
ROY TEELUCK: Due to the rock spirit of the Grammy Awards we will see minimal effort hair that probably takes a few hours to pull together but looks effortless—with a bit of grunge and punk. Designer gowns, old school hair preparations and plenty of bling sums up the approach to the looks for the Oscars. Think James Bond for the guys and for the ladies think the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
What are the top trends this awards season?
RT: The different awards showcase a variety of styles varying from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo to the usual Hollywood glam of the belle époque. Unstructured elegance will rule the red carpet—hair with movement that's touchable, soft waves with body and gorgeous healthy hair with rich color. At the Golden Globes, I loved Salma Hayek and Jessica Biel’s rich brunette locks. On the flip side, Rooney Mara and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s influence will allow for more daring looks on the red carpet.
Which red carpet celebrities are on your radar this year? What feels most modern now?
RT: Tilda Swinton is light years ahead of the pack when it comes to style. Unconventional and risk-taking, she embodies confidence with a rock and roll edge. Her hair at the Golden Globes was very punk rock—the perfect juxtaposition to her minimal makeup. I'll be channeling this look, à la The Clash, at my upcoming Grammy beauty bar. Michelle Williams looked flawless. To me, short hair on women is the ultimate indicator of confidence and it's ultra-sexy.
Roy Teeluck Pop-Up Grammy Beauty Bar, The Suite @ Cristophe, 348 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills; RSVP sarah@royteeluck.com
Television Winners at the SAG Awards
Highlights from the most anticipated small screen awards categories.
January 30, 2012
I love a good awards show and while Sunday’s 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards had its fair share of Hollywood pomp and circumstance, it seemed vaguely familiar with ensemble drama series Boardwalk Empire and ensemble comedy series Modern Family once again taking home top honors, or as insiders call it “an Actor.”
Despite these instances of déjà vu, it was nice to see Betty White continue to prove that talent is ageless with her win for best female actor in the comedy series Hot in Cleveland. “You can’t name me without naming those other wonderful women on Hot in Cleveland. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, ” said White.
And I couldn’t help but marvel at the tenacity of lifetime achievement award-winner Mary Tyler Moore, who can still turn the world on with her smile.
In the best male actor, drama series category, Boardwalk’s Steve Buscemi beat out Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston, who was also snubbed a Globes nomination. Buscemi thanked his co-stars, including former cast-mate Michael Pitt, whose character (spoiler alert!) perished in the show’s season two finale. “To all the Michael Pitt fans out there, I know, I’m sorry,” he said. “Please stop yelling at me on the street.” Noted.
Jessica Lange, who stars in the new FX thriller American Horror Story, picked up the best female actor in a drama series award—a shelf-mate for the best supporting actress Golden Globe she recently won. During her speech, Lange described taking the role of the unhinged Southern belle Constance “a real leap of faith.”
The venerable Alec Baldwin had kind words for 30 Rock boss Tina Fey and her team of writers as he accepted his award for best male actor in a comedy series: “The only thing this means to me is obviously you like Tina [Fey]’s writing and Robert Carlock’s writing. We have the greatest writers, ” he said.
Taking the microphone during Modern Family’s big win for best ensemble comedy series was Rico Rodriguez (Manny), who graciously said “On behalf of the entire cast and crew, we just want to thank you for letting us all be a part of your families.” From the mouths of babes.
Read more from Joshua Estrin at popmuncher.com.
SAG Awards Trend: Black and White
Black and white dresses ruled the red carpet at the Shrine Auditorium.
January 30, 2012
SAG Awards fashion marked a return to black and white glamour. The timeless colors set off a mix of designs ranging from sexy and sophisticated to fun and flirty.
Back to Black
Black was anything but basic for Angelina Jolie and Amber Heard. Jolie wore a slinky, backless Jenny Packham gown while Heard wore an edgy cut-out Zac Posen gown. Looking lovely in lace were Stacy Keibler in an off-the-shoulder Marchesa gown, Emma Stone in a flirty Alexander McQueen cocktail dress and Jayma Mays in a Reem Acra sequined number with a sheer back.
Winning White
On the lighter side, a fashionable Zoe Saldana wore Givenchy couture straight from the Paris runway. Also a vision in white, Rose Byrne wore a heavily embellished Elie Saab jumpsuit. Judy Greer chose a feminine Collette Dinnigan dress while the newly engaged Katrina Bowden wore a glittering strapless design by Amsale. White was also a winning color for Viola Davis, who took home the best female actor in a leading role wearing a Grecian-inspired Marchesa gown.
