Secrets of the Red Carpet

We have seen how great the celebrities look when they hit the red carpet. Stars work with stylists (clothing, make-up, hair, etc) to help them out for special events as well as the daily routine they indulge (and we know they indulge) in. You don’t have to be a celebrity—or anyone with a platinum CC to get the star treatment. I went inside the suites and behind the scenes of this year’s Awards season to share Hollywood’s most prized preparation secrets with you.

Working It Out—One Way or Another
There are a couple of ways to achieve the perfect body and celebrities depend on them all. One way is to work out:
-Pilates at Studio Darien (7507 Sunset Blvd., Suite 14, LA; 323.874.2615) is a popular choice. The celebrities and sports stars that walk out of her studio will amaze you.
-The Bar Method (8416 W. Third Street, West Hollywood; 323.651.2226) has shown amazing results on the derrieres and legs of many in Hollywood!
-Sheila Kelly’s The S Factor has people like Terri Hatcher raving about the workout. (5225 Wilshire Blvd. #B, L.A; 323.965.9685)
-Spinning whiz Todd Mendiola kicks it into high gear at Crunch (8000 Sunset Blvd, LA; 323.654.4550)
-Yoga Booty Ballet at Swerve (8250 West 3rd St. #206 L.A; 866.289.8939) is creating body awareness while it shapes and tones. While most stars have personal trainers, you can join a gym or consult a personal trainer to get you going for 4-6 sessions.
-Christina Aguilera’s trainer Ashley Borden is local to LA and while she works with celebrities, she works with regular people too. So you can get the same workout as the stars you read about. www.ashleyborden.com

For privacy, celebs typically workout at home—usually with a trainer. You can too—though your trainer comes courtesy of a DVD. No excuses about being too tired; you can choose workouts that range from 10- 45 minutes long. Our favorites:
-Quick Fix Total Cardio Kick with Janis Saffell is built around 10 minute segments. www.janissaffell.com. Saffell’s Brand New Butt will give you all that and more.
-The Bar Method sculpts butt, thighs and tummy in the comfort of your home courtesy of a DVD or VHS tape. www.barmethod.com
-For a different—but still cardio— workout, T-Tapp is used by tons of models who know that this workout will whittle inches off your body parts while you improve body mechanics and posture. www.t-tapp.com
-For the true Pilates addict, check out Romana’s Pilates on VHS or DVD. Taught by Romana Kryzanowska, student protégé of Joseph and Clara Pilates, this workout (available in 4 different mat routines) will teach you proper form as it sculpts your body and tones that core! www.naturaljourneys.com

Under Cover
If you are still jiggling despite all the workouts, don’t despair. Stylists know that there are ways to stop the jiggle: it’s what’s worn under the gown that makes the person look phenomenal.

OnGossamer’s collection features a Seamless, Backless/Strapless Bra (#3416) that dips in back and front, invisibly creating a shaping effect. Pair it with the Mesh Hip-G (#3512), a seamless panty in a range of styles for varying amounts of coverage. www.Barenecessities.com

For a touch more control under that gown, Spanx provides everything you need and leaves you a smooth sleek line under every garment—even pants. Celebrities like Teri Hatcher swear by this garment for their red carpet fashions!! www.spanx.com

For those low-cut tops and gowns, don’t fret about the possibility of pulling a “Tara Reid”. Get Hollywood Fashion Tape to ensure clothing won’t move or gap! Tape is what kept JLO in that Versace dress and can take care of all your needs for the protection of your assets! Also, prevent clothing tags driving you crazy with Hollywood Tag Tamers. These clear, smooth, adhesive tag covers prevent tags from popping out of your garment. They also preserve your designer labels and insure that you have the proper instructions for cleaning your garment. Just peel and place and you are on your way. www.personaltouchlingerie.com

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Everyone’s a klutz at some point –even celebrities—and getting deodorant, food, powder or lint on clothing (particularly dark clothing) is something we all have done. Never fear! Gal Pal is here to “save the day (ahem, typically the night!)”. Gal Pal Garment Deodorant Remover pads are the perfect way to wipe off deodorant or other smudges from clothing. Travel Gal Pal is ideal for traveling (or the desk or car) because the dual textured pads remove deodorant or other soft smudges with the pink side and the coarse gray side removes dirt and dried food. www.personaltouchlingerie.com

Accessorize This!

Stars never go far down the red carpet without a luxe handbag. Swarovski’s amazing Star Collector limited edition clutch is made from crystal mesh and kidskin and features a hidden chain. Penelope Cruz selected this handbag for the Oscars. www.swarovski.com

If you prefer a less glitzy clutch, Lauren Scherr is a popular choice on and off the red carpet. The beautiful Anastasia clutch is done in champagne with a colorful dragonfly brooch or with a beautiful round brooch both done in Swarovski crystals. www.laurenscherr.com

Want to bring out the bling? Slip into a Tinu Shoebag for some amazing handbags done as boots and shoes. These fab bags, which can be done with real or faux gems, were the hit of the Oscar suites! While the limited edition shoe-bags and the boot-bags are the most notable, Tinu presented new styles at the Hilton suites. Hits included fabulously slouchy hobos with zippers that could expand the size of the bag and show off an inner colored lining; a satchel-type bag with decorative jewels; and a scrunched leather bag with golden charms that flew out of the suites on the arms of various celebrities! www.tinushoebag.com

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When you want a low key accessory that will glam things up quietly, stars turn to Michelle Roy hair clips and pins. Whether pinned onto a lapel, handbag or clipped into your hair, you will always look sensational. These floral pieces are favorites of the two Eva’s: Longoria and Mendes as well as Jessica Alba. Roy created a silken Magnolia Blossom encrusted with crystals just for Emmy presenters in September and is now providing fashionistas a version (a plain Magnolia blossom) that they can buy online with the proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross. www.MichelleRoyDesigns.com

Jewelry is always a hot item because it can make—or break—any outfit. Talia’s diamond and ruby Waterfall Earrings are stellar examples of serious bling with gorgeous color that sparkles every time you turn your head and wearing these you will turn heads! www.taliajewelry.com

Jeannette Fossa’s Vice Versa Rings are stackable brushed platinum and diamond rings that can be worn as singles or stacked in various multiples. These rings were very popular with celebrities! www.jeannettefossas.com

Sossi’s 14K white gold, pink tourmaline ring is a fab piece with only a four figure price tag. www.sossicollection.com

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Ricardo Basta’s Art Deco Ladder Necklace done in platinum and precious gems. (310.278.4792)

Neil Lane had stunning platinum Basket Chandelier Earrings at the Platinum Guild suite. Men wear jewelry for a polished touch. Neil Lane created an edgy platinum and diamond Maltese Cross Pendant. This was an awe-inspiring piece to pick up and looked amazing on male and female celebs who dared try it on. (Neil Lane: 310.275.5015)

Kwiat hosted their suite at the Four Seasons Hotel and hosted a great cocktail party to kick-off Oscar week. Movie and TV celebrities like Sharon Stone, Glenn Close, Allison Janey, and Emmy Rossum (above) visited the suite to view and “test-drive” the Kwiat collection of cool ice and hot diamonds. For the best of “right hand rings” and stunning earrings, Kwiat is the line to check out.

Chris Aire for 2 Awesome International’s cool chunky platinum and diamond bracelet is bling with a more subdued touch. This bracelet is a funky touch to give edge to the red carpet attire of black tie. www.2awesomeint.com

For a more elegant look, choose David Webb’s platinum, black enamel, diamond and crystal shirt studs and cufflinks which are what Morgan Freeman wore to the Oscars.

Party Down
One of the places were media and celebrities could mingle and relax was at the Regent Beverly Wilshire’s Bacardi Big Apple Lounge. Set on the floor with a majority of the Oscar suites, it was great to take a break, sip an appletini while getting a manicure from the Nailtini people. Two tips here: first, for great martinis, make sure you have Bacardi Rum-- flavored or plain—it’s not a great drink without Bacardi. Tip #2: Nailtini has great “recipes” for creating luscious nail looks that will set off your nails and your clothing for day or nighttime—with a slick of a polish!

It’s a Shoe-in!

Shoes are crucial in completing the “star” look. Stuart Weitzman presented new strappy silhouettes that are sensational both on and off the red carpet. The special shoes he created for the Oscars featured pieces of jewelry worn by Marilyn Monroe! Of course, Jimmy Choo’s new collection showed up on red carpet along with Christian Louboutin.

The biggest “star secret” was seen at the Monkey in Pants suite at the Hilton: MBT anti-cellulite shoes and the new Ching Shi shoes. From Foot Solutions, the MBT is a tweak on athletic shoes. By changing the center of gravity in your posture and gait, you’re working your muscles differently, thus reducing cellulite. New to the line are the Chung Shi shoes which are also available as athletic shoes or sandals. They help relieve back pain, strengthen and tone legs, and offer a unique “massaging” action when you wear them. If only they could combine these with Manolo’s… now we’re talking. (www.footsolutions.com for stores near you)