Red carpet evening it isn’t ALL glitz & glam

As you know, this past week was FILLED with cocktails and celebs

as I visited Los Angeles for what was another FABULOUS Red Carpet event with Disney for the opening of Oz the Great and Powerful. While I’d like you to THINK that all I had to do was slip into my LBD and Tory Burch flats (no heels for me, it was a SRO evening at a nightclub following the premiere), the truth is that keeping up is a never-ending job. Add to that the little things that I have to remember (at my age it’s not quite as easy as it used to be), and it can be overwhelming. Thankfully I have it all down pat.

So, what is it that I do to prepare?

Skin care

These events are usually 3 or more days long, and when I say days I mean days & nights of little to no sleep. This last event had me “up” for 28 hours straight between getting to the airport all the way through the after-party. Looking your best when you feel washed out is a job for a brand like Pevonia Spa Clinica. In preperation, I’ve been VIGILANT about my twice daily regimen that includes

• Cleanser
• Toner
• Serum (at night)
• Moisturizer

My skin shows VISIBLE signs of sun damages and spots, as well as lines and wrinkles. At 59 years old, I have to expect that, but I’m fighting them as much as I can (I never leave the house without sunblock, even if it’s to go to the end of the driveway for the newspaper).  I adore the smell of Jasmine as I wash my face, and I love the no-nonsense approach that Pevonia’s 20+ years of experience provides. If I have questions, there is an online aesthetician that I can SKYPE, text or call who’s ready to answer any questions that I might have.

I’m NEW to the whole Pevonia experience, and I have to say that I’m quite impressed with not only the results, but also the ease of using the system.

HAIR

I’m so lucky to have a two amazing people that I can always count on in the hair business.  Shana my colorist/stylist and my rockstar twitter friend David who’s a hairdresser to celebs and makes certain that my hair is PHERO-TASTIC with his Laid Brand Pheromone based shampoo, conditioner and my FAVE Fill Me Up Texture Spray that keeps my short locks looking their absolute best! There’s no using the hotel shampoo & conditioner for ME…no, no, no – I bring my Shady Girl collection with me whenever I travel.

BODY

Between my age and the fact that I have a disability that makes it difficult for me to stand or walk for any length of time, it can be a real issue when you’re out with no place to sit down. While I no longer go to physical therapy, I have taken up YOGA. I wish that I had the time for an organized class, but rather than NOT go, I opt for some in-home classes via a NUMBER of different DVDs. I not only need to switch things up to keep myself motivated, but I’ve had to go from a complete novice.

I began with the 

Weight Watchers Yoga Starter Kit

I love that it comes with both an easy option as well as an advanced one, along with a yoga strap and block (less for me to go out to buy). This all-in-one workout set also includes a great 10-week exercise tracker. Sara Ivanhoe gives a nice GENTLE workout that even I could do.

Because I have a knee issue a yoga mat is not enough for me, so I’ve added the DOD Fitness knee donuts that come in the do or die fitness package. I’m now able to do kneeling exercises, although it still takes some doing for me to get from one position to another once I’m on my knees. These are GREAT if you have knee, wrist or NECK problems….my exercise lifesaver! They may say “no pain, no gain” but when I have pain it means MORE surgery & PT…so, I don’t take chances.

Tamal Dodges’s Intro to Yoga and the Yoga for Energy and Relaxation videos

Great for my “mixing it up method.” I have post-menopausal sleep issues, so a relating yoga class can improve sleep! Both are a part of the element series. While I have Clem running around the living room at the mansion while I’m doing my poses, I’m concentrating on the incredible ocean front garden in the video (my Calgon take me away moment).

For those who don’t know, I was a professional dancer and actress for many years. I had a horrible accident and was told that I’d never walk again. Thank goodness for an incredible surgeon and physical therapist who actually allowed me to use my dance training to learn to walk again. I’ve wanted to do Pilates again (I used to do it as a dancer), and my goal is to work up to being able to stretch my leg as much as I can.

On my DVD agenda….Stott Pilates’ Pilates Towel Workout and (fingers crossed) Accelerated Pilates with a resistance band (a step up from using a towel).

I can easily do them on my “good” side, but since I’ve got a flexion contracture, stretching the “bad” side is still an issue…but it’s still so important to have goals. These simple workouts have helped so much with my stamina, and I’m usually able to last til 2 or 3 am at a celeb filled party with NO problems.

MAKEUP

Urban Decay made this particular red carpet an easy one, and after tossing on a base of my usual MAC foundation, I set my eyes aglow with the Theodora Palette that Urban Decay created based on Oz the Great and Powerful (I also have the Glinda one, but I was going for full scale glam). These good witch – bad witch palettes for the eyes and lips will bring out the best as you give a wink or the evil eye!

NAILS

OPI OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL MINI LACQUERS provided me with a little good on my fingernails (Don’t Burst my Bubble) and a little BAD on my piggies (What Wizardry is This?), although I ended up wearing close toe shoes, and no one saw the glint of glitter as I walked.

The dress, shoes & accessories change according to the event, but there’s ONE accessory that I won’t step out without.

MY PHONE

Little cocktail handbags mean NO TOTING a camera around. Instead, I make sure to bring my Verizon HTC Windows 8X phone with me. I can sneak pictures of the likes of Zach Braff and Mila Kunis, tweet all of the news from the party, upload photos to my facebook account and even turn on the reverse camera and use it as a mirror to touch up  my makeup! If you followed along with me last week, that’s how I was sending ALL of my messages. I can’t imagine going to an event without all of my technology all rolled into one.

There is a LOT of work that goes on behind the scenes, but it’s WORTH it.

I’ve included links to the products in case you’d like to check them out for yourself.

Disclosure: Some of the above products were provided to me for review, others I bought, and some I’ve reviewed in the past and went out and purchased because I love using them. I am also participating in the Verizon Wireless Ambassador program and have been provided with a wireless device and three months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product. All opinions whether sent by a company or not – are strictly my own.