In the world of award shows it doesn’t get much bigger than the Academy Awards. And in the weeks leading up to the big night, there are several gifting suites aimed at wooing and wowing celebrities with luxurious products. I was thrilled to get the chance to attend one of these events and give you an inside look at some serious star treatment.
The Red Carpet Luxury and Beauty Lounge benefiting NKLA – a Best Friends Animal Society initiative was hosted by Secret Room Events. When I walked in it was like peeking into a fancy party that all the cool kids were invited to. I kept hoping they didn’t notice I wasn’t cool!
The party was held at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills so of course I had to break out my heels. The ballroom was packed with vendors with luxurious beauty treatments and hair care, to snacks, jewelry and high-tech items. Guests were also treated to food and drinks provided by master chef Wolfgang Puck.
If you don’t know, here’s what happens when a celebrity enters a gifting suite. They are given a giant bag to hold all their swag in, or sometimes an assistant holds it for them. Then they walk around to each table and booth where companies introduce them to their products and usually give them something to take home, whether it’s the full product or a sample.
Beauty products from SleekHair.com
The StinkBoss shoe deodorizer
The idea or goal behind these gifting lounges is that the companies hope the celebrities will take a picture holding it or use it and share a picture online to help increase awareness and sales of the product. How often have you seen a star using something or in a picture with a product and you wonder what it is or where they got it? We are all influenced in some way by what celebrities use and this is one way companies get their products in the hands of influential stars. Pretty smart if you ask me!
Platinum sponsor Wed by Chaz Dean
Now that you know WHY they gift, let’s talk about WHAT they gift! My first stop was Wen by Chaz Dean, a premiere sponsor of the event. Chaz was showcasing his new cleansing conditioner in Spring Cherry Blossom and it smelled heavenly. There was also an area where celebs could get a quick fix for their hair and be red carpet ready.
Next up was Allomind. This sleep eye ware lets you watch a movie just as is you’re sitting in a movie theater. It has groundbreaking optics that bring tandem 1080p micro-OLED displays into crisp focus. I tried them on and was amazed at how much it looked like a movie theater…inside my glasses! This was one of the most luxurious items in the room.
And speaking of luxury, I talked to Margaret Tomaszewicz from European Skin Care and Massage Studio. We chatted about getting red carpet ready with the Woda 24k Gold Mask. You know that Marilyn Monroe glow that we all aspire to have? This mask and line of beauty products creates that look. It’s silky smooth going on and instantly made me look glowy and dewy just as God intended. That’s what he intended, right? You can also visit the European Skin Care and Massage Studio in Santa Monica to get the full star treatment.
The Ernie and Irene table caught my eye immediately. They create handmade tapestries and jewelry that are truly works of art. Each piece is the result of hours of intricate handwork using textural, sculptural wall hangings.
And for the first time ever, every guest that attended the Red Carpet Style Lounge received an all-inclusive 7 night stay at one of Elite Island Resorts fabulous Caribbean properties. Select lucky nominees were also gifted much coveted ultra exclusive 5-star vacation packages courtesy of Pacific Resort Aitutaki, Cook Islands’ only member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World collection and The Reef by CuisinArt Anguilla, also a member of Small Luxury Hotels and sister property to the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa. That’s amazing!
Vintage Italia Pasta Chips
Julie’s Real nut butters
Other highlights included:
- Cavalleri Malibu – Luxury Malibu condos
- Julie’s Real – Almond butters, cashew butters and grain-free granola
- Sally Snacks – We can’t forget about celebrity pets! These are healthy, all-natural dog treats for a stars best friend.
- Stink Boss – The ultimate shoe deodorizer…because even celebs get stinky feet!
- Vivajennz – A fun purse with a secret pouch that carries wine, juice, water or whatever you need
- Ecotools – Eco friendly beauty products
- Art Naturals Oils Difuser – Perfect for enjoying your essential oils while listening to music
- Dermesse – Medical grade skin care
- JJ The American Street Dog – Beautiful book by Diane Rose-Solomon on the importance of pet adoption and awareness
- Vintage Italia – Pasta bow-tie snacks that are non-gmo (try the cheddar…trust me!)
- SleekHair.com – Luxurious beauty products
Attipas Australian footwear for toddlers
Auspect Skincare International
Upon exiting, guests also received a bag full of goodies from Dermatologic Cosmetic Laboratories, Silc Skin, ChapStick Total Hydration Moisture + Tint, Emily Cho handbags, Brownie Brittle, Rachel Tribble, Guylian USA Inc, Sasaki Advanced Aesthetic Medical Center, Pretty Woman, NBTY Global Inc, US Organic, Leuchtturm 1917, BLK BLU NYC, Taymor, Hero Nutritionals, Spoiled Naturally, Yankee Candle, Green Goo by Sierra Sage, Yazzii, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Justins, LL Bean, Eveden, Hey Lady Shoes, Texture The Magazine App, Feel Good Photos By Sasha, Trimfoot, Olde Armoury Leather, New Beauty, Black Stallion Winery and Imedeen Prime Renewal.
Whew. Talk about a haul! Overall it was such a thrill walking around the room, meeting these wonderful people and learning more about their products. In fact you might say, I felt like a star!
