THE TASTE-MAKERS TOAST THE OSCARS


Actor Craig DiFrancia

 

Pre-Oscars Gifting Lounges Pack a Pretty Punch

Luxury-loving Bon vivants Mark Harris and Matt Harris got the stars out of bed early on a Friday morning for their annual WOW Creation Luxury Gifting Lounge at the W Hotel Hollywood.  The hosts of LA Radio’s Tastemakers and Storage Wars veterans amped it up with their imitable verve and dynamism.

Attendees grabbed a tote bag and were let loose on a labyrinth of luxury in the series of connecting ballrooms.  If there was a theme of any kind, it was all about making life easier and healthier.  Of course, there was the expected presence of CBD products, this time from CBD NutraTech.  We were treated to a sample of age-erasing Mystic Gemstone Facial Serum and a liquid highlighter from La Monique Cosmetics.

Formerly only available at Barney’s New York and in Asia, award-winning Vitabrid C12 gifted a bag of full-size products featuring a revolutionary of stabilized Vitamin C and antioxidants. Not so good for you, but oh-so-delicious sweets will make Treeting Cards your favorite new way to send a greeting. After indulging the sweet tooth,  Nirvana Bars are as super tasty protein bar but with a multitude of high-quality vitamins for better living.  When in the mood to exercise off the excess, Mperial Sportswear is the go-to for the urban-luxe look and feel.

If you can order food for delivery, why not wellness?  The Concierge RN is ready to relieve whatever ails you without the office visit hassle while Healing Hands Mobile Massage saves you the trip to a clinic or spa only to be greeted by an indifferent staff and impersonal practitioner.

Feeling tired and lackluster?  Do you wish you could have an IV infusion but don’t know where to go?  Alpha Hydration Services will come to you to administer and hydrate wherever you happen to be.  Now it’s possible you don’t know what is ailing you and need a psychic or reiki master instead.  In that case, Spring Rayne will use her multi-dimensional abilities as a mind-body holistic health practitioner in office or remotely to explore, advise, and guide you to a healthier and more balanced path.

And finally, good gifts are hard to find.  Until now.  Cask Cartel offers premium liquors delivered in handsome wooden boxes for the perfect gift at any time of year.

Our day of luxury gifting continued as we moved from the W Hollywood to a penthouse at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for the TMG & Smile Direct Club Pre-Oscars Lounge.  What sets TMG apart is that it’s really a pampering afternoon of head-to-toe beauty services rather than a traditional gifting suite of rows of vendors.

Actress Anne Winters
Actress Anne Winters

Already packed by the time we arrived, our first stop was the Smile Direct Club suite where we sampled the Bright On LED Light Whitening System.  Not only effective after one application, but it was also the great equalizer as everyone looked similarly silly with a mouth full of a lighted apparatus.

The next stop was the candlelit spa room for a full-service facial by OSkin Med Spa.   Founded by award-winning esthetician and businesswoman Olivia Quido, Utilizing her internationally acclaimed line of skincare, the facial included a pure collagen mask activated by chilled globes.  After an application of active ampoules and serums, the skin is visibly firmer with a luminous glow.

Actress Edy Ganem

Speaking of bright, guests received manicures by The Beauty Spot featuring the piñata like colors from the OPI Mexico City collection for spring.  Nails barely dry, next up was a fat-melting or cellulite busting service from Emscupult and Emtone. Simultaneously building muscle and burning fat o by emitting electromagnetic pulses that force your muscles to contract about 20,000 times in just 30 minutes. The rapid contractions also cause your muscles to release chemicals that tell fat cells in the area to break down.  With treatment tables and machines in the middle of a crowded room, recipients of the service seemed undaunted by the display of their naked tummy or backside in full view.

Actor Vincent Rodriguez

After lying down for a facial and Emscuplt therapy, stylists from Aquage were waiting to fix hair in various stages of disarray with their professional line of haircare infused with sea minerals.  Before heading out the door to face the world again was a visit to the SeneGence makeup lounge for a touch-up that included their truly kiss and rub proof Lip Sense.  Everyone left with a cosmetic bag filled with SeneGence favorites including the breakthrough Firming & Lifting Neck Cream.

sheryl lee ralph
Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph

There was also lash and brow services by celebrity makeup artist Shareen Adair of ICANDY SALON, and massages by Cinthia Dahl.         

Actress Fivel Stewart