Not L.A. Sloppy...L.A. Calculated Cool According to Kelly Cutrone, People's Revolution's Bi-Coastal CEO & CW's "America's Next Top Model"

By Laura Medina

The tough but kind Kelly Cutrone-People's Revolution's founder & CEO, star of Bravo's "Kell on Earth," and the current judge on CW's "America's Next Top Model," was stoic and considerate enough to take the time to do conduct a rare, conference phone interview with a round table of fashion journalists, despite spending the first thing this morning (prior to this interview) dealing with the estate of her first husband, who died the night before.

She saw this rare window of time to dispense candid advice and observations of how a model's hometown can make her or him unique in the standardized world of modeling...and how there is room for some.

Following in the footsteps of Miami Fashion Week, which is all about swimwear, the mostly South Floridian journalist panel asked why the majority of model contests hail from South Florida?

Basing on her wise observation and first-hand interaction, South Florida's warm climate and being away from the industry-capitals of New York and Los Angeles imbues the girls with being comfortable with one's body and having a sweet disposition. 

Due to the humidity, the heat, and the sun, one cannot help but be comfortable in one's own body and skin because one has to be scantily clad and the weather does encourage physical activities.  Being at ease with one's body does make a huge difference on the modeling set, compared to someone growing up in a colder climate, who doesn't grow up scantily clad.  Those type of girls tend to be awkward and rigid on set...and that's something Ms. Cutrone said that you do not want at all because a model has to be easy-going enough to adapt to any scenario.

Growing up away from industry-capitals of fashion/arts/culture New York and entertainment "Hollywood' Los Angeles, Florida girls tend to have a sweeter personality which makes it easier to deal with on set.

Not trying to sound mean but truthfully honest based on running a major bi-coastal fashion public relations agency, Ms. Cutrone quickly added that LA Girls are not "mean" nor is "LA Style" sloppy.

More than anything, Kelly can't help but notice that the LA Girl is the living embodiment of "Details can make it or break it."  Despite the overall casual easy appearance of tank top and jeans, she noticed that the LA Girl gets blow-outs, polished manicures and pedicures (far better to show "clean" in open-toe sandals, heels, and flip-flips), and nearly cellulite-free.  

This is why people love Kelly Cutrone.  She is not afraid to explain why, going in-depth on Los Angeles' "Calculated Cool."  The majority of models are also actors as well or they're already established actors who happened to be modeling approachable tops and jeans for their fans scouring the magazines.  Regardless, the LA Girl has to be ready, whether it is for the paparazzi or just bumping into the casting director or talent manager or agent or producer.  These girls are always "on."

With all this consciousness attention to detail, Kelly hopes that these girls will get their big break.

Sure, Kelly does say if you're over the age of 26 or 28 and a size 6, don't bother being a runway model.  Then again, she's not afraid that rail-thin runway model look terrible in a bikini.

The Floridian style journalists were relieved that a healthy curvy girl can make it as a swimwear model with a bust and a curve to full out a bikini and a bathing suit.  This scribe is cheered up when Kelly there is a room for short but cleared skin girls as beauty models.

As this former model who modeled in college while first her first Bachelor Degree, Kelly added that ages 18 to 24 is the best time to enter modeling.  Why?  Girls who enter too soon at age 14, going to go-sees with her mom, is going to be burnt-out by age 19; and industry people have seen her all too often, not fresh anymore.

Plus, college-aged people are better equipped to handle the real duties of modeling while fresh, yet will have that degree when the modeling ends.

By the way, one of the reasons why Kelly decided to join "America's Next Top Model."  She wants to dispel the myth that male models are gay.  She quickly quipped that the majority of male models are straight.

Hope and words from the wise, Kelly Cutrone.

 

Growing Up Royal, "Born to Royalty" a BBC American Documentary in Selected Theaters Now

 

Released in very selected movie theaters this past Friday, July 19th, in anticipation of the royal birth, BBC America released this very special and rare treat, a in-depth documentary on raising a royal baby and the responsibilities that comes with the perks of being royal.

Here are clips to this documentary, https://silo.mediasilo.com/quicklink/ED4D648CEA80D35EF0B305D1284850C6/ and https://silo.mediasilo.com/quicklink/ED4B20A4CD64C63F3348E3F62C204949/

Narrated by Hugh Bonneville (the fictional  Robert Crawley of "Downton Abbey") and and featuring interviews with experts including internationally acclaimed author Ingrid Seward (Royal Biographer and Editor of Majesty Magazine), Ken Wharfe (Princess Diana’s Bodyguard), and veteran Royal correspondent Jennie Bond, this documentary takes you behind the palace gates to tell the realities of being "born royal."

From stories of Royal delivery rooms, nurseries, playtime and schooling to tales of the Royals themselves as babies, mischievous toddlers, students and dutiful members of the Armed Forces, this film sheds fresh light on what life was like – and what life could be like - for the latest child Born to Royalty. 

Enjoy rarely-seen archive footage and family photographs taken by former Royal Photographer Jayne Fincher, intertwining both grand images and more intimate glimpses of their lives together. The documentary offers a look at Queen Elizabeth II, her parents and grandparents, and her own heirs, from Charles (and his marriage to Diana) through young Princes Harry and William and beyond.

The film explores the changing way that Royals have dealt with their own children, becoming more hands-on through the generations and the staff that were closest to the family. It also looks at what it means to enter this rarefied world from the outside, starting with Princess Diana and more recently the Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine Middleton. Featuring contributions from those close to the Royal Family, former employees, historians and Royal observers and photographers, Born to Royalty examines what it means to be raised in the aristocracy.

Date Night at the LA Zoo

By Laura Medina

Wanna get out of the urban jungle for a moment?  Does the dating zoo at dance clubs and parties leaves thin pickings?  Do you much rather see real wild life, such as animals, rather than battling it out with human animals all last week?  Have you and your honey run out of ideas of what to do on "date night?"

Well, Thursday, July the 25th is your chance, your last chance at that window of time.  That's the last night that the Los Angeles Zoo is doing "Roaring Nights."

It's the LA Zoo's month long trial run of foodie truck fair-meets-comedy club-meets-cool nightclub while getting acquainted or re-acquainted with a real zoo.

Mind you, LA Zoo's "Roaring Nights" are strictly for 18 years old and above.  

These "Roaring Nights" are great date nights, gourmet food trucks (the likes of Grilled Cheese Truck, Coolhaus, Komodo Truck, and Crepe'n Around), hip and hot stand-up from comedians Rob Gleeson, Jonny Loquasto, Francisco Ramos,  Helen Hong, and Improv comedy troupe.  Live rock from a line-up featuring So Many Wizards, CHIEF, and this upcoming Thursday on the 25th, NO.  In between the snacking, the laughing, and the rocking, you and your honey can take a breather by strolling through the zoo.

Since Thursday the 25th is your last chance at a real adult date, without the cheesiness (you and your date much rather munch on real gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches) but with the real romance coming from a rare combination of live rock music and nature.

The event is $18 for general admission, and $15 for GLAZA and KCRW members at http://www.lazoo.org/roaringnights/

The LA Zoo is located at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027, located at the northeast corner of Griffith Park at the junction of the I-5 (Golden State) and the 134 (Ventura) freeways.  The Zoo is directly across from the Autry Museum of Western Heritage.

Thursday the 25th's "Roaring Night" starts at 7:00 then lasts until 10:00 p.m.

Friends with Benefits, Toners that Add & Nourish the Skin, not Strip

By Laura Medina

Come on and meet these new generation of toners, they have graduated from drying alcohol from junior high and high school, that strip away too much of the hormonal acne and blackheads, along with after-school sport dirt and grim.

These toners have grown up with you.

In these approaching dog days of Summer, you'll still need refreshing toner to wipe the environmental pollutants, grim, and dirt and let the pores breathe, but as an adult, you need to replace the dirty oil with beneficial nutrients that nourishes and protects the face and skin.

For those with sensitive or "transitional" skin, these grown-up toners are here for the rescue.

From the former Research & Developer for Avon and Elizabeth Arden, Tony Vargas took his years from high-technology methodology to distill what is the best from all-natural ingredients that come directly from the garden.  Hence the name, Tilth Beauty, cultivating the skin the best way possible to nourish and retain the skin naturally.

Tilth Beauty's Aloe Restoration Toner, after you cleanse, imparts the skin with aloe to soothe, moisturize, and calm; cactus stem extract soothes and hydrates and protects the skin from UV damage, improving the skin's ability to protect itself from UV exposure / absorption;  cactus flower extract moisturizes, nourishes and neutralizes free radicals; Beta‐Glucan (D) calms and moisturizes, and promotes improved skin appearance  through cell turnover and promotes healthy collagen; Abyssine® (Alteromonas Ferment Extract) is a micro‐organism found in abyssal zone of ocean, soothes and calms sensitive skin harmed by chemical, mechanical, and UVB damage.

You can use it in dual ways, swiping grime and dirt as a gentle toner or as a revitalizing spritz, first thing in the morning and the last thing at night.

For the masses and easy access, don't overlook Napoleon Perdis' NP Makeup Aisle at your neighborhood Target.  Trust this scribe, his revitalizing NP Set Detoxifying Facial Toner and his skincare products are there, right along with his glam slam makeup kits and compacts.  Actually, his Detoxifying Facial Toner is one of the very rare toners specifically made for dry skin.

Let his Detoxifying Facial Toner soak your face in antioxidants of Mandarin Orange, Spinach, Carrot, Tomato, and Spinach extracts while the Green Tea Extract, Allantoin, and ProVitamin B5 to tone, protect, and reduce irritation.

Yes, your face may feel clean and tight after a good cleanse but it could also be dry and open to the elements-again.  During these dog days of Summer...if you're too budget-conscious to splurge on a lightweight serum and lotions and creams are just too heavy and thick for a humid, sticky season and month...use these grown-up toners as a fat-free version of skin nourishment pampering the skin with necessary gels and liquids of antioxidants and vitamins.

Let your skin drink them in.

The No-Water Facial for Your Face. The Laser Facial, Skin Laundry

By Laura Medina

As the initial part of a series of "The Damage is Done, Now What?,"  this intrepid, sympathetic scribe has been on a hunt for women and men who are in the same age demographic as this scribe but isn't as regimented as this scribe in regards to skincare and damage prevention.

As this scribe embarked on this beauty/skincare path, in addition to fashion and fine dining, many a people and readers have been asking, pleading, and begging for skin protection, prevention, and the Holy Grail of Skincare, reversing the damage.

Yep...the hunt in collecting and gathering then trying various methods and items have a time-consuming affair but let's face it (yes, pun intended), it was a fun journey trying and undergoing experimental state-of-the art treatments that have yet to hit the mainstream.

Well, this scribe discovered this eco-friendly, water-less, effective, and quick laser facial shop, Skin Laundry on 1230 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, California.

Think of Skin Laundry as a high-tech laser/Intense pulse light (IPL) therapy facial built on the one-stop concept of Dry Bar and Blushington, where they specialize, with laser beam focus (yes, another intended pun), on one beauty method and make it great.

Unlike most laser rejuvenation facilities, Skin Laundry has a softer ambiance of a comforting spa in hushed tones of cream and wood to ease people into the laser facial.

In the lobby/reception area, they have a small, vanity area where you can politely wipe off that day's makeup off your face so they can do the laser facial on you.

When the technician is ready for you, the guest is guided into a treatment that is curtained off.

First, you need to wear a pair of goggles and shut your eyes really tight because they are going to use two type of lasers on your face. Mind you, Skin Laundry only does the face and no other body areas. Also, they only do facials, not tattoo/hair removals.

Then, the technician slathers on a cooling gel all-over the face to ease you into relaxation and buffer the first set of laser.

The first set of laser is a light, prickles of laser beams sterilizing the environmental pollution and bacteria...that...no matter how hard you scrub and wipe, those germs are still there.  This first set of laser eradicates them.  This is the deepest clean a person can get without harsh scrubbing of an old-fashion microdermabrasion or the deep burn of medical chemical peel.  Actually, the little prickles of light beams are pretty mild compared to this scribe's intense microdermabrasion of yore.

The second and final set is the light therapy.  It is not pin-point prickly as the first laser set.  Instead, it is a wider beam of warm glow (Trust me in keeping your eyes shut and keep wearing that goggle. You'll see the two different types of laser beams).  It is this warmth that really gently "repair the damages of past habits or sins."

This final and second half of the light therapy rejuvenates your skin tone by boosting collagen and elastin production, removes sun damaged and aging spots, dramatically reduces wrinkles and fine lines, improves active acne and blemish prone skin, evens out skin tones and improves scaring and blemishes, whitens and brightens your complexion, tightens and firms sagging skin for a youthful   appearance, and here is the kicker...helps reverse the daily damages caused by sun exposure. 

In a nutshell, Skin Laundry provides a deep, thorough clean without wasting water or using harsh chemicals or rough rubbing then it gradually "reverse and repair" the damages from a lifetime of smoking, drinking, and frying underneath the sun.

This isn't an "one-shot miracle."  Skin Laundry is a softer, gradual laser skin therapy that is recommended no more than once a week.  They prefer that you give your face a rest before continuing with the next session.  Ideally, continuing on a two-week basis is preferred if you want to fast-track it safely and gradually.  Oh yeah, the two to one day before your laser facial, they suggest you don't exfoliate (physically or chemically) or use Retina-A. 

What is really cool, other than the free first time session, the entire two-step facial lasts more than 5 to 10 minutes.  They apply their own oil-free sunscreen serum to protect their work and absolutely no recovery time.

Unless chemical peels or even with microdermabrasion, there is no downtime for healing, no additional rest or recovery with additional gels and balms or even beauty balms.  Skin Laundry laser facial is really the pick-me-up-and-go treatment.  You'll be back at the office in no time.

This scribe was really impressed by the clear, soft, and matte resulting complexion, sans Photoshop.

Compared to other laser rejuvenation centers, they're fair.  The first time is free to see if you feel comfortable and like the results.  Thereafter, a single Skin Laundry laser facial is pretty reasonable, $75 for one appointment.  Depending if you have a balls, galas, award shows, and/or that impending high school reunion, you can plan ahead by picking these packages:

a three pack for $220 (saving $5) , a series of six for $430 ($20) , or a pack of 12 sessions for $860 (saving $40) .  

For this scribe's readers, it is nice that you all have set this scribe on a quest to "reverse and repair the damage."

This is the first but not the last in reversing and repairing the damage from youthful ignorance and laziness.

Skin Laundry is the first and one of many options on the market.

For those who don't live and can't make it to Skin Laundry Santa Monica on 1230 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, CA 90403 or Skin Laundry WeHo on 8789 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90048...don't fret!

This scribe has been discovering and collecting various items, products, and methods out there, that are already on your city's shelves or can be ordered online. 

Expect more and better, it's a never-ending journey. 

A Summer Fling...Old Navy Hooking Up with Disney for this Summer Only

By Laura Medina

This is how Hollywood does Summer, celebrate with one of American's most egalitarian clothiers, Old Navy then have them hang out with the All-American, family-friendly studio, Disney.  By putting them together, immediately after July the 4th and right before Bastille Day, have the two companies put out a cool line of collector's item tee-shirts with iconic Mickey and Minny Mouse on them then sell them only at Old Navy, only for this Summer, http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=97363#close

To celebrate this innocent hook-up, Old Navy and Disney threw a family picnic/ice cream social on the Walt Disney Studio Lot with some help from emerging Disney stars and mom-to-be Jennifer Love Hewitt, modeling one of the Disney tanks, while enjoying a much deserved Mickey Mouse ice cream pop.

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=97363#close

At the family fair/ice cream social (so appropriate under the noon day sun), a family of Old Navy mannequins model the collection.  Across the boulevard, big folks and little folks were treated to one free Old Navy/Disney Mickey or Minnie tee-shirt to commemorate two launches, the tee-shirts with vintage Mickey and Minnie culled from the archive and a launch of a new retro-styled cartoon short, "Stayin' Cool."

The biggest stars were, of course, Mickey and Minnie.  Tots lined up to get their picture taken with them at the photo booth.  The lucky families lunched on a burger and hot dog picnic while staying cool with Disney-edition blue lemonade and Mickey Mouse-ear ice cream pops.

Sure, there were other "sideline" entertainments.  Kids of all sizes and ages got a temporary Disney tattoo.  The big kids lined up in the sun for a Disney cartoon sketch by a team of real Disney cartoon artists.

But, the headlining entertainment was the official premiere of "Stayin' Cool," the latest release in line of cartoon shorts airing on the Disney Channel.  The public premiere for it wouldn't air until July 19th but those lucky big and little kids were treated to the exclusive "Stayin' Cool" premiere vintage-stylized Mickey, Donald and Goofy must find creative ways to keep cool on the hottest day of the year.

Old Navy collaborating with Disney isn't the only way to re-introduce these Disney characters and cultural heritage to a new generation of  3 to14 years olds.  These series of retro-styled shorts set up in contemporary comedy situations is another way to re-introduce Disney heritage to a new generation of kids while bringing back memories for their parents.

As for this scribe, it was a rare and cute family ice cream social on the historical and influential Walt Disney Lot...with tons of cool, soon-to-be vintage tee-shirts.