Recap: Real Simple Beauty & Balance Preview

On Friday, April 8th, I attended the annual Real Simple Beauty & Balance preview at the Andaz Hotel at 485 Fifth Avenue. Guests enjoyed Pure Barre Master Trainer fitness class, dry-styling by Drybar, makeup touch-ups from Laura Geller, threading shaping, perfecting and temple massage by Wink Brow Bar. The preview ended with a cocktail party serving up drinks by Tito's Vodka, hors d'oeuvres and sweet treats from Chobani Simply 100. 

Since I was going out that night, I skipped the fitness class but got all the beauty treatments done. I opted for loose curls from Drybar, with Triple Sec The perfect 3-in-1 (texturizes, amplifies and refreshes hair), Detox Dry Conditioner, and Sparkling Soda Shine Mist used on my hair. 

For my Laura Geller makeup touch-up, the following products were used for my modern classic look:

Foundation: Golden Medium

Bronzer: Baked Sculpting Bronzer

Lid: Rosemist

Mascara: Black

Lip Gloss: Cherry Sorbet

- Kim Weling

Real Simple Beauty & Balance Event

Last Saturday, April 18th, Real Simple Magazine held it's 2nd annual Beauty & Balance event at Andaz 5th Avenue. On April 17th, I got a sneak peek of the event, filled with a Pure Barre class, beauty treatments and wine and chocolate pairings.

The afternoon beauty services included RoC Skincare facials, Laura Gellar makeovers and Aveda hairstyling. Pure Barre held a full-body workout concentrating on arms, thighs, seat, and abs. The event ended with a Ghirardelli wine and chocolate pairing. 

The RoC Skincare Daily Resurfacing Disks, Retinol Deep Wrinkle Serum, Multi Correxion 5-in-1 Daily Moisturizer and Retinol Correxion Eye Cream were used for my RoC Skincare facial. The Daily Resurfacing Disks easily became my favorite RoC Skincare product! They are great for cleansing, exfoliating and removing makeup. 

Aveda hairstyles included three looks that guests could choose from: Earthy Allure, Prairie Waves or Crown of Gold. I opted for a mixture of waves mixed with a braid. Aveda Pure Abundance Hair Potion, Thickening Tonic and Air Control Hair Spray were used to complete my look. 

Guests enjoyed a relaxing moment with Aveda chakra balancing body mists

The Ghirardelli chocolate and wine pairing consisted of three pairings: 

1) 72% Twilight Delight, a deep velvety Intense Dark chocolate with hints of mocha, black pepper, and dark cherry, paired with Merlot Seven Falls 2011 from Wahluke Slope, Washington 

2) 86% Midnight Reverie, a luxuriously deep Intense Dark chocolate with a full-bodied flavor accompanied by hints of dark cherries and dried plums, paired with Cabernet Sauvignon Twenty Bench, California. 

and my favorite pairing:

3) Sea Salt Soiree, a blend of Intense Dark chocolate, roasted almonds, and coarse crystals of sea salt, paired with Warres Vintage Port 2003. 

Thank you Real Simple for a 'beautyful' afternoon! Hope to see you again next year!

- Kim Weling

Real Simple Beauty & Balance Weekend

Sally Hansen Nail Art Station

Real Simple Magazine is holding their first-ever Beauty & Balance Weekend at the Andaz 5th Avenue. The two-day pop-up experience on March 15th and 16th celebrates their annual beauty issue with fitness classes, brunch and beauty treatments. 

I decided to spend my Saturday at Beauty & Balance pop-up, first checking out the Power Brunch featuring scrambled eggs and moving right along to my first beauty service - a manicure at the Sally Hansen Nail Art Station. My favorite treatment was the Amore Pacific mini facial at the Amore Pacific Skincare Lab, including products from the Moisture Bound line. After my mini facial I received a Benefit Mini-Makeover with the new liquid to powder Big Easy, which I am already obsessing over. I ended my day of beauty treatments with an amazing massage at the Kate Spade New York Relaxation Lounge. Guests also had the chance to get their hair styled at the Ricardo Rojas Hair Styling and Blowout Bar. 

All guests had signed up for their beauty appointments online here. Saturday was very relaxed and organized, with each beauty treatment timed at 15 minutes. My beauty treatments couldn't go any smoother, as I was easily able to move from one appointment to the next, with a spacious setup for each beauty station. Guests also took home a Real Simple tote including beauty samples and goodies. 

If you have any appointments at Beauty & Balance on Sunday, make sure you don't miss them!  

Power Brunch

Amore Pacific Skincare Lab

Benefit Mini-Makeovers

- Kim Weling

Real Simple Holiday Pop-Up Shop, Presented by Citi.

The Real Simple Pop-Up Shop is currently open through December 13th, from 11am-8pm at Citi Pond at Bryant Park! The 4,000 square foot pop-up space includes free food tastings, gift bags, beauty makeovers and hair consultations by L'oreal Paris and memorable, affordable gift ideas taken from Real Simple's December gift guide.

Be sure to stop by the Citi Warming Station and Digital Lounge for complimentary hand warmers, apple cider, coffee or tea while charging up your phone.

Guest appearances include an eye toward "Making Your Holidays Real Simple," featuring the editors of Real Simple and notables like Gail Simmons (12/10 at 3pm), Dylan Lauren (Sunday 12/11 at 11am), Todd English (Sunday 12/11 at 1pm) and Mario Batali (Monday 12/12 at 12pm).

On December 8th, I attended the blogger preview at 10am. The opening ceremony and ribbon cutting was led by Real Simple Managing Editor Kristin van Ogtrop with special guests Carson Kressley, Sam Champion and DonorsChoose.org founder Charles Best.

Candace Nelson, founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes, during a cupcake-decorating demo

Delectably sweet cupcakes from Sprinkles Cupcakes

L'oreal Paris makeup boutique

Vera Bradley totes, bags and duffels

Real Simple Managing Editor Kristin van Ogtrop with Carson Kressley

Learn more at realsimple.com/popupshop.

- Kim Weling