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

SEPHORA + PANTONE Pop-Up Greenhouse Featuring Radiant Orchid

Yesterday, March 27th, I stopped by the SEPHORA + PANTONE Pop-Up Greenhouse to celebrate the Color of the Year, Radiant Orchid. The Sephora makeup artists and Bumble and bumble hair styling team created my perfect spring look. The Eye: Radiant Femme Artistry Set for a smoky eye, Rush Luster Cheek Sweep and Radiant Paint Gloss were used for my evening look, while Bumble and bumble's Prêt à Powder and Cityswept Finish were used to create my loose waves. I got so many compliments on my look, I can't wait to recreate it myself! I also fell in love with the lip lacquer, which is a stunning, pigmented Radiant Orchid gloss.

Guests also enjoyed mini cupcakes, candy and refreshments and captured their new spring look at the digital photo booth. Each service took about 15 minutes and then I was on my way! There's one day left for you to stop by the pop-up for complimentary beauty services! The pop-up is located at Big Screen Plaze, behind the Eventi Hotel, at W 29th Street between Avenue of the Americas and 7th Avenue. Click here for more information on the pop-up and for more Radiant Orchid looks, go to sephora.com/coloroftheyear.

- 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

REDBOOK Magazine's Studio Red Event

REDBOOK Magazine's Studio Red Event

Invites Readers to a Day of Makeovers, Fashion Previews and Freebies!

Come join REDBOOK for Fabulous Makeovers, Fall Fashion Trends, Free Giveaways and More! Discover the season's latest looks in beauty and fashion, enter to win amazing prizes and grab some great swag from brands like bareMinerals, Sally Hansen and Crystal Light -all for FREE! Also, come by for a special meet & greet with My Fair Wedding's David Tutera from 2-4pm.

Where: Grand Central Terminal, New York City

When: Thursday, September 26th 10am-4pm