Primp and Prep Like a Celeb


Posted on September 13th, by Helen in Celebrity, Expert Tips, Hair & Style. 6 comments

Primp and Prep Like a Celeb

The Toronto International Film Festival is just around the corner. Believe it or not, that’s plenty of time to perfect your pose and get your hair and skin in topnotch shape for the 10-day soiree of new films, star gazing, and glitzy parties. Whether you’ve got gala tickets or just a few stubs to smaller theatres, you should be camera-ready ready. Here’s some expert advice on how to look like a star in just 7 days (really!).

Skin expert: Dr. Lisa Kellett, cosmetic dermatologist at DLK on Avenue. She’s the woman celebrities flock to when they’re in town for TIFF.

Posing expert: Babak is a Toronto-based, world-renowned fashion hair photographer.

Hair expert: Mickey Svircevic, artistic director at Mane Society, Thornhill, ON. He did Angelina Jolie’s hair last year for her beau’s Moneyball premiere.

Fashion experts: Maria Litvintseva and Anna Petrov are the founders of Pavlyn, Canada’s online celebrity-inspired boutique.

Your Game Plan…

7 days before

Hair
Meet with your hairstylist to determine the most flattering hair style and colour for the big day on the red carpet. Says Svircevic, “Bring in magazine clippings of your favourite celebrity styles and inspirations, as well as a swatch or photo of your gown/outfit. Or describe, as best as possible, the colour,  style, neckline, etc. This will help you both come to an understanding of the look you are going for. And be realistic! Don’t expect Jolie’s long locks if you have Michelle Williams pixie cut.” Book your hair appointments before leaving the salon.

 

 

Fashion
If your TIFF calendar includes a few post-show parties, consider buying a new LBD, suggests Litvintseva. “A long-sleeved lace mini, like The Scarlet Dress by For Love and Lemons, seen here on Modern Family’s Sophia Vergara, exudes sexy/sophistication. It’s not your grandma’s lace! We carry this dress in both black and white, and if you place your online order now, we can rush it out to you in time for the festival.”

 

6 days before

Skin
“Try a round of Thermage, a radio frequency sound waves treatment to tighten up skin on the face, abdomen, and arms. Effects are immediate and can last up to six months,” suggests Kellett.

Pose
“Practice in the mirror now,” says Babak. “Avoid over posing and standing too side ways and if you do stand side ways, suck your tummy in! Stand tall (shoulders back, chest out), face the camera, and do not over pose. Just be a cool version of your self and let the statement be you.”

5 days before

Hair
“Time for your colour and trim! The stylist should use minimal amounts of a gentle finishing product. Avoid over blow-drying and flat ironing for the next five days, and do not wash your hair for 3 days,” advises Svircevic. This will ensure the colour stays even on the hair and won’t fade.

Pose
Find your best shades, says Babak: “Some say it’s not cool to wear shades at night but it works when you’re getting out of a car and the Paparazzi is shooting you at rapid pace and you don’t have control over the shooter or the outcome. The sunglasses will make u 90 % shoot-proof for those situations. Take them off when you’re not being shot.”

2 days before

Skin
Cop that celebrity glow with a Silk Peel facial, a microdermabrasion that simultaneously infuses the skin with skin-plumping serums.

Hair
“Get a hair conditioning treatment done. Whether it’s in the salon or at home, give your hair a pick-me-up to boost nourishment and build strength and shine,” says Svircevic.

Pose
You’ve got the shades and tummy suck down pat, now work on your pucker! Channel the Olsen Twins’ prune pout. According to Hollywood insiders, every time they pose and smile, they say the word ‘prune.’ Brilliant, right?

 

1 day before

Skin
Haven’t exfoliated your face yet? There’s only one option that gives you an instant glow without stripping your visage raw. “Book a diamond peel, which uses real diamonds to polish off dead skin plus the cleaning action of a vacuum to boost your skin’s radiance. It can be used on the back of your arms, back and chest. There is no down time and it brightens the skin almost instantly. Try this treatment in the morning,” says Kellett.

Fashion
Strategize your work outfit. Because most of the shows happen midday or after work, you need a double-duty outfit that will take you from the office to the theater, in style. Litvintseva says “Try oxblood red! It’s an earthy burgundy that looks flattering on everyone.”

 

The day of

Hair
“Get ‘Er Done! Allow yourself plenty of time in the salon for your final wash and blow dry/style or up-do,” says Svircevic. Ideally get your hair done several hours before your event. Mornings are best to avoid the lunch time crowd.

Pose
Prune pout? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Stand-tall posture? Check. What about your posse pose? Babak says, “Make sure you are in line with the rest of the group, if you are too close you may look bigger because most photogs use wide angle lenses with distortion. Remember, don’t over pose. Also, make it easy for the photographers to make a good shot of you by giving them time to shoot you. I see so many people rushing and not giving the shooter time to make a good photo of the occasion. So hold that smile!” Here’s a good example of posse-posing done right from last year’s TIFF…

Young actors from the Bollywood-meets-hockey film Breakaway, TIFF 2011.

Last but not least…smile! You’re a star tonight, dahling. Or at least you look like one.





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