Pre-Oscar Suites: They’re a Beautiful Thing

Surface founder/CEO Wayne Grund and starlet Shanica Knowles


The stars recently aligned for this lucky LP editor on March 5, when I attended the TMG Luxury "Red Carpet Ready" Pre-Oscar suite at the superluxe Hilton Hotel in the 90210! What can I say? I just couldn't resist an invite to get a sneak peak of the latest hair, skin, nail, and makeup goodies, and to live it up for the day—or for a few hours, at least—as only the stars do!

The VIP suite treated guests to a bevy of pampering sessions—including hair stylings, massages, facials, manicures, and makeup applications—as well as a preview of the accessories that the stars would be sporting on Academy Awards night. After receiving a fab mani from OPI Products (BTW, I am in love with the new berry-pink Dim Sum Plum lacquer—a huge departure from my typical neutral nails!), I was whisked away into the Surface hair area, where I was not only treated to a sleek hairstyling courtesy of the company’s top products (If you haven’t tried the just-released PUSH Styling Powder, you must get your hands on it—it grants gravity-defying volume in an instant!), but also a one-on-one chatfest with founder/CEO, Wayne Grund, who gave me a sneak-peak of his soon-to-be-released smoothing system (Check out our May issue for the full scoop!), as well as insight into his already-released eco-friendly goodies. Hollywood gossip: Upon bidding farewell to Grund, I witnessed him rubbing elbows with Ghost Whisperer star Camryn Manheim, who was psyched to try out the company’s bodifying products!

After mingling with more of the industry’s top beauty-makers, including friends at Clarisonic, GM Collin and Los Angeles-based makeup artist/hairstylist Norma Blaque, it was time to leave my bliss-filled day of beauty nirvana. And although my voluminous tresses may have only lasted until the next wash, my pre-Oscar pampering day will forever remain a beautiful memory!

Wayne and I strike our best paparazzi-worthy poses!