The Casual Chic Setting at the Independent Spirit Awards Blew My Mind, The Backstage Scoop & Video

If you've been following me on Twitter this weekend, you probably saw me freak out at a Michelle Williams and Busy Phillips sighting yesterday backstage at the Independent Spirit Awards.  Yes, I'm in LA!  While here for some business meetings I made sure to schedule some time to take advantage of one of the biggest awards season weekends of the year. Yesterday, I covered backstage at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica and have never experienced such a scene! The event was held right on the beach with the purple carpet facing the ocean. The awards were held in one big tent and all around that tent were smaller tents of gifting lounges and open bars.  The actors and actresses were in a very laid back fashion walking around in between presenters and everyone was hanging out as if it was one big festival on the beach.  Here were some highlights:

I chatted with Carson Kressley (the guy from Queer Eye) on his idea of beach chic (since that was the dress code for the event and Oscar predictions.  Check out the video here.

In a gifting lounge, celebs like Jeffery Dean Morgan, Penelope Anne Miller and Gabrielle Beauvais were flocking to the Votre Vu table (of course I was hanging out by the beauty stuff) and couldn't wait to get their hands on SnapDragon.  Jeffery Dean Morgan also visited Wella and was joking around about his hair and what he needed while posing with a bottle of styling product.

I ventured into the Piaget gifting suite (yes, the celebs are also gifted with diamonds) with my friend Nola from Glam.com and ran into Rosario Dawson who was practically being hit on every two seconds.  We sat with her on the couch drinking mimosas and kept laughing as people approached her.  First a fashion stylist wanting to give her a bag she made, then a man who practically proposed and it went on.  She was so accepting to all of them.  Nola and I sat there discussing how hard it must be to really have to put up with that.

Throughout the day, A-listers like Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Penelope Ann Miller and Kate Beckinsale all walked by countless amount of times, but it was Michelle Williams and Busy Phillips who had me at awe.  I'm rarely caught off guard by a celebs presence, but seeing them together as two best friends in such a casual setting was very cool.  Check out the video below!

3 Grooming Commandments from Hollywood's Leading Male Primper

While Hollywood's leading ladies have a whole glam squad on hand for any red carpet event, the men are known for their long term monogamous relationships with their groomers.  Last week I had the chance to grab a cup of tea with the one trusted groomer to all of the funny guys, Cheri Keating.  I'm talking men like Seth Rogen and Jonah Hill... and oh yea, she also primps one of Hollywood's finest, Robert Pattison.  She gave me the three top grooming commandments your boyfriend should follow to make sure his image is always on point.

1. He Shall Have Matte Skin

"Whether men are on camera or not, no man wants their skin to look dewey," Keating remarked.  She uses Lab Series Oil Control Daily Hydrator on Jonah Hill and some of her other clients before touching up their makeup for films.  "I like it because there's no break through shine."  While some men act like they don't care about skincare, if you introduce your man to a mattifying moisturizer and compliment his lack of shine, he'll thank you (and continue using it).

2. He Shall Maintain His Sprouting Hairs

The best way to prolong a haircut is to help him do at-home shape ups.  "His image can really be bumped up by simply removing the hair around his neck," Keating said.  Is your man 30 or older?  Be on the lookout! Keating wouldn't tell me which clients she does this for (to spare them embarrassment), but he has to start ridding random ear, nose and brow hairs.  You don't have to remove them, but you may have to kindly point them out.  It's all about maintenance.

3. He Shall Shop Sophisticatedly (and Tailor)

Even the funny guys mature.  Seth Rogen started his career wearing baggy jeans and a t-shirt on the red carpet and landing summer time comedys and since he's tightened his image and his suits, he's being cast in fall indie dramas.  Of course, this change is about his total image, but his clothing alone gives off a different message.  "Every man should own well cut T's and perfect fitting pair of jeans," Keating commented.  I agree.  Any man can wear a suit, but a well tailored suit gives off the message of sophistication.