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Life Outside the Tents as A NYFW VIP: Lounges, Swag Suites & Dinner Parties

When you think of Fashion Week you may think of the backstage scene that I've been tweeting about all week, or the runway shows themselves, but truth is, there's so much more when you're a NYFW VIP.  Since all editors, bloggers and influencers end up in NYC for the shows with the same goals, brands take full advantage and host dinner parties, pampering lounges and after parties all for a little face time.  Here's some of my fashion week extracurriculars... I know, it looks like a lot of work (wink).

Birchbox Lounge

Set up conveniently across from Milk Studios where a variety of shows took place this season, I popped in before attending Christian Siriano near by on Saturday.  First things first, I got down to business by creating my own Birchbox.  Next, I indulged in a little pampering with a mani (shade: Color Club in Status Update), grabbed a snack from WichCraft and caught up with some friends.

Style Coalition Lounge

I popped in the Style Coalition Lounge at the Empire Hotel before going backstage to Zac Posen on Sunday night to catch up with my friend Yuli, who runs the organization. They partnered with Microsoft and my fave stylist, Ted Gibson.  The best part?  It was exclusive so there weren't a thousand people running around and it really was a break from the hustle and bustle.  While there, I had my hair touched up by Ted Gibson's stylists and left looking glam!

Dinner with NARS

Each season NARS rents out parts of restaurants in the West Village and throws a dinner party.  This is what I was most excited for this season.  Between all the running around and waving hello to friends backstage I got to catch up with my media friends over wine, cheese plates and chocolate covered strawberries in the garden of Palma.

Allure Beauty Lounge

After going backstage to interview Reem Acra before her show (see post here), I headed to the Empire Hotel to stop by a few suites.  Allure had SkinMedica preforming facials, Maybelline giving makeup touch ups and manis and a whole fragrance bar set up with samples from different brands along with Sephora pulled up on iPads for easy purchasing.  Smart.  I would have loved a SkinMedica facial, but my makeup was set for the day and I didn't have the time.

Clarins Lounge

The brand just launched their Beauty Flash Blog so I was eager to see my PR friends and learn more about it.  The Courtin-Clarins girls were there (the granddaughters of the founder of Clarins) so I filmed a video interview with them, which will be live soon!  I'm so glad they're getting involved with the brand.  They're super chic and approchable.  Other editors were getting makeup touch ups and mini massages in the suite as well.

VIP Pass to 'The Industry': Gwen Flamberg, US Weekly

She works at one of the hottest celebrity focused magazines on the news stands. Guaranteed you eagerly run to grab a copy every Wednesday. Check out what US Weekly's Beauty Director, Gwen Flamberg, has to say about 'the industry.'
What’s your favorite part of working at US Weekly?

My favorite part of working at Us is being in the know on everything! I love that I’m a walking pop culture blog and that I can get on the phone with the top top top hairstylists and makeup artists when I need to — I mean, I’ve got Harry Josh on speed dial!  I know exactly how Gisele gets that hair and I was probably the first beauty editor in the biz to know what lipstick Sandra Bullock wore at the Oscars (Chanel Rouge Coco in Paris #22 for those still in the dark!)

Who’s your celebrity crush?

The guys I’m digging right now: Alexander Skaarsgard from True Blood and Charlie Hunnam from Sons of Anarchy. And then there’s SNL’s Will Forte...

What are your must-have beauty products?

Skincare by Tracie Martyn and Skinmedica. Couldn’t live without either. MAC Greasepaint Sticks are the most perfect eyeliners to smoke out. And I’m a sucker for any slightly sheer red lipstain.

What advice would you give to people trying to into the industry today?

Build your unique voice and love what you do and be kind to others! Quoting the incredible Conan O’Brien: “If you work hard and you’re nice to people, amazing things will happen.”

Confess!  Your biggest beauty sin:

I want my hair to be lighter and brighter, but I don’t want to give up my “virgin hair” status (I’ve never colored it, and don’t want to start now!) - so I refuse to wear a hat at the beach – I TRY to get sun on it, even though I know the scalp is a hot spot for skin cancer!

What’s your guiltiest pleasure?

Travel! Relaxing on a beach in Brazil is where I feel prettiest... There’s nothing quite like a getaway glow!

Win Beauty Products from My LXTV Segment Today

Caffeine has many benefits: it can perk up your mood and your skin care regimen.  Today on LXTV I'll be speaking about some of the hottest products loaded with caffeine (almost as much as I'm on right now), that will help minimize cellulite, bags under your eyes and reduce excess water retention all around. Two lucky BeautySweetSpot readers will win one of each product! Follow me (@beautysweetspot) on Twitter and RT my tweets about the segment and giveaway.  Two winners will be chosen at random on Friday, April 2nd.

Here's a sneak peak of what I'm featuring and where to buy them:

DERMAdoctor Wrinkle Revenge Eye Balm, $48 dermadoctor.com

Skinmedica Environmental Defense Sunscreen SPF 30 Plus, $38 skinmedica.com

Bliss Fat Girl Slim, $29 blissworld.com

Terax Complete Shave, $12 beauty.com

Smashbox Doubletake Lip Color, $22 sephora.com