My Trip to the Oscars … Gifting Suite, That Is ….

By Sheila

I <3 Hollywood. Even though I live about 30 minutes away (when the traffic decides to behave) and have been there plenty of times, I still get a little starstruck whenever I have the occasion to travel to the land where so many famous careers have launched.

So, when I got a message from April Chaney bright and early in the morning, inviting me to visit her as she represented L’Oreal at an Oscars gifting suite, there was no way I could say no. The Oscars? The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce? Uh, so there!

Driving up to the event, I had to make a slight detour off of Hollywood Boulevard, as the Oscars have officially taken over. The Kodak theater is fully blocked off and ready to go!

The dino around the corner has the best view, doesn’t he? Da Fonz sure thinks so.

I finally made my way around the traffic block, and I happen to have my first two celeb sightings of the day! OMG, you won’t believe who I bumped into! Huge, huge celebs!!!!

Hi Darth! Hi Mario! They sure look taller in real life.

I am a big believer in signs, and you won’t believe where I happened to park … right in front of John Stamos’s star on the Walk of Fame!  The Universe is trying to tell me that at some point in my career as a blogger, I shall bump into Mr. Stamos at some event and we will fall madly in love with one another. Right? Um … moving on to the acutal event ….

Around awards season, a variety of companies provide complimentary services and information at gifting suites that happen all around Los Angeles. It’s an exciting time in the year, and lots of fun to check out some new and exciting things.

Before spotting with April, I met the people behind “Brides Night Out”, a company that provides packaged and customized bachelorette parties. Very cool!

I also met the people behind Spa Luce, which is located at the penthouse level of the Renaissance Hotel in Hollywood and Highland. I cannot imagine the superb views from that area!

And FYI for all you Bliss Spa fans, there’s a location in the brand spanking new W Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard.

And then I turned around the corner and see THE biggest celeb of the day ….

… and I could barely believe it was a wax figure from Madame Tussauds. The resemblance to real Morgan Freeman (at least the one I’ve seen in the movies for years) was eerie!

Around the corner from wax Morgan, I finally see our Expert blogger and good friend April. Along with L’Oreal artist Aliehs (That’s Sheila spelled backwards – how cool!), April was providing makeovers and makeup touchups to event attendees.

April at work.

Waiting for lash glue to dry.

What a nice way to get pampered! In addition to the free makeup, participants also walked away with a free goodie bag full of L’Oreal’s Everpure shampoo and conditioner. Nice!

I had the chance to speak with L’Oreal representative Will Armstrong, and asked him for some thoughts on L’Oreal’s involvement in the awards season. He said that L’Oreal is all about seamlessly taking glamour and translating it to everyday life. They love participating in events like this so they can show women how to get the glamourous celebrity experience in their own homes.

I love that sentiment!!!

Did you know L’Oreal is on Facebook? It’s the fastest and easiest way to get information about what’s new and exciting with this cosmetic industry great – check them out at  www.facebook.com/lorealparis.

Here’s the best part of this adventure … thanks to the awesome people at L’Oreal we have TWO sets of Everpure shampoo and conditioner to give away to you! You’ll have your choice between the set for Regular hair or for Color-Treated hair.

This is a quickie contest, so enter by leaving a comment below telling me about your Oscar night plans. Will you be watching? Going to a party? Having a party? Going to the actual Oscars?

Contest ends Tuesday, March 9th at 12 noon P.S.T.

Good luck!