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Miss USA Alyssa Campanella Talks Makeup Tricks, Her Favorite Workout & The Dish She Can’t Resist

Written on March 8, 2012 at 5:07 pm , by Fitness Magazine

Earlier this week, I was lucky enough to chat with down-to-earth, stunning Miss USA Alyssa Campanella, who spilled her secrets for looking great 24-7, her workout routine while on the road— even shared one of her specialty dishes! Read on to steal her tricks.

FITNESS: As Miss USA, you’re expected to always look gorgeous. What are your haircare, makeup and skincare routines like on a typical day?
Alyssa Campanella: Since I’m constantly in the spotlight, I have to always look polished. I wash my hair the night before so that it is nice and fresh for styling, but my makeup varies. I like to have a clean face, but if I have an appearance or event, I play around with colors or makeup styles. My skincare doesn’t really change. I use a pore-refining scrub, toner and a moisturizer daily. I also use a mask every two days to exfoliate. My legs tend to be on the dry side due to the changing weather in New York and being a California girl, so I slather on Australian Gold Moisture Lock, which smells great and keeps my legs hydrated while imparting a natural glow.

FITNESS: What’s the one beauty product that never leaves your bag? 
AC: Chapstick, since my lips dry quickly. I also carry mascara for touch-ups.

FITNESS: What are your secrets for looking great no matter where you are and what you’re doing? Or does it change depending on where you are?
AC: I like to be natural. I want people to appreciate their inner natural beauty, so I try to be as natural as possible. But when the event calls for glamour, I get dolled up.

FITNESS: How do you stay in shape when you’re on the go? What are your favorite workouts?
AC: I actually do a lot of core workouts without even realizing it. Even to pick myself up I do so with my core, and I attribute that to Pilates training. I’m not really a cardio fan; I’m more into muscle building. I do quick exercises when on the go. The trainer actually taught me this exercise called the frog, and it hurts but it definitely tones your legs. You basically squat like a frog and stand up, moving up and down. I thought it was easy, but by the sixth one I started crying “oh no, not 30!”

FITNESS: What are your gym bag beauty essentials? 
AC: To work out, I carry a ponytail holder, put my hair in a bun and slick it back. Afterward, I cleanse with a face wipe, then apply powder, eyeliner, mascara, lipgloss and whatever I have to wear for the day.

FITNESS: We hear that you love to cook and bake. What is your specialty dish? 
AC: One of my best dishes I actually made on New Year’s day for breakfast, which was banana bread. I wanted to stay awake until the New Year, so to stay awake I decided to bake. My father had bananas that were ripe so I woke them up by making banana bread french toast. It was such a hit! I made it for everyone and had a lime-infused berry apple salad on the side.  I credit my mom for the inspiration— she’s a great cook!

FITNESS: What’s your diet like? Are there certain foods or snacks that are your go-tos? 
AC: I actually don’t have a diet; if it’s present in front of me I eat it! I used to eat too much sugar, so I started adding fruits and veggies to my meal. I try to limit sugar and sweets, not to lose weight but to maintain it. Your body is a safe haven and you have to protect it. Bananas, I can eat them all day every day. I also drink this acai strawberry banana smoothie that’s full of antioxidants, which helps keep me full. It’s delicious on the go. The nutritionist also provides these fiber bar chocolate brownies that hold you over in between meals. My schedule is a bit crazy so I have to make sure there are snacks at the ready.

FITNESS: Red hair is famously the most difficult to care for. How do you keep yours looking so stunning? 
AC: I wash my hair with carrot-infused shampoo. My hair is fine and I’m naturally a blonde. I dye it every four to five weeks to keep up with the roots. I also use deep treatments. Before my title, my hair was always left natural, but as Miss USA it has to be kept nice and polished.

FITNESS: In terms of beauty indulgences, is there anything you splurge on? 
AC:  I enjoy a nice foot massage. I’m constantly running around and it works out your legs, but a nice foot massage always feels great! I actually don’t like when people touch my feet, but that’s the one time I will let them. I also like to have my nails done.

FITNESS: What’s the best tip you’ve picked up from the makeup, hair, and skincare experts you’ve worked with? 
AC: Since my hair is naturally thin and fine, it can be lifeless. At a photo shoot in California, the hairstylist taught me to add a little bit of mousse or foam when you’re trying to tease your hair— it gives it body and volume. We call it Texas pageant hair. It gives your hair life! A makeup tip: Line your eyes with a liquid liner first, but finish with a layer of black powder to keep it in place and polish the look.  Also, when using concealer, go for something that matches your skin or is one shade lighter. It really makes a difference when taking photos.

—By Wanda Rosa, beauty intern

3 Tricks For Treating Dry, Curly Hair

Written on March 6, 2012 at 2:49 pm , by Fitness Magazine

For most of my life, I wanted to be one of the girls whose hair naturally air-dries straight. Instead, mine would morph into a huge, curly pouf! Growing up, I spent countless hours in front of a mirror straightening my hair, not to mention the hundreds of dollars testing different products. Here, the regimen that helped me drop the heat styling tools and learn to love my curls:

1. Suds up with a sulfate-free shampoo. Most shampoos contain harsh detergents that can strip the hair of hydrating natural oils. We love Macadamia Natural Oil Rejuvenating Shampoo to cleanse strands while maintaining the protective lipid barrier.
2. Instead of conditioner, slather a rich treatment mask all over locks every time you shower and leave on for at least five minutes before rinsing. Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask turns straw-like tendrils into springy, silky curls.
3. Work a leave-in conditioner liberally through locks to tame frizz and define curls. Choose a cream-based formula, like Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner, for maximum hydration.

—By Wanda Rosa, beauty intern

Favorite Find Friday: Redken All Soft Argan-6 Multi-Care Oil

Written on February 24, 2012 at 11:47 am , by April Franzino

We’d recently gone a tad too long between trims— OK, more like a month too long!— and had shamefully scraggly ends to show for it. Our strand-saving grace: Redken All Soft Argan-6 Multi-Care Oil, a subtly sweet-scented formula that’s more viscous than regular oils, so it’s not runny and messy. We apply a dollop on damp hair after a shower: The argan-packed elixir makes our brittle, frayed ends feel soft and look healthy. It can be used on dry hair as well to tame, smooth and add shine in between washings, or as a rinse-out nourishing treatment.

Tell us: What’s the best product you’ve found for concealing and healing dead ends?

How Actress Thandie Newton Gets Glowing Skin, Stays Fit & Says No To Snacks

Written on February 23, 2012 at 11:28 am , by April Franzino

It’s no wonder that actress and Good Deeds star Thandie Newton is the new face of the Olay Total Effects skincare line: When we sat down with her yesterday morning, the first thing that struck us was the incandescence of her flawless skin— even at 9AM! We asked the sweet, down-to-earth star to share the secrets to that enviable glow, as well as her must-have foods and workouts for on-the-go.

FITNESS: What’s the one beauty product that never leaves your bag?
Thandie Newton: When I was a little girl, my mother, who’s from Zimbabwe but has lived in England for a long time, had to deal with the change from the warm climate to the very cold coast of England, so would never wear makeup. We were working-class and didn’t have money for frivolous stuff, so the only thing she used to used was Oil of Olay, as it was called then. I just remember the little pink bottle up on the shelf of the bathroom. You watch your mom as you grow older, and that really became the symbol of the most glamorous woman. So I’ve used Olay for a long time and I was still using the original one when they got in touch with me. I think I mentioned it in an article or something, and then when they approached me I was incredibly personally touched by it because it was really authentic. I don’t carry it in my bag all the time partly because it’s such an affordable product, so no matter where I travel, I can just go to a pharmacy and it’s there. I do always carry a great lip balm, though: My favorite is from Neal’s Yard Remedies— it’s practically edible!

FITNESS: You’re so busy traveling for work. Is there a routine you try to keep in terms of your makeup, skincare and your hair? Or does it change depending on where you are?
Thandie: I try not to wear makeup if I don’t need to. Just undereye concealer, a little bit of rouge and lip balm. I’ll use those moisturizers with a little color in them, like Olay Total Effects Tone-Correcting UV Moisturizer SPF 15, then I’ll add a few drops of turmeric powder, which is naturally anti-inflammatory and gives a slight sun-kissed look. I have really curly hair so I need a good moisturizer for it. I like John Masters Organics, because it has no harmful chemicals.

FITNESS: You’re always getting your picture taken and jetting from place to place. What are your secrets for looking great on the go?
Thandie: I always make sure I have at least a tinted moisturizer on. There are really great pot rouges by Julie Hewett that come in amazing colors, which I can literally dab on with my eyes closed. Or I’ll pinch my cheeks: l love those old-fashioned little tricks. Apart from that, I just try to remember to smile!

FITNESS: How do to stay active and in shape no matter where you are?
Thandie: Jivamukti Yoga is my absolute go-to temple of wellness. Not only is it a wonderful, energetic, active workout, but it’s also incredibly soothing and relaxing.  I’ve tried a lot of different yoga practices and that one was a bit of a life-changer for me.

FITNESS: What types of foods and snacks do you gravitate toward to stay healthy?
Thandie: I just try to eat well. Anything that makes you feel bad is actually aging for your body. I also love juicing. Because I have a very busy schedule, I’ll have a juice with ginger and lemon in the morning and a green juice in the afternoon. Within 20 minutes you feel the difference; it has a direct impact on your system. I’m not a snacker— I just don’t graze. I think three meals a day is plenty, and then I have the juices in between.

FITNESS: In terms of beauty indulgences, is there anything you splurge on?
Thandie: I think a good massage is really beneficial. I really like a hot stone massage, but as with anything it has to be in combination with other things, like if I’ve done a yoga class and I want to feel soothed afterward. I feel like every little thing that I do, whether it’s taking care of my skin or eating well, is a gift to myself.

FITNESS: What’s the best tip you’ve picked up from a makeup artist, skincare expert or a hairstylist? 
Thandie: I was complaining about my hair being really dry and the ends were ratty because I’ve been relaxing it since I was a teenager, when a friend suggested I grow the relaxer out. It occurred to me that these are incredibly harmful chemicals, so I grew my hair out, and I’m so thrilled that I have. It’s healthier and more lustrous than it’s ever been.

Peek On The Set Of Our Upcoming Hairstyling Feature

Written on February 15, 2012 at 11:38 am , by April Franzino

We spent yesterday in a spacious New York City photo studio (tough, we know!) shooting a hairstyling feature for an upcoming issue. Our star stylist produced nine fresh looks you can achieve easily at home. Here’s a peek at what’s to come later this spring:

 

Carrie Underwood’s Secrets To Great Skin, Smart Snacking & Workouts On The Go

Written on February 9, 2012 at 2:54 pm , by April Franzino

Country star and Olay celebrity ambassador Carrie Underwood is famous for her catchy, go-girl songs—plus her glowing skin, perfect shape, flowing hair and miles-long legs. We asked her to spill her secrets for getting— and maintaining— all of the above on the set of her new ad campaign shoot. Take a peek:

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Warm Up With Self-Heating Products

Written on February 6, 2012 at 1:40 pm , by April Franzino

Cozy up to one of these self-warming beauty products on a chilly winter’s night— they contain ingredients like zeolite and magnesium sulfate, which release heat upon contact with water. The warmth not only soothes sore muscles and elements-exposed skin, but also enhances the penetration of active ingredients. Hot stuff to try:

• HAIR TREATMENT: Wella Enrich Self-Warming Mask

• FACE CLEANSER: Bioré Warming Anti-Blackhead Cream Cleanser

• FACE SCRUB: Dermalogica Multivitamin Thermafoliant

• FACE MASK: Somme Institute Boost Gentle Warming Mask

• BODY SCRUB: Bliss Hot Salt Scrub

• FOOT SLOUGHER: All About Feet Warming Foot Scrub

Olympic Snowboarder Hannah Teter Talks Skincare, Snacking & Competition

Written on February 1, 2012 at 12:14 pm , by April Franzino

We were lucky enough to spend the past weekend in Aspen (pinch us!) with Clearasil watching their ambassador, Olympic gold medal-winning snowboarder Hannah Teter, win the women’s superpipe bronze medal at the Winter X Games— while celebrating the launch of PerfectaWash, a high-tech, hands-free system that dispenses the just-right amount of acne-fighting salicylic acid cleanser. Here, our conversation with the inspiring pro snowboarder, who’s as down-to-earth, adorable and kind as she is talented:

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 A snap of Hannah at the birthday party Clearasil threw for her Friday night, which raised over $1,000 for the charity Children International.

Photo credit: Nick Tininenko

Fresh Fruit— For Your Face

Written on January 31, 2012 at 12:32 pm , by April Franzino

The beauty brand Lush is known for their freshly-mixed products using natural ingredients, but even we were surprised when they revealed just how many fruits and veggies go into making their skin and hair helpers each year. The juicy scoop:

• 415 pounds of cantaloupe, with strand-nourishing enzymes
• 550 pineapples, for their brightening alpha hydroxy acids
• 11,000 bananas, to soften skin
• 17,000 limes, which have complexion-toning effects
• 20,000 avocados, for their moisturizing properties
• 27,000 oranges, rich in vitamin C and a natural astringent

Tell us: Have you tried making any fresh fruit or veggie-based beauty treatments at home?

Vanessa Lachey Talks Beauty Embarrassments, Junk Food & Staying Fit

Written on January 18, 2012 at 7:23 am , by April Franzino

Last week, we had the chance to sit down with TV personality Vanessa Lachey, the first ever celebrity ambassador for the haircare brand Nioxin. The gorgeous, down-to-earth brunette (yes, that’s really her hair!) shared everything from her junk food weakness to her biggest beauty bummer to the skin cream she can’t live without. Take a look:

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