Kick it up a notch –leading up to Oscar night kick up the intensity, frequency and time spent in the gym

Intensify cardio – increase levels on machines (such as treadmills and spin bikes), add sprints or hills to your routine and increase the duration to burn more calories

Escalate your heart rate – keep your heart rate between 60-85% of your normal max so the burned calories come from body fat and not glycogen

Increase calories burned – celebrity clients aim to burn 750-1000 calories a day at least 6 days before the Oscars.

Eliminate alcohol, sugar and salt from diet – eliminating all three will help avoid unnecessary water retention.

Exercise with the right apparel – exercising with functional and comfortable apparel is key to a great workout. “I always recommend Zobha because the clothing is style-focused and perfect for grabbing breakfast before the gym, breaking a sweat during your work out and running errands post-workout.”

As usual New York Fashion Week gave us a myriad of different hairstyles, nail polish trends and makeup looks. While some are difficult to take from the runway to the sidewalk, some are just our constant staples, re-vamped, like the ponytail. Curly, soft and wavy ponytails were seen on a number of NYFW runways. Carolina Herrera opted for looped and tucked while Derek Lam chose a more embellished twist but wherever spotted this go-to style was polished yet playful. Morgan Willhite, Creative Director at Ouidad dishes her expertise to replicate these runway inspired ponytails for curly girls nationwide.

“The best part about ponytails is that they are low maintenance yet they look high fashion. Although they are a great option for most hair types, they are especially attractive on curly hair,” says Willhite. Ponytails can be fun or sophisticated and the only requirement is that your hair is at least medium length. “All you need is a touch of the Ouidad Clear Control pomade, a few sprays of the new Frizz and Fly Away Fighter and a hair elastic to make this trend work for you,” says Willhite.

Morgan’s Tail Tips:

Brush your hair with a comb or the Ouidad Double Detangler and apply the Ouidad Climate Control Gel throughout the hair to reduce frizz

Put an elastic band around your right wrist and hold your hair in your left hand; with your right hand brush the hair back smoothly; curly hair tends to be dry, so spray a bit of water to keep it damp as you work

Open the hand holding the hair as you brush the hair through; smooth out the front adding Ouidad Climate Control Gel to control curls

Use your left hand to slide the elastic off your right wrist and onto the base of the ponytail

Let some curls escape the ponytail for a romantic look

Try a loose ponytail if you have thick curly hair

Apply the new Ouidad Frizz and Flyaway Fighter to the finished look to help reduce frizz and keep the flyaways tamed

Products available at ouidad.com

Booty Parlor Kissaholic

Pucker-up! Booty Parlor Aphrodisiac Plumping Lip Gloss is a sure fire way to get your lips ready for V-Day. It comes in six great shades, isn’t sticky, tingles upon application with a cinnamon scent and has a high-gloss effect perfect for date night. As it plumps your lips the gloss acts as an aphrodisiac with its blend of Ginkgo Biloba, Ginger, Passion Flower, Damiana, Muira Puama and Phenylethylamine- also known as the ‘Molecule of Love’! $16

Beauty Addicts beautiFULLlips Lipstick and sweetLIPS gloss Duo

Treat her lips even more with a perfect duo she can use all year long. Beauty Addicts beautiFULLlips lipstick is created with Vitamin E, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and other natural ingredients. The formula also plumps with natural peptides and stimulates collagen for a firmer, smoother more voluptuous pout. Ladies, get ready for your big night by starting with a great pink like Femme Fatal and finish with sweetLIPS lipgloss in Grace. $17-18

SpaWish Gift Card

Perhaps the best gift for your lovely lady is a SpaWish Gift Card. Treat her to a day of spa that will leave her rejuvenated, refreshed and ready for whatever fabulous date plans the night has to bring. 

Freeman Chocolate & Strawberry Facial Clay Mask

What says V-Day more than chocolate covered strawberries? Bring the spa home with this facial clay mask from Freeman. The Feeling Beautiful Chocolate & Strawberry Facial Clay Mask is a sweet treat for you both. Strawberry extract helps to diminish large pores so you can get close with your Valentine. The shea and cocoa butter help to soothe and hydrate the skin and best of all this chocolate and strawberry combo is calorie-free! $3.99

Opus Gaia Aphrodisia Bath and Body Oil Set

This sensual blend of balanced floral and wood notes, including sandalwood, juniper and jasmine, set the Valentine’s Day tone. The Opus Gaia Aphrodisia Bath and Body Oil Set is the perfect oil to use to give each other an at-home massage and leave the worries of waiting for a table at the restaurant behind. $28

SpaWish Gift Card

If in doubt, grab a SpaWish Gift Card to use at your favorite day spa for a side-by-side couple’s massage to relax, connect and celebrate the holiday!

The INCREDIBLE Zahir Ziani tamed my curls into voluminous, shiny and sleek waves. I couldn’t help the extra pep in my step as I walked back to the office! As my hair was getting the royal treatment from Ziani, I was simultaneously getting my nails painted the perfect shade of Essie Lady Like. The shade’s soft mauve complimented my olive skin tone and was quickly purchased when I returned to my desk!

Big thanks to Red Door Spas!

You’ll be happier. Many of our actions and decisions are motivated by what we think we should do or by what others tell us we’re supposed to do. However, any time you listen to what others say is right for you without consulting your own desires and needs, you honor outsiders over your own inner wisdom. Of course you’ll experience feelings of dissatisfaction and resistance! When you love yourself, though, you’ll instinctively prioritize an authentic life that fulfills you and causes you to grow and glow. It is this field of positive energy that will attract happy people into your life. What a relief to finally stop pleasing others or conform to expectations, and simply be.

You’ll be healthier. Many of our health problems stem from negative thinking, poor attitudes, and even self-loathing. In order to obtain a few fleeting moments of satisfaction and fulfillment, we eat too much, drink too much, and invest our time in unhealthy relationships. And in order to create “successful” lives, we subject ourselves to too much stress and anxiety. When we learn to love ourselves, though, we naturally want to nourish our bodies and spirits.

You’ll feel more confident. When you don’t hold yourself in high esteem, neither will other people. And when others treat you as unimportant and disposable, you’ll feel even worse about yourself. (Plus, trying to constantly please other people is anxiety-provoking and exhausting since this behavior comes from a place of fear, not love.) It’s a vicious cycle that can be broken only when you see yourself as a worthy, valuable, and important human being, just as you are. When you view yourself with this kind of love and respect, people will be drawn to you and will want to work with you rather than against you.

You’ll be a better partner. When you are confident and content being who you are, you’ll not only be more likely to attract someone who complements, challenges, and fulfills you, you’ll also be better equipped to love him or her. After all, you’ll be happier and more fun to be around. You won’t be needy or risk co-dependency. And because you respect yourself, you’ll naturally create the boundaries that keep you from becoming a martyr or doormat.

Your relationships will improve. Developing a loving relationship with yourself won’t just impact your romantic relationships. All of your relationships improve: with your kids, friends, coworkers, and more. That’s partly because you won’t be allowing others’ opinions to determine your self-worth, and partly because you’ll be drawn more strongly to people with whom you can cultivate meaningful, nourishing relationships. And conversely, they will be drawn to you, too!

Your life will flow more smoothly. When you are an authentic, self-confident person with an inner wellspring of love upon which to draw, you’ll attract more positive opportunities into your life. You’ll no longer set up roadblocks with defeatist thinking, and you’ll have an increased desire to share your talents and strengths.

“SHE by SO.CAP. USA hair extensions uses 100% Keratin tipped bonds,” Murillo explains.  Unlike other companies, there’s no glue or adhesive in their bonds.

Before applying the extensions, which is done in the same direction as the cuticle of the hair to avoid damage to the hair strand, there is a three step process to prep and clean the hair of all impurities. The extensions are then applied with a heated instrument, and once you’re done, the 100% human hair extensions can be washed, blow dried, flat ironed, and curled as usual. Available in over 90 colors and three different textures (straight, wavy, and curly), your look can easily be changed by removing the extensions with an alcohol-based Sol Gel remover, which breaks down the bond. Using the solution and special a removal tool, the bond easily slides off the hair, damage free.

As for the cost, it varies from person to person, Murillo says. “Some people will put them in for volume and length, which would be more costly than someone who might want just a few highlights,” she says. “Most people wear them 3-6 months before any upkeep is needed.  At that time you may need to add a few to areas that may have grown too long and need to be removed and replaced.” Keep in mind that you have to care for these extensions better than you would care for your own hair. This keeps them looking better for longer and minimizes damage.

My main concern with getting bonded extensions is that I have read numerous complaints online of girls having their hair fall out from them. “There are a lot of reports about how hair extensions damage hair or people complaining of hair falling out,” Murillo says. “These complaints are the results of stylists that are not trained and certified to provide the service.” At SHE by SO.CAP USA, the hair is only sold to licensed professionals who have taken the certification course and have been trained by SHE by SO.CAP. USA educators, she explains.

If the idea of getting bonded extensions still makes you uneasy, SHE by SO.CAP has a line of clip-in extensions that you can use to add a pop of unexpected color or just a little extra volume and length. The clips-ins are made of the same high-quality hair as the rest of the SO.CAP line and are soft, shiny and once clipped in, nearly undetectable.

Located inside Le Parker Meridien hotel at 119 West 56^th Street, this brand-new Midtown Manhattan location joins its Flatiron counterpart on January 26. In addition to Drybar, the new Underground at Le Parker Meridien will feature a brand-new Gravity Fitness, the hotel’s first spa, Moonshine Spa, a nail salon, tenoverten and Petit BluDog for healthy bites.

Drybar was mentioned in SpaFinder’s Top Ten Spa Trends for 2012, under the “Glambition” trend for obvious reasons! By giving people the option of walking in and getting a red carpet-worthy style for only $40, Drybar makes it possible for women to always look “done.” I recently went to the Flatiron location to get a blowout for my birthday. Making the appointment was easy as pie, and I arrived and was taken back to have my hair washed right away.

I was then asked which style I wanted from the menu or if I had something else in mind, proof that these stylists are pros that are able to veer off the menu. I already had the “Cosmo-Tai” in mind for the look I was hoping for, and when my stylist asked me if I would be going out that night or the next I was further assured of her talent, as she made the curls a bit tighter and didn’t condition the top of my head, knowing that the following day the style would look amazing, voluminous and be exactly what I “ordered.”

I was offered a drink and magazines to read as she worked at my hair turning into the Kardashian-esque mane I so badly wanted. The one thing to note – the mirrors are behind you, so you can’t see what’s happening on your head until it’s done. I found this strange initially but then realized that it made the experience much more relaxing, as I focused on other things rather than what my hair looked like in the in-between stage.

I left with exactly what I ordered from the menu and a vow to return the next time I wanted some fabulous hair!

Zooey Deschanel gets Golden Globe glam with Rimmel London

Zooey Deschanel, face of Rimmel London and star of Fox’s New Girl, hit the carpet with her signature blunt indie bangs and high-impact eyes courtesy of Rimmel London and celebrity makeup artist, Jorjee Douglass. “Zooey is one of my favorite clients because she loves to have fun with her makeup, hair and fashion,” says Douglass. “We brought out the big guns tonight for a stunning red carpet look unlike any other.” Douglass prepped Deschanel’s porcelain skin with Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Pro Primer, which pulls double duty as it moisturizes and mattifies the skin. The next step was using Rimmel London Match Perfection Foundation in Ivory for long-lasting even coverage. Under Deschanel’s eyes and on any imperfections, Douglass used Rimmel London Match Perfection Concealer in Light and Fair. “I kept the mod inspiration on the eyes, creating a cat eye shape. I used Rimmel London’s Glam’Eyes Professional Liquid Liner on the top of the lid and a feathered line on the bottom. I topped the liner with Rimmel London Glam’Eyes HD Quad Eyeshadow in Black Cab and English Rose for a soft smoky eye. Then I loaded up her lashes with Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Mascara to make her long lashes even longer.” Douglass finished by keeping the rest of the face natural and highlighting the cheeks with Rimmel London Lasting Finish Blendable Blush & Highlighter in Autumn Blush and adding a touch of color to the lips with Rimmel London Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Nude Pink.

Shailene Woodley uses Bioré for a flawless glow!

Shailene Woodley, star of ABC Family’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager and nominated for her work alongside George Clooney in 2011’s The Descendants, is a rising start in Hollywood, and happens to have a face of perfect skin. Celebrity makeup artist Gloria Noto shared her tips for getting Woodley ready for this year’s Golden Globes and her secret — Bioré® Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser.  “It’s absolutely vital to start with clean, nourished skin,” says Noto. “I used Bioré Combination Skin Balancing Cleanser because it strips away dirt and impurities without stripping skin’s natural moisture.” To achieve Woodley’s effortless look, Noto kept the complexion simple. Using minimal foundation and a touch of bronzer to contour the cheekbones, Noto had a perfect canvas to bring out Woodley’s almond-shaped eyes. She smudged a dark cream shadow along the lash line and added peach eyeliner to make her eyes pop.  The finishing touches were several layers of mascara and a sheer nude lip.

Fast forward to my mid-twenties and the realization that toner is not the harsh chemical-laden blue liquid of my past, but rather an integral part of any skincare routine, because all skin is thirsty for hydration and toners feed that thirst. Whether your skin is oily, combination, normal or dry – you need to be using a toner.

One that I recommend is Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner. Juara is an East-meets-West Indonesian line of skincare and treatments, which are inspired by the ancient spa experience. The products are 100% vegetarian, paraben-free, phthalates-free, sulfate-free and have not been tested on animals. So,  not only are these products great for you, but you can feel great about using them, too.

Put simply, the Juara Tea Hydrating Toner has the ability to make me feel better about my skin immediately by giving it the extra dose of hydration it needs, especially at this time of year. It calms redness and makes my dry skin soft and prepped for moisturizer, or even primer, before my makeup in the morning. The key ingredients are what really make this a necessary part of any skincare routine:

Hyaluronic acid, a protein naturally found in the skin, helps retain the skin’s own moisture. According to Dermatology Times, as we get older, hyaluronic acid in the skin decreases, so products containing this ingredient can be helpful with skin hydration. This ingredient holds 500 times its own weight of water which helps give skin a plumping-effect.

Tamarind, a curved brown bean-pod used in Indonesia for numerous health conditions and in cooking, improves skin smoothness, stimulates the regenerative process and increases hydration.

Green, white and black teas, strongly present in Indonesian culture, have been shown to decrease the risk of free radical damage and stimulate cell and DNA repair.

To use the toner, first cleanse your skin then pump a quarter-sized amount of it into the palms of your hands (that’s right not a cotton ball like back in the blue-astringent days!). In a patting and smoothing motion, spread the toner directly onto your face – the toner has a gel-like quality which is why the cotton ball or applicator is unnecessary. Finish by applying your favorite serum and  moisturizer and you can thank us—and Juara— later!

Juara Tamarind Tea Hydrating Toner; 4.75 oz., $27

If Juara products sound like they are perfect for you, enter to win a Juara Skincare Spa Package on SpaRahRah!’s Facebook page.

1. Lightly mist hair with water and then pump two quarter-size squeezes of René Furterer Vegetal Sculpting Gel and two dime-size portions of a light pomade into your palms and rub together to emulsify the mixture. Run hands through hair from roots to ends. “The gel and pomade cocktail add long-lasting hold without leaving hair too stiff to move easily.”

2. Next, using a blow-dryer and your hands in lieu of a styling brush, rough dry  your hair in its natural part while twisting some sections using your fingertips to give hair more lift, wave and texture.

3. Taking random sections of hair, including a few face-framing pieces, use curling irons, alternating between 3/4 -inch, 1-inch and ¼-inch irons, to curl hair in different directions. About ¾ of the hair is left loose – “I lightly curl just enough sections to add a bit of movement throughout the hair,” says Jacqueline.

4. After letting your sections cool (because “touching them while still hot will make the curls collapse”) run your fingers through your hair to loosen up the curls. Leave a few pieces to fall freely around the face on either side of the part. Gather the rest, pulling to one side, and loosely divide it into three sections. Braid hair starting at the base, “taking care to be neither too messy nor too perfect.” Leave about 2-3 inches at the ends free to keep up with the “overall organic look of the braid.”

5. Secure the braid with a small elastic band and take a small piece of hair from underneath the end of the braid and wrap it around the elastic, pinning the piece underneath the braid. “Again, the key is to not wrap it too neatly, you want the effect to look effortless.”

6. Loosen up the braid with your fingertips to make it look asymmetrical. For more suppleness and shine, Jacqueline recommends adding a touch of René Furterer Styling Wax at the end of the braid and on the face-framing pieces. Lastly, mist the braid lightly with a normal strength hairspray.

 Follow Jacqueline Bush on Twitter @JacquelineBush