Global Color Artist: Marcus Daniels

For the first time ever, I received a hair experience that would be hard to forget, not including the color.

Marcus Daniels does not mess around- or does he?

The L.A. local and Aspen, CO global coloring artist is one of a kind. He is not there to talk about life’s problems, your personal relationships, or to give you advice on what to wear out that evening- he is there to create, and explore passionately with the work he loves.

The easy-going, yet high strung full of contradictions artist, buzzed around comfortably in the Beverly Hills salon of Guiseppe Franco, known for the high quality experience and diversity in image. The salon is family, the staff jokes and does not take much besides hair seriously.

Marcus Daniels is a down-to-earth, fun hearted, ‘it isn’t work because it is something I love’ genius. One long, thoughtful look at my ends and my roots, and he was mixing together color like I was the pallet for the Sistine Chapel.

No foil needed, he is an artist, and prefers to paint and treat me as a masterpiece. My quest for the all-natural J Anniston look was easily fulfilled, added with a touch of what Marcus described as ‘Manhattan beach hottie’ flavor. On top of my base he ran his fingers through my hair and picked out random pieces to baliage, a technique truly as fascinating as the word itself.

For a color that defines no one other than you, and if you have an open personality for something more than a normal salon conversation or experience, contact Marcus Daniels. Don’t forget to ask for Leo and Angel to wash your hair, and Vanessa for a voluptuous, beautiful, blow- dry!

Tags: Guiseppe Franco, Marcus Daniels

ThinkThruFashion Accessory Swap Soiree with Michael Stars

This Monday, ThinkThruFashion along with Michael Stars put on quite the event at Avalon’s hotel in Beverly Hills to help celebrate the first six months of the staple fashion line, ttF.

Everything was carefully planned from the venue, free make over’s by Youngblood beauty, a raffle with unbelievable give-a-ways, and the food and spirits- not to mention those mini cupcakes I could not keep my hands off of.

The Accessory Swap Soiree was a great way to bring together 100 of LA’s top fashion bloggers, beauty bloggers and editors to mingle and lounge in a chic environment where they felt most comfortable. Everyone was invited to bring a piece of jewelry to swap upon arrival at the event. I was seriously bummed I had left my sort of lame silver ball necklace in the car when another cute blonde walked by with a new L.A.M.B watch by my all time staple icon Gwenny-Gwen herself. Standard Bella, better luck next time!

I was most impressed by the charity both contributors chose to support, Mariska Hargitay’s The Joyful Heart Foundation, which works to help end sexual assault, and domestic violence. At the end of the night, the beauty and fashion fans of LA donated over $680 to the cause and ThinkThruFashion and Michael Stars matched it bringing the grand total to $2,000.

Congratulations to ThinkThru and Michael Stars for putting on a fabulous, innovative night that had all the nuts and bolts thought of to make a successful, enjoyable event for all.

Tags: Michael Stars, The Joyful Heart Foundation, ThinkThruFashion, Youngblood

Ladies Night On Caress

GRAZIE A MILLE to Caress Beauty for pampering six lovely ladies this last Friday night, we had a blast!

Caress treated six beautiful L.A. beauty lovers to a fun- filled night in Hollywood at Drais.

Ms. Nadine Jolie and I, pose in our lounge-tastic cabana at the club

Tags: Caress, Nadine Jolie

My Beauty Video Debut

Tags: Bare Minerals Make Up, M-A-C Cosmetics

LiQWd Hair Care

Utterly, completely, effortlessly, speechless.

My new hair line staple to live and breathe by: LiQWd Hair Care.

LiQWD features exclusive Nano-Hydrasphere™ and ColorLife® Technology that penetrates the hair shaft, resulting in hydrated, more volumized hair.

BRING ON THE BIG. I always have had a craving to snag Big Sexy Hair products when walking down the beauty aisle because of the cut throat advertising: “Big, Sexy, Hair.” That particular hair line can give you what you are looking for with a fine pick comb and a lot of un-needed hairspray, but LiQWd Hair Care does it all and more in a 5 min shower.

The lovely Jolie let Bella take home some of the beloved hair products to try for herself and I may testify: I have never been oh- so- pleased.

My favorite product out of the hair care line is the LiQWd Professional Volumizing Catalyst. I was blessed to be born with angel-fine locks that split at the sight of a curling iron, and set flat at the sight of sun. With a few 10-20 spritz of LiQWd Catalyst all over my roots and penetrated through to my ends, I was born a voluptuous Marilyn Monroe, effortlessly. 

Check out LiQWd hair care on face book to find out more great deals and give-a-ways on the oh-so-bellisima line Bella cannot put down.

Tags: LiQWD Hair Care, LiQWd Professional Volumizing Catalyst

Skydiving in San Diego

One of Bella’s staples: Take risks.

Ever since I was young I knew I wanted to skydive. ‘What would it be like to fly?’, was a constant question that has never left Bella while growing up. Take it how you wish, Bella likes to figure these kind of questions out for herself if humanly possible- and it is.

These past few weeks I have been taking jumps in each area of my life and couldn’t be more proud of the risks well worth taking to follow my dreams and grow as a woman.

I decided I would celebrate the continual jumps I have made by making a physical one, in San Diego, out of a plane, to only solidify the independent liberating feeling I feel, and to conquer yet another on my ‘Bucket List.’

I brought a long a companion whose biggest fear was jumping out of a plane. I figured why not help someone conquer their biggest fear while I check something off my life to-do list.

The Experience:

There was no pushing involved. No business like establishment hustling people in and out of planes into the sky like cattle- but people who genuinely wanted you to experience what it was to fly. We were given a scenic flight over the city of San Diego and the border of Mexico before the drop. Our instructors spent that time getting to know us, finding a common ground to make us feel more at ease, since the next common ground we would connect on would be out of the plane 11,000 ft. below. Knowing the guides genuinely cared about our personalities and what they could do to make our experience the best made the dive that much more memorable. Thank you again, Pacific Coast Skydiving! I will be back one year later to make an annual back flip. 

The Jump:

3…2…1…

Two flips into a graceful free fall in the sky with nothing but reality underneath my chest was the best human feeling I have experienced. Knowing I could die with the smile that was on my face but live being able to have felt a feeling that is hardly explainable, was well worth the jump. I guess that ‘risk to receive life’ mentality is how you could say Bella views most things in life: Life is short, GO FOR IT.

Tags: Pacific Coast Skydiving

My New Home: Manhattan Beach, CA

New chapter, new home. 

I came to California with a ‘new’ perspective in mind. ‘New’ hair-do (all natural, no straightener, J Aniston plan), ‘new’ cell phone (because its refreshing when people can’t reach you), ‘new’ friends, ‘new’ outlooks, ‘new’ LIFE. It was time I started to explore the big city and find my LA niche, a place I could call home.

I couldn’t think of a better fit for my world of ‘new’ rather than Manhattan Beach, CA.

Located 19 miles from the city, at the southern tip end of Santa Monica bay, you will find beautiful beaches, a pier that never ceases to draw you in for a sunset stroll, unique boutiques and upscale shops, a surfers paradise and the best seafood in town. MB is a mix of elegant fine taste with its shops and restaurants humbled down with a relaxed  beach lifestyle and personality.

Most importantly, it is the one place I found myself coming back to sit by the ocean just to have my ‘me’ time (my day isn’t complete without it). The area embodies all of my ‘new’ and brings my head to the right place. I cannot imagine a morning without a run on the strand overlooking the water and pier, or capping off a night with a Rockin’ Fish traditional ‘Navy Grog’.

I am now a branded a Southbay girl and am here to stay, amore MB.

Tags: CA, Manhattan Beach, Rockin' Fish

Culver City: The New Upcoming Niche in LA

Become aware that nothing makes Bella more giddy than exploring and receiving the unexpected. An eventful planned Friday evening with a “friend” included an Italian dinner at C&O Trattoria in Venice (hands down the best garlic rolls ever created), and Nikki’s Bar in Venice to follow for drinks and witty conversation. The planned evening became quickly unplanned due to long table waits, getting lost, and a burning desire to try something spontaneous and new (surprise?).

The new unplanned plan brought us to Culver City. My friend described the niche as the new and upcoming hang out in LA. Credit to him, he was more than correct, but the niche and dining experience in the area was worth writing about.

Expand your horizons on your next night out and make an unplanned plan to arrive in Culver City and try the many new restaurants, modern wine bars, and clean, classy feel of the area. If you are in the mood for Mexican food, stop by Kayn Daves and ask for the waiter, Tim, and you will not be disappointed.  I will see you all at Happy Hour for the Very Berry Margarita.

Tags: Culver City Dining

Catalina Getaway

Attention LA travelistas: if you are like Bella and are continually itching for Italian islands, cobblestone streets, beautiful scenery and beaches, or a community only accessible for golf carts, jump the hour long ride ferry to the charming Catalina.

A group of recent graduates from diverse undergrad experiences joined together in celebration of a birthday and being young and beautiful.

Catalina island and town is perfect for a weekend with friends, significant others, and family. The scenery and warm weather will trick your mind to believe you are not an hour away from busy Los Angeles, but a destination resembling Capri, Italy with the beautiful marina, tiny shops, and exclusive town feel.

Be sure to stop by and Luau Larry’s to get your ‘wicky wacked’ (its classier than you are imagining), and Café Metropole for a fabulous fresh Panini.

Note: The Botanical Gardens does not have flowers. My exploring crew and I were a little thrown off, but we did enjoy a variety of growing cactus in a quick ten-minute viewing.

Tags: Cafe Metropole, Catalina Island, Luau Larry's

Bella’s Beauty Favorita’s

M-A-C Zoom Lash: Continual self talks involving pure amazement. I always find myself experiencing internal reactions while applying M-A-C’s Zoom lash mascara. This product is great for adding length without the clump or the mess- and did I mention it sets on quick?

M-A-C Opulash Mascara: For all of you Dior lovers that cannot afford to buy the $30 tube each month, try M-A-C Opulash. Same volume results, easier on the pocketbook, and will last a lot longer than Dior without the clump.

Bare Minerals: Along with my boss Jolie, I am obsessed. Bare Minerals applies lightweight and is healthy for your skin. I always forget I am wearing face make up when applied. Did I mention SPF included, cancer gurus? There is no way I could be swayed to pressed powder again; I am branded Bare for eternity.

M-A-C Lipstick & Lip Glass: You name a look you wish to achieve, add a touch of creativity and M-A-C can no doubt provide it. Lip glass and lip sticks in pink, coral tangerine, light lavender, and my all time staple- bright Russian red are all fun to try and can add spunk to any style. After all, Gwen Stefani and her bright red lipstick is more than ‘Just a Girl’ look, but a sophisticated style icon, my Libra vice, and is one of my favorites.

BE Inspired Serum for Hair by Beverly Hills: Leaves my hair with the ultimate silky sensation and even better endless reactions to my natural looking shine. Yeah for Argan Oil!

Kai products: Another Bella staple I cannot live without. I love you Kai, enough said. The smooth cream-colored lotion smells of natural oils and scents geared to bring out emotion. I always feel like I should immediately wrap into yoga’s child’s pose and lay calmly after applying.

OPI: I want to meet the creative director of OPI. You are one smart, innovative cookie. Thank you for continually creating timeless and trendy colors for all to express their personal style. Bella’s favorites: Lincoln Park in the Dark, Bare foot in Barcelona, Privacy Please, Modern Girl, and my recent favorite I cannot put down, You Don’t Know Jacques.

(Side note I find hilarious: You know you intern for a beauty writer and should pursue the beauty industry when you can scare random members checking in at Equinox, by calling the nail polish color out they are wearing just by glance).

Hempz Products: If the logo does not sell you, the effects will. Hemps exfoliations and moisturizers are great for dry skin, and are one bang for their buck. I always feel extra hydrated and clean after applying.

Victoria’s Secret: Hello Bombshell, you had me, Bella, at “hello”, hence half of my wardrobe consists of you. Whether it is a new fixating sensual scent to try, or a new coral pair of panties, consider me already sold.

Tags: BE Inspired Serum for Hair, Hempz, Kai, M-A-C, OPI