Beauty: Star quality

The Langham Hotel's Chuan Spa suite. Photo / Supplied

Personal stylist, check. Makeup artist, check. Hair stylist, check. That's just for starters for any self-respecting celebrity readying themselves for next week's Oscars.

We're a lower-maintenance lot, but all those shots of Hollywood stars prepping and preening through awards season set me wondering what extra help is worth having for a special occasion. Beyond a new frock, a blowdry and a mani-pedi, how do you prepare to make a big entrance? For social page habitues this stuff may be old hat, but for the rest of us here's an indulgent recipe to be red-carpet ready.

We have Auckland Cup week to look forward to, followed by Louis Vuitton bringing the boats - and a bit of glamour - back to town. Or how about for a ball or a wedding? Excuse enough to make an added effort.

The sleepover

I arrive dishevelled and late - call me Lindsay Lohan - but the unflappably polite staff don't bat an eyelid, instead ushering me into my spa suite and a celebrity fantasy world.

I put dinner back an hour, so I can loll about in the Langham Auckland's outdoor pool.

I run a bath and overflow it, just because I can (it has an infinity edge). I can't work out which lever turns the shower off. No-one sounds at all put out when I ring for help. They simply sort it.

That's the thing about the best five-star hotels, they cope admirably with everything a demanding (or, in my case, dreaming) guest throws at them - and they do it with grace. They made me want to stay cocooned in my little private world of mica-flecked black granite floors, flocked purple drapery and piles of pillows. But there's serious work to be done and you don't book into a Chuan Residence just for the luxurious room, it's the room service that comes with it.

Treatments can be done in residence (there's a wingback armchair that doubles as a pedicure chair and the oh-so-deep bath where you can slowly steep) or you can slip up a few stairs to the Chuan Spa to enjoy the steam room, ice splash and sauna. For a big event I'd recommend a stimulating body scrub, followed by a massage of your choice. You'll slither into bed, ready to drift into a contented sleep that will leave you looking smugly serene for the next day's photo-call.

My wakeup caller informs me almost apologetically that the tea and juice I'd ordered is already outside, delivery pending my whim with the "Don't Disturb" sign. I reluctantly haul it in, but retain my air of cloistered indulgence by ascending to the Club Lounge for breakfast.

It is only when I force myself to check out that I have to brave the hotel's public lobby. Why, there's no paparazzi to avoid, just a nice concierge waiting with my car.

As I find a few hours later, the difference between being a wannabe and a celebrity is instead of a limo, it's a parking ticket that awaits me as I dash about back in the real world.

* The Chuan Spa Journey Package costs $689 and includes accommodation, 1 hour massage per person, discount on other treatments, access to all health and wellbeing facilities and the Club Lounge, valet parking and 1pm check out. Ph (09) 300-2960; chuanspa.co.nz.

The fake tan

If you're doing the big reveal in a strapless dress, then you'll want an even colour all over, including places self-tan application is too tricky.

Therapist and self-confessed tan fan Bianka rates the natural looking colour and wear of the Vani-T spray tan she has switched to using. I like that it has a barely discernible aroma.

Being naturally pale, I find a spray tan's first few days disconcerting, which is why if you don't do them often, you're best to figure they'll be at their best and you at your most comfortable a few days in. But having golden limbs soon grew on me and I was impressed with how the tan lasted well into the second week, without getting too patchy as it faded.

For that permanently just back from holiday look, this saves on airfare.

* Vani-T Liquid Sun spray tan, $65 at Isis Day Spa, 48 Broadway, Newmarket. Ph 522-5419; isisspa.co.nz. (Vani-T also available at Forme day spas. A quick dry version I tried wasn't as long-lasting).

The facial

I'd heard about Ilsci's Mask Before Event, with its paprika content that could initially turn skin red and should leave it glowing.

Blood circulation is stimulated, metabolism increases and the absorption of other naturally derived products used in the treatment increased including a biological alternative to a chemical peel, in an AHA mask containing apple, grape and medlar fruit extracts.

Therapist Shin did a lovely job massaging my arms (and, as a bonus, stiff shoulders) while the masks did their job. She said they were best used 2-3 days before a big event.

My skin was only a touch flushed looking after the slightly tingly, warming paprika mask was removed. That's usual, not the red-hot face I'd envisaged. I went away looking freshened rather than freakish.

* Mask Before Event, $180 for 90 minutes with massage, $130 for one hour, at The Beauty Connection, Level 1, 188 Broadway, Newmarket. Ph 520-6948; thebeautyconnection.co.nz.

The false lashes

My first up-close experience of lash extensions came when I was doing the wedding makeup for a friend's daughter. She'd gone from spindly blonde lashes to a caterpillar crop of black ones. This saved any worries about tears and smears, but the lashes looked to me like they would come adrift, like badly applied falsies.

After a week with my altogether more natural looking lash extensions, each individually adhered to a real lash, I'm not having those problems. It looks like I'm wearing mascara, but without the daily hassle, which was the enhanced natural look I was after.

Lash Noir's pre-curled nylon lashes come from Korea (the industry standard) and can last the 8-10 week life cycle of a natural lash. This means they shed as your lashes do, throughout the period. I've only noticed one come out so far and other than remembering not to rub my eyes in the morning, haven't been that aware of them. You can apply eyeliner and shadow up into the lashline, but just take it off carefully with an oil-free remover, so as not to effect the lash glue.

I have about 150 extra lashes applied in an hour. Rebecca explains that some people go for twice as many and some want more length, but she takes most pleasure from building up lacking lashes into a flattering flutter that doesn't scream fake. I'd expected to dislike the end effect and want them off (yes that can be arranged), but instead I'm seeing how, for someone with stunted lashes, it would be tempting to become one of Rebecca's growing band of regulars.

* LashNoir extensions from $120 upwards 18 Franklin Rd, Ponsonby. Ph 550 6665; lashnoir.co.nz.

The quick fix

With a subterranean boil threatening to erupt, I headed to Dermalogica for a Micro-zone treatment. These targeted treatments last 20 minutes and if you're after results they're ideal when time is an issue. From flash exfoliation to lip and eye plumping, hydration boosting, hand therapy, or men's shaving woes there's a Micro-zone choice.

The zit-zapper session really did soothe the angry red look of my occasional hormonal outbreak. Topical solutions containing benzoyl peroxide kill off bacteria and help disperse the looming spot. You can't make the damn things disappear, but they needn't dominate. Ideal when appearances most matter.

* Microzone Spot Treatment costs $50 at Dermalogica on the Shore, Westfield Albany, Ph 414-0202 and selected Dermalogica salons. dermalogica.co.nz.