Leeann Tweeden
"I'm not bad...I'm just drawn that way". (Jessica Rabbit)
Ok, there's only 2 'people' in the world that can say that line. One of them is a cartoon and the other is television host, model, lingerie designer, USO “Heart of a Patriot” award winner and Playboy magazine’s December cover-girl and celebrity feature, Leeann Tweeden!
You know her from countless hours on television where she not only interviews the world's top sports stars and celebrities, hosts NBC's "Poker After Dark" but also regularly weighs in as a political contributor on several major network shows including FOX's Hannity.
As if that weren’t enough, Leeann also devotes her life to the support and awareness of our nation’s troops and their families. She has donated thousands of dollars to their various causes, been on 14 USO Tours through Bagdad and Afghanistan and in 2008 was awarded the USO, Angela Harvey “Heart of a Patriot” Award.
On the other side of this coin – there’s no denying Leeann’s physical attributes…Her perfectly bronzed, autobahn curves, massive mane of extension-free hair and flawlessly, smooth skin punctuated by two perfectly placed dimples.
So when we find a woman who so deftly manages career, family, a burgeoning lingerie line, unfailing support of our troops – AND joins the ranks of some of the most famous super-models in the world by shooting Playboy magazine….
We HAVE to ask: "Leeann Tweeden...What's on your A-List?"
Favorite Beauty Product?
Shine Bronzer by Carlene K - Best bronzer (color, smell & texture) hands down! Doesn't streak, you can layer it for more color and it washes off with soap and water! Let it dry after you apply it and before you put your dress on...and guaranteed you will get compliments all night.
Oil control makeup setting-spray by Urban Decay. It's light on the face & feels like a refreshing mister when applied. I put it on a clean face before my makeup and then a couple of spritzes after I'm done to set it! I can totally tell a difference in the lack of oily shine on my face as the day goes on.
This is my favorite new thing! The Clairsonic Pro is a cleansing system for your face and body. (Although I really use it on my face & neck, I have used it on my shoulders and elbows!) It rejuvenates skin and gently exfoliates away dead skin cells making skin look fresh & more youthful!
Andrea Eye Q's Corrector Sticks
These are the greatest things ever!!! They are pre-moistened pointy, cotton swabs that make correcting your liquid black liner easier than ever! A must-have when you're going for Adele's retro look!
Origins Spot Remover - I carry this with me at all times! (I have one in my travel/makeup bag and another one at my house!) Sometimes we get those pesky pimples popping up out of nowhere (Traveling? Stressing out? That time of month?)...just put a dab of this on your trouble spot, and by morning it will be gone!
Favorite Hair Product?
I learned about this product from a makeup artist on one of my modeling shoots! You usually find it in the African American section of your beauty supply or drug store, but anyone can use it! It's great for your skin (smells yummy too!) and it does wonders for taming my hair as well! I usually apply it to my skin and then whatever is left over on my hands I run through the ends of my hair (starting at the ends of your hair will ensure you don't put too much at the roots which may cause it to look too greasy and weighed down!)
Umberto of Beverly Hills Roman Oil Serum
Can you tell I have thick, unruly hair?! I love the way this oil smells and it's more lightweight than a lot of other hair oils I've tried over the years.
LÓreal Sulfate-Free Shampoos and Conditioners
I was turned on to these by a celebrity hairstylist in LA. They are great for anyone who colors their hair (it doesn't strip your hair of color) and the best part...you can get it at your local drugstore or Target-type stores!
LÓreal's Elnett Satin Hairspray
THE hairspray of choice on photo shoots! It has great hold, but you can comb through it and change styles without hassle! The States sell it now but it's a slightly different formula than the European version (I used to come back from my Paris/London trips with a suitcase full of cans for friends and makeup artists!!!) If you're in Europe, be sure to pick up a few cans at your local pharmacy!
Biosilk's Finish Shine On Spray
My best friend does hair and makeup for celebrities and turned me on to this lightweight shine spray. Again, you can find this in your local drugstore! It's the perfect finishing touch to your hairstyle!
On my last Maxim magazine photo shoot, my hair guy used this on my long hair to make it piece-y and sexy. He curled my hair with a big barreled curling iron and then used this paste to separate the curls and piece them out while taming the fly-aways!
Phyto Style Heat Protective Spray
Heat Protective Spray by Phytotherathrie of Paris. As much as I use hot tools to style my hair, I have to use a good protective spray to make sure I minimize the damage to my hair!
Armani's Luminous Silk Foundation
Favorite Cosmetics?
This foundation is the latest thing used by makeup artists! It's lightweight, natural looking and doesn't get cake-y on your skin! My makeup artist mixes 3 colors together...2 of them to get my skin tone and then adds a few drops of the bronze color to give me just a hint of sun-kissed glow!
These cream foundations come in a variety of colors (you can even get the big palette like I have that gives you a range of colors, corrective colors, highlights and lowlights). These are the best medium to full coverage cream colors I've found for olive skin tones like mine.
I love any type of highlighters and shimmer creams! My favorite color is the one called Super Orgasm (one of his popular blush colors too!). You can put it on a clean face for a touch of shimmery color, or you can put it on after a full face of makeup for that dewey look on your cheekbones!
Besides loving the name, this is hands down, my favorite lipgloss! It's the perfect nude/sheer gloss. You can use it on bare lips for a super-natural look, or you can change the look of it by using different color lip liners. I love using the MAC lip liner in Creamola and then layering Boy Bait over top of it for a sexy brown-nude lip. The makeup artist Carlene K from the Pussycat Dolls turned me onto this color!
Last Fashion Item You Bought?
I just bought a beautiful, Ralph Lauren floor length, black, wrap-dress with a diamond broach at the waist! LOVE! This can work for a red carpet appearance, a black tie event or a New Years' Eve bash!
Last Beauty Product You Bought?
Shimmering Powder & Eyeshadow Palette from Sephora! I couldn't resist! It's a cute little black Hello Kitty-shaped compact with a diamond bow accent! How cute will this look at a party when you need to check your lipgloss?!
Favorite Music or Artist?
Anything by Adele! Her voice is beautiful and haunting at the same time!
I also love Grace Potter and the Nocturnals! She's rock n' roll...edgy and the inspiration behind me cutting bangs and layers in my hair again!
Matt Goss is another favorite! He was in the HUGE boy band, Bros, in the 80's and is making a comeback as a headliner at Caesar's Palace every weekend in Vegas. He's a Brit who's gorgeous, charming and has the voice of an angel. And talk about swagger...
Favorite Films?
Top Gun is my all-time favorite! There's just something about flyboys and men in uniform! Maybe that's why I married my Air Force pilot!!!
Inception - Did the top fall or keep spinning??? I say it fell!
Raiders of the Lost Ark - Probably my first favorite movie as a young kid. I wanted to become an archaeologist and this is probably why!
Tech or Gadgets You Use?
iPhone - I FINALLY gave up on my Crackberry! I thought I couldn't live without an actual keypad, but I was wrong! The iPhone was definitely a game-changer and I'm loving it! I have the white version!
iPad - I love this for reading magazines and books on planes! Great for keeping your modeling portfolio too!
This is my favorite new gadget this year!!! It's a great sounding tiny little boombox that is connected to your iPhone via bluetooth! I've used in in my golf cart during charity golf events and it's a big hit!
This is the greatest invention for people like me who are constantly on their phone (Twitter and Facebook updates anyone?!) but are away from a plug for long periods of time. It's basically a battery recharging pack that acts like an iPhone case. You put in on, turn on the power, and it starts charging back up your battery as if it was plugged in! You almost get a whole new charged phone out of it! Can't leave the house without it!
Favorite Shopping Website(s)?
Amazon.com always has amazing deals and always seems like they have everything in stock.
Of course I always check in to The A-List.com to see the latest in fun fashion!
Zappos.com is a fun site for shoes! You can totally find bargains on high-end brands...I even bought a pair of Giuseppe Zanotti Screaming Eagle (patriotic red, white and blue!) booties for my wedding reception! Fit perfectly for our Fourth of July wedding...
Travel Must-Haves?
I always have to bring the basics...iPhone, iPad (or laptop depending on the length of the trip!), my Mophie Juice Pack, my JAMBOX speakers and something I tell everyone...BRING AN EXTENSION CORD!!! Some hotels are the WORST when it comes to available plugs, so now I'm prepared to deal with a plug that's across the room! I also always bring my Gal Pal garment deodorant remover pads!!! They're a lifesaver for someone like me who lives in black! They instantly remove white deodorant stains from your clothes! And they don't leave little white fuzzies like washcloths do!
What’s always on your Grocery List?
Cherrybrook Kitchen, Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix - We have a bad habit of eating out a lot, but I always buy these delicious, vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies from Whole Foods! (Believe me, I like the real thing too...but give these a try and I promise you you won't be able to tell the difference!)
Favorite Junk Food?
Anything chocolate!!! Look at the homemade fudge I just made for Thanksgiving!
Health/Vitamins products you use?
I take a daily Iron pill with Vitamin C & D, L-Tyrosine (an amino acid supplement that helps with focus and alertness), and I like anything from the Good Earth Bar here in LA!
Best Gift You Have Ever Received?
My husband surprised me with a vintage Rolex watch for my wedding gift! I felt like I was in a Sex and the City movie!!! The greatest night of my life!!! Here I am wearing it before a formal event put on by American Airlines last month!
Best Gift You Have Ever Given?
When my husband separated from the Active Duty Air Force, I wanted to celebrate & thank him for his service. I planned a 2 1/2 week vacation to my favorite place in the world...Bora Bora! We also spent time in Tahiti and Moorea (we swam with dolphins!) before ending up in an overwater bungalow on a private motu in Bora Bora!
Great Gift Idea for Holidays?
*** The A-List says: This whole list is FULL of GREAT GIFT IDEAS!!!
I just gave 2 Mophie Juice Packs and 1 JAMBOX by Jawbone as gifts and they were HUGE hits! If you don't know what to get a person, gift cards to their favorite stores work and everyone loves an iTunes gift card!
Best Advice or something you’ve learned in your career?
The best advice I can give to anyone is to be on time, follow through on what you say you'll do and be nice to everyone! The people you step on - on your way up are usually the ones you pass on your way down! Oh, and do your homework! In TV, I make sure I have done my homework when my assignment is to interview someone! In this business, if you mess up once, you may not get another chance!
What else would you like to do or accomplish?
Next on my list is to write a book! I would love to add 'author' to my credits! I really want to complete a marathon (I think if Oprah can do it, so can I!) I'd like to travel more extensively throughout Africa and visit Russia and China! I also want to grow my new non-profit, Heroes & Patriots (www.heroesandpatriots.net), to help more military families in need!!!
Reach for the stars...ANYTHING is possible!!!
xoxoxo, Leeann
Congratulations…You Just Made, The A-List!
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