True Life: I Flew to London With 40 Victoria's Secret Angels
I've been to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show before. When it was previously held in NYC, I attended the chichi event, interviewed celebrities on the "pink carpet," and watched the A-list musical performers rock out with the Angels on stage. But anything I had experienced in the past did not even come close to the glitz and glamour I enjoyed when I flew to London last week as part of the official Angel entourage.
Right after the Thanksgiving holiday weekend ended, I found myself at JFK airport boarding a hot-pink "runway." It led to a private plane shuttling editors, publicists, and about 40 Victoria's Secret models across the pond for the brand's buzzed-about annual fashion show. For four days, I lived like an Angel: the plane was entirely first class, the posh hotel was swarmed by paparazzi, and I got the full model beauty treatment (oxygen facial, spray tan, bombshell waves blowout) by the same pros reserved for the girls. I interviewed 14 of the long-legged beauties, was treated to my own personal glam squad before the black-tie soiree, and watched Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande mesmerize the bigwig crowd at the actual show. It was a week that I will never forget. If you, too, dream of living like an Angel, then keep reading to relive all of the swank moments of my trip. Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
Party Nails
A few days before the trip, I went to Valley Nails in NYC to get this glimmering look. Black gel polish and two layers of foil were used to create a disco-ball effect on my digits. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Rent the Runway . . . Before the Runway!
Deciding what to wear to the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in London was a difficult feat! This year, the show was black-tie, with a black-and-white dressing theme. I posted this photo on Instagram and Facebook asking my followers to vote. The majority chose this dress by Cut 25 on the left, and when my dad weighed in that it was his favorite, I knew I had to go with it. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Accessories Shopping
If this ear cuff doesn't scream dark Angel, I don't know what does! I spotted it at the BCBG Max Azria store in NYC when I was looking for pieces to wear with my gown. I ended up snagging this sequined motorcycle jacket. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Pink Boarding Pass
When we arrived at the airport (at 6:30 a.m.!), the models were shuttled into hair and makeup, while everyone else hung out and ate breakfast. We were given these cute pink boarding passes, and I took this photo right before heading to the terminal. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
The Pink Plane
This is what it looks like to fly "pink" class. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
The Pink Plane With Angels (Ahh!)
Just your average-looking in-flight company. The pilot decided to let all of these gorgeous ladies on the plane, too. Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
First Class For Everyone!
Inside the Angel plane, everyone was treated like first class. At each plush, reclining leather seat, we were treated to fuzzy Victoria's Secret blankets, duffels filled with travel swag, and large noise-cancellation headphones connected to Samsung tablets loaded with movies. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
The Swag Bag
After I went through my duffel bag, I pulled out this Victoria's Secret sleeping mask and neck pillow. Luckily we also really, really like hot pink at POPSUGAR. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Eat Like an Angel
There were two menus: one "all day" version that offered assorted snacks (pastries, fruit, salads) and another with breakfast and lunch meals (egg-white omelets, salads with salmon, and other healthy options). Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
In-Flight Beauty Lineup
Before interviewing some very familiar and gorgeous faces (more on that soon!), I had to look my best. Here are some of the beauty goodies I brought with me for quick touch-ups. Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
Meeting Behati
On the plane, I was granted the opportunity to interview Behati Prinsloo. She shared the key products to getting her boho beach waves, how she deals with preshow nerves (she opened the catwalk!), and her best advice for brides-to-be. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Interviewing Alessandra
Then I chatted with Angel veteran Alessandra Ambrosio. She told me all about her preshow fitness and spa routines. I got her to keep this exclusive photo diary for POPSUGAR of the rest of her time in London (spoiler: there are photos of Taylor Swift!). Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Room Service For Breakfast
Before my first day in London, I ordered some room service at the posh Edition Hotel to fuel up. Nothing gives me energy like avocado toast with poached eggs, coffee, and fresh-squeezed juice. Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
Angel Fest
Here's a fierce photo of the Victoria's Secret Angels posing in front of the Bond Street store in London.
"The Angels Have Arrived in London!"
Inside the store, Alessandra donned these luxe wings and excitedly cried out, "The Angels have arrived in London!" Woop!
Doutzen Time
POPSUGAR UK editor Gemma Cartwright and I had the pleasure of interviewing Doutzen Kroes inside the store. The megamodel said her favorite show memory was sharing the stage with Rihanna. (Also, I look seriously short next to this glamazon!)
Goofing Around With Adriana
Here I am interviewing Adriana Lima. She's just as animated on and off the runway! She told me that her spirit animal is a panther.
The Angel Suite
If you go shopping at the Victoria's Secret Bond Street store, you can book a personal shopper and hang out in this luxe salon called the Angel Suite. Some coffee and Champagne (yup, that combo) helped me get over my jet lag.
A Sensual Experience
Obviously I had to smell sexy before trying on any lingerie or swimwear.
Shopping
I walked around the store with a personal shopper picking out some swimwear items for my upcoming vacation to Anguilla. After trying on a ton, I bought a cute bikini and cover-up.
The Oxygen Facial
After a day of shopping and interviews, it felt nice to lay down at the hotel in Mzia Shiman's room for an oxygen facial (fun fact: the esthetician had just done Taylor Swift's face before mine!). During the 20-minute treatment, a concoction of serum, vitamins, and oxygen is blasted on your skin to seriously hydrate it. It felt cooling and made my mug glow!
Spray Tan
All of the Angels were getting spray tans from Kristyn Pradas, who is also a makeup artist. I could tell! She treats each body like a work of art, using an organic tanning formula to define and contour the body. It was honestly one of the best spray tans I have ever gotten!
Pink Slippers
Official Victoria's Secret Fashion Show spray tans obviously involve pink slippers. These sticky foot pads protect your feet from getting too much tanner on them.
Spray-Tan Tools
Here is a look at Krysten's beauty station: the sponge brushes were used to smooth out the tanning formula on wrists and ankles, and baby powder was dusted on at the end to proactively keep spots like underarms and cleavage from getting sweaty.
DIY Bombshell Waves
Next, Lorna Moore, an expert who works with GHD (the official hair brand sponsoring the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show), showed me how to create bombshell waves in my hair. During this step, she gently teased the curls to make them more tousled.
Feeling Angelic
After getting the full Angel beauty treatment — oxygen facial, contoured spray tan, and bombshell waves — I had to practice my Angel #selfie pose, obviously. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Backstage Bliss
Finally! Made it backstage at Earls Court to interview more models and beauty pros. Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
Pretending to Be an Angel
If I sit in this Angel seat long enough, do you think I will magically morph into one of them? A girl can dream . . .
Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra was looking cool, calm, and collected backstage as she was swarmed by editors, photographers, and beauty experts. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
The Backstage Scene
Chanel bags, hair extensions, and lots of pink! What else would you expect backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show? Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
The Makeup Backstage
A quick look at one of the makeup artist's stations.
Joan Smalls Smiles
Seriously though, could Joan be any prettier? (She's just as nice, too!) Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
Getting Artsy
Watch out, Banksy, Sara Sampaio is coming after your job! Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
Kisses From Karlie
Karlie Kloss was one of the coolest, smartest ladies I got to meet backstage. No wonder Taylor Swift is her best friend. Power couple! Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
Defying Gravity
Things got kinda weird backstage at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show . . . Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Hair Time
After working hard backstage, Ken Picton from GHD came to my room to do my 'do.
Getting the Kylie Treatment
We decided to make my hair sleek like Kylie Jenner's with a center part.
Makeup Makeover
Then, my skin was perfected by Kate Synnott, who works with one of my favorite British celebrity makeup artists, Charlotte Tilbury. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Charlotte Tilbury Makeup
Here's a snap of some of the Charlotte Tilbury products used.
Makeover Complete
The finished look! We went with vampy eyes, contoured cheeks, and a nude, glossy lip. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Hair and Makeup — Done!
A final selfie of my newly made-over self.
The Golden Ticket
Finally made it into the holy land. It was showtime! Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift rocked out to "Blank Space" and "Style" during the show. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
The Fantasy Bras
Adriana Lima and Alessandra Ambrosio sizzled in the famed Fantasy Bras — each is worth $2 million! Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
Taylor and Karlie
Best friends Taylor Swift and Karlie Kloss strutted down the runway together. Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
The Editors
Here I am posing with Gemma and editors for AOL and InStyle. Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson
Afterparty Time
After the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show is the afterparty. Cheers! Here I am with Gemma. Source: Instagram user popsugarbeauty
After-Afterparty
I can't tell you who was there or where it was held, but all I can say is that the after-afterparty was quite posh and A-list. Oh, to be a fly on the wall . . .
Going Home in Style
Back on the pink plane for some filet mignon and sea bass. Normal dinner entrées for a wedding Victoria's Secret event.
It Was All a Dream
Once I returned to NYC, I was experiencing serious Angel withdrawal . . . take me back to London! Source: Instagram user laurenlevinson