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Mel Tamussino of Las Vegas and Jenny Perez of San Francisco pose for a photo at the AVN Adult Entertainment Expo at the Sands Convention Center in Las Vegas on Friday, Jan. 7, 2011.
Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012 | 2 a.m.
Sin City lives up to its name this week as the adult entertainment industry gathers for its annual AVN trade show. Running from Jan. 18-21 at the Hard Rock Hotel, the 2012 AVN Adult Entertainment Expo could draw as many as 30,000 industry pros and fans.
For the stars attending, that means more than just sittin’ pretty: They juggle round-the-clock schedules packed with industry events, meet-and-greets and more -- and all in a pair of spike heels.
So how do they do it? We spoke with expo vets to get the scoop on their essential AEE beauty tips and tricks:
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Alt-porn actress and BurningAngel founder Joanna Angel recommends your heels be more comfortable than these chains.
Wear comfortable shoes
“I know it sounds like an oxymoron, but there are comfortable heels out there,” says alternative porn actress and director Joanna Angel. “They should be ones you have worn a few times and broken in. No matter how beautiful your heels are, you will look like an idiot if you can’t walk in them. You never want to be that girl walking around the casino barefoot at 3 a.m. Gross.”
Angel swears by Patricia Fields’ “Polly” heels, which she dubs “more comfortable than some of my sneakers.”
If blisters are imminent, performer Jessica Drake recommends the anti-chafing balm BodyGlide favored by athletes. But if you can’t get to a sporting goods store, Drake says stick deodorant works like a charm. “You can use it on any part of your body that’s prone to chafing -- just rub it on at the first sign.”
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Kaylani Lei, Jessica Drake, Kirsten Price and Alektra Blue of Wicked Pictures at Moon at the Palms.
Say no to day-glo (tans)
“I’m a big believer in self-tanner to enhance your body -- but not the stuff that turns you orange,” Drake says. “I start using the gradual, subtle-glow creams that you can get over the counter a few days before the show. And if you’re gonna get a spray tan, definitely get a recommendation -- don’t do it the day before!”
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Freshen up your fashion
AEE is nothing if not a deluge of photo ops, so the ladies come prepared with an arsenal of outfits to avoid the cardinal fashion sin: “I would never wear an outfit twice in a row,” says raven-haired performer Chanel Preston. She explains that fans often return to a star’s booth to get a new photo taken each day. “They pay attention. I even had a fan call me out for wearing an outfit that he met me in months before!”
Preston favors colorful dresses in the daytime but goes “black all the way” at night; Drake recommends themed looks: “I try to do a slightly different look every day. One day I might have a classier, professional office look, another day I might go more rocker, or do a fun cowgirl look,” she explains.
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AVN vet Wendy Williams.
Freshen up your fashion, Part 2
Transsexual performer Wendy Williams says her style has evolved over the years. “Years ago, I thought less was more, but now that I’m a veteran in the industry, I think that a nice club dress or baby-doll-type outfit with a comfy heel totally works.”
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Adult film star Jessica Drake poses for fans at the Adult Entertainment Expo on Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011.
Don't cake on the makeup
“I think the outside consensus is that we all do our makeup like Tammy Faye Baker. That’s not true,” Drake says. “Your makeup should be done to accentuate one area of your face. Never do up every part of it.” Drake favors a smoky eye with a light shimmer to complement her platinum locks.
Williams says she drinks water throughout the day and uses plenty of moisturizer to keep her skin looking smooth. “If you’re not doing that, by the end of the week, your skin will be tore up!”
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Jesse Jane, left, and the girls of Digital Playground.
Don't cake on the makeup, Part 2
With performers spending as long as 8 hours at a time on the convention floor, touch-ups are key. Don’t go heavy on foundation, Drake says, so it can be freshened up throughout the day.
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Performer Wendy Williams keeps curlers on hand at AEE.
Control your tresses
“It all depends on the weather. For example, if it’s humid, I just flat iron it. Otherwise I just go with what I’m in the mood for,” says the redheaded Williams. Like makeup, touchups for styled locks are key. “I always take battery-operated jumbo curlers to the expo. That way, when I have a few minutes, I can roll up the ends to give it some body,” she says.
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Chanel Preston getting some beach-side R&R.
Fit in some R&R
“With events and appearances scheduled late into the night, stars like Williams say they average about 4 hours of sleep per night during AEE.
“I know it looks like we’re just standing there, but we’re on our feet straight for 5 to 8 hours a day -- and then we have to go out at night,” she explains. “It’s maybe the most exhausting week of the year for me. It usually takes me about a week to recover.”
To keep up her energy, Williams snacks on fruit throughout the day and schedules a nap for herself before going out for the evening’s slate of events.
“I have to have my nap, or I can’t do it,” she says. “And, also, a good dinner.”
Follow Andrea Domanick on Twitter at @AndreaDomanick and fan her on Facebook at Facebook.com/AndreaDomanick.
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