TIFF 2015 | Getting festival-ready with Etalk’s Danielle Graham

The day before TIFF 2015 officially launches, there’s a buzz in the air. Everyone’s hypervigilant–was that a Gyllenhaal? Did I just see KStew? Our fair city is a veritable Hollywood of the North. Amplify that and you’ll maybe have a sense of what it must be like for those tasked with interviewing celebs on the red carpet. However, when we speak to Etalk co-anchor Danielle Graham bright and early in the morning, she sounds relaxed and festival-ready. So, we had to ask, what are her secrets to looking put-together, staying grounded, and being an all-out pro on the red carpet?

BEAUTY and FASHION

Well, being prepared helps, and the preparations actually began last week. “Beauty-ready started last week, where I got my nails done with my colleague and very best friend Traci Melchor. So, paws and claws are important. You’ve got open-toed shoes and you’ve got your hand holding the microphone so those things are right at the forefront,” Graham says.

Next comes the hair. “I treat my hair really well—I do a mask the weekend before to get the extra hydration that I know it needs because of all the extra heat styling and spraying.” Which mask, we ask? “Right now, I’m using the Dry Remedy mask from Aveda.” The mask features buriti oil and, as with all Aveda products, a divine fragrance that boasts lavender and ginger lily.

Her appreciation for all-natural beauty products extends beyond the brand names. “Sometimes I’ll just use coconut oil in my hair, and just let it sit in a bun overnight, and you’ve got to give it a good wash the next day to get some of the residue out but I think it’s really important to start with as healthy hair as you possibly can.” This is a golden rule, especially for those facing down a full schedule of blowouts and last-minute colour touch-ups.

As just-can’t-help-it beauty junkies, we’re instantly curious about what else the always-radiant Etalk co-anchor swears by. She tells us that right now, her mask of choice is from Consonant Skincare, and she takes the time to do a face mask each Sunday—we totally respect that kind of diligence. She also lists Dermalogica‘s entire line and Orogold‘s mask, exfoliant and cream as much-loved products.

But there’s more to a red carpet-ready look than skincare. We ask what Graham’s personal favourite beauty look is, and she focuses in on the eyes. “I think the thing that I would probably gravitate towards the most would be a really crisp, wingy liner.” She notes its versatility, and how smoothly it can move from a daytime pairing with a neutral lip, into a bolder night-owl look with a dark red lip. “I’m also contour obsessed…it does wonders for your face,” Graham adds. She also can’t hide her enthusiasm for lashes, and sings the praises of Too Faced’s dramatically volumizing (and cheekily named) mascara Better than Sex.

We can only imagine the hectic schedule of an entertainment show co-host, and the slew of hair change-ups that must come with it. Graham, however, seems unfazed. “I think it’s easy to transition if you’ve got a bit of texture in your hair, or a bit of wave.” She recommends building texture with a curling iron or a wand, and sweeping the hair to one side then finishing with a few bobby pins. “It has to look not so structured, I think.”

She also drops an insider’s trick if you want to maintain your curls and waves: at the end of the day, pile your hair atop your head and secure with a scrunchie for next-day volume and waves.

Keep in mind that Graham has access to professionals. She heaps praise onto her team—”our make-up artists are the best in the business”—and her stylist, who will be pulling around 30 looks for TIFF. And yes, there will be backup outfits for any eventuality: rain, cold, or “If I spill something, which happens” (To everyone, we might add).

For those of us who are perpetually squeezed into sky-high stilettos, Graham shares that she often transitions from flats to heels when getting ready for the red carpet. “You’ve got to save your feet. You can’t be walking around in heels all day.”

NERVES of STEEL

We’d assume that there’s a certain nervous flutter that never quite goes away, no matter how many times you cover TIFF—and Graham confirms it. “Red carpets tend to lend themselves to that excited anxious feeling, because the energy is insane on the red carpet. You can feel it…vibrating. You want to get those great moments, you want to have that connection with that person, it’s got to be fast, they have to want to speak to you, you want to make them laugh or you want to get a great quote about the project that they’re working on—all those things run through your head.”

We ask whether there’s one celeb in particular that gets the butterflies going. “George Clooney is a nerve-wracker, 100%. Because he’s George Clooney and he’s so witty, and he’s so quick, so you have to be—you can never be as quick—but you try to keep up.” After a moment, she adds, “This year, I’m nervous for Matt Damon. I’ve never actually spoken to Matt Damon, and I’m doing the interview for the red carpet for The Martian. I’ve heard nothing but lovely things.”

We certainly have our list of celebs that we’re excited to see this year, but what about that all-important red carpet? Graham says she’s curious to see Sandra Bullock’s and Drew Barrymore’s style, and adds, “Johnny Depp is here, and he’s always interesting—you just never know what he’s going to come out looking like.”

BEST ADVICE

Wondering how to look like you belong at any given TIFF 2015 event? “The key would be a little black dress…that fits you well, that’s the most important thing I think when it comes to a dress. And a little black dress can get you in anywhere,” Graham says.”You want a great pair of shoes that you can walk in, though…and I do think a bold red lip, or even a fuchsia lip. Or even that deep berry lip that a lot of people are wearing right now. I think that’s a trend that we’ll see on the carpet. Bold lip, black dress, great shoe—you’re set.”

So how does Graham stay grounded amidst the TIFF frenzy? “I stay grounded by going home, which is my most favourite place in the world to be, and you know, watching TV with my husband at the end of the night—that’s kind of what I do. I’ll go to some events and enjoy that. ‘You can’t do it all’ is the best advice I was ever given, and I learned that a long time ago.” True words of wisdom—in life, as in TIFF.

Etalk airs weeknights at 7 p.m. ET on CTV and CTV GO.

Related Link: TIFF 2015 | Your festival beauty guide

What do you think of Danielle Graham’s TIFF 2015 beauty prep? Let Vv Magazine know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.