Want to sound cool to your kids or grandkids? Just mention that you know who Mrs. Jennifer Knight is on their favorite show "Big Time Rush."
Then tell them that you love and never miss that show about the boy band trying to make it big in the music industry.
Of course, Mrs. Knight is played by the charming Challen Cates.
I find Challen (pronounced Shallon) with no band around her on a chilly winter morning in LA.
"I'm on the phone trying to fix my Internet. When did we get this tied to technology?" she moans.
Phew! Just because she's on a hip show, it doesn't mean she doesn't have midlifer concerns.
During a break from some tech trauma, I asked gorgeous Challen for her beauty tips. It's her job to look amazing, and she offered a preview of some products that I've never tried. Read on.
Q: You have such gorgeous, flowing long hair, which is hard to achieve these days with all the products and processing. What is your go-to brand for great hair care?
A: "Right now, I'm really into Alterna hair products. The truth is I try to be as natural as possible with all of my beauty products. This is a really nice line. I have a lot of hair, but it's really fine."
Q: I have the same issue…long hair, but it's super fine.
A: "Alterna has a great texturizing spray. I use their shampoo and the texturizer when my hair is still wet. It gives you amazing body and control."
Q: Why is it so important for you to try to find products that are as natural as possible?
A: "My Dad said something interesting to me. He said, 'Look at the ingredients on all of these products. Think about each one and say, 'Would I eat this product?' I want it so natural that I could eat it. I'm always especially worried about sunscreen. Turn over that product and you see all of those crazy ingredients. You can't eat them!"
Q: What are your thoughts on color and highlights?
A: "I don't do highlights. It cooks your hair. You get natural highlights just from being outside. I do color my hair. Otherwise, I just try to take care of it. It really does help if you wash it every other day. If you wash it every single day then it does dry out. If I don't have to use a blow dryer, I won't. And I won't use a straightening iron unless I'm going to a big event."
Q: What are your must have skin care products these days?
A: "I love trying new things for my skin. Right now, I'm using Epicuren products. I used them a while ago and just went back to them. I wanted something natural and soothing. I feel that there is so much stress in our lives and so many things out there that are damaging to our skin that I wanted something that felt light, pure, and clean. I also just started using Dr. Perricone's Blue Plasma for anti aging. I've been using it for a week and today I was at Pilates. My instructor who sees me three times a week said, 'Your skin looks great.' I worry about things that tear skin down. These are the products that I think build it up."
Q: Any tips for puffy eyes?
A: "I love Lierac Eye gel. They have a decongesting reducing gel that really targets puffiness and I really like it."
Q: In the winter, all of us have to deal with alligator skin or extreme dryness on our arms, legs, knees, elbows, etc. As an actress, you can't have it. Any fixes?
A: "I've been using a liquid shea butter with lavender in it. It's very oily, so I'll mix it with regular moisturizer. The shea butter really soaks into my skin and my skin has been feeling pretty soft."
Q: What's your favorite stay in shape routine?
A: "Pilates is my thing. I'm really dedicated and I've been consistent with it. I did it when I was pregnant with both kids and to get back into shape afterwards. It works remarkably well and it feels good. Now, I do it three times a week. I started with two days, but then I started seeing results and added a day. I also walk around and chase my kids. That's my cardio!"
