San Diego

It’s Panda-monium!

| kristencastillo

Last week my sons and I got a sneak peak at “Pandas,” an IMAX movie that opens this weekend.

This documentary, which took three years to shoot, has lots of appeal. It’s educational – showing viewers the challenges pandas face in the world in terms of breeding, handling tough terrain and overall survival. Pandas are an endangered species around the world, mostly due to humans developing properties on their land, and the lack of bamboo, their primary food source.

“Pandas” grabs your heart too. It’s hard not to love these cuddling looking bears that we typically only see at the zoo.

When we first meet these cute pandas, they’re newborns, adorable and looking like stuffed animals. We see them cooing as babies and then we watch them – one panda in particular, “Qian Qian,” pronounced Chen Chen – grow up on camera and learn to navigate the world.

The pandas are born at the Chengdu Panda Base in China, a breeding center which has helped breed over 200 baby pandas. In the movie, the scientists interact with the pandas and they explain how they’re tracking the animals and helping them thrive in the wild.

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The movie took three years to shoot. The Chengdu Panda Base, which has helped over 200 baby pandas born during her tenure. Viewers meet the  scientists interacting with the pandas and they explain how they’re tracking the animals and helping them thrive in the wild.

We loved the movie – so fun and interesting. It’s narrated by Kristen Bell – a familiar voice for kids, who recognize her from “Frozen.”

Fun Fact: Giant pandas eat up to 30 pounds of bamboo every day!

We saw the IMAX film at Fleet Science Center in their Heikoff Giant Dome Theater, which has 76-foot wraparound movie screen and 16,000 watts of digital surround sound. Everything looks and feels so close. That experience makes you feel like you’re sitting across from the pandas in the wild in China.

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My sons and I enjoyed playing with the Panda props at Fleet Science Center too!

Fun Fact: Pandas sleep 10 to 16 hours a day! That bamboo they eat isn’t very nutritious and lacks protein, so they don’t have much energy.

“Pandas,” is rated G and opened April 6, 2018. Get tickets.

Check out the trailer below:

Feeling #SunStoppable!

| kristencastillo

I have fair skin and wear SPF 30 or higher every day. It’s something I’ve done for a long time. I want to protect my skin and prevent it from getting burned. Let’s face it: sun burns hurt, peel and cause blemishes.

My Colorscience makeover by celebrity makeup artist Julianne Kaye
My makeover with Colorescience products by celebrity makeup artist Julianne Kaye.

I’m always interested in learning more about and trying new sunscreen products. That’s why I had such a great time at Colorescience’s “Sunforgettable Summer” event at Tower23 Hotel in San Diego yesterday.

Celebrity makeup artist Julianne Kaye gave me a makeover, using Colorescience’s skincare and mineral makeup products including face primer (SPF 30), loose mineral sunscreen (SPF 50) and lip shine (SPF 35).

“Jules,” as Julianne asked me to call her, has done makeup and styling for celebrities including Nicole Richie, Kate Hudson and Scarlett Johansson. In about 30 minutes, she transformed my look from everyday to “wow.” I received compliments all day, especially on my eyes.

Colorescience is based in Carlsbad, CA and the company’s COO Josie Juncal, who is from San Diego, loves living in the sunny region. She knows firsthand the importance of wearing adequate sunscreen. Juncal says while most women apply sunscreen in the morning, many don’t want to reapply SPF later in the day, fearing the touchup will ruin their makeup. The loose sunscreen powder is a great way to touch up your makeup later in the day.

Celebrity makeup artist Julianne Kaye applying Colorscience makeup
Celebrity makeup artist Julianne Kaye doing makeovers at Colorescience’s #Sunstoppable event at Tower23 Hotel in San Diego.

The Colorescience products, sold online and in dermatologists’ offices, don’t skimp on sun protection. They have higher SPFs (as mentioned above) than most store-bought sunscreens, plus they’re water resistant. For example, the lip shine is water resistant for 40 minutes and the loose mineral sunscreen provides 80 minutes of water resistance.

Colorscience event at Tower 23 in San Diego
Colorescience’s “Sunforgettable Summer” event at Tower23 Hotel in San Diego.

Colorescience gave me some skincare and makeup goodies. I’m going to use them as part of my daily commitment to great skin and using sunscreen. #SunStoppable