1. David Beckham – Instinct Ice A zesty, cool fusion of warm spices and greens that leaves a lingering touch of birch leaves on your skin for an icy yet inviting aroma. www.coty.com

2. Davidoff – Champion Inhale the essence of a champion through the tangy, citrus top note of this fragrance, which playfully promotes vitality. www.zinodavidoff.com

3. Marc Jacobs – Lola Velvet Edition Within this exciting cocktail of tempting elements radiates the alluring concentration of the fuchsia peony. www.coty.com

4. Calvin Klein – Beauty Among the highlighted notes of power, sophistication and accomplishment sparkles the lily flower, which embodies the true essence of femininity. www.calvinkleinfragrances.com

[View with PicLens]

5. Marc Jacobs – Bang Concentrated and capped into this funky bottle, Bang is an exhilarating explosion of peppercorn that will give men an extra jolt of energy with each spray. www.coty.com

6. Marc Jacobs – Daisy With even more sprayable luxury than the original Daisy, this edition captures and reveals the natural sweetness of the juicy, wild strawberry. www.coty.com

7. Vera Wang – Anniversary In this delicious bouquet of floral flavours rests the star of the scent – a luscious drench of rich white gardenia. www.coty.com

8. Calvin Klein – Eternity for Men This refreshing whiff of chilled cucumber exudes freshness and the strength of a powerful aquatic environment for an added touch of masculine confidence and sophistication. www.calvinkleinfragrances.com

2. The scent of a true fashion icon as you walk down the streets of Manhattan with this dazzling solid perfume bracelet by Sarah Jessica Parker. www.sarahjessicaparkerbeauty.com

3. Colour and stylize from head to toe – even your fingertips – with Anna Sui’s vibrant nail shades in myriad colours. www.annasui.com

4. Keeping your eyelids bright from day to night using the bright shades from Rimmel’s Glam Eyes Mono Eyeshadow. www.rimmellondon.com

5. Perfecting your model glare with Rimmel’s Volume Flash Mascara; stop him in his tracks with a wink. www.rimmellondon.com

[View with PicLens]

6. Hair that’s hydrated, frizz-free and shines more than the sun itself with the weekly treatment of Humectress Deep Conditioner by Nexxus. www.nexxus.com

7. That fresh-out-of-the-shower feeling that lasts all day with a subtle scent of orange blossom and 24-hour wetness protection by Nivea. www.nivea.ca

8. Natural aroma extracts of Mediterranean verbena mingle with geranium and lemon tree in L’Occitane’s Verbena Eau de Toilette. www.loccitane.com

Men, Before You Meet Her…

Shave using a close, comfortable blade with the Martell Shaving Pad. It re-sharpens and maintains your shaver every time. www.martellshavingpad.com

Sooth and refresh your skin with Vitamin E and Provitamin B5 by Nivea’s Cool Kick After Shave Balm so her touch never leaves your skin. www.nivea.ca

Anoint yourself in rich scents like bergamot, rosemary and sandalwood with David Beckham’s Instinct Ice so your aroma lingers long after you go. www.beckham-fragrances.com

1. The Jacquard Blazer:

2. Every Man Jack: Don’t scrape away your skin when you’re just trying to trim with your razor. Use Every Man Jack facial shaving products and moisturizer, for the perfect shave and softer skin. www.everymanjack.com

3. Grafic for Men: Arrive in style with the cutting-edge menswear from Grafic For Men. The classic luxury boutique carries a variety of tailored suits, high-end designer denim and the classy pieces from the luxury brand Sand. www.graficformen.com

[View with PicLens]

4. David Beckham: Get an extra kick with a new campaign released by David Beckham for the Emporio Armani underwear collection. The timeless undergarment pieces ranging from briefs to boxers,
are made to maximize comfort to its highest aptitude. www.emporioarmani.com

5. Armani Exchange: Distressed Stripey Hoodie: Go for the clean-grunge look with Armani’s Distressed Stripey Hoodie. The contrast of pairing the two elements of polished stripes with an edgy wash will have passersby struck with the combination of this cool style. www.armaniexchange.com

6. Tissot watch: It’s not a race against time when you’ve got the T-Race Moto GP 2009 Limited Edition from Tissot. Peer into this rubber strap, black carbon-rimmed ticker for a casual outing and a touch of refinement. www.tissot.ch

7. Cuffwear Race Car: Accelerate your outfit with the unique and exclusive Race Car Cufflinks from Cuffwear. These metal-based, rhodium plated accents are guaranteed to snag the attention of an entire room.
www.cuffwear.ca

Most celebrities have to work hard to keep fit, because their lifestyle and work schedules don’t allow them to regularly exercise and eat balanced meals. I have met and discussed this very question with many stars, and you will see that their take on fitness is both varied and interesting.

Because I make every effort to stay in shape myself (I have studied martial arts, run marathons, and I start every morning with an hour of laps in the swimming pool), the question of health and fitness is often a topic of conversation when I am interviewing stars. Their answers were often quite surprising. For instance, when I brought this subject up with Harrison Ford, he looked at me funny and said, “I don’t workout, I work.” He elaborated this by saying that while others jog, he chooses to hike in the mountains. While others workout on Nautilus machines, he goes into his workshop and builds something (he was a carpenter before he was an actor). In Ford’s case, it is hard to argue with the results – at age 65, he is starring as Indiana Jones for the fourth time in the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Above Image: Celebrity photos from left: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Photo by David James; Madonna at the New York Special Screening of Revolver. Photo by John Spellman / Retna Ltd.; Jennifer Garner at the 2007 National Board of Review’s Annual Awards Gala. Photo by RETNA. Christian Bale at the 310 To Yuma Los Angeles Premiere. Photo by Paul Fenton. David Beckham during an L.A. Galaxy training session. Photo by Liu Xingzhe.

At the opposite end  is Madonna. I sat down briefly with Madonna a few years ago and we talked about the value of being in shape and keeping healthy. She takes it to a whole new level by practicing yoga like it’s a religion. She also runs and works out with a personal trainer on almost a daily basis. “I believe that good health and good positive energy are directly connected,” Madonna said. “The better shape I am in, the better I feel. Not just physically, but spiritually and mentally. That positive energy and vitality
I then pour into my work.”

“The better shape I am in, the better I feel. Not just physically, but spiritually and mentally. That positive energy and vitality I then pour into my work.” — Madonna

Just as ritualistic about her fitness level as Madonna is Jennifer Garner. Garner connects her fitness level to her ability to do the work that she does to the best of her abilities. “When I was doing Alias I would be up at 4:30 a.m. everyday to workout,” Garner told me. “I had stunts to do and a lot of scenes that involved running and jumping and climbing. There was no way in the world I could have done that if I were not in shape and didn’t have the energy and resilience that comes from being in shape and fit.” That was taken to an even higher level when she was signed to play the high-kicking Elektra in the film Daredevil, and the even more physically demanding spin-off film, Elektra. “That was when I knew that I had to be in the kind of shape that takes total commitment,” said Garner. “Because (Elektra) needed to know how to fight, I had to get into very intense martial arts training, and while that just about killed me for the first few months, it really paid off. Not just in terms of being in shape, but the discipline that that kind of training produces in you as well.”

It is not uncommon for actors and performers to use their work as the impetus for driving themselves to great lengths to maintain a superior fitness level. I spent some time on the set of the film American Psycho and spoke with British actor Christian Bale about the workout routine that got him ready for the film. He told me that it was actually quite a miserable experience, because he would work all day then workout in the gym of his hotel for a few hours at night. The next morning he would get up and do it all over again. He did this all while on a diet of fresh vegetables and boiled chicken. After several months of this, Bale told me, “I can’t wait to have a pizza!” Bale would next starve himself down to an emaciated 119 pounds for his role in the film The Machinist, only to bulk up to optimum strength and stamina to play Batman in Batman Begins. Prior to playing Batman, Bale once again trimmed down for a role in Rescue Dawn, and then repeated the bulk-up process for another role as Batman in The Dark Knight. “I do workout on the advice of a physical trainer, but more importantly, I always consult a doctor as well. That is wise, not just for extreme shifts like I put myself through, but it is wise for anyone because there are smart ways of working out,” said Bale.

Other celebrities, like professional athletes, have another set of challenges. Soccer players are known to be the healthiest athletes on earth in terms of pure cardiovascular fitness. Take soccer star David Beckham as an example – he’s in great shape.  But what about when he isn’t playing because of an injury? “That is when you have to be really smart about it,” said Beckham. “I tend to eat a lot during training and during the match season, a lot of carbs, a lot of pasta; because we burn it off so quickly. But when I am injured I have to adjust that right away. I also have to try to continue to workout, but in ways that allow the injury to heal while still allowing me to maintain a fitness level that keeps me at, or near to game shape.”

Some celebrities take being in shape and being fit to extreme levels. But, it has to be considered that their bodies and the images they project are very much a part of their careers. In terms of success or failure, that can be a powerful and motivating factor.