On Monday, July 7, the rooftops of Hollywood shimmered with California sunshine, the glow of innovation, elegance, and purposeful beauty as the 2025 Gurus Beauty Awards, presented by Gurus Magazine, unfolded in breathtaking style atop the Lemon Grove Restaurant at The Aster Hotel.
The Amalfi Coast-inspired affair felt like you were stepping into a sunlit dream. It was Positano meets Hollywood. Guests were surrounded by citrus trees, breezy white linens, and ocean-toned décor. The Mediterranean fantasy was curated with love and precision by Derek Warburton, founder and publisher of Gurus Magazine, and executive produced by Rachel Wilson. The event was a celebration of beauty—not just the surface, but the soul of it.
The afternoon’s guest list sparkled as brightly as the setting sun. Stars in attendance included Sutton Stracke and Crystal Kung Minkoff (Real Housewives of Beverly Hills), Cynthia Bailey (Real Housewives of Atlanta), Nicole Young (Selling Sunset), Gleb Savchenko (Dancing with the Stars), Emmy-winner Patricia Heaton, six-time Emmy nominee Debbie Matenopoulos, Kearran Giovanni (Major Crimes), and host extraordinaire Robyn Newmark, affectionately dubbed the Hollywood Beauty Guru.
From Miia Harris (Monster High) and Jy Prishkulnik, to royalty, Princess Sarah Jane Culbertson of Sierra Leone, guests celebrated their favorite brands and the people behind them in a gorgeous atmosphere. It was a spectacular event where fashion met art, and industry titans mingled with creatives, each one embodying the event’s ethos: beauty with heart and purpose.
The Lemon Grove rooftop was transformed into a cinematic tableau of the Italian Riviera. Imagine the Amalfi Coast in the clouds. Violinist Maury Cruz set the tone with coastal harmonies while citrus from Ayala Farms perfumed the air. Guests sipped Mediterranean spritzes and sampled handcrafted gelato from The Dolce Cart, while the Blonde Italian introduced aromatic spice blends straight from her Nonna’s kitchen.
The Moon d’Elle Bocce Ball courts brought a playful nod to Italian piazza life, featuring a cheeky shoe cam and custom Viva Gurus! director chairs by FilmCraftLA for stylish spectating. The setup blended charm and whimsy, offering guests a chic, interactive escape.
Interactive brand experiences delighted at every turn. Suzy Levian Jewelry hosted a glittering bar of jewels. Lumara Systems wowed with cutting-edge red-light therapy. Cotrini Skincare offered samples with the elegance of a Tuscan spa. And VFlowers, in collaboration with photographer Josh Fogel, created personalized bouquets complete with printed portraits. Painter Joey DeRuy worked on a live mural that evolved as the afternoon unfolded, setting the backdrop for Fogel’s glamorous photo ops.
As guests enjoyed the beauty-filled day-cation, attention turned to Derek Warburton, as he welcomed guests with an emotional tribute. “I am so blessed to be here in a world that is upside down, being able to escape for an easy afternoon with people that are full of love, hope, amazing stories, and live by our philosophy: truth, passion, and authenticity,” the Gurus founder said. Robyn Newmark’s gracious hosting of the awards ceremony echoed Warburton’s sentiment, carrying the same inspired tone the whole way through.
Honorees included:
- Purlisse – Best in Treatments, accepted by Felicia Jorden
- Lumara Systems – Best of Tech & Tools, presented by Sutton Stracke, accepted by President Bill Wiedemann
- Brett Freedman – Best in Brows, presented by Patricia Heaton
- Grande Cosmetics – Best in Lashes, accepted by Laura Pucker, presented by Tricia Connor Jackson
- Cotrini Skincare – Advancement in Skincare Award, presented by Nicole Young, accepted by co-founders Camilo Triana and Chris Kelsey
- Glowissima – Breakthrough Skincare Brand, presented by Crystal Kung Minkoff, accepted by Cynthia Bailey and Dana Hill-Robinson
- DermKing Institute – Aesthetic Medicine Award, presented by Gleb Savchenko, accepted by Dr. Landon McCarrol
- Ikaria Beauty – Best in Skincare, presented by Darrell Redleaf, accepted by founder Debbie Matenopoulos
- Acorn Biolabs – Innovation Award, presented by Dr. Michael K. Newman, accepted by CEO Mike Romagnoli
Each award was thoughtfully chosen. Warburton wanted to honor efficacy and innovation in brands whose missions are all about empowerment, sustainability, and real-world impact.
Every element of the décor was sustainably sourced from local vintage shops, each with the cherished “Made in Italy” label. As an extra special bonus, guests were invited to take pieces of the décor home—a keepsake from a celebration that felt as timeless as it was timely.
Guests departed with elegant rose gold gift bags sponsored by Suzy Levian Jewelry, brimming with a curated treasure trove of indulgences from brands including Peter Thomas Roth, Glowissima, Neon Hippie, Essence Essential Oil Rings, Cotrini Skincare, The Blonde Italian, Moon d’Elle, Kevin Murphy Hair, Ikaria Beauty, Purlisse, and more.
The 2025 Gurus Beauty Awards celebrated the people who are shaping the future of beauty with game-changing brands that are made with compassion, intention, and elegance. In its second year, the event reminded us all that beauty is more than what we see, it’s what we stand for.
