• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

  • All
  • Family
  • Lifestyle
  • Food
  • Travel
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Decor
  • About Lena
  • Contact

Balmshell

Holiday Beauty #8 – Balmshell

December 13, 2010 By Lena

It’s another fabulous Canadian addition to the Holiday Beauty Fest – Balmshell!

I first became obsessed with Balmshell lip glosses when I read about one of the company’s proudest moments, courtesy of an interview by Anjali of Rock That Look. Having enjoyed their “Shopaholic” lip gloss for some time, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the creators followed their passion and entrepreneurial instinct to create and market the perfect lip gloss.

And that it is! High shine, super moisturizing and never sticky, the gloss feels more like a balm than lip colour. It is quite frankly the only gloss I own that improves the look and feel of my lips the more I wear it.

“Balmshell’s high-end conditioning formula contains lanolin oil, jojoba oil and no artificial preservatives. Perfume-free, Balmshell is slightly flavored with a hint of natural fruity vanilla. This unique formula creates a smooth high gloss finish to enhance and give the appearance of full supple lips.

Each shade is packaged in a unique tube that contains a floating illustration. Each illustration has a cute story line that can relate to every woman. When you are finished with the gloss you can unscrew the illustration and attach it to a complimentary keychain component allowing you to keep the artwork.” 

LOVE it – two insanely hot products in one!

As mentioned, my go-to gloss has always been Shopaholic (surprise, surprise!) – even before I realized that with my tanned complexion and quick smoky eyes, I’ve got the perfect Snooki style a la Jersey Shore. A less heavy application yields prom princess results – the essential pretty look for everyday wear. The lip gloss pairs wonderfully with all complexions, and is my preferred stocking stuffer this season!

When Baby Reid made his appearance back in May, the Balmshell gals generously sent me a Yummy Mummy gloss to celebrate; a sheer pinky-brown, which goes with everything (including tired eyes) and does wonders to make this mummy feel rather delicious. The gorgeous shimmer and sheer application gives this neutral gloss a touch of magic. And since mamas can usually do wonders, the gloss truly hits the mark.

Can’t decide? Grab Balmshell’s Mini Lip Gloss Collection. At just $24, you can indulge in 5 of Balmshell’s most popular shades, including Darling You Look Fabulous, Shoe Fetish, Shopaholic, Weekend in the Hamptons & Yummy Mummy. The lip glosses are displayed beautifully in a sleek Balmshell gift box (pictured below).

Great news for fans of the brand – Balmshell has plans to expand their line to include complimentary cosmetics, and has already introduced the coveted Lip & Cheek Tint. Praised by beauty professionals, the gel based product has a built-in antibacterial sponge applicator to reduce colour transfer on your fingertips. The innovative formula includes white tea and chamomile extract, plus rose water to control oil and keep skin fresh. Shades available are Black Cherry, Blackmail Betty, Gossip Greta, Scandalous Scarlett and Tabloid Tammy.

I’m a novice at applying cheek tints, but I’m all about the lip stains. Can’t wait to get my hands on this amazing product – the Tabloid Tammy shade (bronze) looks like the perfect way to add a sunny glow.

BUY IT!

Balmshell cosmetics are available online and at Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada.

WIN IT!

Balmshell has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win 5 (FIVE!) lip glosses of her choice (value $100)!

PLUS, two runners up will each receive a Mini Lip Gloss Collection (value $24 each)!

To enter, simply visit Balmshell and choose 5 lip glosses which reveal your inner Balmshell, and leave a comment here listing them – including your favourite and why.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) “Like” Balmshell on Facebook
(4) Follow Balmshell on Twitter
(5) Tweet about this giveaway (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/33qm4u3)
(6) You may Tweet daily.

I’ll draw for a winner on December 31st. Good luck everybody!

Filed Under: Beauty, Contests Tagged With: Balmshell, contest, Holiday Beauty Fest, makeup

Holiday Beauty Fest… Winners!

December 10, 2010 By Lena

The end of 2010. I hope you all had a most memorable year, and that Santa was exceptionally good to you this holiday season. I could not have asked for a better Christmas – or better readers! Thank you for the continued love and support… it was a truly awesome year.

To all the new friends I’ve met, readers who faithfully stop by, and even those who will land on this post accidentally via Google – I wish you a blessed, fulfilling and fabulous 2011 with lots of love, luck and laughter!

And what better way to end the year than to wrap up the Holiday Beauty Fest! It’s Christmas 2.0!

Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaways (including the faithful re-tweeters!), and all of the LOVELY sponsoring companies – The Body Shop, Sephora, CARGO, Vasanti, Balmshell, e.l.f. and Olay!  

All winners were drawn using Random.org; however, as I don’t want to pollute the esthetics of my blog with 14 widget snapshots, you’ll just have to trust me sight unseen. (Please send me an e-mail if you’d like a copy of the winning widgets – I’ll keep them on file for 7 days.)

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

THE BODY SHOP – Winner of a Holiday Bath & Body set, featuring Cranberry Joy and Spiced Vanilla (value $100): #606 TV WATCHER

SEPHORA –  Winner of a $100 Sephora Gift Card: #448 REMY

URBAN DECAY – Winner of Urban Decay’s The Black Palette: #49 CAITLIN

TARINA TARANTINO – Winner of a Tarina Tarantino Jewel Box Palette and Pearl Glow Eye Primer: #392 DIAMANTE

THE BODY SHOP – Winner of a Holiday Makeup Gift Set (value $100): #13 ELLA PRETTY

CARGO COSMETICS – Winners (5) of a Lip Gloss Duo in Bella Bella and an Essential Eye Shadow Palette in Smoky: #203 KAILIN, #299 JOSIE, #470 JOOLS, #379 DIAMANTE, #112 JANN

VASANTI COSMETICS – Winner of a holiday prize pack, including EYE WONDER, Long Lash Mascara, winner’s choice of Liquid Cover-Up, winner’s choice of Face Base Powder Foundation and winner’s choice of Lipstick: #55 MICHELLE

BALMSHELL – Winner of 5 lip glosses of her choice (value $100): #15 STAM-ISH. Winners (2) of a Mini Lip Gloss Collection: #108 J, #49 ERIE

e.l.f. COSMETICS – Winner of a $25 e.l.f. Gift Card: #110 KITTY

OLAY – Winners (3) of Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Cream: #112 KENDRA, #119 DEEDEE H, #5 JANN

Please send me an e-mail so that I can have the prizes sent to you right away! Congrats again – and HAPPY NEW YEAR! xo

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Balmshell, Cargo Cosmetics, eyeslipsface, Holiday Beauty Fest, Olay, Sephora, Tarina Tarantino, The Body Shop, Urban Decay, Vasanti Cosmetics, winner

Balmshell: True Inspiration

April 21, 2010 By Lena

As part of the Toronto Beauty Bloggers Network, I enjoy fabulous invitations to some of the coolest beauty events happening in and around the city. Unfortunately, being very pregnant and juggling family life, I haven’t been able to take part in many of the recent events (though I’m hoping that will change once I welcome the little guy and restore some balance).

One event that I was really sad to miss was the Balmshell Beauty Bloggers event. Balmshell, a Canadian company, was created by identical twin sisters Jennifer and Fiona Lees.

With no experience in the cosmetic industry and only the love of lip-gloss on their side, the sisters decided to take on the industry and with determination, hard work and a lot of style they turned their dream into a reality.

These self-described “cosmetic junkies”, followed their passion and entrepreneurial instinct and developed what they considered to be the perfect lip-gloss. After years of working with a cosmetic manufacturer they developed a formula using only the finest ingredients to produce a high-shine, moisturizing lip-gloss. It looks and feels fabulous.

One of my favourite beauty bloggers, Anjali Handa of Rock that Look, sat down with the sisters for a fabulous interview about the company, their products, and celebrity following! Of course, Balmshell lip glosses are all about the packaging –

The Balmshell glosses are not only non-sticky and extra moisturizing, but they come in the cutest packaging I’ve ever seen! These ladies truly hit the unique mark by incorporating fun and girly float art into their packaging. Check out their line of lip glosses on the Balmshell lip gloss page and click on the product of your choice to see the float art in action! The best part is each gloss comes with a key chain attachment – you can keep your float art even after the gloss is finished – genius!

To read her entire interview, click here.

I wanted to highlight my very favourite Q&A – one that provides oodles of inspiration, regardless of what industry you’re in, walk of life, or stage in your career. Check it out…

Anjali: To date, what has been Balmshell’s proudest moment?

Jenny: We have many, but this is a story that we always remember from the beginning.

“You only get in life what you have the courage to ask for”. Remember that quote. I was watching an Oprah Winfrey show and one audience member stood up and asked if Oprah would come and visit her small hometown. Everyone in the audience laughed because they assumed there was no way that Oprah would go. Two months later, Oprah dedicated a full show on visiting that small town. The woman was so shocked when Oprah arrived at her door with a TV crew. When asked why she obliged that audience member’s request, Oprah said “You only get in life what you have the courage to ask for.” I always remembered that.

A year after seeing that show, Fiona and I were in the process of deciding what our brand name would be. Fiona was reading an article about Gwyneth Paltrow titled “The Blonde Bombshell”. Starring at the name, we realized we could change the spelling to BALM (as in lip balm), and there it was, BALMSHELL, the perfect name for a cosmetic line. We went to trademark our perfect name, thinking it was not being used. To much disappointment, we learned that REVLON owned the name. Our lawyer was quick to advise us to think of another name. We had fallen in love with the name Balmshell. I started researching the U.S. trademark database and found that the trademark was going to expire in 6 months. I was so excited when I told my lawyer the fantastic news. However, he informed me that after the six months, Revlon still had an additional six month grace period. I was so upset. There was no way we could wait for a whole year for the name.

That’s when it dawned on me, “Why not just ask Revlon to drop the name?” Our lawyer laughed at me and said he could write a letter, but it would probably sit on a desk, never get opened, and it would be expensive to assemble (not to mention how much Revlon would charge, if they decided to give us the name). We wanted that name so badly. Then Fiona and I were reminded of that episode of the Oprah show and that quote that spoke so strongly to us. I decided to take matter in to my own hands, and call the Revlon trademark lawyer in New York, directly. I left a message explaining the situation. Two weeks went by and I had heard nothing. Then, one day while at work I got a call from John O’Shea (I will never forget his name). I gave him all the information and politely asked if Revlon would drop the name. He said he would look into it. Two days later, he called back. “Okay” he said, “Revlon will drop the name but it is going to cost you.” I held my breath and asked “How much?” He answered: “$100 US to transfer the name over.”

Two days later Revlon ended up dropping the trademark for us and we picked it up without spending a cent. Right away we went to register www.balmshell.com and of course it was taken. I called the owner, determined to not give up. I told the woman on the phone that we wanted the unused URL. She said that she was going to start a lip balm company, and that once the trademark had expired from Relvon she was going to pick it up. I explained to her that we now owned the name. She quickly looked it up the U.S. database and saw that we did indeed now own it. She then asked, “How did you get it?” I simply told her “I just asked”. So she handed over the website address.

“You only get in life what you have the courage to ask for.” It is important to understand that we didn’t own the name “Balmshell” in the beginning. If Revlon said “no”, it didn’t matter as we had nothing to lose.

What a truly inspiring story! So the question is… what are YOU going to ask for today?

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Balmshell, Beauty Bloggers, Canadian Pride, makeup

Primary Sidebar

Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

Connect with Lena

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Featured

Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, Virtual Queue Strategies

Five Cool Tips for a Backyard Ice Cream Bar

Beaches Turks & Caicos: Your FAQs Answered!