Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Beauty

GTA: See “The Voice” LIVE in Toronto!

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Today I have a chance to chat about TWO things I love – CLEAR Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy… and The Voice!

(And… they just happen to partner perfectly together – read on for your chance to see The Voice live in concert in Toronto! Now that’s CLEARLY something fans of the show won’t want to miss.)

Long-time readers will remember that I first tried CLEAR products early last year. Having a deep desire to improve the health of my hair, I put CLEAR Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy to the test. It’s a nourishing hair care line, with Nutrium 10, a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients. CLEAR feeds your scalp and can give you stronger, more beautiful hair in just seven days!

CLEAR Scalp & HairAnd the results? After the third or fourth wash, I started seeing a noticeable difference in the feel, look and texture of my hair. It was much shinier, felt somewhat healthier and the breakage was pretty much NIL. Honestly, even Jerry Seinfeld would approve the zero strands of hair left behind on my brush!

Did you know that 99% of hair’s natural strength and beauty comes from the scalp? Just like we apply moisturizer for beautiful skin, the scalp needs the same attention to grow healthy hair. And THAT’s why CLEAR Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy is totally fab – it targets the hair at the root.

So… what about that amazing partnership? CLEAR Scalp & Hair is the official sponsor of The Voice Tour! And on Thursday, July 10th, 2014, they’ll sing their way to the Sony Centre For The Performing Arts in Toronto at 7:30pm.

The Voice TourThe Voice Tour features past stars and this season’s finalists! Catch up on their journeys on The Voice and see them showcase their resilience. Featured artists include Josh Kaufman, Jake Worthington, Christina Grimmie, Kristen Merlin (Your Pick!), Jake Barker, Tessanne Chin and more. Does this sound like music to your ears? Here’s your chance to WIN!

One lucky reader and a guest will be treated to an incredible show, backstage passes, and a number of interactive experiences for some great photo-opportunities. (Note: transportation to/from the venue is not included.) To enter, simply leave a comment on this post telling us what you love about The Voice – and, let us know if you’ve tried CLEAR Scalp & Hair products! I’ll draw for a winner on Monday, July 7th, 2014. Good luck everybody!

<<EDIT: A winner has been chosen! Congrats Marcy!>>

Only At Shoppers! A Fun Summer Giveaway

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

This summer, do you want to live healthier, feel rejuvenated, look beautiful and be organized? Great news – I’ve got the perfect online resource for you.

11_Home_SDM_ENG_woIntroducing This Summer Only at Shoppers. Here, you can find unique lifestyle content related to summer health, beauty and convenience products. There are blog articles, quizzes, polls, videos, coupons and more!

Love this article on Short Hair Styling Tips, especially this trick: “A flat paddle brush is necessary for creating a sleek, chic look. When used in conjunction with a hair dryer it cuts blow-drying time in half, thanks to its wide bristle spacing. It helps to enhance natural lustre, detangle and add structure and bounce back into each strand.” YES! Whenever I decide to lob off my hair, the first thing I invest in is a quality paddle brush.

Only At ShoppersPop on over to This Summer Only at Shoppers and find your favourite article, tip or trick. Then, enter this fabulous giveaway!

One lucky reader will win a “This Summer Only at Shoppers” beauty prize pack valued at $130.00! Included:

Balea Legs and body ready-to-use Wax Strips with Argan Oil
Balea Legs and body ready-to-use Wax Strips for Short Hair
Life Brand Intense 1 Hour Whitening System
Soap & Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream
Balea Dark Spot Overnight Peel
Balea Cleansing Oil
Life Brand Clear Action Body Wash Pink Grapefruit
Life Brand Spray Gel with Instant Bronze Tint SPF30
Balea Exfoliating Facial Wipes

You’ll be summer-ready in no time!

Simply fill the form below with your qualifying entries. Special thanks to Shoppers Drug Mart for sponsoring this amazing giveaway, and good luck everybody! And now, I’m off to peruse the “Feel Rejuvenated” section. …

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I Am an Aveeno Active Naturals Brand Ambassador

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Brand Ambassador
/brand/ amˈbasədər,-ˌdôr

noun
1. A brand ambassador is a marketing term for a person employed by an organization or company to promote its products or services within the activity known as branding. The brand ambassador is meant to embody the corporate identity in appearance, demeanor, values and ethics.

I am an Aveeno Active Naturals Ambassador. And I am proud to align with this company because I have confidence in the products, trust in the brand, and most importantly, an affinity for quality skin care essentials.

Why do I feel it’s a partnership made in heaven? Let’s just dissect this line: “The ambassador is meant to embody the corporate identity in… values and ethics.” By reading this, I am to assume that Aveeno selected me as an ambassador because they believe my values and ethics align with THEIR own. And while this is a true statement, I’m so proud to share with you an example of how Aveeno’s values are aligned with MY own – and how that is a beautiful thing. Please read on for an example of excellence in blogger/brand relationships. 

It has been a cold, unforgiving winter in Toronto. Many have used the term “Polar Vortex” to describe the relentless, bitter cold temperatures that we’ve experienced. Now you may not know this, but Ryder attends private school. A small, primary campus of an accredited Montessori school that offers an enriched curriculum and differentiated teaching and learning experiences designed to engage each student’s unique learning style.

They also offer a pretty awesome pick-up and drop-off service; I simply pull into the front of the school, and a teacher removes Ryder from the car and takes him to the class, or, brings Ryder to the car and ensures he is seated so I can secure him in. While this is an added convenience or “perk” of the private school system, the reality is, rain or shine, sleet or snow (or Polar Vortex), the teachers at Ryder’s school face the elements every single day in order to bring our children safely to our warm, dry vehicles.

So, I began thinking, what could I do to say thank you? You know that it’s within my ethics and values to give back to those who deserve recognition, and one of the wonderful benefits of blogging is that I’m able to connect with brands who can help me reward those special people. Hence, I used my partnership with Aveeno as an opportunity to give back to the handful of special teachers at Ryder’s school. Specifically, I mentioned that it’s been a particularly rough winter up north, and if they could spare a few Aveeno Active Naturals pampering products (body care, hand lotions, etc), it would be a great way to help rescue, repair and remedy their winter-beaten skin in time for the warmer temperatures ahead (in theory; it’s -24°C with the wind chill right now!).

What did I expect? Oh, I don’t know. Maybe a box containing a handful of hand creams (their Intense Relief Hand Cream is THE BEST thing since sliced bread) or a bag full of Daily Moisturizing Body Washes (which is also my go-to all year round). I let Aveeno’s amazing PR team know that there were about 8-10 teachers in total that manned the front door on a rotating basis. So… about 8-10 hand creams, right? That’s what I expected….

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It’s You, Only More Radiant.

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Yes friends, it’s time of year again! Pantone has released the 2014 Colour of the Year.

Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health.

Thoughts? To tell the truth, this hue will have to grow on me. While I was instantly captivated by Tangerine Tango (2012) and Emerald (2013), I’m finding Radiant Orchid a bit “soft”. Yes, it’s feminine and romantic, but as a paint on my bedroom walls? Too pretty. Not interesting enough.

Anyhoo, a new colour of the year is an instant excuse to rock the trend. And what better way than on your nails? You just know I can’t resist a good nail polish roundup!


Top Row, L – R: Illamasqua, Velocity; Formula X for Sephora, At Your Own Risk; Alessandro, Pink Orchid; China Glaze, Put a Bow on It; OPI, A Grape Fit

Middle Row, L – R: Color Club, Ms. Socialite;  OPI, Anti-Bleak; ORLY, Plum Noir; NCLA, Laurel Canyon Lolita

Bottom Row, L – R: ZOYA, Paige; Sally Hansen, Plum Power; Butter London, Queen Vic; Spa Ritual, Heliotrope; China Glaze, Drawn to You

Do you love Pantone’s choice for Colour of the Year? Are you tickled purple over Radiant Orchid? 

Pay it Forward with Marcelle #Giveaway

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I’m BA-ACK!

A few months ago, I took a moment to thank my readers for being such a supportive, awesome bunch.  As you know, I make it my mandate to respond to every single comment that is left on my site. Sometimes you’ll catch me right away; other times, it may take a day or two for me to find a moment to circle back. (And lately, I’ve been catching up on comments a week late – I’m so sorry! But it’s been a crazy season.)

Regardless, I always love to reply to friends who have taken a moment to share their feedback, experiences, tips and thoughts with me. Back in May, I promised y’all that I would be back later in the year. And here I am! This time, I’ve teamed up with Marcelle, Canadian women’s trustworthy beauty partner for 80 years. Marcelle is the cosmetics and skin care brand that offers every woman high quality, effective and affordable products. Hypoallergenic and perfume-free; women of all ages believe in Marcelle products.

Thank you Tricha, Judy C, nicolthepickle, Flora M, Chandra, Heidi C, Darlene Schuller and Florence C!

I’d love to send you each a special little thank you gift; Marcelle Xtension Plus Mascara, the 2013 Elle Canada Grand Prix Beauty Award winner for “Best Mascara Under $20”, as well as a Marcelle Rouge Xpression Lipstick.

Xtension Plus Mascara
Give your lashes extra length and curl with the Xtension Plus Mascara. The formula and brush curl, define and separate lashes while minimizing clumps. An innovative and specifically designed soft polymer brush that offers a side with a row of longer bristles. This extra-long row of bristles reaches even the shortest lashes and stretches them from root to tip to reach their maximum lengthening potential for a lash-extension look without adding extensions. The tapered brush tip is perfect to achieve definition and get to those hard to reach lashes. Removes easily with any Marcelle eye make-up remover.

Rouge Xpression Lipstick
The twelve new Rouge Xpression Lipstick hues, all of them abundantly pigmented, give the pout intense coloration and luminous cream finish. The avocado oil, rich in Omega-6, offers excellent healing qualities and prevents chapped lips. Its phytosterols reinforce the lipidic barrier and contribute to restore hydration in the lips, keeping them supple and soft – a real delight! Its velvety and creamy formula, not sticky at all, procures absolute comfort in lavish, opaque hues. Vitamins C and E enrich this lipstick with their antioxidant properties while Maxi-Lip, an oligopeptide complex, delivers a plumping effect.

And, in the spirit of the holidays, I’ve teamed up with Marcelle for a special giveaway for all my readers!

FIFTEEN (yes, 15!) readers will win TWO Marcelle gift bundles pictured above; one for you, and one for you to #MarcellePayitForward this holiday season. Gift the second bundle to a teacher, a sister, a friend… it’s up to you! The total value for each gift bag is $24.45….

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Share Your Shameless #BENESELFIES….

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…. for a chance to WIN!

We all know at least one. The Shopaholic with the exploding closet, the comedian in your group who gets all the giggles, or the fashionista who has the enviable style sense of a top model. They’re fabulous and they know it… and now you can call them out in an incredibly fun way!

Introducing BENESELFIES by Benefit Canada. It’s a unique and harmlessly silly contest where you can match and tag your gorgeous friends to one of the eight (8) corresponding #BENESELFIES profiles. It sounds simple enough – and trust me, you’ll instinctively know which friend fits each profile best. I pretty much doubled over laughing as I slotted friends into my #BENESELFIES board (which by the way, looks like a classic cork board that you’d find in your high school locker – priceless!).

So other than the giggles, why share your #BENESELFIES? For a chance to win tons of amazing prizes, of course! (And when I say amazing, I mean AH-MAZING.)

Three (3) WEEKLY PRIZES consist of 1 x $350 gift basket containing various Benefit Cosmetics products and 1 x $50 CDN West 49 gift card (total ARV $400 CDN).

But hold on to your hats – there’s also a GRAND PRIZE, which includes a Samsung Galaxy 8.0 Tablet with pink case; a $500 gift basket containing various Benefit Cosmetics products; and a $300 CDN West 49 gift card (total ARV $1,300 CDN). That’s a pretty great reason to start tagging, wouldn’t you say?…

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The Monday Covet List

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Another Monday, another Covet List!

(A little background: Since I’ve decided that coveting is infinitely more agreeable than reckless spending, I was thrilled to be approached by Nadia Carriere of Child Mode to participate in the Monday Covet List. Together with some of my favorite fashion and style bloggers, Nicole Feliciano of Mom Trends, Vera Sweeney of Lady and the Blog and Audrey McClelland of Mom Generations, we’ll share 3-4 covet-worthy products that we are currently lusting over.)

Of course, I’ve realized that coming up with a covet list is way too easy because I tend to covet things all the time. This week, I’ve got the following gorgeous pieces on my mind (and perhaps favourited on my browser)…

Perhaps the most perfect time to covet designer beauty items are when they’re ON SALE! As such, this week’s #MondayCovet List is dedicated to the sale section at Sephora.ca, where Canadian beauty junkies can find the most amazing pieces for a steal!

1. First, I can’t figure out why this TARTE PureOptic Lip Gloss Set is regularly $101.00, because that seems a *teeny* bit steep for 4 lip glosses. However, TARTE is a premium brand, so what do I know? Regardless, the set is now marked down to just $36.00, making it perfectly affordable and perfectly coveted!

Each flattering shade contains a complex of 24 pigments blended together to capture and reflect light. Nourishing, hydrating peppermint also helps give a fuller appearance to lips. The natural hues complement every skintone for a rich, vivid, long-lasting pop of color. This set contains: Sheer Vibrant Pink Lip Gloss, Golden Pink Lip Gloss, Sheer Melon Lip Gloss and Blushing Rose Lip Gloss….

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Oxblood Take Two: It’s a Bloody Good Trend.

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Last year, oxblood red dominated the Fall 2012 runways with such magnitude that beauty junkies everywhere forgave its gruesome moniker and intensified their style with the collision of burgundy and scarlet hues. And while the vampy shade popped up everywhere from fingernails to leather to lace, normally a trend with such widespread fandom fizzles out as quickly as it arrives. Not so with oxblood.

This fall, designers have once again embraced the off-crimson colour and short, square-cut oxblood nails were prominently featured at Valentino Couture Fall 2013, Burberry Prorsum Autumn/Winter 2013 and Armani Prive Fall 2013. “Universally flattering with a dark and mysterious appeal, the perfect shade of oxblood lacquer is deep and sensual – a vampy, red-black hue that almost mimics dried blood,” says Liza, Editorial Director at Mieux & Mieux.

Rarely do fashionistas have the chance for a re-do, so if you missed out last year, the resurgence of the trend for fall 2013 makes this the perfect time to stock up on a few sinister shades. The deep sanguine hue (part black, part crimson) complements a variety of skin tones and works best on neat, trim nails.

1. L’Oreal Paris, Haute Couture Red; 2. NARS, Chinatown; 3. Sephora by OPI, I’m with Brad; 4. Chanel Le Vernis, Rouge Noir; 5. OPI, Skyfall; 6. Butter London, La Moss; 7. Sparitual, Epicurean; 8. Deborah Lippmann; Ruby Red Slippers; 9. Zoya, Anastasia; 10. Revlon, Vixen.

Are you turned on by oxblood? Bloody good trend… or not bloody likely?

Impulse Purchase.

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Impulse Purchase: An unplanned decision to buy a product or service, made just before a purchase. One who tends to make such purchases is referred to as an impulse purchaser or impulse buyer. Research findings suggest that emotions and feelings play a decisive role in purchasing, triggered by seeing the product or upon exposure to a well crafted promotional message.

Upon getting into the car…

Lena: So I made an impulse purchase.
Husband: Uh huh. What did you buy?
Lena: THIS!!! (Shows product.)
Husband: Why?
Lena: Cause it smells like the 90’s! OMG I used this ALL. THE. TIME.
Husband: Let me smell it. (Smells product.) Actually it smells like poison.
Lena: I know!! Isn’t it wonderful?

Ah, back to a more civilized time when face products smelled like the chemicals used to make them. Back to the days of being a Noxzema girl.

I spotted this little jar of Noxzema Cleansing Cream in the travel-size aisle and just had to have it. Oh, the memories! Dipping my finger in the jar to get at the hard, creamy substance; slathering it on my face and feeling the trademark cooling sensation. Washing it off – and noting with dismay that I still didn’t look like the girl in the ad. Persistence, Lena… persistence.

Now that I’ve bought the cleansing cream I haven’t actually used it yet… preferring to simply unscrew the lid and sniff it from time to time. (I totally just did it again.) Isn’t it funny how scent can evoke such powerful memories? Just one whiff and I’m transported back to 1992. I can actually see the bathroom in my old house; I can feel the sticky Alberto Mousse and smell the heady Impulse Body Spray.

(OMG. Remember Impulse Body Spray? I totally rocked “Night Rhythms”. <<< “When a man you’ve never met before suddenly gives you flowers, that’s Impulse.” >>> Hasn’t happened yet, sorry.)

Were you a Noxzema Girl too?

The Monday Covet List: Three Things to Covet

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It’s no secret that I covet. A beautiful handbag here; a gorgeous necklace there. In fact, one could argue that almost all of my posts allude to one thing or another that I’m currently pining after. Because that’s what a reformed shopaholic does, no?

And since I’ve decided that coveting is infinitely more agreeable than reckless spending, I was thrilled to be approached by Nadia Carriere of Child Mode to participate in the Monday Covet List. Together with some of my favorite fashion and style bloggers, Nicole Feliciano of Mom Trends, Vera Sweeney of Lady and the Blog and Audrey McClelland of Mom Generations, we’ll share 3-4 covet-worthy products that we are currently lusting over.


I can’t wait to check out all the coveted items from some of the most savvy fashionistas I know! And me? Well, I’m currently in a funk over the following three items, because I’m caught up in a “to-buy-or-not-to-buy” dilemma. Maybe you can sway my mind? In the meantime, I’ll covet! …

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Orange You Glad it’s a Summer Trend?

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This summer, make your fingertips come alive with a burst of happy citrus. Wildly outspoken, this juicy hue is an attention-seeker; from bright tangerine to smooth citrus cream, the pop of colour is forceful and undeniable. Long considered a vacation staple, the shade has transitioned from beach to boardroom. Find your perfect orange crush and rock out this season.

1. Dolce & Gabbana, Fire; 2. Nails Inc. Beaded Nail Polish, Coral; 3. Essie, Brazilliant; 4. POP Beauty, Tangerine Taste; 5. OPI, Hot and Spicy; 6. Orly, Right Amount of Evil; 7. NARS, Madness; 8. Sephora X, High Strung; 9. Dior, Délice; 10. Deborah Lippmann, Lara’s Theme.

Do you love citrus hues? Orange You Glad it’s a Summer Trend?

The Not-So-Viral Picture You Loved

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There are so many buzzwords in social media today: trending, clickability, engagement, advertainment… I could go on. And on.

But the single most overused buzzword? Viral. As in, “My Facebook post went viral! It was liked and shared a gazillion times.”

Amazing! And having a “viral” post or picture is certainly a measurement of success – one that should be both applauded and respected. (Unless you’re spamming people with voting requests, “earn $100/hour” ads or funny animal pictures. Then you’re not a viral success; you’re a douche.)

Unfortunately, I’ve never experienced the high of having a viral post or image, but I have received amazing feedback and engagement from a few posts in particular. It’s a nice feeling! Of course, when I published the following picture last Thursday, clearly I had no idea it would be received so well…

It’s just a photo of me and the Director of Menu Management at McDonald’s Canada, Anne Parks – from the post They Came. They Tasted. They Savoured the Flavour. I didn’t think much about it until over the course of the next few days, my inbox was filled with questions about my hair, beauty routine, makeup and wardrobe. Er… I’m flattered, friends!

And while I would normally just respond to e-mails individually, I thought this was a great way to share the “secrets” of my beauty routine. (Prepare to be underwhelmed. Seriously – I’m pretty much no-frills and no-fuss.) Below is a collection of questions I received stemming from the photo I posted on Thursday – except the first, which I received a few weeks ago and just had to include!

Hi Gorgeous – Do you do botox?!? Your skin is flawless. Secret safe with me if its a yes – please tell me where you go! xo – R

LOL! I wish I was interesting enough to have a reason to botox, but alas, the kindergarten carpool in sweatpants does not necessitate a smooth and wrinkle-free forehead. I am, however, blessed with good genes – and I do use a “miracle” cream called Olay Regenerist Micro-Sculpting Serum. It is seriously the best thing you can ever put on a problem area; just a few dabs on fine lines and they disappear like magic.

Since I only use it from time to time (usually for big events), I’ve had the same bottle for almost three years! A little goes a looong way.

Love your orange dress! Where did you get it? – A

It’s my “little orange dress” from the Old Navy Fall/Winter 2013 collection. A steal at under $30; it originally came paired with a black belt, but I swapped it for a pink belt to add a punch of fun colour!…

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Ten Teals to Try this Summer

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Whether you adore the prettiest pink or the most muted mulberry, there’s no denying that this summer, it’s time to take a walk on the teal side. The modern hue has long since crossed over from interior design to beauty editor’s pages, and graced the runway as the fingernail colour of choice for Spring/Summer 2013.

I have long had a love-affair with this cool, mermaid-inspired shade – call it rebellious, eclectic or just plain fabulous – here are Ten Teals to Try this Summer:

1. China Glaze, Watermelon Rind; 2. Nails Inc, Fitzroy Square; 3. Butter London, Slapper; 4. Essie, Trophy Wife; 5. Milani, Fresh Teal; 6. OPI, Teal the Cows Come Home; 7. Sally Hansen, Fairy Teal; 8. Sephora by OPI, Teal We Meet Again; 9. Ciaté Paint Pots, Superficial; 10. Color Club, Abyss.

“Teal” Me: Do you love this trendy hue?

Wanted: Your BEST Frizz-Fighting Tips

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If there’s one benefit to living in Canada, it’s a solid 8 months of frizz-free hair. Thing is, it’s so freaking COLD up here that most hair textures behave – or at the very least, can be tamed with minimal fuss.

Summer is another story.

Have you ever visited Toronto during the late spring and summer months? We see temperatures that look like this:

Yes, that’s the short-term forecast over the next few days. Did you happen to notice those two little words “Feels Like”? Easily translated to “The Higher the Number, The More Your Hair Sucks”. Ergo, on Thursday, when it feels like 37, it’s gonna feel like a really bad hair day.

But WHY does humidity do such a number on hair?

Here’s the Science 101 answer from ehow.com: Humidity, other than ruining a perfect creative hairstyle, is a naturally occurring weather phenomenon. We can’t get rid of it, and we do need it. So what exactly does humidity do to hair? Humidity is water in the air in vapor form. When we walk outside with dry hair, the water vapor in the air is naturally attracted to the dryness. Hair will absorb and give off water throughout the day, which breaks the hydrogen molecule bonds in our hair. This is what causes our hairstyles to fall and frizz. Fine hair, when it is subjected to humid air, will absorb the moisture, causing it to go limp. The flatness is because of the weight of the water within the hair follicle. Courser hair will absorb water and expand, causing frizziness.

I’ve long had my “TT Days” (that’s Treasure Troll Days, for anyone who remembers the frizzy-headed little dolls) and have always had a keen interest in gathering tips and techniques for taming hair in humid temps. In fact, I fondly recall the very first frizz-fighting product I ever purchased: it was John Frieda’s Frizz Ease Hair Serum. I spent about 20 minutes in the hair styling aisle at Shoppers Drug Mart, looking for something that promised a polished, glossy coif. Back then, Frizz Ease was one of only a handful of frizz-fighting products on the market, so it made sense to give it a go. And I’m certainly happy that I did – just a small, dime-sized amount massaged into hands and then distributed through the hair made a huge difference in the number of flyaways and rough ends.

I used the serum on and off for years until I discovered John Frieda’s Secret Weapon Finishing Creme, which is now a staple in my hair care routine. I normally apply the creme as a finishing touch; it works instantly on dry hair to camouflage imperfections by smoothing away dullness, puffiness and frayed split ends.

And while both products certainly help, the truth is, they aren’t miracle workers. Fighting frizz involves many levels of strategy; simply slapping on a creme or serum will only do so much.

Hence, I decided to turn to the experts from – who else? – John Frieda, for professional tips on keeping hair tamed in the upcoming months:

Become a frizz wiz. Knowing what leads your hair to become frizzy may stop you from bad habits. While many women believe that the thicker their hair, the more likely it is to become frizzy, this is actually false. In fact, there is no particular hair type that is frizziest. Even the healthiest, undamaged hair can become frizzy. Humidity, excessive heat from using styling tools (such as a flat iron, curler and blow dryer), excessive brushing of dry hair and chemical processing all lead to a change in the structure of your hair and are contributors to frizzy hair….

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Six Sweet Scents for the Shower

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Some women gravitate towards fresh-smelling fragrances; others love a good floral. Me? Give me the yummiest, sweetest-smelling scent, and I’m in heaven. These include – but are not limited to: Strawberry, Lemon, Tangerine, Coconut, Raspberry, Mango, Green Apple, Pear, Watermelon, Passionfruit – the list goes on and on.

Love a good, fruity fragrance? Here are my picks for the sweetest shower scents that will revive your senses:

Cake Beauty Be Delectable Shower Gel, Lemon & Cream ($10)

Sold exclusively at Target stores across Canada, Cake Beauty launches Be Delectable, a luscious five-piece collection including body washes, body polishes, body lotions, hand creams and hair & body mists. I’m quite partial to the Lemon & Cream Shower Gel, which offers dreamy bubbles and potent, heady sweetness. The sugary fragrance makes me reminisce about lemon-filled donuts and danishes; all the goodness with zero calories. The supremely rich blend is infused with coconut oil & aloe vera to nourish, hydrate and soften.

Also part of the Be Delectable lineup:

Ultra nourishing hand cream ($12): Give your hard-working hands a well-deserved treat with this ultra-nourishing hand crème enriched with shea butter, coconut oil and aloe vera.

Decadent hair & body mist ($10): Perfectly balanced, this sumptuous mist lasts all day without being overwhelming. Use at home or on-the-go, hair and body will smell fresh, clean all day long.

Super smoothing body polish ($14): Scrub away dull, dry skin to reveal your most gorgeous glow with this super smoothing body polish made with coconut oil, aloe vera for moisture and fine apricot shells to smooth and exfoliate.

Triple moisture body lotion ($14): Indulge in three times the softness, three times the smoothness and three times the richness with this beautiful blend of coconut oil, shea butter and aloe vera.

eos Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream, Pomegranate Raspberry ($3.99)

Packed with natural conditioning oils, shea butter, and vitamins C and E, eos 24-hour moisturizing shave cream soothes and softens your skin. In fact, it’s the only shave cream that keeps skin soft, smoothed, and moisturized for 24 hours (even after rinsing!) – and it’s so moisturizing, you can shave wet or dry. OMG. A dry shave that doesn’t wreak havoc with your skin? It IS possible with this shave cream! And the smell… let me tell you about the scent. It’s like visiting a farmer’s market on a summer morning. It’s as good as raspberry jelly, smothered on fresh bread. It’s that first sip of cold pomegranate juice. It’s awesome.

The formula is paraben-free and the easy-to-use pump allows for 100% propellant-free dispensing. Better yet, the soft-touch, ergonomic plastic bottle is RUST-FREE! Woo! No more rust ring on the edge of the bathtub.

Key Ingredients:

Aloe – soothes, moisturizes and heals;
Natural conditioning oils – to give razor a smooth glide and provide long-lasting moisture;
Oat – protects delicate, dry, sensitive and irritated skin;
Shea butter – softens and nourishes;
Vitamin E & C – rejuvenating antioxidants for healthy looking, radiant skin….

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Trust Your Intuition: Reader Reviews

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A few weeks ago, fifty (50) lucky readers were given the opportunity to try out the NEW Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor. Now you all know how much I love it (and if you missed my rave review, be sure to check it out here), but it’s often helpful to hear more than one opinion, especially if you’ve been on the fence about purchasing an item.

Hence, I’m so pleased to share feedback from my amazing readers, who took the time to thoroughly test the product and provide detailed feedback on their experience. (For those readers who didn’t submit their review, even after several attempts to contact you – consider yourself blacklisted. Hahaha just joking. But not really. #blacklist)

So without further ado… here’s what you need to know about the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor:

LOVE…

Darlene: “Since I received my Schick Intuition razor I can notice a difference in my skin’s hydration after shaving. I have eczema and am very sensitive to cheap shaving products, which cause immediate skin irritation. The blend of coconut milk and almond oil moisturizes from the very first use. Best of all its smells great!”

Marcy: “I have never had the luxury of handling a razor so well. The easy-to-use flexible head was perfect for those ‘ouchy’  areas around the back of the legs. The built-in lather made is so convenient and fast to shave without having to utilize any soap. As soon as I opened it, I so loved the coconut-almond smell! Yum! The four blade action was amazing, it is so nice to see a women’s razor that stands up to the men’s four razor, now we’re equals! The best part: my legs have never been so smooth!”

Ashley: “Schick Intuition was soothing and calming. I felt like my legs were getting pampered as it gently glided up my leg. I loved the scent of it as well! I couldn’t helped but dance a little in the shower as the joy of shaving just boost up 10 folds.”

Anne: “I have psoriatic arthritis in my hands but I found this razor very easy to hold on to in the shower, it was ergonomically perfect and didn’t get too slippery to hold. I love almond oil and when I started to shave the aroma reminded me of marzipan; which reminded me of my grandmother (I know that was a bit off topic, but its where the smell took me).”

Lori: “I love the fact that all I need is the razor. It is so great to not have to fight with a can of shave cream/gel or deal with having my hands covered with it! What a great idea. I am interested to see how long solid lasts. I have been using this razor for the past two weeks and there is not a significant reduction in its size. The four blades make for great coverage and faster shaving which is also a bonus as it cuts down on time. The coconut milk and almond oil is a wonderful scent.”

LUKEWARM…

Megan: “The razor part is amazing and gives such a smooth shave. Just wish the cream part was wider at the bottom instead of the top as I seem to use the bottom up long before the top or blade is done.”

Tricha: “I love the smooth shave, WITH NO SHAVING CREAM. My only issue is the price for the refills but with coupons or sale price, I will definitely buy it.”

Judy: “I loved that it didn’t feel like you were shaving because you couldn’t feel the blades. It left my legs feeling very smooth and I had no nicks. It also seemed to pivot smoothly and easily got into those hard to reach spots. The only thing I suggest is that you shave in the shower with it and not the tub, as the conditioning solid does disappear quicker when constantly exposed to water in the tub.”

Donna: “I like how it also moisturizes my legs and leaves them really smooth. What I don’t like very much about it is that the bar on it melts really fast in my shower especially when I need to rinse the hairs off the blade. Then all I’m left with is just a sharp blade and I just end up using regular shaving gel.”

LOATHE…

Janice: “I like this razor – it’s extremely hydrating and it glides across your skin so you don’t feel the blades. The moisturizing stick that surrounds the razors themselves is perhaps too plentiful in the beginning, since my first two shaves weren’t particularly close. My only advice to Schick would be to forego providing the holding cradle with suction cup. My experience with these has shown they never stay up – and this was no exception.”

(I think “Loathe” is a strong word – and apologies to Janice for placing her helpful review in that section – but I love alliteration and couldn’t think of another verb that began with the letter “L”!)

To all the fabulous reviewers – please know that all feedback has been sent straight to Schick for review and consideration. Thank you so much for your time and efforts in making this Rate and Review program a success! To reward those who sent in their review on time, I’m pleased to announce the winner of the $100 Visa Gift Card is… Darlene! Congratulations!

And now, with summer around the corner, who’s ready to get their legs in tip-top condition?

Click here to learn more about Schick Intuition razors.

Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment Razor: Review & Testing Opportunity

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We’re all friends here, right? Right. 

So, I can be honest. The very first time I laid eyes on a Schick Intuition Razor, I thought it was the silliest thing I had ever seen. Incredibly bulky and decidedly unsexy, I thought to myself, “Who uses these things?”

Fast forward to my honeymoon. In a hurry to get to the airport, I mistakenly tossed a can of shaving gel in with my carry-on luggage. Of course, with the no liquids/gels rule, it was unceremoniously thrown out by the security agent. As I looked in dismay at my brand new bottle being cast aside, the agent said – “You should have bought one of those razors with the soap thingies around it so you don’t have to pack an extra can of shaving stuff.”

Touché.

Of course, that’s when I realized that the Intuition razor really did have a place in society: for travel! Imagine, never having to pack a separate shaving gel!

So, for our very next trip, I ran out and bought a Schick Intuition razor. And, after I used it for the first time, I was hooked. So hooked, I realized that I wanted the feeling of oh-so-smooth legs all the time, and I never wanted to see another can of shaving gel on my bathtub ledge again. Hence, my love affair with the Intuition razor began.

And now…

Introducing the NEW Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor.

“Coconut milk and almond oil have long been lauded for their skin-benefiting qualities. Now, you can enjoy the power of these ingredients with the new Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor. Made for dry skin, the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor lathers, shaves and moisturizes during shaving—all in one easy step, with no need for shave gel, soap or body wash. Infused with coconut milk and almond oil, the Pure Nourishment Skin Conditioning Solid leaves dry skin feeling noticeably soft, and its four blades and pivoting head follow your contours for a close shave. The new Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor and refills will be available starting in February 2013 at grocery, drug and mass retail outlets across Canada for approximately $11.99.”

Oh GOD, yes please! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this product. I have the worst alligator skin known to mankind: rough, dry and scaly skin that needs constant attention, especially in winter. Most of my go-to products are enriched with almond oil, so this was a welcome addition.

Now in terms of a review, whatever I say is just going to come off as gushy-gooey because I freaking love this razor. So here’s the Coles Notes version:

LOVE…

1. Shaving with the Intuition Pure Nourishment razor literally feels like you’re running a bar of soap all over your legs. Seriously. You do not feel the razor at all; with a few swipes, you’re left with smooth, gloriously supple skin.

2. No more rusted can of shaving cream in the corner of your bathtub. The Intuition stores away easily with an enclosed wall-mount that you can affix to your shower wall.

3. The pivoting head bends and bobs to hug every inch of your skin. It’s never been easier to get a super-close shave without sacrificing comfort….

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Shoppers Drug Mart is Cool Because Drizzy Says So

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A few weeks ago, while surfing the online entertainment sites, I somehow got looped into watching a video for Drake’s newest release – Started From the Bottom.

(I’ve linked the video instead of embedding it here because, let’s be honest, it’s Drake… and the lyrics are slightly explicit for delicate ears. Plus, I can’t understand half of what he says.)

Since it’s Drake and I have incredible respect for anyone from Toronto who’s made it to the big leagues, I paused to watch the video. In it, he pays homage to his days back in TO, including playing indoor soccer and working as a night manager at Shoppers Drug Mart.

After a good chuckle, I closed down the video and then took to Twitter to see what people were saying about it, because I’m curious like that. However, I was astonished at how many US media outlets were crediting “Walmart”, “variety stores” and “a Big Box Retailer” as the scene of Drake’s part-time job. DUDE! I recognized SDM the second I saw the uniform – never mind the tell-tale Life Brand product prominently featured by one discerning customer!

And so I did the only thing I could do – I set the record straight on Twitter. You’re welcome, Shoppers Drug Mart.

However, I soon realized that I was getting hot under the collar over a store that frankly, I hadn’t visited in months. How could a brand, so synonymous with Canadiana that I immediately recognized an employee uniform – have slipped off my radar for so long? I suppose, when it comes down to it, I’ve been lured by the convenience of the big boxes here in Canada; the chance to get everything in one place. And while I fill every prescription at SDM, I haven’t poked around there for quite a while. So, I decided to pay them a visit….

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The Higher the Hair, The Closer to God

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I’ve always been a fan of BIG hair. You know, the kind of ‘do that is widely accepted in the Southern US and generally tolerated here in the Great White North – except perhaps in the early nineties, when grunge-inspired hair necessitated flat, unkempt locks. (Also known as: the WORST hair trend known to womankind.)

And, since I just happen to have the least envied hair texture – that unsexy combination of fine and frizzy with a cowlick in the back, greasy roots and dry ends and oh, just a hint of a kinky curl that resembles crimped hair at best and a treasure troll at its worst – I tend to invest a lot of time and energy in fighting Mother Nature. *Shakes Fist*

In fact, if there’s consistently one type of product I’ve always sought out, it’s the ones that promise full-bodied and voluminous hair. Bodifying shampoos. Volumizing mousses. Big and bold finishing sprays. And a back-comb at the roots, for good measure. So when John Frieda (read: hair-styling GOD) recently released his lineup of Luxurious Volume products, I was more than a little curious. I was a little obsessed.

MUST. TRY. NEW. PRODUCTS.
WILL. SOLVE. ALL. OF. LIFE’S. PROBLEMS. WITH. BIG. HAIR.
So what’s the “big” deal? Here I am pre- Luxurious Volume – after a quick blowdry with my current go-to mousse (ahem, which shall remain nameless), I’m left with smoother hair but decidedly zero pizzazz. I look like a 30-something gal with fine locks and a hint of hair happiness. This is actually what my hair looks like every day before I pull it into a ponytail – so I suppose if you popped by my house unannounced, this is the Lena who would likely greet you at the door.

I decided to photograph myself relatively unstyled, because if I put a large-barreled curling iron to the ends, backcombed my crown and added a bit of FRIZZ-EASE Extra Strength hair serum to the ends, I’d fool you into thinking I had more hair than I really do. So as far as “before” shots go, there I am….

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Take the CLEAR 7-Day Scalp & Hair Challenge

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There are some celebrity endorsements I get – and some I don’t necessarily understand. Do I believe that Justin Bieber uses Proactiv? Sure! Now there’s one less pimply teenager. Britney Spears drinks Pepsi? Of course she does. After she walks barefoot into gas station restrooms.

But… Jennifer Lopez for Féria? Not on your life. I’m quite confident that no boxed hair colour has ever touched a strand of her hair – not since she left the block, that is.

So let’s just say that I was slightly skeptical when introduced to Heidi Klum’s newest endorsement – CLEAR Scalp & Hair Therapy beauty products. A supermodel… standing behind a drug store brand? Could I possibly believe that her gorgeous, perfectly coiffed hair is a result of a mass marketed beauty product… retailing for $4.99 each?

The Claim: CLEAR Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy is a nourishing hair care line, with Nutrium 10, a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients. CLEAR feeds your scalp and gives you stronger, more beautiful hair in 7 days. Use CLEAR shampoo and conditioner for 1 week and it’s guaranteed you’ll get stronger, more beautiful hair – or your money back.

I’ll admit, I was intrigued. After being introduced to the line at Unilever Canada’s Be Groomed Be Gorgeous event back in November, I immediately liked three things: a) the science behind the formula, b) the luscious fragrance and c) Heidi Klum. Yes, I was swayed by the celebrity endorsement….

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