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Summer Beauty: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics

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The following giveaway is open to US and CAN residents.

This iconic figure in the world of beauty needs no introduction: Bobbi Brown.

A celebrated makeup artist for 30 years (!!!), her brand Bobbi Brown Cosmetics enables every woman to enhance her unique beauty. The products are straightforward, easy-to-use and in timeless hues, all formulated to create a smooth, natural, and healthy appearance.

Fun Fact:

In 1991, her 10 lipsticks debuted at the Bergdorf Goodman under the name of Bobbi Brown Essentials. Bobbi was expecting to sell 100 in a month. She sold 100 within the first day. The message was clear: Women wanted makeup that was simple, flattering, and wearable.

I was first turned on to Bobbi Brown Cosmetics in the mid 90’s. Having a strong warm undertone, I found it impossible to wear foundation for the simple fact that most drugstore brands were too pink for my complexion. When a family friend from the US stayed with us one weekend, she saw me smoothing on a decidedly cool Cover Girl hue (I was in my teens at the time so CG was all the rage – and all I could afford). Discreetly, she popped down to the guestroom and returned with a stick of Bobbi Brown foundation.

“Try this,” she offered.

I looked at the most sophisticated piece of makeup I had ever laid eyes on. Enchanted, I warmed a bit of the foundation on my fingertips and proceeded to blend in the exact match for my skin tone. Weeks later, I received another stick in the mail, courtesy of my generous family friend.

Today, Bobbi Brown has ten (10) foundations to choose from and the most sought-after shades in lip colour. In fact, her Brightening Lip Gloss in Peach is my go-to product of the summer.

I was fortunate to receive three of Bobbi Brown’s other essentials for summer: beach Body Lotion, Illuminating Bronzing Powder and Bronzer Brush.

If you didn’t catch my review of beach Body Lotion, click here. In a nutshell:

“The fragrance – beach – is the cleanest, freshest, most tantalizing scent I have ever smelled. I’m hooked! I literally could not stop applying the lotion to my arms and upper body… and last night, I booted it to Holt Renfrew so I could pick up the beach Eau de Parfum.

beach captures the very essence of summer with a lightly intoxicating blend of sand jasmine, sea spray and mandarin. But it doesn’t merely smell like the beach. It smells like the beach at a 5-star resort, where a gorgeous cabana boy is offering you a fruity concoction while you turn over on your side to enjoy the view of the clear blue water lapping up to the shore.

Or, for my 80’s girls – running through the sprinkler in th backyard, wearing Coppertone sun tan oil, trading jelly bracelets and drinking Kool Aid. The fragrance evokes so many memories, it’s almost like a nostalgic drug.”

I’m also a big fan of the Illuminating Bronzing Powder and Bronzer Brush; I received “Bahama”, a deep golden bronze, to review. (You may click to enlarge pictures.)

BRONZER IN #7 BAHAMA
CLICK TO ENLARGE FOR THE GORGEOUS PEARL FINISH

The bronzer is silky soft and so smooth to the touch. It’s formulated with a unique blend of sheer powder and micro pearls, which gives it the perfect sheen without being too shiny. The powder glides on sheer, evenly and gives skin a seamless natural-looking glow. After applying the bronzer my husband joked that it looked like I was lying out in the sun for two days – the perfect compliment, considering it took me only 30 seconds to apply the bronzer :)

BRONZER APPLIED ALL OVER FOR SUN-KISSED LOOK
COLOUR CONCENTRATED ON CHEEKS

The Bronzer Brush has now officially eclipsed all other face brushes that I own. The brush features luxuriously soft bristles and a more rounded brush head to provide smoother, more even application of bronzer. When you stroke the brush across your face, it feels like a veil of satin. And while the brush is a little bit pricey ($50), it is well worth it. Yes, I would recommend purchasing this brush – but don’t just take my word for it; 100% of customers on Bobbi Brown’s website (65 of 65) would also recommend this product to a friend.


Bobbi Brown Cosmetics can be purchased at Holt Renfrew and Murale locations across Canada, and online at bobbibrowncosmetics.com (US only).


One lucky reader will win a Summer Essentials Prize Pack, including beach Body Lotion, an Illuminating Bronzing Powder and a Bronzer Brush (value $120)!

To enter, visit Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and find three (3) other products that you believe epitomize simple, flattering and wearable beauty. Then, leave a comment here, telling us what they are.

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 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” Bobbi Brown Cosmetics on Facebook
(5) Follow Bobbi Brown on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this Bobbi Brown Giveaway Tweet.

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

Summer Beauty: Lancôme

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

It is my pleasure to feature a brand that is the true essence of beauty: Lancôme.

A sun-soaked day. A large Parisian apartment. A bed draped with silk veils the colour of skin. A woman. An actress. Captured by photographer Mario Testino, Kate Winslet is more sensual than ever. ABSOLUTE FEMININITY.

KATE WINSLET

This season, Lancôme introduces L’ABSOLU NU. The lipstick combines lip-care with a unique, delicate texture for a nude lip sensation. This never-before-seen lipstick is able to reproduce and magnify the colour, texture and natural radiance of your lips, enveloping them in moisture while drenching them in soft, even colour.

It all starts with Pro-Xylane. This active ingredient replenishes lips, enhancing their natural shade and smoothing their surface. In fact, from the moment of application lips are moisturized for 8 hours; L’Absolu Nu literally swathes lips in a veil of hydration.

ABOVE, #302 VOILE DE ROSE
LEFT TO RIGHT, #101 CORAIL EVANESCENT, #201 BEIGE DE SOIE,
#202 BEIGE TUILLE, #205 BEIGE CHARNEL, #301 ROSE SUBTIL

Lena Loves…

The packaging. Outfitted in a gorgeous black and gold case, capturing the rose design (the brand’s emblematic flower), L’Absolu Nu lipsticks are a feast for the eyes. The case also houses four micro-magnets, which allows the lid to be released from the base with an enchanting click.

The fragrance. Lancôme says it best: “After opening with absolute freshness, composed around a juicy peach note, its heart unveils a bouquet of rose and violet, a delicate flower that has already fragranced Lancôme’s very first satin lipsticks. Absolutely sensuous, it ends with just a hint of vanilla.”

The application. Saying it applies as smooth as silk is an injustice – the lipstick applies smoother than silk. It is likely the only lipstick I can wear without a first coat of lip balm due to it’s incredible moisture and hydration. The product quickly melts into your lips and gives you a feather-light, nude sensation. Although reapplication is necessary for all-day colour, I’m more than willing to trade that for smooth, supple lips.

The range of shades. L’Absolu Nu is divided into 3 colour families that correspond to pigmentation diversity among women: Pale, Medium and Intense. Its also very easy to build up your colour; the lipstick first applies very sheer but the pigment multiplies with each application. It also has an ultra delicate sheen that can be seen in the swatches, even though the lip colour in the tube looks relatively flat. The effect is a subtle tinting that gives lips a radiant glow

The results. After 4 days of wearing L’Absolu Nu, my lips feel fuller, softer and more hydrated. A lipstick that is both sensual and sensuous – this is L’Absolu Nu.


L’Absolu Nu lipsticks retail for $35 each are available at all Lancôme counters and online at Lancôme.ca. 


One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win all five (5) L’Absolu Nu lipsticks pictured right:

#101 CORAIL EVANESCENT
#201 BEIGE DE SOIE,
#202 BEIGE TUILLE
#205 BEIGE CHARNEL
#301 ROSE SUBTIL

… for a total value of $175!

To enter, simply visit Lancôme.ca and choose three (3) other products that would complete your summer look. Then, leave a comment here telling us why you love them.

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 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” Lancôme Canada on Facebook
(5) Follow Lancôme Canada on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this Lancôme Giveaway Tweet.

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

Summer Beauty: CARGO Cosmetics

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The following giveaway is open to US and CAN residents.

Here’s another Canadian beauty staple: why it’s CARGO Cosmetics of course!

A long time cult-favourite thanks to their signature oversized metal tins of lip gloss (love!), CARGO is a multi award winner with such pedestal-worthy products as their blu-ray Collection, PlantLove Lipsticks, Lip Glosses and more.

Now this is by far the easiest beauty feature for me to blog for the simple fact that I wear ALL of the items in CARGO’s “The Safari Kit” on a regular basis. I kid you not; if you see me on the street, at the grocery store or in a bar – and I’ve got makeup on my face – it will be this combination of products:

From Left; Mini Lip Gloss (Serengeti), Mini 3 Triple Action Mascara, Eyeshadow Duo (gold and khaki combo), Khaki Eye Lining Pencil and BeachBlush (Coral Beach).

If you didn’t catch my review on BeachBlush here’s a quick tidbit:

“The blush has a moderate sheen that I don’t find too powerful to use as an all-over bronzer. Four harmonious hues work together to provide perfectly flushed cheeks with a sun-drenched glow.

Available in 6 gorgeous shades, non-comedogenic and has decent staying power (from day to night, only one retouch is necessary). But above all, I feel pretty when I wear it.”

Well, as I said, this was a no brainer for me – I simply took a picture of myself this morning before I left to run some errands.

As you can see, all of the products work together to create an incredibly natural yet refined look. The Khaki Eyeliner is a welcome departure from a predictable harsh black line, the Eyeshadow Duo shades are very complementary to my eye colour, and the cool coral lip gloss in Serengeti wakes up my smile – and is the perfect summer shade. In short, I look a lot like me – only better.

Also hot this season is CARGO’s Dare to Play Kit.

“This collection is a system that makes vibrant eye shadow application super-simple for the woman who’s always on the go! Simply select a base to intensify and complement the eye shadow. Five pressed eye shadows bring drama to the outer corner, the crease, and along the lash line. Add a pop of color to the center of your eye lid. Choose from five bright and glitter-filled eye shadow shades for the ultimate bold eye.”

For the gal who likes to play with colour, you’ll be able to create endless combinations of looks with this palette.

Finally, if you’re a celebrity stalker like me, you’ll appreciate their PlantLove Lipsticks for two reasons: first, they’re a 100% natural lipstick, with a tube made entirely from corn! PlantLove lipsticks are certified by ECOCERT for being environmentally friendly in product, packaging, and process, and $2 from every celeb-designed lipstick goes to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

And there’s the second reason – celebs galore! Such famous gals like Angie Harmon, Denise Richards, Courteney Cox, Whitney Port and La Lindsay have all designed lip colours for the PlantLove line.


Major CARGO retailers in Canada include Sears Canada, Murale and The Shopping Channel. You can also shop online at CARGOCosmetics.com.


One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a CARGO Cosmetics Git Basket, filled with:

Contour Palette in Malibu
PlantLove Lipstick in Sheer Rosewood
Better-than-Waterproof Mascara in Black
The Safari Kit
Dare to Play Kit

… for a total value of $150!

To enter, simply visit CARGO Cosmetics and pick out three (3) other products that you think would complement your summer look. Then, leave a comment here telling us about them.

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 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” CARGO on Facebook
(5) Follow CARGO on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this CARGO Cosmetics Giveaway Tweet.

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

Summer Beauty: The Body Shop

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

I’ll never forget my first experience with bronzing products. Having an already tanned complexion, I never really saw the need to apply bronzer to my face or body. After all, brown is brown.

Turns out, brown is brown, but bronze is better. Back in the late 90’s, as a part-time employee at The Body Shop, a co-worker suggested that I try the “Brush on Bronze” powder beads. Hesitant that I’d look sunburnt, I used a light touch to sweep the shimmering powder across my face.

Well, Hello J-Lo.

I proceeded to become addicted to those little beads, applying them throughout the summer – and fall, and winter – until I finally weaned myself off the “Miami Beach” look.

This season, I’ve got my bronze on once again with The Body Shop’s new Honey Bronze line. Great news: “Honey” is not just a catchy moniker – all of the products contain Community Fair Trade honey from Ethiopia and beeswax from Cameroon. I received a wonderful assortment of products for review:

Pictured, from Left: Brilliance Powder in 01 Bronze, Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil, Honey Bronze Lip Nectar and Honey Bronzing Powder in 01 Light Matte.

The Brilliance Powder is a convenient brush/powder combo which allows easy, on-the-go application. I’ve never been a huge fan of hybrids, but this brush/product combination seems to work thanks to the sheer, light-diffusing particles of powder and no-mess applicator brush. The Brilliance Powder has a lovely iridescence which is all but impossible to pick up on camera, but nevertheless imparts just the right amount of dewy glow.

TBS’ Shimmering Dry Oil is just so close to perfection – alas, we’ll discuss it’s one tragic flaw in a second. With a tan-enhancing shimmer, streak-free application and non-greasy finish, it may be the perfect companion to bare legs this summer. (Remember to wash your hands after use!)

(Click to enlarge to see the glorious sheen.)

The one set back of this product for me is the heavy, heady fragrance – I can’t seem to pin point the exact notes, but it’s a thick, sweet floral scent. Unfortunately, the scent lingers and even mosquitoes approve – I was bitten alive the last time I used the oil. If TBS could somehow tone down the fragrance, it would easily be my favourite product of Summer 2011.

The Honey Bronze Lip Nectar is the perfect pout (and tan) enhancer; with a sheer yet sparkling shine, this honey-enriched gloss can be worn alone or over lip colour. I received shade 01 Honey Bunch which is a bright coral (right on trend, TBS!). On first impression it looks really orange, but it blends into a soft peachy-gold that is high on shine and low on tack. I actually expected it to taste like honey, but thankfully the gloss is flavorless. Curiously, I found that a layer of clear gloss on top of the Lip Nectar actually improves its wearability.

Finally, after tallying up all my bronzing powders (at last count, over 16), I realized that The Body Shop’s Honey Bronzing Powder in 01 Light Matte is the only truly matte bronzing product I own. The Light Matte shade would likely suit fair skin tones (they also have “Fair Matte” which is slightly redder and darker) but as you can see in the picture below, blends too well into my own medium skin to be worn as a bronzer. (Click to enlarge detail.)

I’d likely suit Medium Matte better, but, I’ve still been using the Light Matte as an all over face powder. It gives me a slight touch of colour and I love that  don’t have the “vampire in the sun” look with sparkles scattered across my face. There are four shades in total: Light, Fair, Medium and Deep.

Great news! All of the Honey Bronze products featured above are included in The Body Shop’s Buy 1 Get 50% Off, Buy 2 Get 1 Free or Buy 3 Get 2 Free current promotion! Discount will be applied to the lowest-priced items.


Honey Bronze goodies can be purchased online at TheBodyShop.ca or at a store near you.


Get ready to look like an ultimate sun goddess – one lucky reader will win a TBS Honey Bronze Gift Basket, including:

Honey Bronze Shimmering Dry Oil
Honey Bronze Brilliance Powder (x2)
Honey Bronze Bronzing Gel For Face
Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder (1 of each shade!)
Mirrored Compact

… for a total value of $150!

To enter, simply visit The Body Shop and create a perfect makeup look to complement your glowing skin by choosing three (3) other products you love. Then, leave a comment here telling us about them.

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 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” The Body Shop on Facebook
(5) Follow The Body Shop on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this TBS Giveaway Tweet.

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

Summer Beauty: Sephora

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The following giveaway is open to CAN residents only.

Asking a gal if she loves Sephora is akin to asking a dude if he likes sports, beer and chicks (in that order). It’s simply in our blood make a pilgrimage to the beauty mecca on a regular basis. After all, where else can you find an unparallel assortment of prestige products, unbiased service from experts, and a truly innovative shopping environment?

Since this is a beauty event, and it’s Sephora (hello!), y’all will probably want to know what I received for review – and what’s up for grabs – like, NOW. So I won’t keep you in suspense any longer…

I recommend that you click the picture to enlarge. Clockwise from Left to Right (Sort of): Sephora Hot 10: Nano Eyeliner Set, Anastasia Beverly Hills Illumin Bronzer, Sephora Purple Delight Nail Trio, Sephora by OPI in “I Don’t Bite”, Guerlain Rouge Automatique in #164 Chamade, Jennifer Aniston Eau de Parfum, Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain in Petal, Sephora Canada Palette, Sephora Electric Safari Pop Up Brush, Sephora Cream Lipstain in #1 Always Red, Sephora Jumbo Liner 24HR Wear in Turquoise, Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in #8 Iridescent Electric Purple, Sephora Color Wand For Lips,  Hello Kitty I Heart Lashes Mascara in Goodnight Dreams and Sephora 4 Shadows and Liner Palette in Not that Shy.

Now I’m the girl who once lined up her pencil crayons by colour, carefully reading the description and committing the names to memory (still a huge fan of Laurentian #4 Hollywood Cerise). So it comes as no surprise that I was immediately drawn to Sephora’s The Hot 10: Nano Eyeliner Set. Squeee! Loved swatching these smooth, vibrant colours:

The darker hues are beautifully intense, but as you can see from the picture, Silver Green and Iced Brown may not be the best choices for olive skintones. You should also know that the pencils are incredibly soft; while this adds to the buttery texture and helps them glide on effortlessly, they’re also quite fragile and will break if you don’t use a light touch, so be forewarned. However, at only $31 for the set (a $60 value) I think these are a wonderful way to introduce colour and vibrancy if you’re a 24/7 black eyeliner kind of gal.

Next, you know I have to mention the Sephora Canada Palette. Celebrating Canadian beauties everywhere, the palette offers a beautiful assortment of colours in a collectible mini palette that’s easy to take on-the-go with nine eye shadows, four lip gloss shades and a blush.

I love that Sephora didn’t go for stereotypical reds – it would be the easy way out and far from what northern gals are all about – we love the perfect neutral that looks beautiful in winter and equally smashing on a bright summer day. The palette is tiny – about 2.5″ by 2.5″ – so it’s sequined clutch-friendly and certainly convenient for mid-date touch ups.

I’m also digging this Hourglass Aura Cheek Stain in Petal. Retailing for $55, it’s a little pricier than I’d usually spend on a cheek product, but I can’t deny that the application is smooth, the finish is flawless and the colour is gorgeous. Aura’s unique click mechanism dispenses the perfect amount of product and since the stain is water based, it blends oh-so-easily.

The colour is soft – a sweet, innocent petal pink. Customer reviews on Sephora.com have been comparing Petal to NARS Orgasm; considering that Orgasm has been called the “perfect blush”, Aura Cheek Stain is in very good company.

Lena Loves:

Sephora Color Wand For Lips: Perfect for a tween or teen! “Just choose a color and twist – a doe foot applicator is revealed and ready to give lips a beautifully glossy hint of color. Perfect for purses, one little stick offers a wide range of options. Mix and match glosses to create unique shades.”

Purple Delight Nail Trio: Priced just right ($13) as a little thank you or “just because” gift, these mini polishes are big on colour. Shades include Girls Want Tenderness (light purple with subtle metallic shimmers), Full Moon Party (deep purple with metallic sparkles) and Amethyst Stiletto (tiny silver glitter sparkles in a purple base).

Jennifer Aniston Eau de Parfum: Okay, so technically I don’t love this fragrance. Then again, I don’t necessarily love predictably blah rom-com starlets. It just didn’t smell “right” on me – kind of heady instead of fragrant. But with light, blooming floral notes set against a sensual base of musk and woods, perhaps it’s for right for you!


All of the products featured and pictured above can be purchased online at Sephora.com or at your local Sephora (with the exception of the Sephora Canada Palette which can be found in Canadian stores only).


One lucky reader will win all – YES ALL – the products pictured above. Here’s a run-down once again:

Sephora Hot 10: Nano Eyeliner Set
Anastasia Beverly Hills Illumin Bronzer
Sephora Purple Delight Nail Trio
Sephora by OPI in “I Don’t Bite”
Guerlain Rouge Automatique in #164 Chamade
Jennifer Aniston Eau de Parfum
Hourglass Aura Sheer Cheek Stain in Petal
Sephora Canada Palette
Sephora Electric Safari Pop Up Brush
Sephora Cream Lipstain in #1 Always Red
Sephora Jumbo Liner 24HR Wear in Turquoise
Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in #8 Iridescent Electric Purple
Sephora Color Wand For Lips
Hello Kitty I Heart Lashes Mascara in Goodnight Dreams
Sephora 4 Shadows and Liner Palette in Not that Shy

…for a total prize value of $400 CDN! WOW!

To enter, visit Sephora.com and choose three (3) more products you can’t wait to get your hands on – and why. Then, leave a comment here telling us about them.

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 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” Sephora on Facebook
(5) Follow Sephora on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this Sephora Giveaway Tweet.

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

Summer Beauty: Annabelle Cosmetics

By

The following giveaway is open to US and CAN residents.

Now you didn’t really think I’d feature Marcelle Cosmetics without giving a shout out to their equally HOT sister brand, did ya?

It’s Annabelle Cosmetics, of course! Known and loved among beauty bloggers and beauty junkies alike for their fun, fabulous and affordable cosmetics, Annabelle is the perfect combination of glamour and efficiency.

“A bit of a rebel, a natural trend-setter, edgy and incredibly versatile. Annabelle is the one with the latest and trendiest shades that make us want to rush out and get the look. Colour is her instrument of change, letting her reinvent her style and makeup to suit her ever-changing moods, from goddess to rock star to fashion diva!”

Now I don’t know a single Canadian gal who hasn’t hovered at the Annabelle cosmetics display case, likely choosing the famed Smudgeliner or pout-perfect Volumelip Lip Plumping Gloss. The vivid, innovative products – that just happen to be competitively priced – have earned Annabelle a cult-like following from those who like to dabble in vibrancy.

I was once again sent an enviable stash of goodies to review – including NEW products that won’t be on shelves until August!

Pictured Above, Clockwise from Left: Smoothie Eyeshadow Pencil in Licoriche*, MokaMirage and GrapeFull, Glitterama Liquid Eyeliner (Blast Off)*, Liquid Eyeliner (Black Spark)*, SmudgePaint in Muddy* and Tar*, Le Big Show Mascara*, Smudgeliner (Electric Sapphire), VolumeLip Plumping Gloss (Corallicious), 4Show Wet & Dry Eyeshadow (Vivid Eye) and Zebra Bronzing Powder (Haute Gold).

(*NEW products!)

I immediately collected a few of the drool-worthy products and decided to create a simple, sassy eye look that pops with colour.

Now “simple” really is the operative word, because no matter how much I practice, I’m just never satisfied with my attempts at eye makeup. (I know, I really should give myself more credit, but that’s the problem with having so many make-up artist friends!) Anyhoo, I put the following products aside and was off to create 5-minute fun and flirty eyes.

First, I applied the light pink eyeshadow shade from “Vivid Eye” all through the lid and up to the brow bone. Then, I literally coloured GrapeFull Smoothie Eyeshadow onto my lid and crease. Whoa Nelly!

Back up a sec – you need to know:

1) The Smoothie Eyeshadows apply silky smooth; no tugging absolutely
2) The colour stays put. Like, ridiculously so. So you’d better like where you apply it.
3) The shades are INTENSE. Annabelle makeup is not for the faint of heart!
4) The Smoothie Eyeshadows will make you feel 15 again… in a good way.

Next, I tried to tone down my GrapeFull lids by going over the top of the lid and crease with a smokey purple shade, also from the 4Show quad, pictured above. Then I lined my upper lids with the Liquid Eyeliner in Black Spark, used the Licoriche Smoothie Eyeshadow very sparingly under the eye, and finished off with one coat of Le Big Show mascara.

The end result was pretty spectacular! Now, if I only had somewhere to go tonight ;)

(I couldn’t do full face shot because my nose is peeling from blowing it so much and my lips are all chapped and puffy. And I probably should have blotted my shiny face. Oops.)

Ah well, I’m selling the eyes here, baby!

Now let’s play a little game: go ahead and Google Annabelle Cosmetics SmudgePaint. Didn’t return any links, huh? That’s because I happen to have my hands on this hot little item before anyone else!

SmudgePaint is a creamy gel shadow/liner that is water, crease and fade resistant and delivers highly pigmented colour which glides on smoothly. With the help of the applicator brush, you can create the perfect “cat eye” look by applying a thin line, or vamp it up by smudging all over the eyelid. Gals, this stuff is PAINT. I mean, it just does not budge. And I love the cream consistency; it gives you all the drama of a liquid line with added control thanks to it’s thicker consistency. Pictured above is “Tar” – an appropriate name, for sure.


Annabelle Cosmetics are sold in more than 2,000 sale points across Canada. Get them at your nearest drugstore, retailer or national chain store. Americans can purchase Annabelle by calling 1-800-387-7710 ext 352 or 353.


One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a gift basket with ALL the Annabelle products you see above! (Value $100). To enter, simply visit Annabelle Cosmetics and choose three (3) other products that you have your eye on, and then leave a comment here telling us what they are. Who knows, some of them may make their way into your gift basket ;)

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 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” Annabelle on Facebook
(5) Follow Annabelle on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this Annabelle Giveaway Tweet.

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

Summer Beauty: Marcelle Cosmetics

By

The following giveaway is open to US and CAN residents.

Let’s kick off this Summer Beauty & Fashion Guide with a Canadian fave – Marcelle Cosmetics!

“Canadian women’s trustworthy beauty partner for almost 75 years, Marcelle is the cosmetics and skin care brand that offers every woman high quality, effective and affordable products.”

I have fond memories of lusting after Marcelle’s skin care products when I was just a teenager. Faced with acne-prone skin, I would spend copious amounts of time hanging around the drugstore cosmetics counter, staring at pictures of flawless models and turning the products over in my hands. Of course, a well-meaning cosmetician normally shooed me away before long, but I always remembered feeling Marcelle was my “it” brand.

Today, given the opportunity to review some of Marcelle’s newest, hottest products – including their sought-after skin care – makes me feel like my beauty obsession has come full circle.

Marcelle generously sent over soon-to-be faves for Summer and Fall 2011, and y’all are in for a treat; some of these products don’t hit the stores until mid-August!

Pictured Above, Clockwise from Left: Essentials Foaming Cleaning Gel, AC-Solution Daily Purifying Exfoliating Gel, Rouge Xpression Lipstick (Amour), HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up*, Revival Brown Spot Corrector Roll-On, Concealer Palette, Multi-Colour Powder Blush (Pink Fusion). Liquid Eyeliner Pen, Volume Precision Mascara, HYDRA-C Ultra-Light Matifying Fluid* and HYDRA-C Energizing Hydrating Gel*.

(*NEW products!)

Since it’s summer (woot!) and it’s hot outside (woot!) you can bet my skin is extra shiny these days (womp). So I was really excited to try the NEW HYDRA-C Ultra-Light Matifying Fluid. I’ve been wearing it on and off for about 2 weeks now over freshly cleansed skin, and while I don’t have a before and after picture for you (please excuse me – if you read a few posts down you’ll know I’ve been fighting a summer cold for the past week – ergo not camera ready) I can tell you that I’ve seen a noticeable decrease in the amount of shine on my face by mid-afternoon. However, I did still feel blotting was necessary, so this product will not eliminate shine altogether, but it’s a quick and easy way to keep your skin feeling freshly washed for longer. A bonus: the addition of silica microspheres absorb sebum without drying the skin or making it feel overly tight.

Now I’ve been on the quest to find the perfect foundation for a long time, because this 33-year old feels it’s finally time to be modest and over up. Brown spots, under eye circles, fine lines – there’s only so much a gal can blame on sleepless nights and toddler-filled days. I was quite happy to see that the NEW HYDRA-C Perfect Fusion Make-Up promises even coverage while vitamins C and E moisturize, and after one quick swatch I can attest that it blends in easily and weightlessly. It actually feels silky on the fingertips – a far cry from some of the more heavy, chalky foundations.

The shade is a tad light for my sun-kissed face at the moment, but I am very excited to wear this come fall, and promise to post a FOTD then.

Other buzz-worthy products:

Multi-Colour Powder Blush (Pink Fusion) – I’m a huge fan of strip blushes because I feel like a chemistry major – or perhaps Ashley Abbott a la Y&R – mixing my own concoctions to come up with the perfect product (or in this case, colour). After seeing the rosewood base (swatched below) I assumed I could warm up the blush for a beachy look, but alas, the mid-tones are decidedly cool and when blended together (see above swatch) give off the perfect petal pink – more suited to summer nights than days. Still incredibly pretty, even on darker skin tones.

Volume Precision Mascara – no Marcelle review would be complete without a shout out to their famous mascara!

“Its ultra-flexible polymer brush with microchambers seizes lashes one by one, without clumps. The bristles come in variable lengths and are cleverly aligned to ensure clean, precise definition. Enriched with olive oil and rice brand wax, the revitalizing lightweight gel formula provides maximal volume without any heavy feeling.”

For a limited time and in participating stores only, buy one Volume Precision Mascara and get the second one FREE OF CHARGE!

(This promo is valid on ALL Marcelle mascaras, including their Power Volume, Lash Extreme and Ultimate Lash mascaras as well.)

Visit Marcelle’s YouTube Channel for tips and techniques on how to get their hottest looks, including step-by-step tutorials and product and shade selections.

And don’t forget – for a limited time, when you buy any of Marcelle’s three best-selling products – Cleansing Cloths, Multi-Colour Powder Blush (Timeless Charm) and Lux Gloss Sheer (Sorbet) – $0.50 will be donated to Because I am a Girl. The three products are available at the majority of retailers across Canada that sell Marcelle products, and are easily recognizable in their special pink packaging.


Marcelle Cosmetics can be purchased online (Canadians only) and at more than 2,500 drug and mass retailers in Canada. Americans can purchase Marcelle by calling 1-800-387-7710 ext 352 or 353.


One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a gift basket with ALL the Marcelle products you see above! (Value $200). To enter, simply visit Marcelle Cosmetics and choose three (3) other products that you have your eye on, and then leave a comment here telling us what they are. Who knows, some of them may make their way into your gift basket ;)

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 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” Marcelle on Facebook
(5) Follow Marcelle on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this Marcelle Giveaway Tweet.

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

Fun & Fabulous Things at eBeauty.ca!

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With my Summer Beauty & Fashion Guide coming up next month, I’ve got beauty on the brain! I literally seem incapable of thinking about anything else at the moment. Must… wrap up… Reno-cation…

(Worry not, I’ve still got more great giveaways to come!)

Anyhoo, I received a note from eBeauty.ca (Canada’s NEW online beauty shop!) with a heads up on some cool promos for June, and wanted to share! Some of my fave deals:

– stila at up to 30% off. A bunch of their best selling collections are on sale for the entire month. LOVE the stila 24kt Luxe Gold Lip Gloss Collection… would look great with bronzed skin (cue Don Henley’s “Days of Summer”).

– Ardell at 25% off. I’ve never quite gotten around to expertly applying falsies, but word on the street is that Ardell lashes are pretty awesome and affordable.

– Kiss Nail Products at 25% off. Perfect when you need a mani in a hurry! And yes, I’m in my 30’s, but I can’t resist their Rhinestone Accents, especially on my toes.

(Very reminiscent of my clubbing days… and Ryder says “Mommy had sparklies on her toesies.”)

Did I mention that shipping is FREE on all orders over $25? Plus, eBeauty.ca has got you covered during the current uncertainty with Canada Post:

“As many of you have surely heard, Canada Post workers have announced rotating strike activities across the country beginning Friday, June 3rd. Like always, we at eBeauty.ca want to ensure you that our focus remains on our amazing customers at all times! That is why you will have the option to have any items purchased from eBeauty.ca shipped via courier.

And guess what? The upgrade is on us! Yes, you read that right! Simply choose “Courier Ground” during your checkout and we will ensure you receive upgraded courier service for the same price as you would pay for standard shipping via Canada Post!”

WOW. It makes me smile to see when a company goes that extra mile for their customers. Kudos, eBeauty.ca!

Hmm… I’m not completely sure I want to share this with y’all, seeing that it will impact my chances of winning, but you should know that eBeauty.ca has a sweet contest happening until June 16th: Win a Trip for Two to New York City, or 1 of 10 beauty gifts! The prize includes airfare for two, four nights at the W hotel and $500 spending money. The contest runs until June 16th; one entry per day.

Now you KNOW my obsession with the W Hotel, so you can bet I’ll be entering every day. And if one lucky reader should win – I make a FABULOUS shopping buddy!

You can find many of my favourite brands on eBeauty.ca, including CARGO, Vasanti, Balmshell, Cover FX, stila, Too Faced and more. Plus, don’t forget to check out their other sections, including Skin Care, Bath & Body, Hair, Fragrance, Tools, Men and Gifts.

Click here to shop at eBeauty.ca.

I Am So Damn Excited…

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Ladies: Tell Your Friends. 

I would like to introduce the beauty-full companies that will be participating in my Summer Beauty & Fashion Guide next month:

(I’ll wait while you pick yourself off the floor.)

L’Oreal – Sephora – Burt’s Bees – Dial – Lancome – MD Moms – Bobbi Brown – Right Guard – Marcelle – Soft & Dri – Lelo – Cover FX – Hard Candy – Face Atelier – got2b – Vasanti – OPI – Tweezerman – Dry Idea – Cargo – Faces by Farah – Luxe Box – Joe Fresh – Oliver’s Labels

Do you follow my blog? I hope so – because blog followers will earn two (2) extra entries for all giveaways. I know, it’s pretty awesome.

I’m just finalizing the fashion sponsors, but the list is looking pretty hot. More to come. xxoo

Because I am a Girl

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LOVE when companies give back.

This season, look your best – and help girls around the world reach their full potential – with products from Marcelle’s limited edition Because I Am A Girl branded products.

It all started with Plan Canada’s initiative to harness the incredible power that girls and women have here at home and in the developing world. Because I am a Girl is Plan’s global campaign to break the cycle of poverty and gender discrimination.

Girls have the right to be educated.
Girls have the right to eat.
Girls have the right to be safe.
Girls’ rights are human rights.

Ambassador for Because I Am A Girl, two-time Olympic medalist Jennifer Heil, has a goal to raise one million dollars for the initiative, and Marcelle is lending their support. For a limited time, when you buy any of Marcelle’s three best-selling products, $0.50 will be donated to Because I am a Girl. The three products are available at the majority of retailers across Canada that sell Marcelle products, and are easily recognizable in their special pink packaging.

The products include:

Cleansing Cloths (25 cloths)
Ideal to drop in your suitcase, purse or gym bag! In one easy step, cleanse and remove face and eye make-up without leaving a greasy after-feel. They eliminate long wearing make-up, including waterproof mascara, while preserving the skin’s natural moisture balance. Thoroughly cleansed, the skin feels comfortable and regains its softness. Pre-moistened with a mild lotion, they respect the eye’s delicate pH balance, so it is safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers.

I’ve been using Marcelle’s cleansing cloths for over a year now – usually on nights when I’m too tired to remain standing, let alone go through a whole cleansing/ toning/ moisturizing routine with up to six different products. After a quick wipe with the cleansing cloths, my skin is clean, refreshed and smooth – never dry. And I simply LOVE the special pink packaging!

Multi-Colour Powder Blush (Timeless Charm)
A two-in-one blush and highlighter, with five perfectly coordinated shimmer tones, which illuminates and defines cheeks for a pretty pink glow. It’s hypo-allergenic, perfume free and provides long-lasting colour.

If you’re looking for a pink blush that exudes “sweet and innocent”, this is the one for you, ladies! The perfect petal pink with a healthy dose of shimmery highlights. Simply gorgeous.

Lux Gloss Sheer (Sorbet) 
Jennifer Heil’s favourite gloss colour! A light gel-based liquid formula that is non-sticky and won’t run, and provides long-lasting hydration, long-lasting colour, exceptional comfort and light coverage. Enriched with emollients and a revitalizing cocktail of ingredients, it’s perfect for achieving a plumping effect for seductive lips. It’s hypo-allergenic and perfume free.

One of my faves too! For more information on Because I Am A Girl, visit plancanada.ca/becauseiamagirl

To view some of the hottest trends in beauty and makeup, visit Marcelle Cosmetics.

Bobbi Brown beach Body Lotion

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It’s no secret that I’m having the ultimate Beauty & Fashion Bash in July. I’m just waiting on a few sponsors to confirm, but it looks like there will be a giveaway for EVERY day of the month.

(Don’t mind me – just doing a happy dance.)

Yesterday, I received a very summery package of goodies courtesy of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, one of my fabulous sponsors. Now while I’d normally wait until the event to post my review, I simply can’t contain my excitement for one of the products: Bobbi Brown beach Body Lotion.

“This lightweight body moisturizer contains a soothing and hydrating blend of Aloe Vera and Olive, Jojoba and Sunflower Oils. beach Body Lotion helps reduce peeling and prolong the life of your tan. Green Tea and Vitamin E provide antioxidant protection. Freshly scented with beach Fragrance.”

The fragrance – beach – is the cleanest, freshest, most tantalizing scent I have ever smelled. I’m hooked! I literally could not stop applying the lotion to my arms and upper body… and last night, I booted it to Holt Renfrew so I could pick up the beach Eau de Parfum.

beach captures the very essence of summer with a lightly intoxicating blend of sand jasmine, sea spray and mandarin. But it doesn’t merely smell like the beach. It smells like the beach at a 5-star resort, where a gorgeous cabana boy is offering you a fruity concoction while you turn over on your side to enjoy the view of the clear blue water lapping up to the shore.

Or, for my 80’s girls – running through the sprinkler in th backyard, wearing Coppertone sun tan oil, trading jelly bracelets and drinking Kool Aid. The fragrance evokes so many memories, it’s almost like a nostalgic drug.

Do you see why I couldn’t wait until July to share this with you?

The fragrance also passes the “guys love it” test – my husband described the scent as “hot” but “light and fresh” at the same time… and “that’s how all ladies should smell in summer”. LOVE it!

Click here to find a Bobbi Brown store near you.

I Love It: CARGO Cosmetics BeachBlush

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Around this time every year, I abandon my regular blush (MAC Blushbaby) and start dabbling in bronzers. It’s just not enough that I have a naturally tanned complexion – I need to have the most glowing, coppery, sun-kissed skin too. You could say I’m Snooki Lite.

This season, I’ve got a ton of awesome bronzing products to swish, swatch and review, and decided that CARGO’s BeachBlush in Coral Beach would be a worthy first try.

{LOVE}

First, I can’t deny that the signature metal tin isn’t a selling point for me, because I happen to be a freak about packaging. It’s hot.

Second, how cool is that stripy thing? “Four harmonious shades work together to provide perfectly flushed cheeks with a sun-drenched glow. Golden Goddess effects in a flash!”

(Did you know: BeachBlush earned its status as one of CARGO’s most iconic products ever since it appeared as a question on Jeopardy!)

When using, remember to swish your brush to mix up all the complementary shades. Simply giving one stroke will yield the following results:

As you can see (click to enlarge if you can’t) the brush has picked up pigment from the two center shades only. If I were to apply that on my cheeks, I would likely be arrested by the contouring police. Therefore please do give it a soft swish to combine all those great colours (I use MAC #129 Powder/Blush Brush).

The blush has a moderate sheen that I don’t find too powerful to use as an all-over bronzer… unlike some products I’ve encountered (cough, Estee Lauder, cough). It drives me bonkers when I encounter a high shimmer bronzer; for me, the whole point of summer makeup is keeping the grease, sweat and shine off my face!

Available in 6 gorgeous shades, non-comedogenic and has decent staying power (from day to night, only one retouch is necessary). But above all, I feel pretty when I wear it.

Here I am striking my “beachy” pose.

My Five:

– CARGO Cosmetics BeachBlush
  (applied all over as bronzer)
– Cover Girl Eyebrow Pencil/Brown
– The Body Shop Eye Definer/Black
– Make Up Forever Smoky Lash Mascara
– Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Peach

BeachBlush retails for $28.00 can be purchased from CARGO’s website. Free shipping on orders over $50 – call up a friend and order two :)

p.s. Just booked an appointment to lighten up my hair for the summer. The warm weather transformation begins!

Sephora by OPI: Safari Luxe Collection

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Somebody queue Toto’s “Africa” – cause we’re about to take a little trip.

Go wild this spring with Sephora by OPI’s Safari Luxe Collection. Inspired by animal-print fabrics, snakeskin pumps, and stacks of gold bracelets, the collection takes after one of the hottest trends to hit the runways: safari chic. “We came up with a nail lacquer collection as stylish and fun as the trend itself,” says Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI VP and Artistic Director. “And just like a leopard-print scarf spices up an outfit, each summery shade adds instant edginess to your wardrobe.”

Shades include (from left to right): Caught With My Khakis Down, Wild About Shimmer, I Don’t Bite, A Color That Can’t Be Tamed, Once a Cheetah, Always a Cheetah and Don’t Feed the Hand Models.

I absolutely, positively MUST have Caught With My Khakis Down and will be stopping by Sephora this week!

If you’d like to make a quick change with animalistic results, try their fun Chic Prints in Giraffe, Leopard or Zebra. These easy-to-apply, precut strips of varying widths last two days on either fingers or toes and provide a fast and fun way to update any look instantly.

Read this: “One set of Chic Print for Nails contains 16 nail patches of varying widths, for a one-time application to fingers or toes. The nail patch is a solid-film material with an adhesive back that is activated by friction. The warmth from friction creates conformability, allowing the patch to fit over the compound curves of your nails and seal onto the nail bed. Removes easily by rubbing and peeling off.”

Ingenius! Find these products at your local Sephora starting in May, and of course, at Sephora.com.

Exciting News from The Body Shop!

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This post has been a long time coming… especially since the great deals, fabulous products and exciting news keep piling up!

Forgive for using a numbered list – I just want to make sure I cover it all :)

1. Have you checked out The Body Shop Canada’s NEW website? With increased functionality (you can finally see sale prices as you place them in your cart vs. waiting for the invoice), ability to accept coupon codes (more savings!) and a quicker, faster shopping experience, you’ll love shopping from the comfort of your home. Now I am a little disappointed to see that shipping rates have increased from a flat $5 to $7.95, but if you don’t live near a Body Shop and are currently pumping $1.38/litre (that’s what we filled up at yesterday – insane!) then it just may be worth your while to load up your online cart. You can also call a friend and combine your purchases to save on shipping.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the main page and sign up for TBS’ mailing list; you’ll be first to know about promos, new products and worthwhile campaigns.

2. Until 11:59pm tonight, take advantage of their Mother’s Day sale. Simply add a gift container to your cart for $5, and then proceed to save 30% off your entire purchase! Plus, 50% of the proceeds from the gift basket purchase will be donated to the Somaly Mam Foundation.

3. Did you purchase last week’s Groupon for The Body Shop? If so, be sure to redeem it before May 30th to grab a cool $45 worth of goodies. After May 30th, the value decreases slightly to $40. Last time around, I was able to combine my Groupon with a similar 30% off promotion (Erin Mills Town Centre), but readers wrote in saying that they had varying degrees of success from store to store. Call ahead to see if you’re able to grab insane savings by using your Groupon today.

4. Gift Suggestions for Mom:

Spa Wisdom Collection ($16.00 – $28.00)

Help mom create a pampering paradise at home, with The Body Shop Spa Wisdom collection, which is inspired by beauty rituals, traditions and ingredients from around the world. The collection features Spa Wisdom Morocco, Africa, Japan and Polynesia.

These blissful collections combine authentic indigenous and Community Trade ingredients while featuring captivating fragrances and sensorial textures. Help your mom discover The Body Shop Spa Wisdom scrubs, body cleansers and moisturizers.

Coconut Bath & Body Range ($8.00 – $20.00)

Indulge your mom with the luxurious Coconut Bath & Body range that’s enriched with pure, organic, cold-pressed, virgin coconut oil, sourced from Samoa through the Community Trade programme. Skin is softened, conditioned and delightfully fragranced with the tropical scent of coconut that’s reminiscent of long, lingering summer days. It’s like applying pure happiness to your skin.

5. Shower the Earth Lovers Way – Make a positive splash on the environment by showering with the NEW Eco-conscious 100% biodegradable Earth Lovers shower gel range.

There are six refreshing fragrances: Lemon & Thyme, Mint & Cucumber, Watermelon & Eucalyptus, Apricot & Basil, Fig & Rosemary and Pear & Lemongrass.

I had the pleasure of trying the Apricot & Basil, Mint & Cucumber and Lemon & Thyme scents. The Apricot & Basil is very sweet smelling, and will be a runaway winner for those who are keen on peachy-like fragrances. Mint & Cucumber was my least favourite; I thought it was too “foody” and it felt like I was preparing a salad in the shower a la Kramer from Seinfeld. But, I can’t deny it’s refreshing after-smell and cool, tingly sensation. And I absolutely LOVED the Lemon & Thyme – a very masculine scent, the unique combination gives off a sensual fragrance which lingers hours after your shower. It’s currently my husband’s go-to shower gel!

6. If you buy just one eye palette this spring, consider TBS’ Limited Collection for Eyes. The packaging was designed by the London College of Fashion – tres cool my friends. I received the A La Mode (02) palette and love the night looks I’ve been able to pull together with the cool combination of shimmer and smoke.

The palette normally retails for $24, but you can grab it for a sweet $16.80 with your 30% discount. This one won’t be around for long, so collectors, take note!

7. Finally, I am in the process of reviewing The body Shop’s NEW Honey Bronze lineup. Just in time for summer, I can fake a sun-kissed glow (without the damage) thanks to their Shimmering Dry Oil, Brilliance Bronzer, Bronzing Powder and Lip Nectar. My initial feedback is that the Bronzing Powder is the perfect matte colour for a touch of sun without the shine. Try sweeping it along the bridge of your nose, across your forehead and of course, on your cheeks for a natural, lightly tanned look. Further reviews to follow… perhaps in time for my Summer Beauty Bash? Stay tuned!

Whew!

That’s a lot of exciting news from The Body Shop! The malls are now open… so if you’re sitting at home, reading this post… get off your duff and visit your nearest store today!

Click here to shop at The Body Shop Canada.

Sephora Celebrates Canadian Beauties

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I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that EVERY beauty-obsessed Canadian chick should have one of these:

“Just in time for summer, Sephora Collection launches the Sephora Canada Palette, a mini colour palette celebrating Sephora’s love for Canada. The palette offers a beautiful assortment of colours in a collectible mini palette that’s easy to take on-the-go with nine eyeshadows, four lip gloss shades and a blush.

The palette comes housed in an iconic Sephora shopping bag that can be hung from its chic red mini tie or carried in your bag when you are on the go. The cover art is inspired by the skylines of great Canadian cities from coast to coast.”

LOVE IT!

The shadows are a mix of matte and shimmer shades of pink, beige and khaki – perfect for a day look or a soft, smokey eye at night. As with most Sephora shadows, they can be worn wet or dry to create a variety of looks. Aren’t you loving the rose-tinged khaki on the bottom right? So romantic!

The Sephora Canada Palette is ONLY $18 ($60 value) and will be available for a limited time beginning next week at Sephora stores throughout Canada or by calling 1-877-SEPHORA.

Lena Loves this Palette For:

1. Any (and every) girlfriend’s birthday… or just because
2. A gift for Mother’s Day – which is just around the corner!
3. A gift for a hostess – especially if she’s hosting a Canada Day BBQ
4. For yourself, of course!

Let’s celebrate being Canadian… and being beautiful! xo

Coming Soon! Summer Beauty Bash!

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After my super-successful Holiday Beauty Fest, I realized – I want to do it all over again! So mark your calendars peeps… this July, tune in for Listen to Lena’s Summer Beauty Bash!

New brands. Old favourites. Bigger prizes. More chances to win.

I promise, you’ll want to be here for this one! If you’re a beauty brand that would like to be featured in my event, please send me an e-mail. Limited spots are available. Until then!

Sephora Spring 2011… Winners!

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A big thank you to everyone who entered the Lena Loves… Sephora Spring 2011 Collection giveaway. I just LOVE Sephora contests, don’t you?

There are so many gorgeous new accessories for 2011, you simply must visit your nearest store to bask in them all. You can also check out What’s New at Sephora.com to see the latest in tools and accessories.

As a reminder, up for grabs is a $100 Sephora Gift Card! Plus, a second winner will receive a super sweet Flower Kabuki Brush Set! And the winners are:

$100 Sephora Gift Card: Yola; Flower Kabuki Brush Set: trola

Hey! Yola and trola! Cute!

Please send me an e-mail so that I can have the prizes sent to you right away. Thanks again to everyone who participated, and to Sephora!

Toronto Beauty Bloggers: Step into Spring!

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Yesterday I had the distinct pleasure of spending an afternoon with some pretty fabulous ladies! The Toronto Beauty Bloggers, headed by über-talented Make-up Artist Farah, is a group of bloggers, make-up artists and beauty junkies who live, work and play in the Greater Toronto Area. Once every few months, Farah works tirelessly to put on a smashing event; it’s part meet & greet, part networking, part beauty chat – and ALL FUN!

The Step into Spring event was held at the ulta chic Loki Salon, located in the heart of Yorkville – and home of the Kavita Suri Beauty Academy. At first, just a few gals stood around the salon, casually making introductions. But in a matter of moments, the place was jam-packed with beauty crazed folk – everyone from sponsors (Hi! to the gals from Marcelle and Devon Consulting), make-up artists (I arrived with one of my faves, Mala Brar) and of course, Beauty Bloggers!

It was SO MUCH fun to meet the ladies behind many of the blogs I follow – in fact, I recognized a few “profile picture” faces right off the bat! And surprisingly, while most of the talk was beauty-oriented, we also chatted about kids, jobs, balancing work/ life/ makeup obsessions, and more.

Be sure to check the Toronto Beauty Bloggers website over the next few days for pictures from the event – as usual, I was sans camera, but just about everyone else was shutter-happy, so I fully expect some awesome shots will be available for viewing!

Farah also put together some smokin’ prizes – thanks to the incredible generosity of several sponsors, there were gift baskets galore up for grabs. I didn’t have a winning ticket (waaa!) but let me tell you, a lot of the ladies walked away with some major loot.

And speaking of loot – don’t even get me started on the swag bags. OMG. They were chock-full of goodies just begging to be swatched, sniffed and sprayed. Here’s what was in the bag:

(I recommend that you click the picture to enlarge.)

L’Oreal. Balmshell. Hard Candy. Marcelle. Diane Lai. Prada. Joe Fresh. Bioré. The Body Shop. Dermaglow. Vasanti Cosmetics. Foxy Originals. Burt’s Bees… just some of the awesome sponsors who contributed their best selling items. You can look forward to my reviews on many of the products – I think I’ll have to dedicate a separate feature to the Toronto Beauty Blogger’s Swag Bag!

All in all, a successful event thanks to Farah’s hard work, the generosity of sponsors, and participation from a talented bunch of gals. See y’all at the next meet up!

1st Annual Listen to Lena! Charity Raffle

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Last Sunday, I spent a “beauty-full” afternoon with some pretty special ladies. It was the ultimate girly fest – we had fun makeovers thanks to Mala Brar (check out my gorgeous eye makeup here), swapped beauty secrets and nibbled on yummy goodies (including sinful mini cheesecakes and delectable coffee cake courtesy of Shauna at Kindergarten Confidential. YUM). Oh, and we happened to raise over $500 for a pretty awesome charity.

Perhaps I should rewind. Now it’s no secret that I receive many products to review. We’re always testing a thing or two (or three, or four) chez Lena! But the reality is, sometimes I end up with more products that I have space for, and de-cluttering is in order. Such is the case with my 2010 Holiday Beauty Fest; while I loved reviewing all the makeup and beauty items, I simply had to find good homes for all the fabulous face candy. What’s a girl to do? Hold a Charity Raffle, of course!

So I created bundles of products that I had on hand. I invited a few friends to purchase raffle tickets for a chance to win the bundle of makeup, with 100% of the proceeds going to charity. It seemed like such a good idea that more girls wanted in. So I contacted a few amazing sponsors – e.l.f., CARGO and Vasanti Cosmetics – and they generously sent even more makeup my way to raffle off. In the end, I had 24 bundles (each with a total retail value of $50 or more – most were actually closer to the $120 mark), and 15 ladies eager to get their hands on the pretty loot!

Here are just a few of the bundles up for grabs:

LIGHTS CAMERA ACTION: Courtesy of CARGO, CARGO Blu_Ray High Definition Mattifier, CARGO Blu_Ray High Definition Lip Gloss in Halifax, CARGO Blu_Ray Polishing Cloths, CARGO Essential Palette in Smokey Eye (Totally HOT!), CARGO Lip Gloss Duo in Bella Bella. Total Value $127.00
SEX ON A BEACH: Courtesy of Vasanti and e.l.f. Cosmetics,  e.l.f. All Over Colour Stick in Spotlight, e.l.f. Lip Primer and Plumper, e.l.f. Warm Bronzer, Vasanti Colour Palette in South Beach (HOT!), Vasanti Lipstick in Brazil, Vasanti Lipstick in Cancun, plus much more. Total Value $124.00
TOO FACED: Courtesy of Sephora, Too Faced Enchanted Glamourland Palette: Eye Shadows, Shadow Insurance Primer, Glamour Gloss, La Vie en Rose Blush, Snow Bunny Bronzer. Total Value $49.00

The ladies each put in a minimum of $20.00, which offered them 20 raffle tickets. They were given the chance to allocate the tickets however they wished – Lotus topped off her three favourite bundles (and proceeded to win them all! You go girl!) while Runner Mama spread the luck around (and walked away with my favourite palette). Lots of ladies donated much more than the minimum amount, which allowed me to turn an afternoon of girlicious fun into raising a ton of money for a great cause. I can’t wait to do it all over again!

Since chatting about the event, here are some FAQ’s that have come up:

Q: I would have liked to attend. Why didn’t you publicize it?
A: It started off pretty small (just a few friends), and in the end, I had to limit the amount of ladies to space in my living room. Plus, since it was held at my home (with my children present), I wanted to make sure that I personally knew all those attending.

Q: Which charity did you donate the proceeds to?
A: Since I am regularly solicited by many charitable foundations, I prefer not to publicly align with one or another. Therefore, I will tell you this: all of the ladies who attended were made aware of the charity beforehand, and it is a well-known children’s organization.

Q: Will you do this again?
A: I’m working on it! I’m hoping to hold another charity raffle in the fall – if I’m able to grab some notable sponsorships, I may be able to hold it in a neutral location and open it up to local readers as well. I’ll keep you posted!

Some pics from the event:

It was too chaotic to lay out all 24 bundles, so a catalogue of prizes was sent out ahead of time;
then simply pictures of the lots (plus a cup to place tickets) were presented instead. It worked really well.
The Too Faced Bundle – before the cup was crammed with tickets.
The very awesome SHIMMER ME TIMBERS bundle courtesy of The Body Shop:  Dreams Unlimited Eau De Parfum, Atomiser, Sparkler All Over Shimmer, Star Dust in Gold and Pink, Shimmer Waves in Peach
Mala Brar working on my eyes. Don’t you just love the romantic
lavender and purple hues?
Three gorgeous guests waiting for their turn to participate.
Three more babes – including Runner Mama, who was waiting for
her eye makeup application.
And here she is again, with mermaid-inspired eyes. You looked hot, girl!

Special thanks again to e.l.f. Cosmetics, CARGO Cosmetics and Vasanti Cosmetics. They all donated a generous amount of their best selling products to make several of the bundles some of the most envied prizes to be won.

Although it was hard to part with all that makeup, I put it in perspective for a few of the ladies at the event – if I was giving away all that I didn’t need, imagine how much I kept for myself! I’m still proud to declare that I’m a hoarder extraordinaire!

Makeup by Mala Gupta

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This past Sunday, we celebrated the first ever Listen to Lena! Charity Raffle! More highlights to come of this girlicious event – but in the meantime, I simply HAD to post a few pictures of my sensational eye makeup application – courtesy of Makeup Artist Mala Gupta!
Since the event was beauty-themed, Mala was on hand during the festivities to offer impromptu makeovers to gals who wanted a bit of makeup inspiration. Since I’m always open to trying new looks, I asked for something pretty but with a touch of glamour. She ended up sweeping my eyes with complimentary hues of purple pixie – lavender shimmer, smoky eggplant and a touch of charcoal. In mere moments, I went from drab to fab. The best part? My husband couldn’t take his eyes off his “hot wife.” Ha!

Here are some pics – including the first which shows Mala in action:

The wonderfully talented Mala Gupta.
My “come-hither” eyes.
Pretty in Purple – it’s Lena in Lavender!
LOVE the shimmering highlights on the inner eye.

Mala – THANK YOU for making me feel less like a stay-at-home-mom and more like a glamazon – if only for one afternoon. You’ve inspired me to play with colour more often!

Mala is available for bridal, special occasion and fashion makeup by appointment throughout the GTA. Click here to contact Mala Gupta.