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Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

Sephora

#ArmYourself Ladies! It’s a Bliss Spa Twitter Party!

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We’re just a few days away from the official start of summer! You know what that means… drinks on the patio, freezies and fresh fruit, and… tank tops! Take a peek under that heavy clothing… are you putting your best arm forward?

Introducing Bliss Spa products, available exclusively at Sephora and at Sephora.ca in Canada! Who says serious skincare has to be so, well, serious? Not the brains behind Bliss: Though their cult-favorite products pack seriously effective ingredients, Bliss’ cheeky names never fail to make you smile (FatGirlSlim, anyone?). Each blackhead-busting, cellulite-ridding, skin-smoothing treatment is created for the needs of actual Bliss Spa-goers. And even better, every Bliss tube, tub, bottle, and bar is injected with the same signature blend of humor, science, luxury, and ease that the Bliss spas are famous for—leaving you looking and feeling like you’re in a constant state of Bliss.

And now, we’re pleased to share with you the NEW FatGirlSlim Arm Candy.

What it is: An arm-perfecting cream to reduce redness while providing a firmer, smoother, and more toned appearance.

What it is formulated to do: Formulated with a complex of lactic acid, caffeine, white sapphire, and moisture beads, this powerful Arm Candy provides optimal results and beautiful, flaunt-worthy arms. It’s the only arm-perfecting cream, complete with a massaging applicator, proven to clinically reduce redness, firm, smooth, and create a more even skintone.

What else you need to know: This is not a weight or fat loss product. As part of your body-bettering routine, use in conjunction with regular exercise, a healthy diet, regular vigorous massage, and the rest of the Bliss fatgirlslim regimen.

Based on a clinical study of healthy females from 22 to 45 years of age after 4 weeks of use:
– 96% said arms felt soft
– 90% said arms felt smoother
– 80% said skin feels smoother
– 93% said it was easy to use

Want to learn more about it? And… want a chance to WIN ONE OF SEVEN Bliss Spa Gift Baskets, valued at over $250 each? Join the #ArmYourself Twitter Party – Thursday, June 19th at 1pm EST!

Twitter Party Invite - Bliss Rev5 (1)RSVP now for a chance to win, and we’ll see you on Thursday night! …

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Marc Jacobs Beauty: An Interesting Conundrum

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A few weeks ago, I featured Marc Jacobs Beauty on my Monday Covet List. Sold exclusively at Sephora, the line encompasses his trademark mix of youth, confidence and experimentation. With hues inspired by couture and embodied in sleekly designed cases (with the calling card: MARC JACOBS emblazoned across the collection), the products are the epitome of covet-worthiness.

Well, as it turns out, the beautiful thing about the Internet is that sometimes, your Fairy Godmother appears when you least expect it. And my Fairy Godmother’s name is Sephora. She read my Monday Covet List, and decided that I shouldn’t simply covet the items from afar. Hence, a chariot arrived (we’ll call it UPS) and presented me with gorgeous pieces from the Marc Jacobs Beauty collection.

(Will somebody please tell me when it’s midnight? I don’t want this fairy tale to end.)

But once I received the products, I realized that I had an interesting conundrum on my hands. You see, the items are so stunning, so breathtaking, I simply cannot bear to – gasp – use them. Instead, I’ve been appreciating their sheer and utter beauty with a reverence normally reserved for Crown jewels. And I *may* have reorganized my entire bathroom vanity to showcase the cosmetics in all their splendour and glory.

Alas! The items are begging to be swatched and sampled; whispering promises of rich, sumptuous colour, instant color payoff and long-lasting plush performance. And I’ll do it. I’ll review them the way they’re meant to be reviewed. But in the meantime, can we all just pause for a moment to appreciate the sublime artistry?

Get smitten with this fresh take on nail enamel. Inspired by Marc’s highly lacquered coffee table, Enamored Hi-Shine Lacquer is formulated with patented bonding agents that deliver a plasticized, wet look, while the color-rich creams and fine glitters ensure vivid, chip-resistant wear. Choose from a vast array of shades inspired by Marc’s favorite movies. A superior polish with an unprecedented finish and the shine of 30 coats of lacquer. 

The custom, curve-hugging brush optimizes application and the curvature of the bottle resembles a smile. Each shade is 3-Free: formulated without toluene, formaldehyde, and DBP. Pictured above: “Shocking” (Opaque Muted Hot Pink) and “Glinda” (Silver Glitter). $22.00…

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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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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.)

Ahem, I’ve decided 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)…

1. Y’all know I have a lip gloss addiction, and this Bite Beauty Collector’s Edition of iconic lip colors spanning 15 years is just my ticket. Available exclusively at Sephora.com.

“This lip library includes everything from rich reds to natural nudes all in Bite’s lick-worthy Lush Fruit Lip Gloss formulation. Instant nutrition for lips, this formula contains the same healthy ingredients you’d find in a pure fruit smoothie: real coconut, mango, and strawberry infused with seven nourishing fruit oils for a tropical concoction delicious enough to eat. Rich, vibrant, and juicy, this modern formula is highly pigmented—what you see in the container is the color you’ll see on your lips.”…

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Sephora: Happy New Year #Giveaway

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

It’s the holidays, and I’ve been featuring some pretty awesome pieces from Sephora. Did you have a chance to check out the Disney Cinderella Collection, Sephora Collection Color Daze Blockbuster or Sephora by OPI Tinsel Town Collector’s Set? They’re all fabulous gifts for a girlfriend – or yourself! – this Christmas.

The good news? I’ve been able to introduce you to a few of my favourite special edition makeup collections. The not-so-good news? I’ve got a ton of additional makeup, just waiting to be reviewed. Chances are, I won’t be able to get to it before the holidays. And if you don’t believe me, perhaps you caught the picture I uploaded to my Facebook Fan Page last month…

Yup, it’s all there. And by now, you’re probably starting to think, What Gives, Lena?

You see, it’s not that I’m uninterested in the makeup generously provided by Sephora. Trust me, this stuff is spectacular. It’s just that I always request just a little bit extra… so I can share the love with a lucky reader! And since the holidays are the perfect time to #PayitForward……

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It’s the Only Sparkle You’ll Need this Holiday Season

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With the holiday party season in full swing, chances are you’ve got a swanky soiree or two to attend. Often, readers will ask me what’s the best shimmer eye shadow or sparkly lip gloss to add a little oomph – without breaking the bank.

(We all know the scenario – you walk over to your favourite makeup counter to grab a fabulous shimmer eye liner, and before you know it you’ve been talked into an eye shadow primer, sparkle dust and a dewy lip gloss too – setting you back $72 when you walked in thinking you’d spend $12.)

Well, my best recommendation involves spending a little more money up front, but getting MUCH more bang for your buck than just 3-4 pieces you’ll likely use only a couple of times. Introducing the Sephora Collection Color Daze Blockbuster. Retailing for $60 CDN, I promise I’m not trying to upsell you right off the bat. The truth is, for $60, you’ll receive:

64 x waterproof eye shadow – 12 x longwear cream eyeliner – 6 x eye top coat – 6 x lip top coat – 48 x lip gloss – 3 x blush – 6 x multi-purpose cream for eye, cheek, and lip – 3 x multi-purpose luminizer – 3 x makeup brush – Mirror

…

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An Unexpected SQUEE!: Sephora Premium Brushes

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You know that awesome feeling of finding a $20 bill in the pocket of an old jacket? Kind of like how I felt this past Saturday morning.

We were attending my dear friend’s wedding, and as much as I love my kids, I don’t love them as wedding attendees. (You know – Sit! Be quiet! Don’t take off your vest! etc, etc). And since my husband and I were due for a night out together – especially one that comes with an open bar – I thought it best to have grandma watch over the young’uns for the night. (Ryder had ring boy duties, but we hastily got rid of him once his role was fulfilled.)

So, Saturday morning.

I was rooting around in Ryder’s closet, trying to uncover some old toys that could be made new again through the magic of elapsed time. Way at the back, I saw a box… and when I pulled it out, I was amazed to see a brand new, unopened Sephora Collector’s Edition Premium Brush Set. The little rascal must have confiscated it without my knowledge – GRRR!

Now the product is no longer available for purchase, as it was Holiday 2011 special edition. I must have received it as a review item, but as any beauty blogger will tell you, we receive a LOT of make-up, and sometimes products slip away unnoticed. Still, many thanks to Sephora who obviously knew I desperately needed new brushes!…

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Buy it Now: Sephora Ultra Shine Mini Lip Gloss Set

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Before the holidays, I had the enviable opportunity to check out some of the hottest products from Sephora’s Holiday 2011 Collection. Besides the Sephora by OPI Holiday Mini Blockbuster Set, which I labelled my most favourite stocking stuffer of the season, I also was able to get my hands on:

Sephora Color Wand for Lips
Sephora Collector’s Edition I.T. Brush Set 
NARS Danmari All About Cheeks Palette
… and more.

I’ll try to squeeze in a few reviews before long – especially the NARS palette (heaven!!!) – but for the moment, I want you to run to your nearest Sephora for the Ultra Shine Mini Lip Gloss Set. A $67 value, it’s on sale for just $11.00! (Online; in-store $17)

So why exactly do I love this set? Simply put, it marries the best of sparkle, shine and moisturizing goodness, all in convenient, easy to tote packaging. Think of it as “lip balm meets dazzle gloss”.

And while the set is obviously suited to holiday soirees, I can easily picture myself wearing these shades all year round, especially since I tend to prefer shiny puckers over matte or creme shades (sooo boring).

Here’s what you need to know:
This collection of mini lip glosses (four of which are only available in this set) makes lips shiny, moist, and soft. Its range of gloss effects includes multi-holigraphic shimmer, sheer high-shine, smooth shimmer, and creamy comfort….

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Sephora by OPI Holiday Mini Blockbuster Set

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I did it! I found the PERFECT gift for every hard-to-shop-for gal on your holiday list.

(Totally awesomesauce, I promise.)

It’s the Sephora by OPI Holiday Mini Blockbuster Set!

Now tell me this: which girl is going to refuse a collection of the hottest, trendiest and most sought-after nail colours around? None that I know! Even if she’s not the type to paint her fingernails, every self-respecting woman needs colour on her toes, right? Right. This collection offers a wide spectrum of shades that are longwearing, chip-resistant and as always, Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP), Toluene and Formaldehyde-free.

In other words: pure, unadulterated joy….

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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!

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.

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

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!

Lena Loves… Sephora Spring 2011 Collection

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*BUMP* Giveaway Ends Friday!!!

Oh Sephora, how I do love thee.

What did gals do before Sephora? How mundane life must have been! And on a recent trip to the beauty mecca, I actually found myself wondering if makeup addicts could join together and form a new religion. We could be called “Sephorans”. And every weekend, we’d flock to our nearest store to observe product demonstrations, and then listen to a reading from the book of NARS.

(Clearly, I have thought about this too much.)

Fueling my obsession are my picks from their Spring 2011 Accessories Collection:

Flower Kabuki Brush Set ($41 CAN): My lovely girlfriend Rubex Cube got me turned on to Kabuki brushes – quite possibly the easiest way to apply bronzer and blush, these brushes are in the shape of a pretty spring flower. Customers love the soft, supple bristles, and who can resist the gorgeous pink hues?

p.s. For the softest Kabuki brush you’ll ever feel, check out the tokidoki Kabuki brush. It literally feels like silk on your skin :)

Black Floral Flat Iron ($82 CAN): While we’re on the subject of oh-so-pretty florals, check out this limited edition Sephora Collection flat iron. With Black Tourmaline Technology, the one-inch plates on the iron are the perfect size to fit all styling needs. And I absolutely love the flower decals!

Special Edition Mini Slant Tweezer ($20 CAN): Those who tweeze, tweeze with Tweezerman. The iconic brand responsible for creating shape and style to women’s brows around the world, these tweezers allow you to beautify your brows and eliminate the most stubborn stray hairs with ease. I’ve had my pair of Tweezerman tweezers for FIFTEEN years, and they’re every bit as effective as the first time I used them. The pretty design on this special edition tool gives a sassy edge to a cult classic.


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.


One lucky Listen to Lena! reader can load up on Sephora’s Spring 2011 accessories… enter for a chance to win a $100 gift card!

A second winner will receive the Flower Kabuki Brush Set pictured above! (Value $41)

To enter, simply visit Sephora.com and check out all the drool-worthy tools new this season. Then, leave a comment here with your top three (3) picks.

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

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) “Like” Sephora on Facebook
(4) Follow Sephora on Twitter
(5) Tweet about this giveaway (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/6zp2etm)
(6) You may Tweet daily.

I’ll draw for a winner on April 1st. Special thanks to Sephora, and good luck everybody!

Holiday Beauty #2 – Sephora

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The Holiday Beauty Fest continues with a little beauty shop you may have heard of… Sephora!

Christmas came early for me this year when I received an enviable haul of Sephora goodies. I’ve been swatching and sampling all week, and can’t wait to tell you all about them! In fact, there was just so much goodness, I’ll be separating the products into THREE (3) giveaways – lucky you!

Fun Fact: Sephora was founded in 1993 in France by Dominique Mandonnaud, who fashioned the store’s unique name by blending the Biblical name of Zipporah (Moses’ exceptionally beautiful wife) with the ancient Greek term for “pretty,” sephos.

First up – see that little bag at the top? It’s actually not a bag; it’s a box. And inside, you’ll find a euphoric climax of colour – by way of 98 original, iridescent effect eyeshadows, 70 shiny lip glosses, 6 cream eyeliners, 2 lip liners, 3 eyeliners, one mascara and 4 applicators. Ladies, I present to you the Endless Color Blockbuster.

(I took the above picture when I first opened the kit – then proceeded to dance for joy.)

A $565 CDN value for just $62 CDN, this limited-edition palette lets you create virtually any look. It’s perfect for those who don’t like the clutter of pots and tubes of makeup but still enjoy variety and punches of colour. Or, perhaps it’s the kit you keep at your boyfriend’s/ parent’s/ office/ gym locker, so that you’ve got makeup at your fingertips in a sleek, portable format (the case is only 5.75 x 5.75″ closed).

A quick dry swatch of some eyeshadows yielded bright, vibrant coverage with colours that applied smoothly. The lip gloss pots were like dipping into candy – such an array of shades and finishes.  And the addition of colour eye pencils, cream shadows and bronzer is a nice touch; it completes the palette and truly makes it an all-in-one.

Got a few mascara junkies on your list? Well then RUN – don’t walk – to grab Sephora’s LashStash Mascara Deluxe Sampler. For just $50 CDN, you can grab 10 of Sephora’s most sought-after mascaras from the hottest-selling brands.

The set contains:
Too Faced LashLight Mascara in Black (full size)
Josie Maran GOGO Natural Volume Mascara in Pitch Black
Tarte MultiplEYE Clinically-Proven Lash Enhancing Mascara in Black
Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara in Black
Blinc Kiss Me Mascara in Black
Laura Mercier Full Blown Volume Mascara in Black
Buxom Lash Mascara in Blackest Black
Benefit BADgal Lash Mascara in Black
Sephora Collection Advanced Lash Booster in Black
Hourglass Film Noir Full Spectrum Mascara in Onyx
Tarte Picture Perfect Eyelash Curler

It’s a little more than I’d usually spend for a stocking stuffer, but with enough mascara to conceivably last the entire year, it’s too good to pass up! Buy! Buy! Buy!

Mascara not your thing? That’s okay – you can give your pucker some pizazz with Sephora’s Give Me Some Lip. Just $40 CDN for a lip-smacking holiday set packed with 10 of Sephora’s go-to glosses.

The set contains:
Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Tease
Too Faced Glamour Gloss in Sex Pot
Sephora Collection Super Shimmer in Pink Ballerina
Sephora Collection Super Shimmer in Rusted Rose
Tarte Vitamin-Infused Lipgloss in 40 Winks
Cover FX Mint Glaze Lip Gloss
Lorac Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss in Cliché
Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Radiant
Tarte Rise & Shine Lip Gloss and Stain in Cherry

Buxom Lips in Roxanne

Love, Love, LOVE this! I giggled with delight when I saw the Lorac Lip Gloss in Cliché – it’s quite possibly the hottest pink ever, and one that has long been on my “must try” list. It pairs perfectly with winter white for a snow princess effect, and brings colour to otherwise sallow winter complexions. I fully intend on rocking this look with a white wool coat and beret. Magnifique!

BUY IT!

All of these limited edition gift sets are available online or in-store – but hurry, they won’t be around for much longer. Make it a beautiful Christmas for a special gal!

WIN IT!

One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a $100 Sephora Gift Card! To enter, simply visit the site and check out the beauty value sets. Then leave a comment here, telling us which one is your favourite.

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

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

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

Holiday Beauty #3 – Too Faced/Urban Decay

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The Holiday Beauty Fest rolls on…

Sometimes you feel like a fairy princess; sweet, serene and filled with light. Other times you feel like a rock star; dark, moody and sensual.

Sephora has you covered this holiday season with two amazing limited edition palettes: Too Faced’s Enchanted Glamourland and Urban Decay’s The Black Palette.

Enchanted Fairyland is an exclusive super set of Too Faced favorites for the eyes, lips, and cheeks, including festive, limited-edition shades for the holidays. The collection includes 15 high-pigment shadows, an anti-crease shadow primer, and beautiful shades of gloss, blush, and bronzer to create a range of versatile looks fit for a fairy princess.

In addition to the shadows (In The Buff, Exclusive Nude, George & Weezie, Velvet Revolver, Honey Pot, Teddy Bear, Exclusive Purple, Boy Toy, Peach Fuzz, Exclusive Green, Label Whore, Glamazon, Exclusive Plum, Ooh & Aah, and Stiletto) the set contains a Shadow Insurance primer, Glamour Gloss in Pillow Talk (the perfect neutral pink), La Vie en Rose Blush and Snow Bunny Bronze.

I must admit that at this time, I’ve swatched the palette only sparingly. Not because I don’t think the product is fabulous, or because I have no interest in the award winning anti-crease shadow primer. It’s because the palette is too darn pretty! It’s one of those things you want to open and just look at, and at $49 CDN for over $150 CDN worth of makeup, it’s the perfect present for a glamour gal on your holiday list.

But sometimes you don’t feel all sweet and sugary…

The Black Palette by Urban Decay allows even the meekest in the karaoke bar to discover her inner rocker. Conjure up your dark side with six black-based shadows, allowing you to create unlimited smokey-eye combinations that boost your sex kitten status.

This provocative palette includes deluxe minis plus an Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion and a 24/7 Glide- On Eye Pencil in Zero (one of the world’s most famous chart-topping pencils),…ensuring perfect performance every time.

Shadows included: Black Dog (richest matte black), Barracuda (black with silver sparkly shift), Jet (black with purple sparkly shift), Sabbath (black with blue sparkly shift), Cobra (black with golden sparkly shift) and Libertine (black with emerald sparkly shift). For just $43 CDN, I’d say it’s easier than ever to rock out.

BUY IT!

Both limited edition palettes are available online and in-store for – you guessed it – a limited time.

WIN IT!

One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win Urban Decay’s The Black Palette (value $43). To enter, simply visit Urban Decay on Sephora.com and leave a comment here, telling us your favourite Urban Decay product, or which product you’d like to try.

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

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) “Like” Sephora on Facebook
(4) Follow Sephora on Twitter
(5) Tweet about this giveaway (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/24csfbb)
(6) You may Tweet daily.

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

Holiday Beauty #4 – Bare Escentuals and Tarina Tarantino

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Let’s keep the Holiday Beauty Fest going! And if there’s one makeup look to keep mind this season, trust me ladies, it’s all about the shimmer and shine.

No one does it better than Bare Escentuals: with their limited edition bareMinerals Shimmer & Shine Collection ($68 CDN), show off your sweet or sexy side with an exclusive 10-piece collection chock-full of fabulous shades that glisten and gleam for a gorgeously modern look.

“The collection for eyes, cheeks, and lips contains two illuminating looks: Shimmer and Shine. Shimmer is full of light-reflective shades that set off brilliant sparkle for your eyes, cheeks, and lips. Shine offers that sexy, runway model sheen created with mega-watt High-Shine Eyecolors.”

The kit contains:
– Eyecolor in Shimmer (frosted cappuccino), Flicker (burnished violet), High Shine Gold Medal (pale gold), and High Shine Vapor (graphite)
– Big & Bright Eyeliner in Intense Black
– All-Over Face Color (sheer translucent glow)
– Pink Petal Blush (bright poppy pink)
– 100% Natural Lipgloss in With a Twist (tulip pink)
– 100% Natural Lipgloss in Sprinkles (diamond shimmer)
– Full Tapered Blush & Eye Brush
– Booklet featuring instructions for Shimmer and Shine looks

LOVE these shades. They’re perfect for any complexion! You can adjust the amount of sparkle in your application – barely there or shimmerlicious. When I first saw the Pink Petal blush I was disappointed – thinking it would look too bubble gum on my olive skin. But I was wrong! It’s actually the perfect, sweet baby pink and works amazingly well with the rest of the kit to give you a fabulous holiday glow.

Now of course, there’s a different kind of shine – the one that comes from bling. And what better way to stash your bling than the limited edition Tarina Tarantino Jewel Box Palette.

A $299 value for just $49 CDN, “this limited-edition collection brings together eyeshadows, mascara, lip gloss, and a primer in a high quality silver jewelry box decorated in true Tarina fashion—it integrates skulls, flowers, and bows like only she can. The chest opens to reveal an oval makeup mirror. Its removable top tier holds the included makeup. Lift it out to uncover a hidden velvet-lined compartment for storing jewelry.“

The set contains:
– 12 Eye Dream Hypershadows in Buckle, Brooch, Beaded, Toggle, Sequin, Suede, Ribbon, Butterfly Black, Headband, Facet, Petit Chapeau, Chain, Bright Owl, Baby Sparkle, Violette, Cinematic
– Mini Pearl Glow Primer
– Gem Gloss in Ruby Headphones
– Fleur de Lash Mascara in Black Opal

HOT! I have to admit I’m in love with the deeply pigmented shadows, and Tarina’s Pearl Glow Eye Primer is a MUST have to set off your holiday looks. The primer is infused with mica which helps create its iridescence, and makes it a terrific base for eye makeup while adding just a hint of sparkle. It can be worn alone to give eyes a subtle shimmer, or under any eye color to create a brighter, sparkling undertone.

Of course, you simply can’t beat the fact that it’s two gifts in one – the velvet-lined jewelry compartment hints at luxury, and the jewel box will be used long after the makeup has been enjoyed. At under $50, I would have to make this an honourable mention for the Stocking Stuffer Series :)

BUY IT!

Both limited edition palettes are available online and in-store for – you guessed it – a limited time.

WIN IT!

One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win a Tarina Tarantino Jewel Box Palette and Pearl Glow Eye Primer (value $64). To enter, simply visit Tarina Tarantino on Sephora.com and leave a comment here, telling us your favourite Tarina Tarantino product, or which product you’d like to try.

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

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

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

Holiday Beauty Fest… Winners!

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

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

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

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

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

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Stocking Stuffer Series

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This year I’m going to try something new… drum roll please… it’s the Listen to Lena! Stocking Stuffer Series!

Since shopaholics tend to justify every purchase with “I can use it as a stocking stuffer” – regardless of the time of year – I figured it’s the right time to start blogging about fabulous stuffer-type goodies I come across. I’ll keep the prices low and the selection varied since I know we all have many loved ones to shop for, big and small.

I’m a HUGE fan of inexpensive but thoughtful gifts, so this is going to be FUN!

First things first, let’s define stocking stuffer:

1. A relatively small present, usually under $30, placed in a stocking at Christmas
2. A multi-purpose gift that can be presented to colleagues, friends or “just because”
3. A gift you purchase with the intent of giving someone else, but actually keep for yourself because it’s so kick a** you can’t bear to part with it (even though it will sit in your vanity for 2 years untouched before you eventually gift it to your dry cleaner or hair dresser)

The first item in the Stocking Stuffer Series (SSS) would have to be anything from The Body Shop’s 2 for $10 sale. Seriously, you can’t go wrong, especially if you’ve got a teacher, teenager or televangelist to shop for.

Next up: this bounty of makeup candy I found at Sephora.com, on sale for USD $27:
LashStash Mascara Deluxe Sampler ($104 Value)

What it is:
A kit featuring Sephora’s most “wanded” mascaras for the lash results you desire.

What it does:
There is no need to wish upon a star this holiday now that Sephora is making all of your beauty-full dreams come true. With five new limited edition sets of deluxe-sized essentials – all for a pretty price less than $30 – we are creating holiday magic! Whether you are shopping for the gal pal who loves the glam or the little sis who needs an accelerated makeup lesson, Sephora Holiday Favorites are guaranteed to please.

This set contains:
– 0.16 oz Hourglass Superficial Lash
– 0.09 oz Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara
– 0.13 oz Korres Abyssinia Oil Volumizing and Strengthening Mascara
– 0.14 oz Benefit A Little Bit BADGal Lash Mascara
– 0.20 oz Smashbox Lash DNA
– 0.03 oz Laura Mercier Thickening and Building Mascara
– 0.07 oz Fresh Supernova
– 0.10 oz Sephora Lash Stretcher
– 0.14 oz Tarte 4 Day Stay Lash Stain
– 0.12 oz Cargo LashActivator

Okay, straight up, I would die if I found this in my stocking. I can’t think of a single makeup junkie who would not love to experiment with all these different mascaras. HOT.

I believe this item is available in-store as well, but don’t think it will stick around until Christmas at that price. Hurry.

Click here to shop at Sephora.com.