Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

The Body Shop

It’s Yummy! The Body Shop #Giveaway

By

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

Ever since these products arrived on my doorstep, I’ve been like a kid in a candy shop. Or a woman in a makeup store. And that store would be The Body Shop, of course. Pretty, shiny things? Oooh… yes please.

Line them up. Arrange them like so. Marvel at their dewiness. Inhale their sweet scent. They’re just like little toys! And repeat…. Line them up. Arrange them like so….

Have you ever played with your makeup? The Body Shop’s new Yummy range of lip glosses is irresistible for collectors – especially those who like to covet beauty products. Style-queens will love the clean lines and simple design of the chic new packs. Each transparent lip gloss tube features a bold image of its fruity flavour and shows-off the gorgeous gloss colour within. You’ll want to own them all… just to say you own them all!

There are 11 super-glossy, mouth-watering shades to choose from, each with a succulent fruity flavour to lift your mood. Love seasonal fruits? Then slick on the Plum, Peach or Strawberry. Fancy something more exotic? Try the Mango, Lychee or Coconut. Looking for a refreshing hue? Have a sip of the Mint or Watermelon. Want to go wild? Mix them as you like! And if you hate sticky but love sweet, each super-shiny shade delivers a glaze of sheer colour that’s non-sticky and lightweight to wear. The new formula is enriched with vitamins E and B5 and Community Fair Trade organic virgin coconut oil. Perfect for a dewy spring look! Priced at $10, these juicy lip glosses are a treat for you and your friends.

I must admit that I’ve never been a fan of watermelon lip gloss – there’s just something about the synthetic fragrance that doesn’t do it for me. However, I am crushing on the new Yummy Watermelon! It’s so fresh and fragrant, it makes me think of summer barbecues. Ah, dreaming of warmer weather!…

Read More

Where Have You Been Shopping this Boxing Week?

By

Now I’m not sure you’ll believe me – but it’s TRUE – I didn’t venture out once on Boxing Day. Nope! Not even the lure of Yorkdale Shopping Centre open at 8:00am was enough to coax me into the malls. To tell the truth, I was in my Kozie all day long, watching a very epic Lord of the Rings marathon.

(If you don’t own the trilogy on Blu-ray, seriously, you are missing out. There’s nothing like Orlando Bloom in high definition to make the holidays bright.)

Okay, footed pjs and moviethons aside, I DID do a little bit of damage on the ol’ credit card by way of online shopping. After all, it’s the easiest (and most convenient) way to find the best deals! Comparison shopping online is as simple as opening up a new tab in your browser – no rushing from store to store trying to beat the crowds. (Bleh! Crowds!)

So where did I spend my time surfing?

Well, for electronics, SHOP.CA was leading the way. With a ton of doorcrasher items and huge savings on televisions (like this Toshiba 40” 1080p LCD TV for just $398.00) I was quite tickled to share the savings with my gadget-minded friends. At the moment, I am currently sitting on the fence over this Food Saver Hands-Free Vacuum Sealer Kit. Remember all those awesome infomercials that showed you how to keep food fresh for eons? It’s currently 54% off, retailing for just $64.99. That’s a steal! (What to do, what to do….) And finally, I spent a lot of time checking out this Hip Street Wireless iPhone & iPod Speaker System. Almost 40% off, peeps! If my bestie didn’t already have one, it would’ve made the perfect housewarming gift for when she moves later this year.

Next, clothing is always a consideration during Boxing Week. I stayed with the tried and true Holy Trinity: GAP, Old Navy and Banana Republic. Each store had a variety of promotions that changes every day (yesterday was an extra 50% sale items at GAP, today is an extra 25% regular priced items). Regardless, it is a very necessary stop when you have toddlers because you can often pick up some awesome staples for C-H-E-A-P. Case in point: yesterday, Old Navy was offering 30% off their entire store. This Frost Free Jacket – originally $39.94 – is currently marked down to $14. With an extra 30% off, I paid a cool $9.80 for Ryder’s second winter jacket. It’s less bulky than his current coat, which makes it perfect for long car rides and trips to the mall with Mommy.

Think about it… 9 bucks… how can you go wrong? With today’s 25% off you can still grab it for $10.50 (all sizes available at 5:00pm EST).

Finally, no Boxing Day would be complete without popping by The Body Shop. When you buy a $5 Bag for Life, you can take 50% off your entire purchase. And don’t forget to check out their outlet – you can find mad savings on a variety of bath and body items (not included in the Bag for Life promo; but all items are discounted by at least 50%, so still a great deal).

My pick? This Strawberry Shower, Scrub and Soften Deluxe Gift on sale for $25 (reg price $50). The ultimate gift for strawberry lovers, this luxurious box set is packed with treats for bath and body, including Strawberry Shower Gel, Strawberry Body Polish, Strawberry Body Butter, Strawberry Lip Balm, Strawberry Beautifying Oil and Red Bath Gloves.

I love that it can be gifted all year round and I adore the presentation. And with all Body Shop products, thrilled that the items are cruelty-free and your purchase always gives back to great initiatives.

So as you can see, I didn’t go crazy this Boxing Week, but that’s probably a testament to all the wonderful things I already have :) Did you score any awesome deals? Share the savings – tell us about your haul!

Go Cruelty Free with Lily Cole & The Body Shop #Giveaway

By

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

True Story: When informed about The Body Shop’s newest limited edition make-up range, “Cruelty Free Make-Up” – and their newest spokesperson, Lily Cole… I had to Google “Lily Cole”.

Turns out, Lily Cole is this massively popular supermodel, actor and activist. Note to self: put down In Touch and pick up InStyle. Listed by Vogue Paris as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s… the girl is on fire.

And so it comes as no surprise that she has collaborated with The Body Shop to create Cruelty Free Make-Up – never tested on animals, and with no animal products whatsoever – the shades are perfect for summer days, and right into fall nights. I had a chance to preview some of the hottest products from the new line:

 1. Pearl Radiance Primer, $22
“These radiant, light-diffusing pearls give skin a pure radiance. Use them before you use your foundation or just on its own. In just one step, your skin is hydrated and your complexion perfected.” Tried the primer on two separate occasions and witnessed a definite improvement to my skin’s luminosity. A bit pricey at $22, but worth the indulgence….

Read More

Celebrate Father’s Day with The Body Shop!

By

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

In recent weeks, I’ve received excited notes and comments from several readers who’ve taken advantage of The Body Shop’s amazing sales, promos and charitable initiatives. But tell me truthfully – how many of y’all have used these promotions to spoil your man? Or your father?

(Cue crickets.)

Well, let’s change that. With Father’s Day just around the corner, I think it’s the perfect time to put a big smile on dad’s (or dad-to-be’s) face with fabulous Men’s products from The Body Shop. From Maca Root to White Musk for Men, The Body Shop offers an entire range to choose from: bath, body, skin care, fragrance, hair and gift sets.

My first pick: White Musk for Men Eau de Toilette. A part-time fan of the women’s scent (it’s hit and miss for me depending on my mood) I couldn’t wait to sample the men’s counterpart.

Described as a “modern, masculine and sensual scent that’s an infusion of musk and woods with crisp, fresh, and aromatic notes”, I’m quite digging this fragrance. Swoon! Top notes of lavender make this a “friendly” scent – brooding, smoldering hunks need not apply. Although staying power is minimal, I think that’s one of the things I love about it – I don’t taste the perfume at the back of my throat as I lean in for a hug. In fact, the middle notes of sandalwood, amber and vetiver are so captivating, that I daresay this could be a unisex EDT.

(Confession – I have previously tried layering the fragrance on top of TBS Vanilla Perfume Oil, and do believe I’ve stumbled upon quite a yummy women’s perfume.)

Now my husband has much love for the Maca Root Balancing Face Protector. Like most men, he’s oily in the t-zone and shies away from moisturizes that make his face look shiny (I can’t imagine him whipping out blot powder from his back pocket). The Face Protector promises to hydrate his skin while reducing shine in the t-zone, delivered in a lightweight, targeted daily moisturizer.

Hubby uses an electric shaver so we didn’t have a chance to test out the Maca Root Shave Cream, but based on the appearance and a quick dip into the product, I can attest that this is definitely a thick, rich cream – with just a delicate hint of clean, woodsy fragrance….

Read More

The Body Shop Chocomania #Giveaway

By

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

You know how some posts write themselves? Here we go: Chocolate.

(And I’m out.)

Seriously though, if there’s one thing every gal desires, it’s the decadent, sensuous and indulgent taste of chocolate. In fact, given the choice of eating chocolate or doing the deed, 70% of women responded that they’d rather curl up with Mr. Lindt than Mr. Right. Since my husband sometimes reads my blog, I won’t tell you which side I’m on. And the fact that I’m not telling you is very telling, isn’t it?

The Body Shop must be very in tune with our love for the sweet stuff, because just in time for Valentine’s Day and Easter, their new Chocomania bath and body range is here! The products will be available February 6th, so consider this your sneak peek!

…

Read More

Summer Beauty: The Body Shop

By

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!

Exciting News from The Body Shop!

By

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.

The Body Shop: Natrulift Skin Care

By

A couple of weeks ago I posted a few pics of my eye makeup after being made over by the awesome Mala Brar. But my pretty peepers weren’t the only thing creating a buzz – many ladies were surprised to realize that aside from the eyes (and eyebrow pencil, of course – don’t leave the house without sculpting your brows, gals!), my skin is always au naturel – no foundation, powder or other Jedi tricks designed to cover up the epidermis of this almost 33-year old. (Did I really just admit that? Sigh.)

Now I’m not going to be one of those deluded thirty-somethings who proclaim, “People say I look 24!” (BTW, those “people” are lying. Once you turn 30, you’ll never look a day younger than 28) but I am pretty darn happy that I can still leave the house foundation-free without looking like a BEFORE picture.

And for the last few months, my skin has even impressed me – aside from a few fine lines (duly noted below) and unavoidable crows feet (my mother taught me to embrace all wrinkles caused by smiling), I’ve been pleased with the overall firmness, hydration and clarity. Click to enlarge the photo if you really want to see my wrinkles, I won’t be mad at cha.

Have I been doing something different? You bet I have.
Just before the holidays, I had the distinct pleasure of receiving products to review from The Body Shop’s new Natrulift line.

Loaded with pomegranate extract, a “natural alternative to retinol” – which is awesome for those who experience redness and stinging associated with most retinol-based anti-aging creams – the entire line has been thoughtfully designed to help minimize damage caused by environmental aggressors.

To begin, there are two cleansers available: Natrulift Softening Cream Cleanser and Natrulift Softening Facial Wash. Because I have an oily T-zone (made evident by the shine visible on my nose and cheeks) I found the Facial Wash to be a better fit; it lathers easily and rinses away effectively – and even though it’s labelled as a “wash”, the product leaves your skin soft, smooth and refreshed without stripping or drying. Brazil nut oil, one of The Body Shop’s favourite add-ins, makes a cameo appearance here to add moisture, and the pomegranate seed oil comes from pomegranates that are organically grown and hand-harvested by farmers in south-east Turkey.

Unless you haven’t changed your skin care regime for the last 20 years, follow up with a toner is essential. And while the Natrulift Softening Toner is a nice change from my usual fave (The Body Shop’s Cucumber Toner, no less), there is nothing remarkable about the product other than it does what it sets out to do. Residual traces of makeup, dirt and impurities are removed with ease, and your skin is left refreshed – never tight or dry. Par for the course with most toners – but if you like to stick to entire lines, then this product is a must buy as well.

I must say I really enjoy the Natrulift Firming Day Cream; with just the right amount of moisture without leaving your skin feeling greasy or sticky, its the perfect way to protect your skin throughout the day. Outdoors enthusiasts may protest the lack of SPF, but I find most sunscreen-infused creams to be irritative around the eyes, so I’m quite happy to bypass the option.

Perhaps the only questionable addition to the lineup is the Natrulift Firming Serum – designed to be applied before moisturizing, it theoretically boosts the firming action of the day/night creams which results in a more toned appearance. I believe that my skin is likely outside the target demographic for this product, as I saw a negligible difference and didn’t care for the extra step. However, those who are trying to combat visible sagging and/or lacklustre skin would benefit from giving this serum a go.

The Natrulift Firming Night Cream is thick, rich and designed to plump away your fine lines overnight. (An aside: my husband LOVES the light fragrance and has no trouble snuggling up to my face in bed.) My favourite product hands down, I love the creamy, smooth consistency of the formula and would swear on a bible that my skin has never felt softer after a night of sleep. If you decide to try just one product from the Natrulift line, you will not go wrong with the Night Cream. Its 100% Lena-Approved!

The Natrulift line is available in-store and online at The Body Shop. The cleansers are priced just right at $14, and the moisturizers will only set you back $30-36.

Click here to visit The Body Shop.

Holiday Beauty #1 – The Body Shop

By

It’s time to kick off the Holiday Beauty Fest! Let’s begin with a company who embodies the very essence of gift giving – The Body Shop!

The Body Shop products are a no-brainer for everyone on your list this year. From bath products to makeup, home fragrance and more, you could literally shop for every single person – and get a few stocking stuffers to boot! TBS boutiques are just brimming with gorgeous gift ideas to suit everyone and every pocket. Even better – “Every time you purchase one of the stripe gift bags or boxes, 50% of the sale price from the purchase will be donated to the Somaly Mam Foundation, which is actively working to stop the trafficking and sexual exploitation of children and young people around the world.”

I’ve made my love affair with the products quite clear over the years, and I’m happy to have had the opportunity to review their Holiday 2010 line this season.

Two words: BUY EVERYTHING.

With so many fabulous products that I’m just dying to chat about, I’ll be separating my review into two parts: Bath/Body and Makeup. Lucky you – that means TWO chances to win!

Let’s begin with their oh-so-luxurious bath and body products…because everyone deserves to be pampered at Christmas.

Lena Loves:

Jolly Orange Bath & Shower Gel
From the moment I tried this shower gel I loved it – and so did my husband. And no wonder; it has a faintly masculine scent, layered with bursts of fresh citrus and sweet honey. The shower gel is the perfect pick-me-up on winter mornings and I was blown away with how long the fragrance lingered on my skin: hours. The addition of orange seed oil went a long way to moisturize and protect.

Jolly Orange Body Scrub
Fresh, invigorating and with just the right amount of exfoliation, this is the first scrub in a long time I can truly say I enjoyed. Opening the tub is like cracking open a jar of orange marmalade; you’re greeted with a burst of citrus goodness. The scrub does its job without irritating the skin, and once again leaves a lingering fragrance that brings about visions of Christmas morning.

Cranberry Joy Shimmer Body Lotion
You can’t help but get noticed with this luscious body lotion. It’s light, moisturizing and leaves a subtle shimmer on the skin in addition to enveloping you in a festive fruity fragrance (think more musk and less berry). The pampering formulation contains cranberry seed oil, shea butter and sesame seed oil (all Community Trade of course). It goes on super smooth and sheer – I love it as an all-over lotion, especially around the clavicle.

Spiced Vanilla Body Butter
A newbie to the famous body butter lineup, the scent is enough to make you drool. Mostly sweet with a hint of spice, the cream is thick and absorbs deep into the skin for non-stop moisture. And for those participants in the Vanilla Perfume Challenge – everything about this rich, warm, indulgent scent will knock his socks off!

Since I’m a lip balm junkie (over 60 and counting) it didn’t take much to sell me on this little number – smooth, supple and just the right amount of fragrance, my pucker was smooch-ready and resisted chapping during wear.

You can also make pampering a holiday tradition with any of The Body Shop’s gift sets – with an extensive selection featuring their most popular product lines, you’re sure to find an enviable present for that someone special. My pick? The Born Lippy Fruity Lip Balms of course! Quite possibly the perfect stocking stuffer; a colourful collection of moisturizing lip balms in a range of juicy, fruity flavours ($15). Not a balm lover? Check out all their stocking stuffer picks under $20.

BUY IT!

The Body Shop currently has some fabulous promotions on body butters, scrubs, shower gels, lotions and more! Grab ’em and make a dent in your holiday shopping list.

WIN IT!

The Body Shop has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win a Holiday Bath & Body set, featuring Cranberry Joy and Spiced Vanilla (value $100)!

To enter, simply visit their online shop and leave a comment here, telling us about your favourite new product and why.

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

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) “Like” The Body Shop Canada on Facebook
(4) Follow The Body Shop Canada on Twitter
(5) Tweet about this giveaway (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/2c7nej6)
(6) You may Tweet daily.

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

Holiday Beauty #5 – The Body Shop

By

Get ready to get noticed.

This season at The Body Shop, experience the JOY of Makeup. With an enviable lineup of beauty products – everything from subtle shimmer to intense shine – you’re bound to get your gorgeous on.

I was fortunate to receive the hottest holiday shades to enjoy – with unique packaging, state-of-the art colour processing and sweet, dewy finishes… I’m so excited to share these fabulous products with you!

I couldn’t be more pleased to introduce The Body Shop’s collection of Baked-to-Last Colours, innovative eye duos and blushers hand-baked on terracotta discs for intense colour, incredible depth, rich coverage and long-lasting staying power.

“Each product is unique with freshly milled powders, pure pigments and gorgeous shimmers, slow baked to perfection for 24-hours. The pearls and pigments are bound together to create a smooth sheen of colour. The Baked-to-Last craftsmanship is outstanding, made in Italy and baked in small batches.”

Yes please! I could not get over the vibrancy of the eye colour – these shadows are definitely not for the shy girls. Due to the tightly packed shimmer, do yourself a favour and use a damp brush to apply; otherwise, I found that I had way too much flake-off under the eye. Of course, going wet means a serious punch of colour,  but if you’ve got the occasion and the confidence, it’s a serious beauty pay off.

(Due to their high sparkle and shine, the next few products didn’t photograph very well with my little Canon SD1100, so I’ll be using stock photos.)

Next, I indulged in one of The Body Shop’s most innovative beauty products in a long time – the very glamorous “The Sparkler“. Resembling a boudoir perfume atomizer, this gorgeous little number releases a light-diffusing, fine shimmery powder to highlight the face, body and hair. And it’s scented! A light, floral fragrance topped off a burst of long lasting shimmer. It is THE illuminator you’ll want to have on hand if you’re club hopping this holiday season.

To complement your iridescence, check out the new Love Gloss in Twinkling Pink!

I also had tons of fun with Star Dust. The description on the website states: “Add sparkle to the face or décolletage with a little pot of glitter.” Which is true… if you’re 16 years old. To vamp it up, I’d suggest mixing it with your favourite black liquid liner for a va-va-va-very Merry Christmas sparkle. Star Dust is available in Gold and Pink – and is definitely a must have for (especially creative) makeup junkies.

Create your signature look with The Body Shop! This Christmas, I’ll certainly be adding a little shimmer and shine courtesy of their fabulous holiday makeup.

BUY IT!

Check out The Body Shop’s Holiday 2010 beauty products, available for a limited time!

WIN IT!

The Body Shop has generously offered one Listen to Lena! reader the chance to win a Holiday Makeup Gift Set (value $100)!

To enter, simply visit their online makeup shop and leave a comment here, telling us about your favourite product and why.

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

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena!
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) “Like” The Body Shop Canada on Facebook
(4) Follow The Body Shop Canada on Twitter
(5) Tweet about this giveaway (tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/3y54ocq)
(6) You may Tweet daily.

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

Holiday Beauty Fest… Winners!

By

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

postgradlife’s Vanilla Perfume Challenge

By

All the Single Ladies! Read on…

A few days ago I let ya’ll know that one of my favourite new blogs is postgradlife. Well, Caitlin recently posted a smellrific challenge that I thought I’d share:

Are you single and ready to mingle? Please participate in my CHALLENGE

That’s right kids! It’s story time with Caitlin!

It was a slow day at the bar one weekend, and I was chatting with another female bartender. She started prepping because a boy was coming in to see her. She looked at me and the other server and said, ladies, if you wanna get good tips put this on! She handed us a bottle of The Body Shop Vanilla Perfume after slathering it all over herself. And by all over I mean neck, arms, ta-tas. Everywhere. She claimed that she had a 95% increase in tips when she wore this stuff, and that anytime she has a date, guys swoon over her. I laughed, and put some on myself (like I’m gonna pass up an opportunity to make more tips, let’s be honest here! I have a freaking fat debt taking over my spending money!)

Later that night, and $250 later…I could not believe the wonders of the stuff! AND the COMPLIMENTS! My God, not only did my tips increase by 95%, but so did my ego!

“Wow, you smell so good! What’s your name?”

“Hey, is that you that smells so good? What are you wearing? Is that perfume?” (I told this guy I wasn’t wearing perfume, I just smell good. Let’s pretend he believed me)

And there was more where that came from, but my compliments are besides that point… as much as I would love to share them with you and make me feel good about myself, I will stop.

So, I wondered if maybe it was a fluke and decided to embark on an experiment. The following Friday (because Saturday’s aren’t as busy and I didn’t want to to botch my experiment) I did not wear the perfume,

1) being that I didn’t actually have a bottle and
2) the bartender who owned the bottle was not there. (okay, so it was an indirect experiment).

My tips… were not as big as the previous Friday. The next day I went out and bought the perfume. And it is true…the perfume is really a wonder worker.

Here is my task for you:

Please participate in the “Caitlin Believes in Vanilla Perfume from Body Shop Challenge”

1) Go and buy the bottle – its a pretty reasonable price (for what it’s worth… hehehe)
2) Don’t tell your significant other, or random hook-up (I’m not judging!) that you’re wearing it, let it alone that you bought new perfume.
3) See if anything is said… see if there is a change from their regular behavior… or it’s a random hook-up… see if they ask about it, or say something about the way you smell.

After, report back to me by leaving a comment on this post. Spread the word about the challenge! I’m really curious to see if guys dig this scent. Now, there is a study that shows males are attracted to smells that are food based, i.e. vanilla and fruity smells. But this is the perfect way to REALLY tell. But more so, I’m curious about this scent in particular.

Let me know!
xo
Caitlin

Now most readers know that I worked at The Body Shop back in high school, and yes, I did own a bottle of Vanilla Perfume (only then it was the fragrance oil). Come to think of it, my boyfriend at the time really, really liked it. And I definitely received compliments from random dudes who came into the shop “What are you wearing? I want to buy that for my girlfriend.”

I dare you to participate in this challenge! The Vanilla EDT is only $17.00… if you don’t like it, just use it as an air freshener!