Canadian Pre-Holiday Prep!

I can't believe the holiday's are already here! It seems like yesterday, I was in June and I was celebrating my birthday in Dominican Republic. I really need a vacation *sigh*.. Is it just me or do you feel like in the summer everything is perfect. Perfect skin, hair, body.. my list can go on and on. Now I have to work a little harder to make sure that everything is perfect. As a Canadian Beauty Blogger, I compiled a little list of awesome Canadian products which may help you get prepped for the holidays.

Lise Watier - Beauty in a Flash Kit

This must-have of the holiday season is inspired by the concept of the Advent calendar, where you can find behind each door a "beauty in a flash" solution to get an express beauty makeover. ($42.00)

  BIO LIFT EYE PATCH moisturize and reduce visible signs of fatigue around the eyes.

FLASH LIFT RADIANCE VIALS Quickly erase signs of fatigue, visibly smooth lines and wrinkles, while brightening your complexion. For instant lift and radiance, apply under or over makeup.

VENT DU SUD Blending the sensual, feminine notes of passion flower, jasmine and rose with the warmth of an exotic fruit cocktail and the sweet, hot traces of amber, vanilla and wood-scented musk, Vent du Sud Eau de Toilette is your passport to the exotic.

Elizabeth Grant - Moisturizing Socks

Help soften and hydrate cracked dry heels. These non-slip socks help to keep feet looking soft and moisturized to help repair chapped heels and toes ($29.99).

Look inside these socks!!

Whenever I take them off, my feet are always super soft.
I'll share what product I use with them in another post soon.

Love Fresh -  Body Butter in Pomegranate

This thick, rich formula is packed with Aloe Vera, Chamomile, White Willow bark and Calendula extracts($24.99).

A little bit goes a love way and it smells so good!

******
I should also add this for anyone who is looking for holiday gifts.
The Shopping Channel has several Holiday Specials which is definitely worth checking out.

They also have a payment plan which works on EVERY item.

 What have you been using to prep yourself
for the holidays?

Purolator Shipping Tips for Makeup!

I'm always shipping makeup to other countries. Whether it's for a giveaway or a swap, I want the items to arrive safe and in one piece. I usually ship regular mail but now I'm looking for other shipping options. I had the opportunity to speak with Ms. Laurie Weston, National Retail Manager, Purolator Inc about the best way to ship makeup and much more. She gave me a lot of helpful insight that I want to share with you all!

Jenn:
How should I pack my makeup? (box.. parcel..etc)

Laurie:
The best way to package make-up and most women’s all-time favourite - the lipstick - is to ensure it is placed in a small sturdy box with some padding or protective package to minimize movement during delivery.

Here are some other tips you may find useful:

• Avoid using previously used boxes as these can lose their strength over time.
  
• For fragile items, the padding or protective package used should be at least three inches thick.
  
• If you are shipping several items together, wrap and cushion each one separately.
  
• Avoid using wrapping paper to ship a gift as it can get damaged during the delivery cycle. Instead, try durable shipping paper and boxes available at your local Purolator Shipping Centre.
  
• Affix appropriate labels when required: heavy weight, glass and liquid.
  
• A strong seal is essential; always use tape that is designed for shipping such as pressure-sensitive tape, nylon or glass reinforced tape. Never use string or elastic bands on the outside of your parcel as it can get caught in our sorting machinery. Seal all box seams with tape and be sure not to leave any open areas which can snag on machinery.

Depending on the amount of make-up you are shipping, I suggest you stop by one of our Purolator Shipping Centres to help you pack it so it’s done right.

Jenn:
What are makeup products that I should not ship?


Laurie:
When it comes to making sure the person on the other end looks and feels glamorous, there are no limits as to what you can ship. As long as it’s packaged properly even the most delicate make-up essentials can travel safely in our system. We’re committed to making sure everyone has the chance to look beautiful!

Jenn:
How to get the best out of my shipping?

Laurie:

Stopping by one our Purolator Shipping Centres is the best solution to getting the personalized service you need; selecting the proper packaging, getting all your questions answered and providing the best solution to your shipping needs is what we do best. Our Shipping Experts are friendly, knowledgeable and ready to assist with even the most unique shipping requirements. Many of our locations are open seven days a week.

Jenn:
How do I ensure that the individual receives my package?

Laurie:
You would want to make sure the shipment is clearly labeled and packaged properly. Retain your Package Identification Number (PIN) for easy tracking of your package. Our shipping system has the ability to email you and the receiver notifications of when the package was shipped and the date and time of delivery. Having peace of mind knowing your shipment is in good hands will leave you with time to focus on the other things on your to-do list that need to get done this holiday season.

Jenn:
Why should I ship with Purolator vs. any other shipping company?

Laurie:
We are committed to making sure all our customers are taken care of and we are committed to getting your packages delivered on time. We believe that customer experience is not just what you say but what you do, and our goal is to get it right the first time. Your package is as important to us as it is to you, we’ll make sure you don’t have to worry once you hand it over. If you have any questions or need assistance, be sure to stop by one of our shipping centres or give us a call at 1-888-SHIP-123. We’re here to help.

Nicole by OPI Modern Family Collection- Bottle Photos

Have you heard that Nicole by OPI is doing a Modern Family Collection?
I had the opportunity to get a sneak peak of the collection at the Toronto Glossy Box Party!

Nicole by OPI, in partnership with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, launches 14 new nail lacquers inspired by ABC’s award-winning comedy, Modern Family. The nail line features shades created to capture the show’s colorful personalities, from a classic taupe named after family patriarch Jay, to a sparkly pink hue fitting for toddler Lily.

Names of the polishes in the collection:
Am I Making Myself Claire? Make no mistake…I’m liking this lilac.
     I Do De-Claire ! Let me just say how frosty cool this soft rose is!
     She’s Lily Something Pink, sparkly stars…So Daddies’ Little Girl-y!
     A Like-Haley Story… Typical teenagers (and their moms!) will love this not-so-typical fuchsia.
     My Jay or the Highway! This trendy taupe is inflexibly cool. Period.
     Stand by Your Manny Be loyal to this periwinkle blue.
     Alex by the Books Look Smart in this seafoam green.
     Haley Good Lookin’… She’s cookin’ up plans for this pink super-glitter.
     Basking in Gloria This red-violet is the color of passion.
     Luke of the Draw Chances Are you’ll love this gunmetal glitter.
     A Phil’s Paradise No fooling…This pewter is the real deal.
     Candid Cameron Call this teal just like you see it…gorgeous!
     Back in My Gloria Days… This voluptuous violet has still got it goin’ on!
     What’s the Mitch-uation? This cobalt blue demands an update.

I took close up pictures of three of my favourite colors:

Which color is your favourite?

Do you want to see sneak peaks of other 2013 collections?

This collection is available January 2013.

Sephora + Pantone Universe Foiled Waterproof Eyeliner Holiday Look

Liners are one my favourite products to use when I don't have a lot of time to spend on a full look. Sometimes it's good to get away from the black and try out other colors. To achieve this look I used Sephora + Pantone Universe Foiled Waterproof Eyeliners ($36 CAN).

A set of six highly pigmented, mega-metallic, waterproof eyeliners.

Inspired by Pantone’s 2013 Plus Series Metallic Book, this season is all about the rich gleam of rose gold, the chilled shine of silver, and the fiery glow of bronze. This boxed set offers six gorgeous metallic eyeliners for a multitude of holiday looks with major impact. The smooth formula contains polymers that effortlessly glide on color and lock pigment in place with a waterproof seal, and the ultra-creamy texture is perfect for blending or creating a precise, stylized line.

I love this picture!
It's rare that I have such a good skin day. I will share what I'm using with you all soon.

Products Used-
Face:
LA Girls HD Concealer in Chestnut

Brows:
It cosmetics Brow Pencil

Eyes:
Sephora + Pantone Universe Foiled Waterproof Eyeliners- Charcoal, Purple & Gold.
Benefit They're Real Mascara

Lips:
Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge #8

Swatches of the foiled eyeliners:

Colors in the set:
- Silver
- Charcoal
- Purple
- Gold
- Rose Gold
- Chocolate Brown

Ladies, If you see this in sephora- PICK IT UP for only $36.00!
They are creamy, pigmented and long lasting.
Everything that you need in a perfect eyeliner.

Katy Perry Eylure Lashes- 3 winners! USA & Canada (closed)

I think that every girl needs a good pair of lashes in their possession. 

If you're like me and suck at lashes, with practice you can become a pro!

Eylure is celebrating my bloggerversary by giving
THREE ladies two pairs of Katy Perry Lashes!

You can win 2 pairs of:
Katy Perry Sweetie Pie Lashes.
Katy Perry Cool Kitty Lashes. 

Katy Perry Oh Honey! Lashes. 

Katy Perry Darling Lashes. 

Katy Perry Pretty Lashes. 

Katy Perry Oh, My! Lashes. 

All Katy Perry lashes by Eylure are handmade, lightweight, contact lens friendly, 

100% natural and each style is reusable.

Check out my post for up-close pictures on my favourite eylure lashes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway







The lashes are available at ULTA, CVS, Planet Beauty.com, Naimie's, etc. is the US ($6.99) and Shoppers Drug Mart, Jean Coutu, London Drug and on Ebeauty.ca in Canada ($7.99)

Demeter Fragrance Library- Holiday Scents

I have a very keen sense of smell.
Honestly, sometimes it can be a big pro or a con.
Whether it's the scent of fresh cinnamon buns or a fish market, I can smell it a mile away! 

Scents always bring back a flood of memories for me.

Good or Bad..hahaha.

Demeter Fragrance Library is the perfect way to relive those good scents.

The Demeter Fragrance Library consists of more than 250 different fragrances inspired by everyday objects and experiences. These are simple, friendly and familiar scents, scents inspired by the beautiful smells that surround us everyday, adjusted to be both recognizable and wearable.

Here are three scents to add to your collection for the holidays:

- Demeter's Egg Nog is a delightful, creamy, concoction with touches of nutmeg and a dash of cinnamon. Irresistible anytime. 

- Demeter's Christmas Bouquet A swirl of Holiday flowers without even a touch of green. The heart of this fragrance is made from natural carnations, which give it a unique spiciness and creaminess. Flowers are always a popular part of any Christmas celebration, but they are usually chosen for color, to add a “look” to the celebration. 

- Today Demeter captures that wonderful scent of the Christmas Tree for you to enjoy all year around. Use the room spray to recreate that wonderful Christmas spirit and to evoke memories of Christmases past any time of year.

These scents are smell exactly like the names on the bottle. Out of the three scents, Christmas Bouquet was my favourite because it's light and not overpowering. You can spray it on yourself before going out or spray in a room as a refresher. I should also add that these Pick-me-up Colognes are 95% natural. Perfect for the eco conscious shopper!

What scent would you like to see in the fragrance library?

Perfect Girls Night Out Outfit from Express

This post brought to you by Express Canada. All opinions are 100% mine.

As I mentioned in my other post, I found some great items at the Eaton Centre Express store opening.

I still regret not getting those sequin tops but I can always go back. I had a hard time choosing what to showcase because I bought so much at Express. I decided to stick with animal print because it's so popular right now. It's one print that looks good on everyone when styled correctly.

This was taken right before my girls night out!

Oversized Zebra print top
It has a wide crew neck with short sleeves.

This top can be worn in various ways.

• You can wear it as is.
• You can tuck it in to a skirt or pants.
• You can wear it with a belt with an accent your waist.

I chose to wear it with an awesome beaded front stretch belt which was also from Express.

If you have a similar body-type steer towards a belt that cinches in your waist line. I love how the beads look when the catches the light. It a perfect addition to any holiday outfit.

I get the most compliments on these leggings. Aren't they super hot! I've never seen a pair of leggings like this yet. It's a combo of coated black animal print with a spandex like material. I know that's a weird description but they are gorgeous in person.

What do you like my outfit?

Do you need help picking out an outfit from Express?

Check out their gift guide & Express holiday catalog!

Once you have checked out the gift guide enter the Express Win Your Wishlist Pinterest contest.

You can win a $500 giftcard. To enter, pin items which you like from Express' Gift Guide or Holiday Board. Five pinners will be chosen! Contest runs until December 14, 2012.