Last-Minute Gifts That Won’t End Up in a Junk Drawer from Quo Beauty, Cowbell Brewing Co. and Good Luck Socks!

We’re officially down to the wire. Christmas is 2 weeks away and while I’m sure the ultra-organized among us had all their gifts wrapped and labelled back in November, the rest of us are panic-scrolling and whispering “it’s fine” into our coffee mugs. 

 

Some people are easy to shop for - they’ll hand you a list, a link and possibly a coupon code. Others are vague, mysterious and fully expect you to read their mind. But the hardest gifts? The people you don’t know super well but still feel obligated to buy for. You know the ones: your hairdresser, yoga instructor, kids’ teachers, gift-exchange randoms… and yes, somehow your spouse still ends up on this list! You could of course go the gift card route but to me, any gift card under $50 is kind of cheap so physical gifts are preferred for this.

 

The goal here: thoughtful, useful gifts that won’t live forever in the back of their closet. Bonus points if they feel a little indulgent - let’s go! 

 

Quo Beauty Gift Sets (aka: one-stop shopping salvation) 

 

Quo Beauty has seriously stepped up their gift-set game. What started as mostly makeup and brush sets has expanded into a little bit of everything, making it dangerously easy to grab all your gifts in one Shoppers Drug Mart run. Personally, I’m obsessed with: 

 

Quo Beauty 12 Days of Bath - $27 

An advent calendar, but make it self-care. Open a door a day and uncover bathy, spa-adjacent goodness designed to turn even the quickest rinse into a moment of calm. 

Inside you’ll find: 

A Bath Mesh Sponge for extra-foamy, luxurious lather 

A Fuzzy Scrunchie because cozy hair accessories are elite 

A Satin Sleep Mask for beauty sleep (or blocking out family chaos) 

30ml Shower Gel with a holiday-inspired scent

30ml Hand Cream for winter-ravaged hands  

30ml Bubble Bath to transform bath night into spa night 

 A Nail File for tidy tips all season 

2 Bath Fizzers for a fragrant, fizzy soak 

A Shower Steamer to make even a shower feel fancy 

Spiral Hair Bands that don’t pull or crease 

A Sparkle Hair Clip because a little shimmer never hurt anyone 

It’s cute, practical, and universally appealing - the trifecta of gifting success!

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada, Real Canadian Superstore and I've also seen it at Loblaws. 

 

Alternatively, check out the Hand Cream Collection - 5 x 50ml - $15 - because the scents are amazing and let's face it, everyone has hands (probably at least 2)!

When in doubt… alcohol! 

 

I firmly believe you mostly can’t go wrong with alcohol (unless the recipient is under 19, in which case parents tend to get weirdly opinionated). Instead of defaulting to a basic bottle of wine, mix things up with something more fun: 

 

Cowbell Brewing Co. Winter Mixer 2025 - $21.95 6 x 473ml featuring: 

 

Hazy Days Juicy IPA, Absent Landlord Kölsch, Shindig Lager, Cerveza Mexican-Style Lager, West Coast IPA, and Chocolate Raspberry Pudding Cake Stout. 

 

From hop-forward IPAs to a full-on dessert stout inspired by holiday chocolate treats, this pack is perfect for beer lovers who like variety. Standouts include: 

West Coast IPA – crisp, citrusy, piney, and unapologetically bitter (as it should be) 

Chocolate Raspberry Pudding Cake Stout – smooth, decadent, and basically dessert in a can

 

Available at LCBO stores across Canada and online at cowbellbrewing.com. 

 

Socks: the glow-up we didn’t see coming... 

 

Socks used to be the universal “I tried… barely” gift. Not anymore. These days, you can find literally any colour, pattern or personality imaginable! Grab a pair as a stocking stuffer, or go big with: 

 

Good Luck Sock – Sock of the Month Club - 6 months - $80 | 12 months - $160 

 

Truly the gift that keeps on giving. One fun, quirky pair of socks delivered straight to their mailbox every month - with free shipping across North America. It’s practical, fun and makes it seem like you put in way more thought than you actually did!

 

Check it out at goodlucksock.ca. 

 

There you go: thoughtful gifts, minimal effort, maximum appreciation. Now go forth and conquer that last-minute shopping like the festive procrastinator you are!

 

- Lisamarie - 

Great Gifting - Skin Care Sets from La Rosee, Olay and Clarins!

Dare I say - I live for holiday skin care sets! They’re perfect for testing out new brands, dabbling in new products and mentally justifying splurges that would otherwise make my credit card quietly weep. Here are just a few of the ones that have caught my eye this season…

 

New brand (and yes, I was absolutely seduced by the packaging):

 

La Rosee Nourishing Face Routine Set - $67 - when the packaging is this pretty, resistance is futile. This perfectly paired duo brings together the Nourishing Stick Mask (50ml) and the Face Moisturizer with Organic Shea Butter (60ml) to comfort, soothe and deeply hydrate dry skin. Used daily, the rich yet comforting moisturizer keeps skin feeling soft, plump and happy, while the targeted mask swoops in to rescue extra-dry areas. The result? Skin that looks fresh, radiant, and very well taken care of!

New product - because somehow I have lived my life without trying this classic:

 

Olay Regenerist Duo Pack - $45.99 - I know, I know - everyone knows Olay. But I’ve never actually tried the legendary Micro-Sculpting Cream… until now that is. This duo pairs the Detoxifying Pore Scrub Cleanser (150ml) with the iconic Micro-Sculpting Cream (50ml) for a mini spa moment at home. The cleanser gently exfoliates and deep-cleans to prep the skin, while the cult-favourite cream swoops in with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and amino-peptide complex II to plump, smooth, and hydrate. Wrinkles look softer, skin looks brighter and honestly? I get the hype now! Especially with the (frigid) weather being the way it has, this cream has been instrumental in keeping my skin from looking like a cracked and flaking mess!

Super luxe, budget busting and unapologetically fabulous:  

 

Clarins Precious The Complete Ritual - $371 - This is not a gift set… this is a statement. Clarins’ most luxurious anti-aging ritual comes wrapped up in a four-step routine designed to prep, treat and transform the skin. You start with the hydrating Lotion-Essence (30ml), refresh the eye area with La Crème Yeux (4ml), firm and smooth with the silky Le Sérum (10ml) and finish with La Crème (15ml) - a peptide-powered masterpiece that helps restore density and youthful bounce. Is it extravagant? Yes. Is it glorious? Also yes. Consider this skin care for your most precious skin (and your most serious self-care moments).

 

And just remember, if it comes in a gift set, it doesn’t count as a splurge. That’s just festive math!

 

All sets are available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

 

- Lisamarie - 

This week I'm obsessed with... Infiniti PRO by CONAIR Steam Therapy Hair Steamer!

At first glance the INFINITI PRO by CONAIR Steam Therapy Hair Steamer looks like it’s firmly Team Curly. Steam therapy? Diffuser attachment? Curl reactivation? None of this is speaking directly to my pin-straight, fine-but-plentiful, goes-limp-if-you-look-at-it-wrong hair. 

 

But curiosity got the better of me. Before passing it along to someone with actual curls, I figured… why not see if it could do anything at all for my tragically straight strands? 

 

Dear Reader, I'm here to tell you - it did. 

 

My hair looks its best on wash day and steadily declines into limp territory by day two or three. I refuse to overwash, which means dry shampoo and I are in a very committed (but not always fulfilling) relationship. So on a no-wash day, I skipped the aerosol cloud and gave my hair a full steam session instead - and wow! Instant perk-up! I got back some volume and that elusive “just washed” look without the dull, powdery aftermath that dry shampoo loves to leave behind - consider me impressed! 

 

 I also tried pairing the steamer with a hair mask to see if that whole “better absorption” promise would prove itself. Jury’s still mildly out - my hair always feels great after a mask - but the logic checks out, so I’m happy to keep very diligently steaming my head before masking. For science, of course.

 

And for balance, I also recruited a friend with very curly hair (you know, the actual target market). She loved it. Her one pro tip: if you’ve got longer hair, definitely use the diffuser - and give yourself a little time to get the hang of the technique. Once she did, though? She would not shut up about how defined, bouncy and full her curls looked!

 

Did I let her keep it? Absolutely not! 

 

This steamer has earned its place in my routine - curls or no curls - because if loving a curl steamer is wrong, I don't want to be right!

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca for $179.99, online at conaircanada.ca for $129.99, or online at amazon.ca for $109.99 - and if you buy it right now it's a Black Friday deal for $76 - I don't know how long that price will last though!

 

- Lisamarie - 

Great Gifting - Briogeo Healthy Hair Delights Gift Set

The holidays might mean decorated trees and marathon baking sessions for everyone else, but for me - it means prime gift-set season, baby - my own personal Super Bowl! Just don't wait to take advantage - whether you're itching to try something new or want your ride-or-die favourites in perfectly packable travel sizes - now is absolutely the time to pounce! One of the first things I added to my Sephora cart because I already knew I loved the oil and have been wanting to try the shampoo and mask...

 

Briogeo Healthy Hair Delights Gift Set - $61 - A scalp-to-strand transformation trio that basically says, “Hey, let’s give your hair the holiday it deserves!”

Rosemary Pre-Wash Oil - 100ml: your scalp’s soon-to-be soulmate. Use it pre-wash or let it work overnight like a tiny moisture-infusing elf. It soothes dryness, balances cranky scalps and nourishes thirsty strands - all with a tingle-free rosemary formula that strengthens the scalp barrier without the “my head is on fire” vibe.  

Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo - 59ml: this weekly scalp scrub gently buffs away flakes and buildup with a plant-based dissolvable exfoliant (science, but make it spa-day). Coconut, mint and tea tree oils team up to leave your roots fresh, clean and so smugly moisturized. 

Deep Conditioning Mask - 59ml: a rich, reparative dream cream for your hair. Packed with protein and moisture, it helps strengthen, soften and future-proof your strands. Scientifically proven to cut breakage in 10 minutes and double the strength after three uses - basically the gym membership your hair will actually use! 

 

And the cherry on top: the products are 98% naturally derived, vegan and Leaping Bunny certified to be  cruelty-free. Hair happiness and good karma? Holiday miracle achieved!

 

Available while they last at Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca.

 

- Lisamarie - 

Slather these on like your skin depends on it (it does) - body lotions from BYOMA, Nivea and Keri!

Winter in Canada: the season where your skin tries to crack itself into a million pieces and you start buying body lotion like you’re prepping for the world’s softest apocalypse. If they sold moisturizer in vat form - like hop-in, simmer-for-20-minutes style - I’d be first in line with a ladle, but until that blessed day arrives, here are some big, beefy, budget-friendly pump bottles to keep your skin from going into full lizard mode...

 

BYOMA Hydrating Body Lotion - 400ml - $19.99

Meet the hydration hero that practically melts into your skin faster than you can say “bone-dry shins.” Powered by their tri-ceramide complex (science! but make it cute), this buttery-soft lotion slathers on like a dream - no awkward air-drying chicken-flap dance required. Beta glucan + shea butter = smooth + nourished skin that stays supple long after your morning coffee. 

 

I will say that while I really love the feel of this lotion, it has a powdery scent to it which I don't care for, luckily the smell fades fast so it still made the list! 

 

Also available in the BYOMA body lotion line is a Brightening Body Lotion and Sensitive Body Lotion - both 400ml and $19.99.

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca. 

 

Nivea Nourishing Body Milk - 625ml - $14.99  

She’s big, she’s nourishing, she’s basically the Costco pack of moisture. With 72 hours of hydration - and honestly, in Canadian winter, that feels like witchcraft! Stuffed with hyaluronic acid, almond oil and a special deep care serum, it’s fast-absorbing and non-greasy. Bonus points: the bottle is made with 50% recycled plastic, so you can hydrate and feel virtuous. 

 

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada. 

 

Keri Original Intense Hydration Lotion - 900ml - $11.99

Now this is a unit. Nearly a litre of lotion - the kind of bottle that says “I’m moisturized AND fiscally responsible.” Packed with aloe, sunflower seed oil and vitamin E, Keri’s HydraShield formula keeps your skin soft, smooth and actually happy about existing. Slather generously after your shower and proceed to glide around like a freshly buttered croissant.  I like the scent but if you prefer, it also come in a fragrance-free version!

 

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada. 

 

If winter is coming for your moisture barrier, consider this your personal armory. Stay soft out there people!

 

- Lisamarie - 

The Night Shift: Beauty Products That Work While You Snooze from Virtue, NURISH and Kerasal!

Everyone knows about night cream for the face - but why stop there? While you’re off in dreamland, there’s a whole cast of beauty heroes that can quietly get to work on everything else. Hair, lips, nails - consider this your overnight glow-up lineup:

 

Virtue Correct Overnight Scalp & Hair Elixir - 50ml - $84 - while you snooze, this little miracle worker is pulling the night shift on your scalp and strands. Think of it as a lullaby for tired hair - packed with alpha keratin 60ku, hyaluronic acid, and nutrient-rich goodness to rebalance, smooth and strengthen. By morning, your scalp’s happy, your hair’s silky and you’ve basically had a scalp-to-ends spa night without lifting a finger. 

 

Available exclusively on line at Shoppers Drug Mart - beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

NURISH Lip Balm Night Mask - 20g - $30 - meet your new bedtime lip ritual: fruity, silky, and downright delicious. With 99.9% natural ingredients and antioxidant goodness, this balm works overtime to soothe, soften and plump. The texture? Buttery perfection. The scent? A pomegranate-kissed dream. The result? You’ll wake up with lips so smooth, you’ll forget what chapped even felt like.

 

For even better results - prep with the Exquisite Pomegranate Lip Scrub - 20ml - $30 and remove all the dead skin so the mask can really sink in and in the morning apply the Bioactive Lip Oil - 6ml - $32 to lock in the moisture and add shine.

 

Available at Jean Coutu and Brunet stores across Quebec, select stores across Canada and online at nurish.ca. 

 

Kerasal Nightime Renewal Nail Patches - 14 patches - $33.99 - because your nails deserve beauty sleep, too, just pop on these overnight nail-reviving patches and let them get to work on discoloration, roughness and thickness while you’re counting sheep. After 8 hours, nails look fresher, smoother, and more polished (literally). Keep using nightly for 3–6 months if your nails need a full fairy godmother moment. 

 

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at shoppersdrugmart.ca and amazon.ca.

 

All of this just feels to me like proof that the best self-care happens with zero effort when you’re horizontal!

 

- Lisamarie - 

Fragrant Friday - Guerlain’s Florabloom: The Floral I Didn’t See Coming!

Guerlain is at it again, serving up another stunner in their Aqua Allegoria line - this time inspired by the rare natural wonder known as a superbloom. Imagine it: vast desert plains suddenly bursting into carpets of colour after a rainfall, every bloom vying for attention. That’s the magic bottled in: 

 

Aqua Allegoria Forte Florabloom - 75ml EDP - $165  - this fragrance is a lush, full-bodied bouquet that practically hums with life. It opens with the intoxicating warmth of tuberose at sunset, dances through a sensual swirl of Grasse Centifolia rose and settles into powdery whispers of violet and iris. Beneath it all, sandalwood and velvety moss lend depth and a touch of mystery - because what’s beauty without a little intrigue? 

 

Now, you’ve heard me say it a hundred times: florals aren’t usually my thing. I’m a sweet-and-fruity kind of girl through and through. But this one? Total exception. The moment I smelled it, I was transported straight back to my childhood - to a scratch-and-sniff book I adored, with a page that smelled like a flower market in France. One whiff of Florabloom and suddenly I’m transported there again, standing in front of the box overflowing with blooms, grinning like a kid. Isn’t it wild how scent can do that!? 

 

You can find Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Forte Florabloom now at Shoppers Drug Mart stores and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca. 

Bonus: the holiday sets are in and they’re offering a gorgeous gift set featuring the fragrance, a 7.5ml mini and a 75ml body lotion - the perfect excuse (as if you needed one) to treat yourself or I guess as a gift...

 

- Lisamarie - 

Treat your hot flashes with cool products from Marcelle, Justice and Nivea!

Menopause, it's the plot twist no one asked for.... but here we are... It's a word that strikes fear into the hearts of women everywhere. Sure, there are perks. No more periods - imagine being able to wear white pants whenever you want! But then there’s the… let’s call it less glamourous side: hot flashes, mood swings, rebellious skin - you name it, it could happen.

 

Amanda Thebe, bestselling author, menopause educator and advocate for women's health offers some great advice: “The worst things you can do for yourself during menopause are to ignore your symptoms, try to power through in silence and neglect the changes your body is going through. I know from experience how isolating and confusing that can be. I spent years misdiagnosed and struggling with symptoms like dizziness, depression, dry & irritable skin, without realizing they were connected to perimenopause.” 

 

While it's true that lot of it is out of your control or at least more in control of a medical professional - the personal care side of it is something you can help yourself with, once you find the right products of course! 

 

The biggest project can be your skin which suddenly goes haywire and starts doing the opposite of what you are used to - Amanda agrees finding that her skin has lost elasticity and has become much drier, dull, and more sensitive as a result of menopause, so finding the right hydration & product was a priority. Using science-backed products designed specifically for menopause like Marcelle’s Revival+ Vitality collection has been a game changer for her. The collection uses a breakthrough formula, made with antioxidants, vitamin D, turmeric, hyaluronic acid, urea and squalane, leaving skin feeling firmer, more hydrated and just healthier overall. Amanda feels that "it’s lovely to see visible concrete results while knowing the formula was co-created with 400 Canadian women in menopause with sensitive skin."  

 

Revival+ Vitality Redensifying Day Cream - 50ml - $39.95 

This comforting, hydrating cream is like a support bra for your face - it lifts, firms and helps counteract all those delightful effects menopause brings. It’s been tested and recommended by Canadian women in menopause with sensitive skin and it helps restore comfort, hydration and bounce for plumper, happier skin. 

Also worth grabbing: Revival+ Vitality Redensifying Eye & Lip Cream - 15ml - $39.95 - because crow’s feet and fine lines have had enough fun, thank you very much.

 

Available at drugstores across Canada and online at marcelle.com. 

 

And let’s not forget the mane event - thinning hair. If you’re not ready to commit to the “re-growth journey” and just want fuller, thicker-looking hair now, reach for:  

 

Justice Hair Care Volume Boost Shampoo & Conditioner - 250ml - $28.99 each 

Specially made for fine or thinning hair, this duo cleans without weighing it down. Cotton extract, hibiscus vinegar, and soy proteins keep hair hydrated and shiny without build-up, while adding body and bounce. Think of it as your hair’s daily pep talk. 

Top it off with Volume Boost Texture Spray - 250ml - $28.99 for that “oh, this old volume? I woke up like this” finish. It adds lift from the roots, protects from pollutants, and leaves hair feeling soft, full, and alive again. 

 

Available at Healthy Planet stores across Canada and online at well.ca. 

And because menopause loves to suck the moisture out of everything - yes, even your lips - keep your lip balm close, I like: 

 

Nivea Vanilla Buttercream 24H Moisture Nourishing Lip Balm – 2 x 4.8g – $4.99 

It’s basically dessert for your lips! The shea butter, avocado, and jojoba oil formula melts in like frosting, keeping your lips soft, smooth and hydrated for a full 24 hours. Sweet, creamy, and totally mood-swing approved!

 

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada. 

 

At the end of the day, you can't avoid menopause so your best defense is to arm yourself with information and educate yourself - there are so many great books and blogs out there! A few you might find useful:

 

Menopocalypse: How I Learned to Thrive During Menopause and How You Can Too! by Amanda Thebe

 

Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause and Life's Next Period by Lauren Tetenbaum, LCSW

 

The Menopause Manifesto: Own Your Health With Facts and Feminism by Dr. Jen Gunter

 

All are available on amazon.ca.

 

- Lisamarie -