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 - 

The Glow-Getters: 3 Serums That Punch Above Their Price Tag from Nivea, Evio Beauty and Marcelle!

Despite what every glossy ad featuring a 17-year-old model would have you believe, you don’t need to auction off a kidney to afford a serum that actually works. Yes, my friends, you can absolutely snag a hardworking skin-saver for under $40. Don’t believe me? Behold these three wallet-friendly heavyweights that will have your skin glowing without your credit card catching on fire:

 

Nivea Q10 Dual Action Serum - 30ml - $36.99 - Wrinkles? Meet your match. This little overachiever comes loaded with Pure Q10 and something called Glycostop (which sounds like it should also prevent late-night snacking, but alas, only works on wrinkles). In fact, in just two weeks, 96% of women swore their complexions looked better! It glides on like a dream, plays nice under makeup and basically does everything but your taxes.  

 

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada. 

Evio Beauty Revitalizing Oil Serum - 30ml - $38 - Think of this one as your skin’s green juice - but the kind that actually tastes good. Packed with omegas, vitamins and more plant-based goodness than your favourite smoothie bar, it hydrates, calms, and keeps the bad stuff out while locking the good stuff in. Bonus: it’s non-sticky, vegan, cruelty-free, and each purchase supports domestic violence survivors. Honestly, if this serum were a person, it would be the one who rescues puppies on weekends and remembers to water their plants. 

 

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

Marcelle 2% Hyaluronic Acid + Probiotic Serum - 30ml - $36.99 - Dry, dull skin? This silky potion says: not on my watch! With hyaluronic acid for plumping, probiotics for calming and niacinamide for “I actually look like I slept eight hours,” it’s basically a spa day in a bottle. Works on all skin types, even sensitive ones, and is fragrance-free so your face won’t smell unappetizing. Hydrated, radiant, soft-as-baby-skin vibes incoming!

 

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

 

Moral of the story: amazing serums under $40 aren’t a myth - they’re just hiding in plain sight. Your skin (and your bank account) can thank me later!

 

- Lisamarie - 

Points, Pouts & Perfect Skin: The Beauty+ Event Haul You Need Now at Shoppers Drug Mart - from Curel, Origins, Kylie Cosmetics and Bed Head!

PSA: The Shoppers Beauty+ Event is officially on  - now through October 3rd - an annual tradition that my beauty bag looks forward to all year! It's the perfect time to buy your fall beauty, hoard your points and thank me later when your PC Optimum balance looks like a phone number!  

 

Here’s what’s made it into my autumn glam survival kit:

 

Curel Intensive Moisture Foaming Facial Wash - 150ml - $29.99 - think of this as your skin’s therapist in a bottle: it listens, it cleanses, it doesn’t strip your ceramides bare like a bad ex. It’s fragrance-free, colourant-free, pH balanced and basically soft skin in foam form. I love it because it gets rid of the grime without leaving me with that tight, “why is my face one size too small?” feeling. 

✨ Deal: Get 10,000 PC Optimum points when you buy 2 participating products. (Translation: cleanser basically pays rent for itself.) 

 

Origins GinZing™ Energizing Gel Cream - 30ml - $38, 50ml - $53, 75ml - $69 - fall hits and suddenly my skin is like, “Moisturize me or we riot.” This gel cream is the Goldilocks of hydration - juicy enough to fight the dry air but light enough not to clog your pores. Plus, it makes you look less “I just survived a Zoom meeting marathon” and more “I got 9 hours of sleep and a green juice (FYI: I would NEVER drink anything green unless it was a Shamrock shake).” 

✨ Deal: Get 10,000 PC Optimum points when you spend $100+ on participating products. 

KYLIE COSMETICS Glossy Lip Kit - $47 - kit contains: - Precision Pout Lip Liner 1.1 g - Supple Kiss Lip Glaze 3 ml - with 6 colour options: Candy Pink, Coconut, Comes Naturally, Dolce K, Espresso and Kylie - Since fall = time for lips to shine like a disco ball (instead of my skin for a change) - this kit gives you a liner sharper than your comebacks and a gloss so juicy it could double as lip jewelry. My fave? Comes Naturally, a soft pink nude that whispers “effortless chic” (even when I’ve got 3-day-old dry shampoo in my hair). Bonus: when the gloss wears off, the liner keeps holding the fort - like Spanx, but for lips. 

✨ Deal: Get 20,000 PC Optimum points when you buy 2 participating products. (That’s enough points for… more lip kits, obviously.)  

Bed Head Ego Boost Split End Mender - 237ml - $27.47 - the summer fried my hair like a churro (note to self: buy a hat, not just SPF). Enter this leave-in which works overtime, smoothing frizz, mending split ends and generally tricking people into thinking I treat my hair better than I treat my inbox. Lightweight, soft, and smells like a fresh start. 

✨ Deal: Get 3,000 PC Optimum points when you buy 2 participating products. Plus, score a free Bed Head Masterpiece Hairspray (57g) with any Bed Head product.

 

So go forth, collect those points, perfect that pout and give your skin the fall refresh it deserves - because beauty looks even better when it comes with bonus rewards!

 

Available now until October 3 at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

 

- Lisamarie - 

Beauty Emergency: You Have 48 Hours to snag a beautiful deal (Sept 8–9 Online Only!) - and three products worth the rush from Watier, St. Tropez and Juicy Couture!

Stop everything: Shoppers Drug Mart’s online beauty sale is here September 8–9, and yes, it’s time to treat yourself!

 

For just 2 days - you could get $15 off any beauty purchase when you spend $60 or more - from skincare to makeup to fragrance, the choice is yours. 

 

Need some inspo? Here are just a few of the standout products worth snapping up before the clock runs out...

 

Watier Perfection Glow-Boosting Tinted Serum - 30ml - $62 - in a range of 14 glorious shades - this isn’t just makeup, it’s magic in a bottle - this skin-loving serum-foundation hybrid is here to turn “meh” mornings into “did you get a facial?” moments. 

It's science-y but sexy: It’s made with 98% naturally derived ingredients and fancy patented microdroplet technology (translation: your skin’s about to look filtered IRL). With a silky, lightweight formula that glides on giving you buildable light coverage that looks dewy, fresh and so smooth you'll look like a baby seal (minus the blubber) Powered by Canadian ginseng: like a double-shot latte for your skin - this natural-origin antioxidant boosts glow, energizes, and makes you look like you actually slept; along with vitis flower: a hydrating, soothing, “nothing’s-going-to-harsh-my-mellow” ingredient that protects you from the evil outside world. 

 

Why I'm obsessed: it blurs my imperfections like a soft-focus filter; it feels like I'm wearing nothing (but better); stays put all day; and leaves me with that “I drink enough water” glow (I totally don’t)!

St. Tropez Sunlit Skin Bronzing Tint + Tan - 30ml - $49 -  forget “just got back from vacation” - this is “just got back from the Amalfi Coast and my ex saw me looking radiant” energy. This genius two-in-one bronzing tint is your shortcut to instant golden-hour skin with a medium, natural-looking tan that develops fully in just 3 hours. Offers instant bronze now as well as a tan that lasts: It’s the beauty equivalent of having your cake and eating it too (which has always struck me as a stupid expression - if I have cake of course I'm going to eat it!)

 

Why I'm obsessed: it offers quick-dry, no-rinse magic (aka: no bed sheet drama); I can wear it solo for that fresh “no-makeup” glow or layer it under foundation (it looks great paired with the Watier Perfection!); and it works on every skin tone (yes, even my sickly pale face)!

Juicy Couture Just Moi Eau de Parfum - 10ml - $43, 50ml - $143, 100ml - $177 -  basically your permission slip to be that girl - the one who walks in, smells incredible, and suddenly everyone else is rethinking their life choices. It opens with lush magnolia, delicate cacao blossom and a sweet little kiss of plum nectar; the heart is crème de cacao and jasmine sambac; and it dries down into rich cacao bean, vanilla-ambrox, creamy sandalwood and warm musk - combined it will leave them thinking about you for days! 

Why I'm obsessed: it smells like confidence, with just a hint of mischief; works for day and night and the bottle is chic enough to live rent-free on my vanity!

 

Tick-Tock - don't wait on this deal - not only is it time limited there are limited quantities of the offer available so don't miss out! 

 

Use the code: ONLINEBEAUTY15 - and you can get $15 off when you spend $60 or more on select beauty online or the Shoppers Drug Mart App. Offer details at shoppersdrugmart.ca/onlinebeautyoffer

 

- Lisamarie - 

Lazy-Girl Glam: The 3 Lip Products That Make You Look Alive (Even If You’re Not) from Nivea, e.l.f. and Maybelline!

Even when I’m just bumming around the house with zero intention of seeing another human being, I always do something with my lips - just a little swipe of something hydrating and pretty. It’s the easiest way to look slightly more alive, with approximately the same amount of effort it takes to make a piece of toast. The good news? Perfectly lined lips and precision lipsticks are out - easy, swipe-and-go lip products are very in. 

 

Here are three that are permanently living in my pocket, purse, car cup holder and probably the dryer...

 

Nivea 24h Moisture Tinted Lip Balm in Strawberry Shine - 2 x 4.8g - $6.99 - meet your “no mirror required” BFF. This is lip care disguised as a cute pop of colour - think juicy, just-bitten lips that also happen to be protected from wind, cold and dry air. It smells like fresh strawberries, adds a subtle glossy shine and keeps your lips soft for 24 hours. Plus, it’s vegan, made with ethically sourced shea butter, and comes in a recyclable stick - so you can look good and feel smugly eco-friendly. It also comes in Watermelon Shine or Pearly Shine if you just want a bit of shimmer and no colour.

 

Available at drug and mass retailers across Canada. 

e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oil - 7.6ml - $10.99 - if a lip gloss and a serum had a very chic baby, this would be it. The giant plush applicator makes you feel like a glamorous 1950s movie star every time you swipe it on and the minty scent is fresh without being toothpaste-y. It’s non-sticky (praise be), super hydrating and gives just the right amount of sheer colour. Wear it solo for a “my lips but dewier” look or layer it over lipstick when you’re feeling extra - it comes in 16 shades - I'm partial to Princess Cut (shown) - a nude-y, rosy shade with a glimmer finish.

 

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

Maybelline Superstay Teddy Tint - 5ml - $20.99 - it's your lips but in soft-focus and slightly flirtier. It offers a blurred matte finish that somehow lasts through snacks, coffee and mild emotional crises (12 hours of wear, no transfer, no smudge). The formula is light and comfortable - not that cakey, dry matte situation we’ve all regretted - and comes in 10 buildable shades you can wear as a whispery stain or full-on bold moment. Bonus: you can dab it on your cheeks for a quick “I woke up like this” flush - shade 55 Kneehigh (shown) is absolutely perfect for doing double duty!

 

The morale of the story is: even if you’re rocking pajamas and a three-day-old messy bun, a quick swipe of any of these will convince the world you’ve got your life together - or at least your lips do!

 

- Lisamarie -