Spray your way to LA with Sebastian Shaper!

Sebastian Professional has launched an exciting new contest targeted at both stylists and consumers, in order to further promote one of its iconic products - Shaper Hairspray!

It's easy to enter - just take a photo of yourself showing your Shaper Style. If you're a stylist take a photo showing how you help your cleints achieve their Shaper Style or take a photo of yourself and a client that you helped achieve a new Shaper look.

Either way - share the picture on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #ShaperContest or on the Sebastian contest website at www.shareyourshaper.ca.

The prize is amazing - an ultimate LA Style Experience - which includes: round-trip airfare and accommodation for 3 days 2 nights in Los Angeles for you and a guest; a style consult with a Sebastian professional (or in the case of the winning stylist you will receive a hair workshop and tutorial at the Sebastian studio in Los Angeles); $1,000 spending money; and a year's supply of Sebastian products!

The contest is open from March 1, 2017 (12 :00 PM ET) to May 16, 2017 (11 :59 PM ET) you can find more details at www.shareyourshaper.ca.

Good luck and feel free to bring me with you if you win!

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Bergamote Calabria

Guerlain has released their yearly edition to the Aqua Allegoria collection of fresh fragrances:

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Bergamote Calabria - 75ml EDT - $78 - with vibrant top notes of bergamot zest, pink peppercorn and green note; delightful heart notes of cardamom, petit grain, ginger and bergamot juice; and sunny base notes of white musks and amber vanilla.

As with all the fragrances in the Aqua Allegoria  line, it was inspired by nature - in this case a stroll through Calabrian bergamot orchards surrounded by  the scent of the sun-soaked fruits - and anyone who knows me knows I loves me a fruity fragrance! This one isn't a total fruit-fest thanks to a warm base and spicy heart and it actually smells just as good on my husband as it does on me so feel free to share (but I totally understand if you don't want to)! My only complaint would be the lasting power, it's an EDT so it doesn't stay as long as an EDP will - I get about 4-5 hours out of it before it totally fades away.

Available at the Toronto Guerlain Boutique & Institute and selected counters across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Dove Shower Foam

Dove Shower Foam - 400ml - $7.97 - has a self-foaming pump that  creates a soft, airy lather that moisturizes skin and rinses away quickly leaving skin feeling clean, smooth and nourished.

The virtually weightless formula combines gentle cleansers with NutriumMoisture technology to  penetrate surface skin up to 10 layers deep, for long lasting nourishment which helps maintain essential lipids and proteins that nourish the skin’s protective layer during cleansing, keeping skin healthy and hydrated

Available in 3 scents/formulas:

Deep Moisture - a blend of cleansers and NutriumMoisture provides nourishment to the skin;

Shea Butter with Warm Vanilla -  with the warm scent of vanilla, sandalwood and musk that allows you to feel balanced and renewed; and

Cucumber and Green Tea -  with the clean, crisp fragrance of cucumber and green tea for a refreshingly light skin sensation.

Available now at drug, grocery and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Avon True Color Lip Crayon - with swatches!

Avon True Color Lip Crayon - $10 - in 12 shades: Just Rosy (cream), Charming Pink (cream), Red Haute (cream), Berry Blush (cream), Reddy For Me (shimmer), Mauve Model (shimmer), Risque Rose (shimmer), Pink Premier (cream), Pouty Plum (shimmer), Plum Perfect (cream), Mod Mocha (shimmer), Fairest Nude (cream) - with a creamy formula containing vitamin E and shea butter that glides on for deep, rich colour.

Pink Premier - the perfect spring pink!

Mauve Model - don't be scared when they say shimmer, as you can see, not the least bit glittery!

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Eye Love Wednesday - Real Techniques Eye Shade + Blend Brush Duo

Real Techniques Eye Shade + Blend Brush Duo - $14.99 - designed for easy two-colour shadow application that can be used with powder or cream shadows.

With synthetic, UltraPlush bristles that are custom-cut, easy to clean and 100% cruelty-free and extended aluminum ferrules that are lightweight and easy to use, the base shadow brush features finely tapered bristles for buildable, all-over lid application while the deluxe crease brush features a soft, oversized design for effortless blending in the crease - for flawless results, every time.

Available at London Drugs, Uniprix and select Rexall, Walmart, Pharmasave, Pharma Plus, Lawtons Drugs, Jean Coutu, IDA, Guardian and Familiprix stores across Canada and online at walmart.ca.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Pantene Pro-V Dream Care Shampoo!

Pantene Pro-V is no longer content with you just washing  your hair, they also want you to fuel it thanks to their new Dream Care shampoo formula! 

 

Now, instead of just coating the surface with conditioning ingredients the new formula goes beyond surface cleansing by wrapping each strand with nutrient-rich lather that penetrates the hair cuticle to instantly replenish lost nutrients and restore the hair follicle resulting in effortless detangling and visibly healthy hair.  

 

For ultimate results, pair with the corresponding Dream Care Conditioner for 2X less breakage and incredible softness.

 

All of the Pantene Pro-V lines include the new formula including: Daily Moisture Renewal; Breakage Defense; Beautiful Lengths; Classic Clean; Curl Perfectionl; Damage Detox; Full & Strong; Radiant Color Shine; Radiant Color Volume; Repair & Protect; Smooth & Sleek; and Ultimate 10. 

 

I've been Pantene Pro-V Dream Care Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo and Conditioner and what I have really noticed about the new formula, is how conditioning the shampoo feels - it has a nice, rich lather but I can actually run my fingers through my hair while shampooing which I normally can't do which I think helps it do a better job since it is getting around (and in1) every strand of hair - I can certainly notice how soft and shiny my hair looks after using the duo!

Available now at drug, grocery and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Introducing Stellar - high performance makeup with a focus on medium skin tones!

With 25 years spent in front of the camera, it's no wonder that Indian-born, Canadian-raised television host, actress and model Monika Deol has an opinion or two about makeup - she's had enough of it slapped on her face over the years and was constantly running into challenges with it.

Whether it was concealers that didn’t conceal dark circles, foundations that had to be mixed to match or powders that were too ashy she certainly became well aware that the market wasn't catering to the medium skin tones of Hispanic, Latino, Aboriginal, Chinese, Filipino, Middle-Eastern and Indian women.

And while it may seem that many beauty brands have broadened their shade horizons to include more skin shades in recent years, Deol laments that makeup diversity often gets distilled down to the very dark and very light, ignoring the many shades in-between.

Therein lies the inspiration to Monika's Stellar line and the star product: Limitless Foundation - which features an array of universal colors for all skin tones - focusing on medium-toned skin - with well-calibrated and extensive shades in the medium range (17 of them in fact) at a very reasonable price point.


Stellar Limitless Foundation - 30ml - $45 - in 22 shades: S01 - alabaster with yellow undertones, S02 - alabaster with pink undertones, S03 - cream with beige undertones, S04 - cream with yellow undertones, S05 - light medium with yellow undertones, S06 - light medium with peach undertones, S07 - light medium with dark peach undertones, S08 - medium with peach undertones, S09 - medium with yellow undertones, S10 - medium with dark peach undertones, S11 - medium with butterscotch undertones, S12 - medium with caramel undertones, S13 - wheat with peach undertones, S14 - wheat with yellow undertones, S15 - almond, S16 - caramel, S18 - caramel with red undertones, S19 - dark almond, S20 - walnut with yellow undertones, S21 - walnut with red undertones, S22 - light chocolate - with an oil-free, lightweight, highly pigmented, medium coverage formula that smooths on like a second skin, concealer discolouration and hyper-pigmentation, that can also be built to full coverage where it’s needed - for all-day wear with a natural looking, radiant finish.

I have an appreciation for the issue, it wasn't until very recent years that brands started coming out with fair foundations - through my teens and twenties I did the best I could with the very pink shades on the market and it wasn't until I started making decent money that I could get a fair, non-pink shade custom blended at Prescriptives (something Monika also had to do to find a match). Stellar's lightest shade isn't an exact match for me, but it was close enough that I've been taking it for a test drive for the past week and I do love how super light the formula is and how it really can be built to offer more coverage in problem areas yet still look very natural.

Also available in the Stellar line are concealers, loose powders, blushers, lipsticks and mascara.

Available now at select Sephora stores across Canada and online at sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Essie Resort Collection 2017 - with swatches!

Essie offers a kiss of Italian colour for the Resort 2017 Collection - inspired by the colourful villages of Italy's Amalfi coast, with their spectacular views of the sea, they embody the relaxed, natural beauty and warmth that this collection is all about - think cascading flowers, flowing dresses, romantic views and sun-drenched afternoons in the company of friends under the Italian sun. With four new shades:

Resort Romanza – a bright, optimistic red  

Strike A Positano – a calm aqua blue 

Ciao Effect – a lavender purple with pretty blue undertones 

Sorrento Yourself – a neutral earthy brown with hints of red

Available now in salons and beauty retailers across Canada for $9.99 each.

- Lisamarie -

Enhance your skin care with Beautycounter + !

Beautycounter + offers three collections of targeted treatments formulated with safer ingredients to enhance your daily skin care regimen according to skin type:

1 Brightening Collection - perfect for all skin types, especially those concerned with dull skin and uneven tone, it's infused with a multi-source, antioxidant rich vitamin C complex to reawaken dull skin, reduce the appearance of age spots and boost radiance for a brighter complexion.

2 Plumping Collection - perfect for all skin types, especially those concerned with dryness, loss of elasticity and fine lines, it's formulated with powerful peony and jasmine essences to restore, plump, firm and improve elasticity in moisture-repleted skin.

3 Balancing Collection - $160 - perfect for all skin types, especially those concerned with clarity, calming and balancing, it's infused with activated charcoal and ylang ylang to absorb excess oil and gently refine oily, uneven skin for a smooth, polished appearance.

Each 3-piece collection includes a facial mask, oil and mist that can also be purchased separately:

Facial Mask - 60ml - $55 - formulated with kaolin clay and without any artificial colourants or synthetic fragrances, they clean deeply, brighten, tighten skin and gently draw out impurities - use 2 to 3 times weekly after cleansing.

No matter what set you decide to go with, it's a great idea to pick up an extra mask or two from the other collections - nobody's skin is the same all over and there's no reason you have to put the same mask on all over - I like to use the Balancing mask on my t-zone, Plumping mask on my neck and the Brightening mask everywhere else!

Facial Mist - 47ml - $43 - instantly prep skin, set makeup and provide refreshing hydration throughout the day with an active-infused, alcohol, silicone and sulfate free formula - use on bare skin after cleansing and/or over makeup to set.

Facial Oil - 20ml - $79 - formulated with a proprietary blend of seven lightweight and silky smooth pure oils free of synthetic or mineral oils to provide intense hydration to even the most delicate of skin - use nightly before applying moisturizer.
And if you like to take your products on the go - Beautycounter + Mini Spa Sets are also available for $110 a set.

Available online and through independent consultants - check out www.beautycounter.com for more info.

- Lisamarie -

Mascara Monday - Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Black Lashdress Mascara

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire Black Lashdress Mascara - $32 - delivers volume, curl, length and definition with 9 hour hold.

With a 2-part brush - one horizontal stroke with the long section offers immediate volume length and curl.

While the rounded top part gives a finishing touch of intensity and definition when used vertically - it's also great for grabbing the lower lashes.

It's a pretty wet formula so give it a little drying time after applying or it will smear as you can see - I would probably still use my lash curler before applying, I didn't find it added a lot of curl to my lashes.

Available now at Guerlain boutiques and select counters across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Caryl Baker Visage Coastal Spring 2017 Collection

Caryl Baker Visage Costal Spring 2017 Collection for a fresh-faced look of natural sun-kissed beauty inspired by east coast seaside minimalism and rugged natural landscapes from Nova Scotia to Nantucket and defined by an understated prettiness and a casual breezy style that goes from sunny sea salt air to a cozy bonfire at the beach.

Powder Eye Shadow - $18 - in 6 ocean-side inspired shades: C Shore - muted bronze rose, Starfish - warm apricot blush, High Tide - delicate sea-foam green, Crash - classic deep ocean blue, Adrift - rich cool sandy neutral, Sand Castle - peachy morning glow - in a pigment rich formula that offers silky, crease resistant colour.

Powder Blush - $22.50 - in 2 highly-pigmented shades: By The Sea - sun-kissed flush and By The Bay - natural rosy blush - with a light, silky smooth application.  

Lipstick - $18.50 - in 3 shades: Sunrise - sweet coral sheen, Sailor - neutral mocha, Sunset - dreamy plum berry - with a moisturizing formula containing shea butter and avocado oil.

Lip Lacquer - $24 - in 3 shades: Beach House - vibrant orangey pink, Dockside - creamy brownish pink neutral, Paddle - natural fleshy pink neutral - with maximum staining pigments and fade-proof staying power for glossy, high-impact colour that won't dry out the lips.

Available now until May 14th at Caryl Baker Visage Face Spas in Ontario and Alberta and online at carylbakervisage.com.

- Lisamarie -

The John Freida Luxurious Volume Core Restore collection - offers a new level of touchable volume!

Sick of the usual volumizing products that leave hair feeling stiff and weighed down? That's why John Freida Luxurious Volume Core Restore has a formula which uses the Protein-Strength Complex - with core reinforcing actives, that penetrate and strengthen hair from within - to transform fine, limp hair by boosting volume while maintaining a soft, natural hair feel!

Available in the collection: 

Luxurious Volume Core Restore Protein-Infused Shampoo - 250ml - $10.97 - strengthens to maximize volume and vitality and brings protein-deficient hair into balance by unlocking a new level of touchable volume.

Luxurious Volume Core Restore Protein-Infused Clear Conditioner  - 250ml - $10.97 - with an  innovative clear formula that detangles and weightlessly absorbs into hair without coating it to infuse hair with body and weightless volume.

Luxurious Volume Core Restore Advanced Protein Volumizer - 60ml - $12.99 - with heat-activated technology that protects and strengthens strands with every use. 

Available now at drug, food and mass retailers across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - CLEAN Lovegrass

CLEAN introduces a new fragrance for spring embodying the connection between nature and the memories of getting lost running through the grass while chasing the sun.

CLEAN Lovegrass - 60ml EDP - $95, 30ml EDP - $54, 10ml EDP - $30 - a modern and captivating fresh fragrance with top notes of lemon blossom, clementine, cedrat and black pepper; heart notes of orris, orange blossom and eglantine petals; and base notes of
blonde woods, amber woods, skin musks, patchouli and labdanum.

The scent reminds me of a field of freshly mowed grass on a sunny day - very peaceful and yet refreshing!

Available for a limited time at Sephora and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Cute Alert - Paul & Joe 15th Anniversary Makeup Collection!

Paul & Joe is celebrating 15 years of makeup wonderfulness the proper way - with an adorable 15th Anniversary Makeup Collection - $90 -  including a few of their most iconic cat-themed beauty products housed inside a gold-embellished vanity box..

Including six versatile shades, the Paul & Joe Limited Edition Face & Eye Colour are perfect for any occasion and contain: jojoba seed oil, rosemary extract and rosa canina fruit extract - emollient; orange flower water - moisturizer; and white lily extract - moisturizer and skin softener. Made very portable thanks to the Face & Eye Colour Case where you can mix and match the colours of your choice.

Also included is a zippered Makeup Pouch - with ears - too cute!

My favourite part of the whole collection has to be the Lipstick in Petite Princess (203)  with their classic cat lipstick design and the freaking cat is wearing a hat! In a peachy pink shade that is also super moisturizing thanks to orange flower water, white lily extract, jojoba seed oil, lavender oil and cocoa seed butter. I really feel they should include 2 of the lipsticks in the set so I would have one to use and one to gaze at adoringly - you would have to be a MONSTER to use the only one you have!

Available April 7, 2017 while supplies last at beautyBOUTIQUE.ca and the following Shoppers Drug Mart locations:

Toronto/GTA, ON
2223 Bloor Street West
5576 Yonge Street 
2345 Yonge Street 
9350 Yonge Street, Hillcrest Mall, Richmond Hill 
220 Yonge Street
66 Wellington Street West
Marie Labatte Rd –CF Shops at Don Mills (Murale) 
181 Bay Street 
7700 Markham Rd., Markham  
1800 Sheppard Avenue East
1601 Bayview Avenue, East York 

Montreal, QC 
1122 Rue Sainte Catherine Ouest
1 Place Ville Marie (Murale)

Ottawa, ON 
50 Rideau Street, Rideau Centre 

Vancouver, BC 
748 Burrard Street  
3020 West Broadway 
6060 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond Centre 
5000 Canoe Pass Way
West 41St Avenue, Oakridge Mall (Murale)

Calgary, AB 
6455 Macleod Trails South Unit 24, Chinook Mall

Rocky View, AB
 Crossiron Blvd, Crossiron Mills Outlet Mall

Edmonton, AB 
5970 Mullen Way

St. John’s, NL
390 Topsail Rd

- Lisamarie -

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil shade extension - with swatches!

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil - $33 - in 10 new shades: Get Off - pink beige, Intriguing - rose pink, Do Me Baby - chestnut rose, Famous Red - bright pink coral, Endangered Red - oxblood burgundy, Let's Go Crazy - vivid pink, Pussy Control - lilac, Dirty Mind - deep lilac, Lonely Heart - chocolate brown, Unspoken - midnight blue - with full-coverage colour formulated with unique silicones to ensure it's long-lasting, while emollients and vitamin E leave a creamy feel that won't dry out lips and a smooth, comfortable texture that keeps the matte finish looking fresh all day.

Intriguing

Famous Red

I like how smoothly and easily they apply, the only thing I don't love is trying to dig up the right sized sharpener - it's an old-school sharpening pencil, not the twist up kind I've gotten spoiled by!

Available now at Sephora and sephora.ca and coming to all NARS retailers May 1st.

- Lisamarie -

Eye Love Wednesday - Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask

Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair Concentrated Recovery Eye Mask - 1 pair - $14, 4 pairs - $49 - infused with Advanced Night Repair technology - actually 20x more of the proven, soothing and hydrating repair ingredients to the delicate eye area, along with a surge of concentrated moisture and soothing anti-irritants to rejuvenate the look and feel of the eye area - just what you need after a crap day!  

What makes them different from the other eye masks on the market is the innovative, triple-layer fresh-delivery system that releases the formula into the pads right before applying for ultimate freshness that in just 10 minutes, leaves the eye area feeling cool and refreshed, eyes that look radiant, rested and renewed and skin that is significantly soothed,fine, dry lines are plumped and the skin is drenched with moisture that lasts for hours. They say you can apply your usual night eye cream afterwards but you won't need to, there is so much serum left on the skin after, just massage it in and you are good for the night!

Available now at The Bay, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Murale, Nordtrom, Saks and online at esteelauder.ca.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Pür Cosmetics Vanity Palettes Eyes and Cheeks!

Pür Cosmetics Vanity Palettes Eyes and Cheeks - $49 - in two colour collections:

Goal Digger - with 4 shadows: Aim High, 24/7, Grind, No Limit; Glow Getter illuminator; Glambition blush; and Motivation bronzer.

Dream Chaser - with 4 shadows: Aspire, Utopia, Good Intentions, Fantasy; Illusion illuminator; Visionary blush; and Driven bronzer.

Both palettes are very wearable but I would say Dream Chaser has the more neutral shadows and lighter blush and bronzer while Goal Digger would be better if you were looking to do something more dramatic with your eyes or prefer a darker bronzer and blush.

Available now exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beautyboutique.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Chanel Rouge Coco Collection Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour - with swatches!

There are so many new shades of gloss in the new Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss collection that it might be easy to overlook the new shades of Chanel Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour - $32 - included in it but don't, they are just what your fingertips need for spring - and you'll be happy to know that 3 of the shades will be ever after part of the permanent collection (or at least until you can't live without it at which time it will be discontinued...):

566 Washed Denim

568 Tulle (Limited Edition)

570 Androgyne

572 Emblematique

Available now at Chanel counters across Canada.

- Lisamarie -

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Cream - 50ml - $50 - a lightweight gel-cream perfect for normal to dry skin that delivers intense 24-hour moisture thanks to time-release technology that encourages ideal hydration levels by attracting and sealing in moisture throughout the day to banish dryness and uneven texture.

The formula contains an advanced combination of hyaluronic acids - to  help increase moisture for deep hydration that helps support healthy skin elasticity; rosewater to  soothe; rose flower oil  - to nourish; and enriched with antioxidant vitamin E. - for non-stop daily hydration resulting in petal soft skin.

Available now at Sephora and sephora.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Mascara Monday - Rimmel Scandaleyes Reloaded Waterproof Mascara

Rimmel Scandaleyes Reloaded Waterproof Mascara - $8.99 - in Very Black - offers dangerously bold, lethally full lashes.

The formula has special flexible polymers that build extreme volume without clumps and lasts even in extreme conditions - up to 24 hours. 

And a max density brush that captures the full lash fringe, loading volume corner to corner. 

And while the original Reloaded is easy to remove - just requiring warm water, this version will require an oil-based remover making it much better for crying!

 

Available now at drug and mass retailers across Canada.

 

- Lisamarie -

Share a cup of courage with the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Courage Mug

Avon Breast Cancer Crusade Courage Mug - $15 - this ceramic mug holds 325ml of your favourite beverage and is dishwasher and microwave safe. It comes with a coaster that has a hanging cord so you can use it as an ornament - also makes a great cover to keep liquids hot and keep spiders from crawling in your mug.

Also available in french.

Best of all, $5 from the sale of each mug goes to benefit breast cancer research, awareness and support services.

Available from your Avon rep - 1-800-265-AVON or online at www.avon.ca.

- Lisamarie -