Shoppers Beauty+ Event - New Beauty, New Obsessions & A Whole Lotta Optimum Points!

Some people consider Christmas or sending their kids back to school the happiest time of the year. Me? The Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty+ Event - from September 12th to October 9th. New brands! New products! Samples! And, most importantly, sooooo many bonus Optimum Points! Honestly, this is my Olympics!

 

I wait for this event every year to stock up on the things I’m actually out of - like my beloved Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Serum - and to grab the things I absolutely do not need but suddenly become convinced I cannot live without, like the Too Faced Peach Mist Setting Spray. Priorities, people. 

 

Here are the products I’ll be haunting my local Shoppers for. While I normally do like the online ordering option, the foundation and fragrance require an actual in-person field trip because I need to match the colour and, obviously, smell the fragrance. Buying either of those blind would be beauty roulette, and I’m not here to gamble with my face or my perfume wardrobe! 

 

Clarins Double Serum Foundation - 30ml - $74 - this next-generation hybrid serum foundation is basically what happens when your makeup decides it wants a skincare career too. It combines makeup and skincare to deliver customizable medium-to-full coverage with a luminous, satin, non-oily finish and comes in 30 shades for all skin types and tones. 

 

The adjustable dial lets you customize the coverage, while its [COLOUR + HYDRIC] system is inspired by Clarins’ Double Serum technology. The [COLOUR] phase uses A.U.R.A. (Advanced Ultra Radiance Amplifier) technology with light-boosting ingredients and illuminating microcrystals to give skin an immediate glow, while the [HYDRIC] phase uses stabilized papain to help renew radiance and create a smoother, skin-like-new effect. 

 

And because apparently it wasn’t already doing enough, it contains 14 active ingredients, including five pairings of pure active molecules and plant extracts designed to help revive the skin’s five vital functions.

 

To top it off it comes with 10,000 bonus Optimum Points which makes it sound even better! 

Quo Beauty Bouncy Cloud For Lips and Cheek in Just Blushing - $14 - I have a weakness for things that are pink and for a beauty product that can multitask so this one has everything I love in one little pot!

 

The feather-light, bouncy mousse formula melts onto skin for a smooth, cloud-soft finish and can be dabbed onto cheeks or blended onto lips for a delicate, buildable flush of colour with a natural satin-matte finish. The finger-friendly formula makes application ridiculously easy, and you can layer it from a soft tint to a more dramatic pop of colour. 

 

It has a cushiony mousse-cloud texture, works on both lips and cheeks and gives you that airy, effortless flush without requiring a degree in makeup application. 

 

And since there are 5,000 bonus Optimum Points in it for you when you spend $25 on participating products which gives me the perfect excuse to also pick one up in Sun Set - a pretty coral/pink shade that I am positive is also calling my name! 

Klorane Quinine Length Thickening and Strengthening Serum - 100ml - $49.99 - longer, stronger hair? Yes please. Especially if it can happen without making my fine hair look like I’ve dunked my head in a vat of cooking oil. 

 

Formulated with medicinal Quinine and Adenosine to help promote hair length, strengthen hair and improve density. It also contains a naturally derived keratin-like ingredient designed to repair and strengthen hair, while the non-sticky, non-greasy formula absorbs quickly without weighing hair down.  

 

I am hoping that unlike some intensive hair products, this one won’t leave fine hair looking limp, greasy or like it needs its own intervention! 

 

As an added bonus it comes with 5,000 bonus Optimum Points! 

Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Pink Glaze - 50ml EDP - $135, 90ml - $190 - brings some serious main-character energy to the iconic Black Opium family, with a floral gourmand scent that puts a vibey twist on the signature black coffee and sensual jasmine notes with a sultry strawberry accord. 

 

And then there’s the bottle: a bold, dark pink lacquered beauty that looks like it belongs in the hands of someone who has their life completely together - even if they’re actually just wandering around Shoppers looking for bonus points. 

 

It’s described as the ultimate confidence-boosting accessory, and honestly, if strawberry is involved, I’m already emotionally invested.

 

Best of all it comes with 20,000 bonus Optimum Points!

 

So there you have it—my Beauty+ wish list, otherwise known as the reason my Shoppers cart is about to need its own postal code. I’ve got skincare to replenish, makeup to play with, hair products to test and a strawberry-scented fragrance that has already managed to bypass my usual “Do I really need this?” filter. 

 

And really, the beauty haul is only half the fun. The other half is watching those bonus Optimum Points pile up, because nothing makes me feel better about buying beauty products quite like being rewarded with points that will inevitably be used to buy… more beauty products. It’s called a system, people!

 

See you at Shoppers before October 9th. I’ll be the one happily scanning my Optimum card and pretending this was all very carefully planned.

 

- 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 - 

Pink, Playful, Perfect: Inside the Barbie X Quo Beauty Collab from Shoppers Drug Mart!

Stop everything and grab your pink convertible, because Barbie X Quo Beauty have teamed up - and the result is a beautiful pink love-child! 

 

Introducing their new 23-piece collection - and it’s not just makeup, it’s a lifestyle! They've got hair accessories shinier than Ken’s six-pack, hot tools that could power the Dreamhouse, lashes that say “I don’t do subtle”, nails (real and fabulously fake - because plastic is always fantastic) and storage so chic even Skipper would stop borrowing your stuff. This collab is basically like living inside Barbie’s dream closet - minus the rent.

 

Colour cosmetics? Check. Glam accessories and storage options? Double check. Enough pink to make your ex cry? Triple check. Because let’s be real: Barbie doesn’t just wear confidence, she invented it. And now you can too - one fabulous Quo Beauty x Barbie makeover at a time. Life in plastic? Still fantastic!

 

And even though I do hate to pick favourites here are few things from the collection that I especially love...

 

Barbie X Quo Beauty Blush in Pink Passion - $14 - enriched with emollients and Vitamin E, the soft pressed powder leaves a radiant, youthful glow on any doll.Vegan and Cruelty Free. 

Barbie X Quo Beauty Powder Puff - $9 - if this fluffy fluffy puff doesn't just scream Barbie's dressing table at you, I can't help you... perfect for applying loose powders and bronzers!

Barbie X Quo Beauty Peptide Lip Tint - in two new shades: Iced Mocha and Watermelon - $13 - enriched with peptides and emollients and a sheer wash of colour and glossy shine to keep lips soft and moisturized - and the tube is decorated with an adorable Barbie charm.

Barbie X Quo Beauty Compact Dryer and Scrunchie Set - $18 - the folding handle and compact size makes it perfect to take on your next travel adventure - includes a bonus Barbie scrunchie.

 

These and much more available now exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart, Pharmaprix and select Loblaw-owned Real Canadian Superstores in Ontario and Western Canada as well as online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

 

- Lisamarie - 

Discover beauty newness at The All About New Event at Shoppers Drug Mart - including Bubble Skincare, Marc Anthony and Aveeno!

New brands and new products are yours to discover at The All About New Event at Shoppers Drug Mart - not only are there more than 100 NEW products on the offer, there are also tons of bonus PC Optimum points on them as well! A few of the many I think worth checking out are:

 

Bubble Skincare - a new brand that offers affordable, clinically proven skincare known for its good vibes and glowing results - my faves from the line:

Water Slide Hydration Boosting Serum Hyaluronic Acid + Peptides - 30ml - $24.99 - a hydrating serum with a milky gel texture that draws more water into your skin and renews your skin barrier, closely mimicing skin’s lipid content to give you a fresh, plump and dewy look. It calms and revitalizes irritated, dry and flaky skin, reduces skin’s sensitivity by acting as a barrier that can protect your skin from more aggressive active treatments. The formula contains: hyaluronic acid - helps skin draw in moisture and retain hydration; peptides - help reduce skin damage and support skin repair; and niacinamide - hydrates, calms irritation and boosts skin barrier function; and  

Over Night Hydrating Sleep Mask - 50ml - $26.99 - a creamy, all-night mask for all skin types that smooths, soothes, brightens and hydrates skin while you sleep without clogging pores. The fragrance free formula contains maple sap - helps protect  skin barrier; mandelic and kojic acid - gently exfoliate to reveal brighter, glowing skin; sodium PCA - helps to bind moisture to skin cells; biosaccharide gum - creates a moisture-binding film over the skin for a soft, smooth feeling; and arnica - helps soothe red and inflamed skin. 

+3,000 bonus Optimum Points when you buy 2 Bubble products.

Marc Anthony True Professional Grow Long Anti-Frizz Shield Ultimate Blowout - 198ml - $15.49 +2,000 bonus Optimum Points - an innovative spray that creates a lightweight, hydrophobic anti-frizz shield around each strand that repels humidity and locks in sleeknes for up to 72 hours even in 80% humidity. The heat activated formula helps to reduce blow drying time and protects from heat up to 450°F. Infused with a blend of Caffeine, Biotin and Ginseng condition to help reduce breakage for stronger, longer hair.

Aveeno Calm + Restore Age Renewal Cream - 50ml - $38.99 +5,000 bonus Optimum Points - a fast-absorbing face cream formula with oat, niacinamide, and cranberry extract that leaves skin feeling smoother and more radiant in just one week.

 

The All About New Event runs in-store and online from February 22nd to March 21st.

 

- Lisamarie -

My top 3 picks from the Shoppers Beauty+ Event with bonus Optimum Points galore!

There's not a lot I love more then Optimum Points - George Clooney, world peace, Donald Trump falling into a bottomless hole - but Points are way up there! Making Shoppers Beauty+ Event equivalent to Christmas in my books. If you never met a bonus point you didn't love then you need to get yourself over to your closest Shoppers store (or the website) before the 21st so you too can take advantage of all those lovely bonus points just waiting for you! A few products worth picking up (even without the points):

 

10000 bonus points when you buy the 30ml or 50ml! 

Guerlain Abeille Royale Youth Watery Oil Serum - 15ml - $77, 30ml - $139, 50ml - $205 - with a unique, deep diffusion texture infused with melt-in micro-beads designed for all skin types that penetrates deeply into the skin's layers targeting the heart of the epidermis, multiplying skin's self-repair mechanisms and delivering powerful age-defying benefits to help with dullness, fine lines and wrinkles and loss of firmness and elasticity. 

 

The 99% naturally-derived ingredients formula draws its repairing power from three honeys produced by the black bee, a species selected for its rarity and the power of its honeys: Trogstad honey from Norway - revitalizes skin and corrects visible signs of aging; Ouessant honey from France - supports skin youth repair with an abundance of amino acids;  Connemara honey from Ireland - visibly reduces fine lines and wrinkles. Deeply repaired, skin regains plumpness and radiance while wrinkles are visibly filled. 

 

It feels great on the skin but even better is the scent - perfumed with a sun-drenched nectar by Thierry Wasser, it reveals fresh, light, and honeyed notes. My only complaint is it doesn't come in vat form that I can pour in my bathtub and just soak in...

10000 bonus points! 

Kylie Cosmetics Skin Tint Blurring Elixir - 30ml - $43 - in 24 C = Cold, N = Neutral or W = Warm shades : 1N, 1WN, 2.5N, 2C, 2W, 3.5W, 3WN, 3W, 4.5WN, 4W, 5N, 5W, 6.5WN, 6N, 6W, 7W, 8.5W, 8W, 8WN, 9.5W, 9W, 10C, 10N, 10W - a fluid tint foundation with buildable light to medium coverage  and a natural, second-skin finish that works for all skin types. 

 

The breathable vegan formula has a silky, fluid texture the effortlessly blends into the skin to instantly even skin tone while the hyaluronic acid improves skin hydration and moisture and also smooths pores, fine lines, and texture with up to12 hours of weightless wear that doesn’t separate or get patchy.

 

I don't even bother with a foundation anymore that isn't buildable - Urban Decay discontinued my favourite concealer so now I expect to be able to double up my foundation to act as concealer too - I'm very demanding I know - and this one does a great job - goes on light but easily builds to medium coverage in any problem areas! And it stays put without separating or getting patchy, clinging to dry patches or settling into fine lines - sold!

4000 bonus points! 

NYX Cosmetics The Face Glue Gripping Primer - 35ml - $14.99 - adds grip for all of your face cosmetics and hydration for up to 24 hours - all the glue with none of the stickiness. The formula contains polyglutamic acid - known to be extremely hydrating; and maple syrup - known for grip that's extra AF. This non-comedogenic primer feels comfy on the skin, breathable all day, and gives a soft-focus finish.

 

It's easy to use - just spread a dime-sized amount of product evenly on the face and see the transformation as the white gel blends seamlessly with no cast into all skin tones - then just slap your makeup on top, no need to wait! If you want a whole Glue routine, also available is The Face Glue Setting Spray as well The Brow Glue

 

Even if it didn't work as well as it does (and it does!) I would still love it for the packaging and how it brings back memories of dousing my hand in white glue so I could peel it off when it dried - clearly these were early exfoliation techniques...

Grab these amazing products and so many more at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada or online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca and take advantage of the special bonus points until February 21st.

- Lisamarie -

3 things worth picking up during the Shoppers Beauty+ Event from Drunk Elephant, Wella and Quo Beauty!

If you've been looking to stock up on your beauty supplies now is the time to do it so you can take advantage of the Shoppers Beauty+ Event which runs in-store and online until October 4th. You can shop more than 2,800 beauty products and earn loads of PC Optimum points on select beauty offers. It's also the perfect time to explore new brands including Tealogy, Reyal, Wella Hair Care, PMD and Drybar as well as exclusives like Kylie Cosmetics, Jason Wu and about-face. 

 

Here are 3 new-to-me products I discovered that are well worth a try:

 

Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Serum - 30ml - $92 - formulated with a gentle blend of 10% vitamin C and a triple-antioxidant brightening complex to fade the look of hyperpigmentation and post-breakout marks, improve skin's clarity and reduce blemishes, all while delivering hydration instantly and over time; replenishing sodium hyaluronate, squalane and marula oil nourish skin and help prevent moisture loss; while potent antioxidants fortify skin against everyday environmental stressors and collagen-depleting pollution. The result is a noticeably clearer, plumper, and more luminous complexion that looks and feels healthier with every application. 

 

This has become my new favourite night serum - I have combo skin so moisture-wise it's perfect for - me but I imagine someone with dry skin might like to layer a bit of moisturizer on top of it!

Wella Ultimate Repair Miracle Hair Rescue Leave-In Treatment - 30ml - $40 - a luxury leave-on spray that repairs hair damage in just 90 seconds leaving hair visibly transformed in just one use: less breakage, 12x smoother and legendary shine that lasts up to four washes. With a formula containing alpha hyydroxy acid (AHA) - to rebuild the inside strength of the hair and omega 9 - to replenish the outer barrier of damaged hair.

 

I love products that claim instant results: it makes it so easy to tell if they actually work or not if I don't have to wait days/weeks/months for gratification. And it's no lie, my hair really did look better with the first use and because results last up to 4 washes you don't need to use it every time - it's a small bottle but it will last!

Quo Beauty Peptide Lip Tint - $13 - in 3 shades: Watermelon, Strawberry and Vanilla Mint as well as Clear Mint if you prefer no colour - enriched with peptides that help keep lips soft and moisturized while  reducing the appearance of fine lines and adding a glossy, high-shine finish and a hint of colour.

I have been wearing it to the gym which has always been a dilemma for me - I feel stupid wearing makeup to the gym but I feel kind of naked without having anything on so this is the perfect compromise!

All available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and/or online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil!

I am a big fan of all the benefits of retinol but have a hard time finding a retinol product that my sensitive skin will tolerate. There was a NeoStrata one that I used to love so of course it was discontinued and I have been on the hunt for something comparable ever since. To my delight I have found something not just as good as but actually  better with:

 

BYOMA Sensitive Retinol Oil - 50ml - $24.99 - an ultra-soothing, lightweight oil-based retinol for sensitive skin and first time users that absorbs quickly into the skin. With a proprietary barrier lipid complex - that helps restore skin barrier; hydroxypinacolone retinoate (Vitamin A) and Squalane - to improve skin's tone and texture without stripping - giving it all the benefits of a retinol with none of the drawbacks. Consistent use results in softening the appearance of fine lines, blemishes and pores, while brightening dark spots and evening skin tone. It's the perfect addition to your night time beauty routine - just note that even though it is meant for sensitive skin you should still start slowly - a couple of times a week and work your way up to every other day.

 

You can also feel good that it is part of the Thoughtful Choices at Shoppers Drug Mart lineup - it has no animal testing and is formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, SLES, triclosan, formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasing agents or hydroquinone.

And if you aren't familiar with the BYOMA lineup or are looking for skincare to go back to school or even on a trip check out:

 

BYOMA So Hydrated Set - $29.99 - contains a mini cleanser, mini gel cream and mini hydrating serum all in a cute little case that fits seamlessly into every backpack. This trio of dermatologist-approved hydrating essentials are the building blocks for the ultimate hydrated and dewy skincare routine and, are soap-free, non-comedogenic, alcohol and fragrance-free, as well as vegan and cruelty-free, making it perfect for school. Included are: Byoma Creamy Jelly Cleanser - 15ml - offers intense hydration and is perfectly pH-balanced. Infused with antioxidant-rich licorice root and green tea, it rejuvenates and brightens the skin, leaving it refreshed and clean; Byoma Hydrating Serum - 30ml - delivers a strong moisture boost with a dynamic blend of squalane and glycerin. This powerhouse duo effectively prevents water loss, ensuring long-lasting hydration; and deeply hydrating, lightweight Byoma Moisturizing Gel-Cream - 15ml - is made with Niacinamide and Green Tea that brightens the skin and reduces redness while supporting the skin barrier function for hydrated and healthy skin. 

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

 

- Lisamarie -

Show your PRIDE with help from Shoppers Beauty, Quo Beauty and Jean Paul Gaultier!

You know I loves me a sample set so I was all over this special edition Pride one: Shoppers Beauty All You Need is Love Beauty Bundle - a carefully curated set, containing 6 minis and 2 full-size products valued at over $140. 

This gift set includes deluxe sample sizes of: Urban Decay Vice Lipstick, Too Faced Shadow Insurance Revamp Beautiseal Blue Light, Stila All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Intense BlackL, It Cosmetics Superhero Voluminizing Mascara, Clarins Lash & Brow Double Fix' Mascara and Lancôme Blush Subtil in Rose Fresque - along with a full sized R.E.M. Beauty Midnight Shadows Lustrous Liquid Eye Shadow in Fembot and Vasanti Astro Highlighter in North Star. And comes in the most adorable heart-shaped, rainbow, paper pinata type box - too cute!

Quo Beauty is helping celebrate Pride with another cool limited-edition Pride Collection with bold and playful beauty products and accessories that inspire vibrant looks and celebrate the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and you can feel good with your purchase knowing that Shoppers Drug Mart will contribute 10% of sales of the Quo Beauty Pride Collection up to a maximum $30,000 to Pflag Canada, which helps provide peer support, education and advocacy of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community

 

There is lots to love in the collection but a few of my faves include: Love Is Love Eyeshadow Palette - $25 - featuring 9 high impact shades to create bold looks that show your Pride. Along with a cream base to intensify the colour and lock in your look.

Water-Activated Eyeliner - $16 - in Electric Sunset and Twilight Haze - with super high-pigment and vibrant colours to add a really fun look to your liner! 

Rainbow Maker - $10 - makes it super easy to draw a rainbow anyplace on your face or body!

Brow Stickers - $6 - peel and press gems that make it easy to add bling to your eye look!

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique & Le Male Pride Edition - 100ml EDP - $172/ 125ml EDT - $146 - Be free to be your true self! With these new PRIDE editions, Jean Paul Gaultier is campaigning for freedoms alongside The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center in New York, a fervent defender of the right of every individual to assert their identity and be accepted as they are. This shared commitment honours the activist artist Keith Haring and his famous manifesto mural "Once Upon a Time," painted in 1989 on the walls of the Center. A powerful symbol of the liberation movement that began twenty years earlier with the Stonewall riots. Inspired by its black-and-white depictions of passionate scenes, PRIDE bottles reclaim the liberated beauty of our bodies and resolutely spread the same message of diversity and tolerance for all. 

 

Everything here available while they last at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

 

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Tanologist Face & Body Self Tan Drops!

Getting rid of your pasty-white, sun-starved skin just got a lot easier with...

 

Tanologist Face & Body Self Tan Drops - 30ml - $27.99 - in Medium and Dark - concentrated tan drops designed to be mixed with your favourite  skincare, makeup or body care. They are super easy to use and best of all they are totally customizable - just mix 2 - 12 drops with your desired product in the palm of your hand - the more drops the deeper the shade will be - then just apply it like you would your regular skincare - shade not deep enough? Just reapply another layer for a deeper glow - and of course make sure you wash your hands after application or you will end up with tanned palms!

There didn't seem to be a Light shade so I tried the Medium and while I was a little concerned that it would turn out too dark and unnatural looking on my fair skin I was pleased to discover that it really is customizable - 2 drops with my usual serum gave me a nice healthy glow (even better if you use with with your night cream, then you wake up to a healthy glow), 3 1/2 drops had me looking like a had spent the day in the sun (minus the harmful UV rays) and 4 drops with my body lotion had my pasty white calves skirt ready for a special event - I am really pleased with how versatile this little bottle is! The colour also wore off very naturally with no weird patches, it just kind of faded away, you can also help it along by exfoliating if you do find it is not going away evenly or just keep applying to maintain your colour. Best of all there is no gross self-tanner scent - it's very light, fresh and it's vegan!

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

- Lisamarie -

Love your planet with Shoppers Drug Mart Quo Beauty and TerraCycle!

Welcome to Earth Month and can I just say that I love it when companies do more than just pay lip service to environmental commitment!

 

Such is the case with Shoppers Drug Mart - just a little under a year ago saw the launch of “More Planet Love” by Quo Beauty which includes over 500 products with more sustainable packaging, using recycled plastics, mono-materials and reduced plastic packaging. Additionally, the entire Quo Beauty lineup is vegan, cruelty-free, and PETA-certified, further contributing to a more sustainable planet. 

 

If you are looking for a great intro to the products check out: 

Quo Beauty More Planet Love Picks - $29.99 - a curated set of products include a shimmer lip oil, mascara and eyeliner made with a minimum 70% naturally-derived ingredients and 30% recycled plastic.

 

Following that up, Shoppers Drug Mart is launching the new Quo Beauty Cosmetics Free Recycling Program in partnership with international recycling leader TerraCycle which introduces a convenient solution for customers to recycle empty Quo Beauty cosmetics components and keep plastic packaging from going to landfills and incinerators. For each pound of cosmetics waste shipped in through the recycling program, $1 will be donated to Shoppers Foundation for Women’s Health - which creates equitable and accessible care for all women in Canada, empowering them to lead healthier lives. 

 

How does the TerraCycle program work? It's easy peasy - just collect your eligible empty Quo Beauty and get a prepaid shipping label to send them in by signing up on the TerraCycle program page here. Once collected, the cosmetic packaging is cleaned and separated by material type, and then recycled into raw formats that manufacturers use to make new products. 

 

The Quo Beauty products that can be recycled include: plastic and glass tubes, pots, pumps, sprays and jars; lipstick, lip balm, lip gloss tubes and wands; mascara tubes and wands; eyeliner pencils and components; eyeshadow and bronzer components; foundation packaging; powder components and concealer tubes and sticks.

What can't be recycled: nail polish bottles; nail polish remover bottles; makeup wipes and sponges; makeup brushes and pressurized canisters (including aerosol cans).

 

The Quo Beauty Cosmetics Free Recycling Program is open to any individual, school, office or community group. To learn more about TerraCycle’s recycling process for cosmetic packaging, please visit www.terracycle.ca/how-terracycle-recycles-beauty-products.  

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Shoppers Beauty Bundles!

If you love a sampler set as much as I do be sure to check out your local Shoppers Drug Mart right now for several bundle options including the one the skincare junkie in me loves the most...

 

Shoppers Beauty Skin Protect Beauty Bundle -  $70 - a curated kit chock full of 15 deluxe samples that will help protect skin and act as a barrier against environmental aggressors like sun damage, pollution and blue light - valued at over $175 including: Biotherm Cera Repair Barrier Cream with Ceramides, Clarins Hydra-Essential Silky Cream, Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+, Elizabeth Arden Prevage Anti-Aging Daily Serum, Estee Lauder Nutritious Melting Soft Creme/Mask, It Cosmetics Confidence In A Cleanser Cleansing Gel, Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream, Lancôme Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Serum, Nudestix NudeSkin Citrus-C Mask & Daily Moisturizer, Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask To Clear Pores, Shiseido Ultimune Power Infusing Concentrate, Smashbox Photo Finish Primerizer + Hydrating Primer, The Body Shop Edelweiss Daily Serum Concentrate, Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray and Lise Watier Sublimessence High Hydration Probiotic Serum. 

 

Each sample contains enough product to be able to try it out for a week or two to give you get a good idea of how well it works for you before springing for the full size - so far the Estee Lauder mask and The Body Shop serum are on my to-buy list! And if your skin leans more towards the sensitive, there is also a Shoppers Beauty Derm Sensitive Skin Beauty Bundle for $45 full of products to nurture and soothe.

 

If you want to try the latest and greatest products of the year then check out the Shoppers Beauty Viral Trends Beauty Bundle -  $70 - containing 10 beauty products: 1 full-size lip oil, and 9 deluxe samples including: Butter London Mellow The Yellow Nail Brightening Treatment, Buxom Power Line Plumping Lip Liner, Clinique Almost Lipstick In Black Honey, Drunk Elephant B-Goldi Bright Drops, Kylie Cosmetics KyLash Volume Mascara, Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder Ultra-Blur, Narciso Rodriguez For Her Eau De Toilette, NARS Laguna Bronzing Powder, R.E.M. Beauty Essential Drip Lip Oil (FULL SIZE!) and Virtue Labs Virtue Healing Oil. 

 

Or if you are looking to spread the beauty love grab a Shoppers Beauty 7 Days of Love Beauty Bundle -  $55 - which contains 7 Hearts, 7 Beauty Products and 7 Notes of Gratitude to Express Your Love - whether you gift it to one special person in your life or unpack the gift set and gift it to 7 special people in your life! Each heart contains one deluxe sample of the following: Lancôme Lash Idole Mascara; Smashbox The Original Smooth & Blur Primer; Too Faced Deluxe Lip Injection Extreme In UC; Lise Watier Waterproof Eyeliner Brun Noir; NARS Orgasm Blush 1.2g; Shisiedo ModernMatte Powder Lipstick; and Nudestix Mini Nudies Matte All Over Face Bronzer - SunKissed. You can also feel good that 10% of the proceeds of this Beauty Bundle will go towards supporting Shoppers Foundation For Women's Health - which is committed to fostering health equity for all women in Canada in collaboration with over 360 charities by increasing awareness of women's health issues and ensuring equitable and accessible care so all women in Canada can live healthier lives.

 

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

 

- Lisamarie -

Great Gifting at Shoppers Drug Mart for everyone one on your list - Beauty - Electronics - Stocking Stuffers - Last Minute - and More!

Gone are the days of running around to a bunch of different stores to find something to please everyone on your list! Shoppers Drug Mart has a little bit of everything which is perfect for saving time, energy and collecting lots and lots of wonderful Optimum Points...

For the best friend:

 

r.e.m. beauty Naughty & Iced Cheek & Lip Set - $39 - includes 2 best-selling flight crew favourite products including a limited edition holiglitch shade of the best-selling lip & cheek stick and must-have highlighter in miss neptune - so pretty!

For the nephew (an added bonus if it will drive your brother/sister crazy that you got it for him):

 

Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle - $399.99 - this bundle has everything you need to start your Super Mario adventures, including a Nintendo Switch system with Neon Red and Neon Blue Joy-Con controllers along with a download code for the Mario Kart 8 Deluxe game and a 3-month Nintendo Switch Online Individual membership.

For the sister that has a hard time making a decision:

 

Shoppers Beauty Derm Discovery Collection - $85 - a set of eight mini, best-selling anti-aging & hydrating serums: Avene Hydrance Aqua Gel, Ducray Keracnyl Serum, Jouviance- 3D-Retinol+, La Roche-Posay Hyalu B5 Serum, Reversa Biomimetik Regenerative Serum, StriVectin Multi-Action Super C Retinol Serum, SVR Serum Ampoule Anti-OX [C], Uriage Age Lift Intensive Firming Smoothing Serum 10mL and Vichy Liftactiv B3 Serum - try them all, decide which one you like best and then redeem the enclosed certificate for a full-sized one! There is also an Eye Discovery Collection (I got it last year and loved it!).

Have a couple of these on hand in case you need a last minute gift - that you will love using if you don't need to gift them:

 

The Body Shop Nutty & Nourishing Shea Treats - $13 - includes a shower cream and body butter enriched with handcrafted Community Fair Trade shea butter from Ghana for some serious dry skin TLC. 

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

And be sure to keep an eye out for the Optimum Points deals - there seems to be a different one every week - as long as you are shopping for everyone else you might as well gift yourself with points!

 

- Lisamarie -

All the best in Spooky Season Accessories from Quo Beauty!

Whether you are looking for the perfect finishing touch for your costume or need something so you aren't an outcast for the dreaded Halloween dress up day at work/school check out the Quo Beauty Halloween stand where you will find lots of jewelry, makeup and accessories to complete your look:

 

Quo Beauty Bat Sunglasses -  $20.99 - these are so awesome that I would wear them all the time, not just Halloween!

Glow In The Dark Nail Colour in Sweet Treat and Ghoulish - $11.99 - they go on clear so don't worry about the colour in the bottle - wear them as a top coat over another colour or on their own for a bare nail surprise - just don't put a top coat over them or they won't glow!

Quo Beauty Blending Puff - $8 - create the perfect makeup look with the help of this ghostie!

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca. There isn't a lot left online but I was at a store earlier today and there were still lots of choices - just look for the Quo Beauty rack in the Halloween costume section of your store.

 

- Lisamarie -

Experience the latest and greatest in everything beautiful with Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty+ !

It's that favourite time of the year again for me - right up there with Christmas and vacation is Shoppers Beauty+ - only the best time to pop down to my local Shoppers to discover :

 

Products that are new to me like: 

Coco & Eve Like A Virgin Super Nourishing Coconut & Fig Hair Masque - 212ml - $50 - a highly concentrated deep conditioning hair treatment that works to improve the health of your hair. The super-charged formula is infused with coconut, fig, shea butter, linseed and argan oil to strengthen and restore hair to its pure virgin state, delivering hydration from root to tip, repairing hair damaged by heat, styling, dyes and the environment and improving hair texture by targeting frizz, preventing split ends and adding gloss - Madonna would approve! On top of all of that, it smells amazing, like your hair is on vacation!

 

Brands that are new to Shoppers like: 

 

Drunk Elephant O-Bloos Rosi Drops - 30ml - $50 - adds a golden peachy-pink wash of colour that wakes up your face, while a nourishing mix of barrier replenishing omega oils and essential fatty acids keeps skin soft and soothed. Sappanwood bark, a vegan pigment, provides the warm pink tones in O-Bloos™, while powerful antioxidants (white tea, grapeseed, and cocoa extract) give skin a boost of free-radical-fighting protection. Free of silicones, drying alcohols, fragrance, and essential oils. 100% free of essential oils, silicones, and fragrance. Vegan and cruelty-free. Mix it into your foundation and use all over for a healthy-glow look or I like to apply a bit directly to the apples of my cheeks for that just got lucky look!

And of course all my perennial faves like:

Quo Beauty Glossy Lip Stain - $12 - it comes in 6 wonderful shades but I am partial to this hot pink shade called Drip - it goes on with some shine but even when the sheen wears off, the colour stays for that "sucking on a popsicle" look, of which I am a fan!

All of these also have the benefit of  part of the Thoughtful Choices at Shoppers Drug Mart lineup -  curated to help make it easier for you to shop consciously. 

 

And as an added bonus, Monday, October 2 to Thursday, October 5, 2023 you will get 30,000 bonus points when you spend $100+ on cosmetics, skin care or fragrances. 

 

Check out these and all the rest of latest and greatest at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

- Lisamarie -

Thoughtful Beauty Choices made easy at Shoppers Drug Mart!

Shoppers Drug Mart is now making it easier to find products formulated without certain ingredients or are more mindful of our planet thanks to:

 

Thoughtful Choices at Shoppers Drug Mart - a lineup of beauty, hair and body products that must meet at least one of the following two criteria:

1. No animal testing and formulated without the following ingredients: parabens, phthalates, SLS, SLES, triclosan, formaldehyde, formaldehyde releasing agents or hydroquinone; and/or

2. Be mindful of our planet with the packaging containing a minimum of 30% recycled content; and/or has fully recyclable outer packaging; and/or has a refillable solution

You might be surprised by how many products there are are doing good - a few of my new faves:

Naturally Serious After-Dark Natural Peptide Sleeping Cream - 50ml - $45 - helps you fake a good night’s sleep and help transform skin’s appearance overnight with flaxseed peptide - to help lift and firm the look of skin while smoothing the look of fine lines and wrinkles and apple extract - to pull in moisture as you sleep to give skin a hydrated and luminous look.

Evio Beauty Hemp & Peppermint Lip Serum - 10ml - $22 - a deeply moisturizing treatment with a soft oil balm texture that keeps lips supple and hydrated with a formula high in omegas 3, 6, and 9 to repair the skin barrier and form a seal over lips to keep moisture in and antioxidants and natural fatty acids to nourish and protect skin. Comes in a clear and 2 tinted formulas for a natural or perfectly polished look!

QUO Beauty 50% Plant Based Blending Sponge - $10 - offers all the benefits of your favourite Quo Beauty blending sponge but with half the plastic! This revolutionary sponge contains 50% naturally sourced plant-based material that blends your favourite liquid foundations and powders to an impeccable finish.

Available at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada - just keep an eye out for the Thoughtful Choices logo and discover lots of new and new-to-you products that will make you feel good about your beauty routine and online at shoppersdrugmart.ca/shopthoughtfulchoices.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - enjoy an embarrassment of scent choices with Solinotes!

Solinotes offers so many options in fragrance that it really makes it soooo  easy to find the scent that suits you and your mood whatever it might happen to be that season/month/day or even minute!

 

With 19 choices with everything from sweet to floral to fruity, with each fragrance being designed around a key note:

 

Almond: A sweet scent for a surprising and delicious moment of well-being. A Floriental with notes of sweet almond, composed like a cloud, for a soothing effect.

Cherry Blossom: A fragrance that leaves a languorous trail of sensuous sensations. In the garden of delights, this scent as gentle as a spring day exudes myriad notes of Citrus, Rose, Cherry, Blackcurrant, Raspberry and more. The Musk base will stimulate the senses, accentuated by invigorating Lemon, Mandarin and Cardamom notes.

 

Cotton Blossom: The fragrance of Cotton Flower is like wearing a cozy fluffy blanket. Its pure and delicate scent wraps around you for an instant sense of well-being. Floral top notes of Bergamot and Rice Powder flow over mid notes of Violet, Jasmine and Rosebud that are gentle and soothing. A cloud of Musk and Vanilla at the base brings a touch of innocence.

 

Fig Blossom: A trail of woody and fruity notes that conjure up the Mediterranean coast. Its fleshy clusters of hundreds of tiny flowers make Fig a popular aroma among perfumers. A sensual and delicate fragrance bursting with sunshine that blooms profusely in summer.

 

Freesia: A luminous fragrance with fruity notes to let your happiness burst forth. Freesia and Jasmine caress you with their harmonious nuances for a revitalizing effect. 

Iris: A flower which is a symbol of prestige. An extraordinary aromatic treasure that is a harmonious blend of zesty Mandarin and powdery Iris and Violet notes. A mysterious flower named after a goddess, smooth and sensual to reveal its contrasts between seductive Musk and precious Tonka Bean.

 

Jasmine Blossom: One of the two “queens of flowers” in perfumery, generous and romantic, Jasmine has enhanced feminine beauty since ancient times. A light and seductive fragrance accentuated by a floral trail imbued with notes of intense cedar and warming amber. Sensual and timeless.

 

Magnolia: A poetic and elegant white floral perfume with solar accents. Magnolia is an olfactory journey to soft, mellow spring days. Its white, pink and cream blooms embody sensuality and femininity. A heady heart of Arabian Jasmine enhances the accord of notes and infuses Magnolia with an intense power of attraction. 

 

Musk: A fragrance with body and soul, feminine and captivating. Musk in its raw state is the scent of virility, ambery and sensual without overdoing it, striking the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. This fragrance refreshed on the top by Lemon and Bergamot accents enhanced by notes of Jasmine and Rose is as glamorous and enveloping as you’d expect.

 

Orange Blossom: This fragrance instantly transports you to the shade of Orange Blossom in bloom. A bright and radiant perfume that reveals the full magic of Orange Blossom. A heady heart of Water Jasmine and Rose lends a sweet, tender touch. A blend of Honey and Musk creates a gourmand and captivating base.

 

Pink Grapefruit: A refreshing and zesty fragrance bursting with sunshine. This perfume bursting with passionate energy dazzles on the skin to reflect your own sparkling personality. With top notes of citrus, Pomelo is a soft fusion of fruity – Melon, Blood Orange, Grapefruit – and floral – Jasmine, Iris, Musk – aromas. Base notes of Cedar and Vetiver bring depth and intense woodiness.

 

Pomegranate: An emphatically feminine fragrance bursting with energy and exotic sensations. Tangy and dynamic green notes are sure to unveil the more sparkling aspects of your personality. Intense, spicy and incredibly juicy, Pomegranate is the summer classic with a twist of freshness. Sandalwood brings a warm and powerful base.

 

Rose: A love story in a fragrance, romantic of course, tender obviously and poetic naturally, Rose can also be resolutely modern and contemporary that is at once sparking and fresh.

 

Tiare: Inhaling the irresistible Tiare flower takes you to the heart of Tahiti. Its intoxicating solar notes tell a story of exotic climes, white sandy beaches and the vibrant colours of the ocean. Its soothing and nourishing properties easily transport you to the Pacific. A base of Vanilla and Rosewood vie for attention to bring gourmand and elegant harmony.

 

Tonka Bean: With a range of scents which has a smooth and intoxicating aroma with powdery, vanilla notes. Sun-ripened gems from the tropics of the Caribbean, Tonka Beans bring accords of Mandarin Flower and Vanilla wrapped around a core of velvet. Unrivaled for its versatility, Tonka Bean successfully marries woody notes with the sensual notes of Musk and Amber.

 

Vanilla: They don’t come any more sensual than vanilla with its floral and exotic facets that never fail to bring a smooth and gourmand feel. The subtle spicy base will soon whisk you off to the islands of the Indian ocean and the splendor of Madagascar.

 

White Tea: An intimate and discreet fragrance that beckons relaxation. Its delicate and fresh character has made it much sought-after in perfumery. Notes of Cardamom and Bergamot bring light and warmth. At its base, Musk is blended with the peachy-apricot aromas of Osmanthus.

 

Ylang: A unique, sensual fragrance with notes of exotic flowers. Ylang-ylang has the power to transport us, in a single inhalation, to a faraway tropical paradise. Breathe in the scents of islands in the Indian and Pacific oceans, notes of Jasmine and Peach Flower over a delicate base of Vanilla and Orange Blossom for softness and light.

 

Yuzu: A fusion of wild Mandarin and zesty Lemon. Citrus and Yuzu are the tonic duo that promise energy and refreshment when you need it most. With zesty notes, a touch of zing, white flower petals and eau fraiche, Yuzu oozes energy and elegance. 

The vegan formulas are clean with only essential ingredients: alcohol from natural origins (except for the body mist which is water based and alcohol free), perfume, a little bit of water and that's all! 

 

My favourites are Tonka and Yuzu - which are wonderful on their own but also layer nicely together - I can be sweet, fruity or sweet/fruity depending on the day!

 

Available as a: 250ml Body Mist - $16 or 50ml EDP - $28 - available now at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada and online at beauty.shoppersdrugmart.ca.

- Lisamarie -