Non-minty foot creams - Avon, Elizabeth Grant, L'Occitane and Airplus!

I am a big fan of a super minty foot cream but I know some people aren't so I thought I would investigate what is out there that is non-minty:

Avon Foot Works Pomegranate & Chocolate Moisturizing Foot Cream - 100ml - $7.99 - with pomegranate and cranberry extracts to help soften skin - I wasn't sure how I would like this, I love chocolate but I'm not sure that it's something I want my feet to smell like.  The cream smells more fruity with just a hint of chocolate - I really like it.  My only complaint would be that it's not as greasy as I prefer a foot cream to be (this is the only part of my body that greasy is preferable for me) so I have been using 2 layers of it to get optimum moisture - the lack of grease does make it good as a hand cream too though.

If you like the smell it also comes as a Soothing Foot Soak - 100ml - $7.99 or Smoothing Foot Scrub - 100ml - $7.99

Elizabeth Grant Camphor Hand & Foot Cream - 100ml - $20 - they warn you right on the tube that it's strong smelling, so I was expecting something like what my grandmother's house smelled like that camphor/mothball combo, but I didn't really find it that bad at all.  I don't like it as a hand cream, to me it's a foot cream smell - but if you don't mind the smell, it does absorb easily so would be fine for your hands too. Available through their website at www.elizabethgrant.com or at The Shopping Channel - www.theshoppingchannel.com

L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream - 150ml - $30 - with a light lavender scent to relax you, this cream protects, soothes and hydrates your tired feet.  It has a non-greasy formula that quickly absorbs into your skin, leaving it silky smooth while repairing dry, rough skin on your feet and heels.  While it's true it's not greasy - it is really thick, so I am a big fan of this one!  And of course it's part of our L'Occitane giveaway, so if this sounds like something you want to try, be sure to enter here!

If you just don't like foot cream there is another option - Airplus Spa Footie - $5.97 - it's a fuzzy little sock that is infused with a combination of aloe & Vitamin E - keep your feet warm and moisturize them at the same time!  Available at London Drugs, Walmart and Zellers.

- Lisamarie -

Sneak Peek - Lancôme Ultra Lavande Spring 2011 Colour Collection

I realize that we just started winter and I'm already talking about spring, which is crazy - but when I saw the spring collection for Lancôme, I had to share it with someone - it's just that darned pretty!  I used to show this kind of stuff to my husband who would then look at me with a blank, slightly pitying look and say "very nice dear, don't you have any friends that would be interested in this?"  Save my husband, be my friends and look at the pretty makeup!

I love pink, I love lavenders and purples and I love butterflies so it goes without saying that I love this palette!  Butterflies Fever Blush - 01 Glowy Ballerine - $48 - will be mine!

Other pieces from the collection that I  was able to get pics of:
Color Fever Gloss Natural Origin - 385 Lavande Ballerine or 383 Beige Ballerine - $31
Ombre Magnétique - 01 D Disco Gold - $47
Le Vernis - 359 Lavande - $16

Also in the collection that I couldn't get pics of:
Le French Touch Absolu - 308 Lil Rose, 310 Daisy Rose, 312 Berry Rose - $40
Ombre Absolute Minérale Eye Shadow Palette - A60 Ultra-Lavande Cold Harmony, A70 Ultra-Lavande Warm Harmony - $54
Le Vernis - 004 Disco Silver
Ink Artliner - 05 Ultra-Lavande - $38
Crayon Khol Naturel - 01 Ballerina Pink, 03 Ultra-Lavande - $28

I am already making my shopping list!  What do you think of the collection - is this the kind of thing that can make you think of spring already?!

- Lisamarie -

Shoppers Drug Mart adds holiday sparkle!

What's the holiday season without a lot of sparkle I ask you?  Shoppers Drug Mart agrees with me (they are scared not to) and for my (and your) sparkle pleasure, have given us lots to shine about this year!

Quo Backstage Brush Set - $100 - along with the many choices you will find in the Quo Holiday Collection, is this wonderful bush set with black crystals around the handles to help you fill your sparkly glam quota! The set contains eight Professional brushes including: Foundation, Blush, Bronzer, Large Concealer, All Over Shadow, Crease Blender, Shadow Smudger and Line/Brow Definer.

 Or how about a Quo Rhinestone Emery Board - $3 each and in a variety of colours for affordable bling!

Add some sparkle to your hair with one of the Jolie Holiday collection hair accessories - $7.99 each.

Quo Jeweled Eyelash Curler - $8.99 or Quo Jeweled Tweezers - $3.99 - would be a perfect stocking stuffer!

Quo Jeweled Purse Mirror - $9.99 - everyone will be envious when you pull this adorable number out of your bag!

GOSH Nail Art - $4 - from the GOSH Winter Collection - an easy way to add a little glamour!

You can even add some sparkle to your bathroom with Baléa Holiday Hand Soaps - $5.99 in holiday scents including Vanilla Candy Cane and Fresh Snow.

- Lisamarie -

Avon Nailwear Pro Splendid Blue and Pink Radiance swatches

These super sparkly polishes are part of Avon's holiday collection

Don't be scared of the sparkle though, it's a lot more obvious in the bottle then on your nails. I did find that because of the glitter, it didn't spread as smoothly as their non-glitter polishes do so I ended up using a smudge smoother polish to even things out before using my top coat.

- Lisamarie -

What French Women Know by Debra Ollivier

What French Women Know - About Love, Sex, and Other Matters of the Heart and Mind by Debra Ollivier  - $15 - Berkley Trade Paperback - ISBN: 978-0-425-23648-2 -

Up until now, everything I know about French women came from my lovely blogging partner Christelle, and we all know what she's like so you can just imagine what it was I thought they knew!

The book is actually a very funny and charming look at French women and how they are very unlike their American counterparts.  Debra Ollivier is certainly in an excellent position to be able to contrast the two, being an American who lived in France for 10 years during which time she married her French husband, she now divides her time between Los Angeles and Paris.

The most interesting thing that I gleaned from the book, which I think it's easy to lose sight of, is the whole individuality thing - French women don't try to be like everyone else and follow the herd - being yourself is paramount - that even includes accepting the natural aging process! Mon dieu!  I don't know that I can wrap my mind fully around that one but I sure appreciate the sentiment!

- Lisamarie -

20/11/10 Link Love

Emma shows the surprising amount of coverage offered by Laura Merciers Tinted Moisturiserover at BirdsDecorateBranches!

Whitney from Whitz World of Beauty tells the adventure of her Spa Day at Alexis K in Solana Beach, California!

Pink Diva's Beauty Spot has been busy trialling and testing new NIVEA skin care. Check out her honest product reviews on the products and share your thoughts on the brand.

Rachel discovers duochrome nails with the new Accessorize range over at at Queen of Turquoise.

Readers at Lipglossiping.com share their tried and tested tips for recreating the ultimate salon blow dry DIY style!

Beautywoome highlights the rebirth of the early '90s cream-mauve-plum nail.

Phyrra's Indie Spotlight for November is one to be thankful for! It's an exclusive interview with Tammy from Meow Cosmetics.

The Gloss Goss found love in the form of Chanel Extrait de Gloss and ended up going back for more.

Retrodiva has five steps for getting glowing skin just in time for the holidays.

Madame B Fatale talks about how she likes to get hair free for summer.

Join in the weekly This or That fun over at Audrey Dao - Confessions of a Beautyholic.

The Lip Print go pink crazy with Lush's Snow Fairy Christmas treats!

Blaq Vixen Beauty recently learned that the CoverGirl Queen Collection is getting an upgrade in the lipstick collection come January 2011.

Jellyminx reveals a brief history of her hair through some comical photos!

Krasey Beauty takes a look at some of the newest editions to the Ellis Faas cosmetics range, just in time for the holidays.

Do you love NARS Orgasm but hate the price? Katie at My Lips But Better has the scoop on a dupe!

Makeup Zombie has a Blush Showdown featuring the cult classic NARS "Orgasm" blush!

Sarah at IHeartCosmetics decides once and for all if Cloud Nine hair straighteners are better than GHD ones.

Did you miss Toronto IMATS 2010? Don't worry Jenn from Spiced Beauty has the full event coverage here.

Jeweled Thumb discovers a Chanel Paradoxal dupe that has arrived on American shores! 

Amy Antoinette has afternoon tea with Alexa Chung at the Lacoste Touch of Pink perfume launch.

Daily Polish finally conquers an 18 month lemming with Jessica's Birds of Paradise...possibly the most beautiful purple polish in existence? You decide!

***

theNotice gets a new "home" (okay, a new url...) and is celebrating with a flatiron giveaway!

Beauty Crazed not only shows you all of the Givenchy holiday fragrance sets, they are giving one away!

Make a Wish Smashbox's Perfect Pencils set on Prime Beauty--it may come true!

6 By Gee Beauty is worth the trip to Rosedale!

Toronto ladies have a new destination for 6appeal!  With natural skincare, travel sized beauty and grooming products, accessories, handmade fragrances as well as all kinds of unique gift ideas 6 By Gee Beauty is the place to be!  Newly opened and located at 6 Roxborough Street West right next door to Gee Beauty - making it awfully convenient to get pampered and go shopping all in one trip!

Also available, which your pasty winter skin will be needing soon, is Coco Tanning.  It's the safest way to capture a healthy, golden tan that looks natural -  not ‘orange’ or streaked and is evenly applied to your whole body by a professional using Saint Tropez product.

The cost is $70 without exfoliation and $140 with exfoliation. 

You will love the Le Labo Fragrance Bar which is having it's Canadian debut here - the products are handmade and personalized which make them a fabulous gift idea (and don't forget to get one for yourself of course)!

There is also lots of cute jewellery, bags and accessories!

As well as travel and lifestyle books.  I saw so many things that would make perfect hostess and holiday gifts!  What was my favourite find? Seeing that they carry the whole Nude Skincare line!

- Lisamarie -

La Vie en Rose wants you to be fascinating & glamourous for the holidays and win a makeover!

 If you're looking for something to get him into the holiday spirit, here are some great choices from La Vie en Rose!  And my stance on lingerie as a gift remains the same at Christmas as it does for Valentine's Day - he can buy you all the lingerie he wants as long as he understands that it is a gift for him and he still has to pony up something sparkly for you as the real gift!

Bustier and Thong Set - $59.95 - available in red/black, blue/black or black/black - Garter Stockings - $10 - available in black or white

Convertible Push-Up Lace Bra - $39.95 - Lace Boyleg Panty - $24.95 - available in teal/black or purple/black - Stay-Up Stockings - $10 - available in black, white, natural or ivory - Feather Fan - $19.95 - available in red, pink or black - High-Heel Slippers - $39.95 - available in red or black

Mesh Babydoll with Garters and Thong Set - $49.95 - available in red, purple or black - Garter Stockings - $10 - available in black or white

Mesh and Lace Chemise - $39.95 - available in red, teal, purple or black - Rhinestone Ankle Bracelet - $8.95

Mrs. Claus Hooded Set - $49.95 - High-Heel Slippers - $39.95 - available in red or black - Mr. Claus Boxers - $14.95

From now until December 22nd, you also have a chance to win a La Vie en Rose Makeover which includes:
- An ultra-glam professional photoshoot with a hair stylist, a make-up artist and a professional photographer
- A $2,000 Gift Card redeemable at La Vie en Rose and La Vie en Rose Aqua boutiques
- Your very own personal shopper to give you advice on what suits your body type and your personality

Register online at www.lavieenrose.com/contest for your chance to win!

- Lisamarie -