Contests, events, deals and steals from The Shopping Channel, The Body Shop, TopSpas.org, Salonbookr and Goody!

In honour of their 25^th birthday, The Shopping Channel has launched its biggest giveaway ever – the chance to win one of 25 Caribbean cruises, in partnership with Travelocity.ca! All you have to do is spot the Travelocity.ca Roaming Gnome throughout the on-air broadcast or online to qualify to enter to win the chance for a four night, five day cruise throughout the Caribbean. More information on how to enter the contest can be found at theShoppingChannel.com/birthday.

Throughout the month of February, Canadians will be able to shop for incredible values culminating in a very special day on February 25th in what could be the biggest-selling Today's Showstopper in The Shopping Channel's 25-year history. Tune in February 25th to find out more! And while you're doing your shopping, don't forget that every day, one lucky duck will win their purchase!


Feel free to invite me as your cruise guest if/when you win! 

Calling all Chocoholics! On Friday, February 3,  from noon to 4pm The Body Shop at the Toronto Eaton Centre will host an exclusive launch of its newest indulgence, the Chocomania Bath and Body collection. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Toronto fans will have a special sneak peek of the sensuous new range that will also be available for purchase. With the help from a few special guests, including a pair of sexy chocolate painted models and live DJ, The Body Shop at the Toronto Eaton Centre will be sizzling with love.

Chocomania is a decadent, sensuous and indulgent range guaranteed to plunge you, your skin and your senses straight into chocolate heaven. Pleasure rich and oozing with luxurious texture and fragrance, lavish this year’s Valentine with the guilt-free satisfaction of knowing that these products help spread hope and happiness worldwide, thanks to The Body Shop Community Fair Trade program. The Chocomania collection will be available at all other The Body Shop locations nationwide on Monday, February 6. 

Looking for someplace local (or not) to spa? Check out TopSpas.org, an online directory of over 6,000 spas across North America. Their goal is to become a leader in providing information for people looking for spas and relaxation. This is a great idea if you are going on vacation or to another province/state for some reason and need to find out about the local spas!

Here's a clever mobile application that allows you to search salons, spas and tanning studios in your location and book an appointment according to your salon needs - SalonBookr - perfect for the busy women on the go - just open the app, search and book an appointment all at the touch of your finger!They're still beta testing but you can sign up to be notified as soon as they go live!

Goody has made it to Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/GoodyCanada), and to celebrate they are giving away $150 prize packs just for liking them! You can now also find them on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/GoodyCanada) and Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/goodycanada) too! Goody will be featuring creative editorial content to support interaction among beauty lovers across the country. Channels will include expert advice and exclusive news on the hottest hair trends, tools and accessories for a Canadian audience.

- Lisamarie -

Fragrant Friday - Vera Wang Princess Night

Vera Wang Princess Night - 30ml EDT - $49 - described as a blend of exotic flowers, fruits and woody tones, it has top notes of wild berries, watermelon and raspberry; heart notes of jasmine petals, spiced orange blossom and a touch of passionate rose; and a sweet base of crushed sugar, vanilla and musk.

The bottle of course is the heart-shape that we all know and love and you have to adore the dark purple glitter it's covered with as well as the silver crown on top!

I'm a longtime Princess fan and have liked every one so far so I was fully expecting to like this new version and I'm not the least bit disappointed! Not being a fan of full-on florals I appreciate the way that have de-floralized it a bit by adding the fruity and sweet notes so that it still has the floral girlishness but with a warm, fruity edge.

And let's face it, this is as close to being a princess as I am going to get - that Harry just doesn't seem like the marrying type...

Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart and Pharma Prix.  

- Lisamarie -

Be an "Awesome Canadian Woman" with help from Upper Canada Soap! Contest!

It's not easy being awesome and nobody knows that better than Upper Canada Soap! As you can see from the video though, one application of Naturally Signature Collection products will turn any Canadian woman into the "Awesome Canadian Woman"! No really! Don't believe me? Fine be like that - why don't you just come win one of the prize packs and find out for yourself then?!

We've got 3 (yes, I said 3!) gift baskets chock full of  Upper Canada Soap Naturally Signature Collection Golden Maple Sugar products! Will they make you as fabulous as the chick in the video? Damn Skippy they will! Not only that, they are made with natural ingredients right here in Canada and each product contains natural antioxidants that are formulated to moisturize, nourish and protect your skin, especially during the harsh Canadian winter months.

You can check out all the products in detail at www.uppercanadasoap.com

This contest is open to all our Canadian (sorry everyone else but you can't really be an Awesome Canadian Woman without being Canadian now can you!?) followers and it's very easy to enter, just leave a comment letting us know that you follow (if you aren't a follower you can sign up through Google or Facebook - signups are in the right sidebar)

1 entry for following and answering the question - What do you think is the best thing about being Canadian ? Please also leave your e-mail so we can find you if you win!

And for an extra entries:

Visit the Upper Canada Soap Facebook page and "like" them - www.facebook.com/uppercanadasoap
Follow @BeautyCrazedCan on Twitter and tweet the contest.
Follow @UpperCanadaSoap on Twitter and tweet the contest. 
 

If you prefer not to leave your info on a public post, please leave a post saying you want to enter and then e-mail your info to info@beautycrazed.ca, please put "Awesome Canadian Woman Contest" in the subject line.  Remember to leave the post or you name won't actually end up in the draw! Winner to be decided by random drawing and you have until February 17th to enter. Good Luck!

- Lisamarie -

New and Notable at Shoppers Drug Mart - Biotherm, Quo, L'Oréal, Rimmel and Sally Hansen!

Biotherm Aquasource Nuit - 50ml - $48 - a high density hydrating jelly good for all skin types that contains revolutionary skin care technology to specifically address the overnight hydration needs of women. Concentrated in Mannose, Thermal Plankton Cellular Water and P. Antarctica, a micro-organism that has the unique ability to retain water to help replenish skin’s water reserves. Upon wakening, the skin looks beautiful and more luminous, day after day. If nothing else I'm going to have to try it for the smell - it's amazing! A combo of citrus fruits, accented with Apricot, Jasmine and Musk - yum! I also like how light the jelly is, very unlike the usual heavy night-cream deal!

Quo has a couple of new mascaras in store now: Quo Lash Revolution Mascara - $18 - a rotating mascara that alternates between clockwise and counter clockwise rotations at the push of a button for an effortless and even mascara application that promotes healthy lashes with daily use.
Quo 90° Mascara - $15 - with a clever brush that bends to a 90 degree angle to made it easy to get to every lash. This must be a good idea because I always see the pros bending their wands and I wonder how they get them back in the tube - and if you are bending it back and forth like that, wouldn't it eventually break? No such worries with this one, it's meant to bend!

L'Oréal Visible Lift Serum Absolute Concealer - $13.99 - instantly improves the appearance of mature skin with a medium coverage serum formula that contains five advanced anti-aging ingredients: Pro-Retinol A, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Adic, Pro-Lastyl and Pro-Xylane. The patented brush hides imperfections upon application for a visibly brighter complexion with more even skin tone, reduced fine lines and concealed imperfections. Available in four shades: Fair, Light, Medium and Deep.

L'Oréal Visible Lift Serum Advanced Age-Reversing Powder - $18.99 - a luminous finishing powder infused with an active serum containing the same five age-reversing ingredients: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Hyaluronic Acid and Pro-Xylane to make skin appear instantly nourished, brighter, even and softer.

L'Oréal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner - $13.99 - if you've been looking for a mass market Kajal check this one out - Kajal is a rich black ingredient that has an intensity that is noticeably deeper, allowing for dramatic contouring and shaping of the eyes. In Smoldering Black and Smoldering Grey.

Rimmel Vinyl Max Lip Gloss - $8.49 - has a gigantic angled applicator with a built-in reservoir that applies a thicker coat of gloss and delivers volume in one stroke. The new soft, light and non-sticky formula has a volumising complex contains heroic hyaluronic spheres to literally magnify your lips.To instantly smooth and make your pout look even more voluptuous.  Adding 200 per cent more shine, 40 per cent more volume and 30 per cent bigger lips. In 12 intense colour shades: Legend - gleaming blush; Excess - grown up girliness; Dazzle - party in a tube; Breathless - classic neutral; Desire - understated definition; Addictive - full on candy; Dare - burgundy stain; Passion - old school glamour; Outrageous - flattering coral; Glorious - fresh fun; Goddess - Bond Street chic; Muse - the perfect interview shade.

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength No Chip Nail Colour - $7.49 - a reformulated line to include double the diamonds for hardness and brilliance, platinum to strengthen and aluminum for ample shine effect.With a no-chip colour that stops nails from breaking and provides a brilliant multi-faceted shine. Available in 24 shades: Flawless, Diamonds, Platinum, Aisle Be There, Glass Slipper, Brillinat Blush, Champagne Toast, It's Chiff-on!, Pink Promise, Pulled Sugar, Lavendar Marquis, Love Bug, Must-Have Iris, Fuchsia Bling Bling, Something New, Diamonds and Rubies, Honeymoon Red, 3K or more!, Nude Shimmer, Antique Bronze, Royal Romance, Wedding Crasher, Save The Date, Black Diamonds, Something Blue, Bride To Be, Together Forever, Sweetie Pie, Princess Cut, Heart To Heart, Red Velvet, Black Tie.

- Lisamarie -

Lise Watier Aquarella - Rose Gloss Aquarella, Guimauve Rouge Goumand and Euphorbia Nail Lacquer swatches!

I know that technically it's still winter but you just wouldn't know it from the weather outside so I've felt no guilt whatsoever breaking out my spring shades and pretending spring's already here! The Lise Watier Aquarella Spring 2012 collection is one of my faves for all of the purple in it - I just loves me some purple!

Gloss Aquarella in Rose Aquarella - purple on lips always looks much more pink so don't be scared off!

Rouge Goumand Lipstick in Guimauve - I'm totally in love with this colour, I've been wearing it all week! I love that while it is a colour, it's not so much of one that it takes a lot of effort to apply - which is good for me since half the time I end up putting my lipstick on while on the subway with no mirror!

Nail Lacquer in Euphorbia - this on the other hand is totally purple!

And while I like the colour just fine, what I really love is the lighted brush. Some people have commented to me that they think it's a stupid idea - "how often do you put nail polish on in the dark?" but I think it's actually quite brilliant! I tend to apply nail polish at night while watching tv and while it is a lighted room, it's not super bright and it's amazing how much better and more precise a job I can do having that extra light directed right at my nails!

- Lisamarie -

Estée Lauder Summer 2012 - Bronze Goddess Capri

Inspired by the seductive beauty of the Isle of Capri, the Estée Lauder summer 2012 Limited Edition Bronze Goddess Capri collection captures the intoxicating feeling of summer in this exotic locale.

Bronze Goddess Luminous Liquid Bronzer - $34.50

Bronze Goddess Soft Matte Bronzer - $40.00

Bronze Goddess Soft Shimmer Bronzer -$40.00

Bronze Goddess Soft Duo Bronzer - $40.00

Pure Color Five Color Gelée Powder EyeShadow Palette - $48.50 -  a fresh palette of five seductive summer shadows in effervescent metallic sand shades complemented by a sizzling pop of aquamarine in a hot, cyber-metallic finish. With new prisma shine technology, the formula is a tri-brid of a liquid, powder and gel all in one, allowing for high-definition colour impact that won’t crease, fade or flake. Apply dry, or wet to intensify your look. 

Pure Color Illuminating Powder Gelée in Shimmering Sands - $50 - a unique dimensional powder gelée palette which features a delicate pattern of shimmering sands to celebrate summer. Provides an all-over soft sheen that builds to a luminous pearl highlight for a sophisticated, polished glow. With breakthrough prisma shine technology, featuring a tri-brid formula of liquid, powder and gel, the luminescent formula delivers a naturally radiant finish. Perfect for virtually any skin tone, it provides a streak-free, smooth, even application that can be worn alone or over bronzer, enhancing your natural cheek colour by adding a touch more summer radiance with every stroke.

Pure Color Intense Kajal Eye Crayon Duo in White Sands/Molten Lava - $28 - inspired by the kajal used in ancient India, it's ideal for creating the ultimate sultry summer eye look with a soft, rich formula that glides onto the inner and outer rim of the eye.

Sumptuous Waterproof Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black - $23.50

Pure Color Gloss in Shimmering Mirage - $24 - a sun-kissed light, pearlescent, golden hue makes lips appear sea-dipped moist.

Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Tiger Eye - $32.00

Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Urban Auburn - $32.00

Pure Color Nail Lacquer in Molten Lava - $25 - this sand-hued shade completes the sultry summer look.

Bronze Goddess Capri - 100ml Eau Fraiche/Skinscent - $68 - is a limited edition, Solar Oriental fragrance inspired by the seductive Isle of Capri. Sparkling and exotic, with alluring notes of Cassis and juicy Mandarin, while the luscious blend of Lemon Leaves glistens like an incandescent drop of liquid sunshine. The heart, a warm touch of radiant sensuality, reveals an intoxicating floral energy of sun-soaked Jasmine Sambac and sensual Muguet. Rich, elegant layers of gilded Peony envelop the skin like liquid gold. The sensuous heat intensifies in the dry down, surrounded by a surge of creamy Vanilla enhanced by fluid Amberwood and the exotic aroma of Patchouli and Musk.

Bronze Goddess - 100ml Eau Fraiche/Skinscent - $68 - returns for summer 2012 for a limited time. This luscious summer fragrance embodies the sultry warmth of summer, capturing the sensuous heat of the sun, the softness of warm sand and the radiance of bronzed skin with its amber-enhanced Solar Floral bouquet. Inspired by a luxuriant tropical beach under the constant heat of the sun, the Bronze Goddess fragrance is built around a creamy heart of golden Amber that emanates pure summer.

Available at Estée Lauder counters across Canada beginning in March 2012. 

- Lisamarie -

Rodial Dragon's Blood Sculpting Gel - as weird as it sounds?

Rodial Dragon's Blood Sculpting Gel - 50ml - $75 - a unique gel that is known in some circles as the "liquid facelift" helps to define facial contours and plump sagging skin. It contains Dragon's Blood - which sounds gross but is actually a tree sap which works to form a second skin-like protective film on the skin as well as protect against environmental damage and contains anti-inflammatory properties; Collageneer - to stimulate and increase the natural collagen production and sythesis for smoother, plumper skin; Volufiline - to increase fatty deposits in the skin and to plump sagging skin; and Commipheroline - to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve tonicity and elasticity of the skin.

Used twice a day for 28 days the results expected are: an increase in skin elasticity; reduction in skin sagging; dramatically defined and volumized skin; and firmer skin around jaw line and cheek bones with improved tonicity.

What I think is interesting about it is how you can feel the tightening effect soon after applying and not in the usual gluey kind of way that you do with some instant tightening products, more like your skin just suddenly lifted itself up a couple of centimeters. And as far as I'm concerned the airless pump design is brilliant, I wish all products that came in a jar would do this instead, it's so much more sanitary then dipping your fingers in and out of a jar!

Available exclusively at Murale.

- Lisamarie -

This week I'm obsessed with... Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy!

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment Advanced Therapy - $29 - thanks to Fresh I have a new overnight lip treatment to love. Proven to moisturize lips for 24 hours, it's fortified with highly effective anti-aging ingredients that nourish and repair dryness; boost volume and definition; and smooth creases and fine lines for full, healthy, younger-looking lips. And of course with the same scent that we know and love!

It contains: Sea Fennel Extract - rich in fatty acids, stimulates cellular renewal to smooth fine lines and improve the skin's structure: Soft Orange Extract - defends against free radical damage and increases micro-circulation for more radiant, healthy-looking skin; Hyaluronic Filling Spheres - penetrate the skin to fill in wrinkles and imperfections, improve suppleness and firmness and enhance volume; Cupuacu Butter - moisturizes dry, damaged skin; Plum Seed Oil - a vitamin-rich emollient that nourishes and protects the skin by preventing collagen deterioration; Passionflower Seed Oil - hydrates, soothes and softens the skin while maintaining elasticity; and Commiphoria Extract - a powerful resin with age-reversing properties which visibly reduces fine lines and produces a plumping effect.

Although I prefer wearing it at night it can of course be worn during the day as well - but as the directions recommend smoothing it directly on the lips and around the line of the mouth that seems a little messy to me for a daytime treatment. Besides, I love the way I wake up with super moisturized lips - added bonus, it makes the colour I wear during the day look amazing!

Score your own at Sephora and sephora.com where it is available exclusively.

- Lisamarie -