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Beauty: Murale Spring 2019 Preview

20 March, 2019 Nelia


Now that it’s officially spring, it’s time for a beauty routine refresh. Cold temps, windy snowboarding trips, and a quick but sunburny trip to the Dominican Republic left my skin feeling just a little stressed out. Luckily, I had a few goodies from the Murale Spring 2019 preview to give me a hand with repairing the damage. If you’re in need of a few new goodies to bring your glow back this spring, check out some of my faves from Murale (and Shoppers Drug Mart) below.

ORGANIC PHARMACY Skin Brush, $23
Not only does dry brushing boosts circulation and lymphatic system, but it also helps with avoiding ingrown hairs post-waxing, and is great for gentle exfoliation. I’ve been using mine religiously after my sunburn and not only did it feel great, it helped me get rid of the dreaded peeling in no time.

Available now in-store and on shoppersdrugmart.ca/beauty

STRIVECTIN Blue Rescue™ Clay Renewal Mask $49
This multi-tasking clay mask uses nourishing oceanic extracts and balancing probiotics to reduce the look of fine lines, enlarged pores, rough texture and dullness in just ten minutes. The massage-activated formula goes from white to an ocean blue colour as it smooths, reduces redness and boosts radiance.

Available now in-store and on shoppersdrugmart.ca/beauty

FILORGA NCEF-NIGHT MASK $95
Night masks are my fave…the active ingredients work hard overnight to make your skin look more rested and more youthful when you wake up…what’s not to love?! And this one from Filorga is top-notch. Peptides boost hyaluronic acid and collagen to smooth wrinkles and plump the skin, silk tree extract stimulates melatonin, a natural sleep regulator, for a well-rested appearance, and red indigo extract fights the negative effects of daily stress for a more radiant complexion.

Available March 2019 in-store and on shoppersdrugmart.ca/beauty

PATCHOLOGY Resting Beach Face Soothing Sheet Mask + Lip Gel Kit, $20
This kit was a life-saver! I actually brought one soothing sheet mask with me on the plane, and it helped my dehydrated skin be less dehydrated. Soothe Sheet Mask: Created with the best ingredients from Mother Nature’s medicine cabinet, this masque is a five-minute remedy. Aloe Vera and Cotton Seed Extract are natural anti-inflammatories that help soothe and calm redness. Schisandra Berry de-stresses skin and improves moisture for a plump, youthful glow. Bursting with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, this blend of Rosemary, Sage, and Lavender helps repair irritated skin. Hydrating Lip Gel: Instantly moisturizes dry lips. Each five-minute biodegradable lip mask combines ingredients like Peptides to improve elasticity, Green Tea to soothe, and Niacinamide to prevent water loss.

Available April 2019 in-store and on shoppersdrugmart.ca/beauty

TEAOLOGY White Tea Miracle Drops $49
If you already use a serum and a good moisturizer, but still suffer from dry skin, this product may just be the answer. It really does leave the skin feeling softer and more moisturized. The formula is an effective anti-aging concentrate, containing a precious White Tea infusion, full of powerful antioxidant polyphenols (Epigallocatechin EGCG), combined with a peptide complex that helps re-densify skin tissue. Stabilized Vitamin C enhances the complexion’s brightness and stimulates collagen production. When used every day, skin appears fresher, smoother and more radiant.

Available now in-store and on shoppersdrugmart.ca/beauty

JOWAE Hydrating Water Mist $19
This hydrating mist is inspired by Korean lotions and is used following make-up removal to add extra hydration  and refresh the skin with Sakura blossom hydrolat with antioxidant Lumiphenols in a fine and gentle mist.

Available now exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart

FOREO UFO Advanced Mask Collection, $25
I haven’t tried FOREO’s UFO Masks just yet, but I was definitely intrigued at the preview. FOREO’s new collection of five UFO Activated Mask formulas target a variety of skin concerns and combine a highly-concentrated face mask with an expert UFO treatment routine for total skin recovery. Sounds both high-tech and relaxing…sign me up!

Available now in-store and on shoppersdrugmart.ca/beauty

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Holidays 2018: Gift Guide

21 November, 2018 Nelia


Shopbop
I love Shopbop for many reasons, but the amazing selection of high and low must-haves is what keeps me coming back again and again. If you’re looking for perfect holiday gifts, there’s no better time to get your Shopbop on. You can get up to 75% off sale and up to 25% off full-price items until November 25th, using promo code MORE18. Think vintage CHANEL and Hermes pieces that never go on sale, toasty cashmere, silk pillowcases, chic PJs…there are stylish gifts for every budget and every wishlist! And don’t forget to treat yourself while you’re at it.


Holt Renfrew
Holiday sales at Holt Renfrew are pretty epic. Over the years, I’ve treated myself to some lovely designer finds at a fraction of the original price, and this year I hope to continue this tradition. But while holiday shopping for yourself can be super satisfying, Holt Renfrew makes it super easy to stock up on prezzies for everyone on your list, from fashion lovers to tiny tots. There are sweet Parisian indulgences (Angelina Chocolate, anyone?), luxurious beauty finds (Diptyque gift sets, limited-edition CHANEL perfume, oh my!), stylish offerings from Canadian brands like Smythe, and too many heart-stopping pairs of shoes to count. Holt Renfrew is truly a one-stop Canadian shop for those unforgettable magenta-wrapped gifts anyone would be thrilled to find under their tree.


Indigo
Whenever I’m shopping for hostess gifts, presents for the little ones, or some cute but useful stocking stuffers, Indigo is my go-to. My faves this year include Becoming by Michelle Obama, cozy reading socks, a chic mirror compact that doubles as a cell-phone charger, the latest Fitbit Charge 3 (it comes in rose gold!), Jenny Bird pins, and one of the hottest gifts this year – the gravity blanket (for those with anxiety issues or trouble sleeping). Lots of pre-Black Friday sales are happening at Indigo at the moment, so it’s a really great time to get your shop on and save some money on those holiday presents.


Shoppers Drug Mart
If you collect PC Optimum points, then holiday shopping at Shoppers Drug Mart is a no-brainer. You can buy some really great presents, while earning points to treat yourself later. At a recent holiday preview, I spotted some wonderful gift ideas like magnetic makeup brushes by Quo, a wide selection of designer fragrances, luxurious beauty advent calendars (like this huge one from Artdeco), sleek electric toothbrushes, and so much more! There are plenty of gifts for kids, tech geeks, makeup lovers, hosts and hostesses, husbands, boyfriends, the mailman…you name it. And best of all, a lot of these gifts are available online, and plenty of stores are open 24/7, letting you shop around the clock.

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Shopping: beautyBOUTIQUE Black Friday Deals and Spend Your Points PLUS Event

23 November, 2017 Nelia


1. Avène Tolérance Extrême Set (on sale $27.99) 2. philosophy shimmering snowlace ($22) 3. Filorga Coffret Noël Time ($105) 4. Avène Triacnéal Expert 5. Bioderma Gift With $30 Purchase (free) 6. Benefit Beauty & The Bay ($49) 7. Paul & Joe Cat Lipstick ($21) 8. Avène Hydrance Optimale Rich set (on sale $29.99)

This is not a drill! beautyBOUTIQUE by Shoppers Drug Mart has a crazy number of really great Black Friday deals on offer – from discounts on various products (like my HG skincare brand Avène!) to amazing gifts with purchase. And that’s not all – this weekend is probably my fave time of all – the Spend Your Points PLUS Event, when you can use your hard-earned points to buy presents for your loved ones (or yourself) and get points back at the same time to redeem for more presents later on. It’s just a smart way to shop!

My plan of attack is to stock up on my personal essentials like Avène products for my super sensitive skin (Triacneal Expert, Hydrance, and Tolérance), earn points on these discounted items, and then use the points this weekend to buy pretty gift sets for my friends and family, earning extra points…and then use the extra points from this weekend to buy snacks and candy for our Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Sorry if it’s confusing, but I take my Optimum points very very seriously. Also, if you use the Shoppers Drug Mart app (and if you’re not, you are seriously missing out), there are lots of personalized coupons waiting to be loaded, which of course adds up to more points and more savings. And just in case this sounds sponsored, it totally isn’t…and I’m just a slightly rabid points collector and I can’t even tell you how many free Avène products I’ve redeemed for this year alone!

Are you a crazy Optimum points collector? Share your strategies in the comments and happy shopping!

Beauty, Shopping Avène, Avene Hydrance, Avène Tolerance, Avene Triacneal, Beauty, beautyBOUTIQUE, Benefit Beauty, Bioderma, Black Friday, Black Friday 2017, Black Friday Canada, Black Friday Canada Sales, Filorga, Paul & Joe Beauty, philosophy, Shoppers Drug Mart, Shoppers Drug Mart App, Shoppers Optimum Points, Shoppers Spend Your Points Event, Shopping

TIFF 2017: Beauty and Gifting Lounges

20 September, 2017 Nelia


TIFF can be a pretty stressful time for the media covering the festival, which is why the various beauty and gifting lounges are so helpful during that time – it’s a one-stop shop to get pampered and treated like a celeb when you’re feeling anything but. This year, I was able to visit three of them in between my TIFF appointments, and month-end at work.

1. The Stylist Suite

The Stylist Suite is a celebrity styling and gifting lounge focused on bringing Canadian fashion to TIFF red carpets. Over the past five years, The Stylist Suite has gifted and dressed over 300 celebrities and personalities, including the likes of the Olsen twins, Susan Sarandon, John Travolta, Tatiana Maslany, Kiesza, and many more. The suite had an extensive selection of red carpet pieces from both established and up-and-coming Canadian designers including Andrew Majtenyi, Christopher Paunil, Hendrixroe, Hilary MacMillan, Ryan Alexander, WRKDEPT, among others. I tried on some cool clothes, learned about new Canadian designers (Patricia Wong Jewellery had some really awesome rings!), and had my portrait taken at The Pull Magazine’s Portrait Studio with celebrity photographer Matthew Lyn in support of WE Charity, an international charity that empowers domestic and international change. 

2. beautyBOUTIQUE  by Shoppers Drug Mart TIFF Suite

There are lots of fun parties to attend during TIFF so when beautyBOUTIQUE by Shoppers Drug Mart TIFF Suite offers to get me party-ready, I always jump at the chance. This year, I had my makeup done by a Stila makeup artist, and had my best Star Wars hair dreams realized by PHYTO. By the time I was done, I felt like one of the celebs – glam and ready to hit the red carpet. Oh, and I ran into Judy Greer in the lobby of the Intercontinental Hotel, so obviously it was an awesome day.

3. Bask-It-Style

Bask-It-Style is an annual TIFF gifting suite that welcomes media and Canadian celebs to check out the latest offerings from various brands and get a mean swag bag in the process. Bask-it Style gift bags are also delivered directly to various celebs at their hotel rooms. While visiting the lounge, I got to try the delicious beet iced tea from DAVIDs TEA, learned all about the new HP Sproket Photo Printer (perfect for wedding photo booths and for actually printing out your Instagram pics), met author Adrienne Kress (who was promoting her new book The Explorers: The Door in the Alley), and listened to Mindy Kaling’s audio book while wearing VR goggles at the Rakuten Kobo station. The gift bag also included goodies from Pureology, Studio1098, Sharp Magazine, as well as a bunch of snacks (like the yummy Toronto Popcorn Company popcorn and Hungry Buddha coconut chips) that came in really handy on days when there was no time for a proper sit-down meal. And as a random bonus, later on I found out that the girls in my time slot (see first pic in this post) were from Degrassi. Do you know which one of them is the next Drake?

Beauty, Fashion Amanda Arcuri, Ana Golja, Bask-it Style, beautyBOUTIQUE, DAVIDs TEA, Degrassi, HP, HP Sproket, Matthew Lyn, PHYTO, Shoppers Drug Mart, Soma Chhaya, Stila, Stylist Box, Stylist Suite, TIFF, TIFF 2017, Toronto

TIFF 2016: Favourite Moments

22 September, 2016 Nelia

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Another TIFF has come and gone, and all I’m left with is residual fatigue and lots of amazing memories. 30 minutes in the same room as Ryan Gosling? Check. Brunch with Sigourney Weaver? Check (well, kinda). Below are my most memorable moments from #TIFF16!

1. Variety Studio
Always a highlight of my TIFF, Variety Studio is usually located in a pretty small room with a handful of famous people going in and out, where you have to act cool, even when you really want to fangirl like you’ve never fangirled before. I’ve visited Variety Studio as a guest of Moroccanoil for the last few years, and I always walk away with lots of juicy star observations. This year, I breathed the same air as Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, John Legend, Gael Garcia Bernal, Gerard Butler, Gemma Arterton, Bill Nighy, Sam Claflin, Miranda Cynthia Nixon, and the cast of The Eagle Huntress.

Despite being in the same room as Ryan Gosling for nearly 30 minutes, I didn’t actually talk to the Canadian heartthrob. But I did watch him, like a creeper that I am. Ryan was shorter than I imagined, and looked very serious the entire time he was at the lounge (unlike Emma Stone, who was animated and smiled a lot). Strangely, I didn’t see the two interact very much – Emma was mostly with her people and Ryan with his. The only time we got to see Ryan’s warmer side, was when he spotted the star of The Eagle Huntress Aisholpan in her native garb, and went over to introduce himself. After a brief chat, he offered to take photos with Aisholpan and her family. I wasn’t quite sure whether the Kazakh family actually knew who Ryan was, but they were happy to snap a few photos with the actor. At the end of his visit, Ryan took some time to sign a postcard for Airbnb and Make-A-Wish foundation, and while waiting for the elevator, he stood right in front of me for nearly 5 minutes. It took all of my strength not to be that person and ask him for a photo; I played it cool instead…but those were the longest 5 minutes of my life. File this one under #TIFFregrets.

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Just like in prior years, the British actors were my faves. They just seem to have a camaraderie that the Hollywood actors don’t seem to posses. This year, I watched the cast of Their Finest, including Sam Claflin, Gemma Arterton, and Bill Nighy, work the room and charm everyone in the vicinity. Bill Nighy made eye contact with anyone around him and said “hello”, which shouldn’t seem like a big deal, but it really is, because most of the stars don’t even make eye contact with the “civilians”. Gemma looked relaxed and beautiful, as did Sam, who seemed to be in a good mood and looked very friendly. Sam played the Holt Renfrew claw machine and had to try a couple of times before finally winning. It was cute to see how competitive he got. He also came by the Moroccanoil station to learn more about the products and walked away with a goodie bag of his own.

Other lucky guests who took home some Moroccanoil included John Legend (who chose to walk 6 flights of stairs down instead of waiting for the elevator), Cynthia Nixon (who came in looking a bit stern, but seemed to liven up at the sight of Moroccanoil…seriously!), Richard Gere (who popped in for a few minutes and was gone in a flash), and Gael Garcia Bernal (who was just as cute as I remember from back in 2007 when I met him at MTV, but didn’t spare a minute to sign the Airbnb/Make-A-Wish postcard, which was disappointing).

rexfeatures5895070g-jpg-191926-original
2. Brunch at Brassaii
Stargazing is a pretty popular activity during TIFF. You can find throngs of fans camping out on King St, in front of theatres, and waiting outside of various hotels, but did you know that you can have brunch at Brassaii, where all sorts of movie stars arrive to attend the Hollywood Reporter Lounge? It’s true! My friend Al and I stopped by Brassaii to try their new brunch menu, and in just one hour, we watched Sigourney Weaver walk in and out (apparently she requested a special vegetarian soup), and saw Felicity Jones in a pretty striped outfit. Had we had more time to hang out, we would’ve also seen Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner, Douglas Booth and Bill Nighy, Christian Bale and Oscar Isaac, Pharrell and Taraji P. Henson (who was greeted with a banana cream tart, lemon meringue tart, a white chocolate/dark chocolate brownie, and a Happy Birthday song). It’s so easy – the stars literally come to you, and you don’t have to jockey for position, or stand in lines for hours – just enjoy delicious food like Oreo Pancakes and Fried Chicken and Waffles, while trying not to pass out when Ryan Gosling strolls by.

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Beauty: Shoppers Drug Mart To ‘Do List

30 May, 2016 Nelia

braided-crown-how-to-dove-nexxus-24
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Dove, Nexxus, TRESemmé and Shoppers Drug Mart via Mode Media Canada. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, who is a paid influencer, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dove, Nexxus, TRESemmé and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Summer is almost here, and if you have long hair, you’ll need an up-do or two to keep your locks looking good even on the most humid of days. For a few years now, my go-to has been a braided crown – not only is it super easy to achieve, you can wear it for any occasion – from summer weddings, to music festivals, to brunch. And thanks to Shoppers Drug Mart, Nexxus, and Dove, I’m going to share The To ‘Do List for achieving this perfect summer hairstyle with you. As I mentioned, this is a pretty easy look to create. It works best on dirty-ish hair, so it’s a great hairstyle for those bad hair days.

braided-crown-how-to-dove-nexxus-summer-hairbraided-crown-how-to-dove-nexxus-summer-hair-2
To start, spray Dove Invigorating Dry Shampoo (must-have product for the summer!) on the roots to refresh, absorb oil, and add a bit of texture to your locks. Next, part your hair in the middle and split it in two sections. Braid each section (I prefer the fishtail braid, but any braid style would work), pulling hair away from your face. Once you’re done braiding, loosen the braids a bit to create more volume. This look works best when it’s a little messy, so don’t worry if a few locks are out of place. Grab one braid and wrap it over the top of your head, pinning until it’s secure. Take the other braid and do the same thing, tucking the end under the first braid and pinning in place. Spray Nexxus Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist to secure the hairstyle. This hairspray is amazing because it doesn’t leave my hair feeling stiff or looking flaky, but still holds all of my favourite hairstyles in place. Once the braids are secure, you’re all done and ready for anything summer throws your way!

braided-crown-how-to-dove-nexxus-summer-hair-3
If you follow me on Snapchat (styleblogca), you already know that I have a bit of a Shoppers Drug Mart addiction. I probably end up stopping in at least 5 times a week for most of my household, beauty, and grocery shopping. It doesn’t help that the Shoppers App is so good at personalizing my coupons, and helping me rack up those Shoppers Optimum Points. If you’re not using the app, I can’t recommend it highly enough – it’ll help you save a ton of money while keeping your hair looking great. So tell me, do you have a go-to summer hairstyle? Share in the comments!

braided-crown-how-to-dove-nexxus-10

braided-crown-how-to-dove-nexxus-summer-hair-4
TRESemmé, Nexxus and Dove, all available at your local Shoppers Drug Mart, have all the right products to help me get all the latest summer trends. Whether it’s a braided up-do for the local patio or loose tousled waves for that effortless beach look, they have everything I need. To check out more looks and complete your To ‘Do List this summer go to ShoppersDrugMart.ca
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Beauty, Shopping Braids, Dove, Dove Invigorating Dry Shampoo Review, Hair, Hair Trends 2016, How to Create a Milkmaid Braid, Milkmaid Braid, Nexxus, Nexxus Comb Thru Touchable Hold Finishing Mist Review, Shoppers Drug Mart, Shoppers Drug Mart App, Shoppers Optimum Points

Beauty: Garnier Color Styler Review

12 May, 2015 Nelia

rainbow-mermaid-unicorn-hair
Ever since I had my hair bleached, I’ve been dying to try some fun colours on my light tresses. As a brunette, I haven’t been able to experiment much without damaging my hair, so let’s just say I was itching to try something new. Sadly, since my workplace is quite conservative, I couldn’t do anything permanently drastic – no matter what, my hair had to go back to normal by Monday morning. So when I saw Garnier Color Styler on sale at Shoppers, I was very excited to pick up all three colours on the shelf – pink pop, purple mania, and blue burst.

The box promised “intense wash-out color” that would last for 2-3 shampoos. After reading up on the product online, I discovered a lot of negative reviews – mainly complaints of dry, unbrushable hair, and a few mentions of colour that didn’t look like the one on the box. That certainly gave me pause…which is why I left the boxes under my sink for a few weeks, until last Friday when I was intensely bored…and you know what they say about idle hands.

rainbow-mermaid-unicorn-hair-garnier-color-styler-7
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Beauty, Shopping Beauty, Color Styler, Colorful Hair, Garnier, Garnier Color Styler, Garnier Color Styler Review, Hair, Hair Trends, How to Get Pastel Hair, How to Get Rainbow Hair, Mermaid Hair, Pastel Hair, Rainbow Hair, Shoppers Drug Mart, Unicorn Hair

TIFF 2014: Favourite Moments

17 September, 2014 Nelia

Another TIFF came and went, and while I was only here to catch the first few days of the festival, this year’s celeb sightings were pretty memorable to say the least. Below are my top 5 TIFF experiences this year. Grab some snacks, it’s going to be a long one.

Variety Studio Presented By Moroccanoil At Holt Renfrew - Day 4 - 2014 Toronto International Film Festival

1. Variety Studio Presented By Moroccanoil At Holt Renfrew

Last year, Variety Studio was definitely a highlight, but this year…oh, this year was juicy! After enjoying my amazing Moroccanoil hand/arm massage just like the one celebs were getting (hey, Jemy!), I settled down on the couch to people celeb-watch, and let me tell you, being a fly on the wall at one of these things can be very insightful. While there was no Fassbender action this year, I did find myself in the eye of the Cumberbatch-Redmayne-Worthington-Goode-Knightley-Jones-Leech tornado…the Brits taking over the room in a loud, accented storm of hugs, compliments, and camaraderie. You could just tell that all those actors are truly fond of each other, and are definitely not “over it” all just yet.

For all the Cumberbatch fans out there, your beloved did seem to be genuinely nice and funny. Upon arrival, he checked out the Moroccanoil station, trying a bit of cream on his hands, before joining the rest of his group for a lively chat. Eddie Redmayne and Benedict Cumberbatch were hugging right above me as I shrinked back into the leather couch, trying not to trip anyone with my feet and knees. That’s when I overheard Redmayne exclaiming post-hug “You smell…delicious!” to Cumberbatch. Must’ve been the Moroccanoil. Redmayne’s fiance Hannah Bagshaw was in the room too, looking lovely and normal, sharing a hug with Cumberbatch, not stuck to Eddie’s side, navigating the room on her own. But back to Cumberbatch…at one point, when the cameras were rolling for a Sam Worthington interview, and a Variety staffer yelled out: “WE ARE ROLLING! QUIET, PLEASE!”, Benedict cheekily and loudly quipped: “Rolling with Sam Worthington? Let’s talk louder then!”, before peeking behind the interview curtain to wink at Worthington.

Variety Studio Presented By Moroccanoil At Holt Renfrew - Day 3 - 2014 Toronto International Film Festival

Out of all the hot Brits in the room, Keira Knightley was actually the one I wanted to get close to (not in a creepy way, I promise!). She’s one of my favourite young actresses, and I was most definitely starstruck. I tried to summon the courage to ask her for a photo, but she was never alone – either chumming it up with her co-stars, or chatting with her hair and makeup people. She wore a beautiful Chanel dress, and I tried to inconspicuously sneak a few shots for my Instagram. She smiled a lot, laughed a lot, shared that she was tired, but definitely didn’t look it. She looked happy, thin, but not frail, healthy, and so very beautiful. Can you tell I have a bit of a crush?

Other notable moments at the Variety Studio included: grabbing a photo with the delightful Bill Nighy, who was walking around with an apple in his hand, never having the moment to himself to actually take a bite, and who made eye contact with everyone in the room, instead of ducking his head and avoiding the normals; watching Richard Gere chatting up the hot tequila girls; realizing that the woman on the couch next to me is Elizabeth Banks, who changed out of her white pumps and into some Birkenstocks for comfort; observing the insanely handsome Matthew Goode and super-stylish Jena Malone light up the room with their larger than life personalities (on two different days) – definitely not wallflower types; sitting on the couch next to Downton Abbey’s Branson’s publicist, before Branson Allen Leech himself leaned over me to talk to her; sharing a serendipitous moment with Mark Ruffalo outside the Variety Studio’s bathroom – if life was a movie, that would’ve been our meet-cute.

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Beauty, Celebrity Fashion, Events, Fashion Armani, Benedict Cumberbatch, Bill Murray, Bill Nighy, Celebrity Fashion, Ceramic Glaze, Chloe Moretz, Essentials Lounge, Events, Holt Renfrew, Keira Knightley, Kevin Kline, Mark Ruffalo, MoroccanOil, NKPR IT Lounge, Sally Hershberger, Shoppers Drug Mart, Stila, TIFF, TIFF 2014, Variety Studio

TIFF 2013: Inside TIFF Gifting Lounges

15 September, 2013 Nelia

mila-kunis-variety-studio-tiff-2013

Toronto International Film Festival is a tricky time for those who cover the festivities. On the one hand it’s incredibly thrilling to have so many talented people descend upon our hometown, but on the other…running around from film to film, from one interview to another, having to submit articles, and then having the energy to attend late-night parties is not for the faint of heart. But then again…some people would kill for the opportunity to experience it all. So instead of complaining, both media and industry types buck up and survive it all. What definitely helps year after year are the amazing TIFF Gifting Lounges, which offer both celebs and industry insiders a chance to pop in for much-needed hair and make-up touch-ups, mini manis, mini massages, delectable bites and of course, freebies!

Each year, it seems like more and more lounges pop up in Toronto, so even hopping from one to another in an attempt to cover them all may seem like a gruelling task all on its own…but hey, someone’s gotta do it! Below are the highlights from the lounges I got to visit during this year’s TIFF!

1. Esther Garnick PR’s Essentials Lounge

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Essentials Lounge is a much-needed media haven year after year. Its sole existence is to arm the press with the essentials necessary to “survive” TIFF and “recover” once the festival is over. At this year’s lounge, we were gifted with face-savers like Elizabeth Grant’s Essence of Torricelumn treatment to repair and renew tired skin, and Collagen Re-Inforce Rejuvenating Gel Eye Pads to practically erase any evidence of sleepless nights and fatigue. Both worked their magic on my skin all week long! Magic, I’m telling you.

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Our amazing Essentials gift bags also contained hair products from Aveda (smells so good!), makeup from Hard Candy Cosmetics (fun colours to play with), Calvin Klein underwear, Centrum Vitamins (TIFF flu is a thing, people!), Ethical Bean Coffee (for that extra boost of energy), Nike+ Fuelband (to count how many calories one can burn running from one premiere to another), HP Slate 7 tablet (because it’s much easier to carry than a laptop, and just as useful for blogging on the go), and lots more. Needless to say, with thoughtful gift bag contents that are actually helpful during TIFF, Essentials Lounge was a lifesaver for many bloggers and media types covering the festival this year.

2. Variety Studio

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While Variety Studio, hosted by Holt Renfrew and sponsored by brands like MoroccanOil and British Airways isn’t a gifting lounge per se, it was definitely a place to be during the festival. Where else could you watch Susan Sarandon get an intense MoroccanOil hand massage (smells and feels amazing) while holding her dog Penny in her lap, Michael Fassbender (whom I actually missed AGAIN!) getting his flirt on, Jude Law eating brownies on the couch, Matthew McConaughey storming into the room and greeting everyone in his thick Texan drawl, Abigail Breslin talking about her “guy” and looking all grown up while also enjoying a MoroccanOil treatment…I mean, the room was swimming with celebs for days, and I was super lucky to have been able to get a glimpse at what goes on behind the scenes. Plus, Jared Leto smiled at me and I chatted with Demian Bichir, so there’s that.

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More after the jump!

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Events, Fashion Alicia Cox Thompson, Andrew Lovesey, Debra Goldblatt-Sadowsi, Elizabeth Grant, Essentials Lounge, Esther Garnick PR, HP, Leesa Butler, Michael Fassbender, Mila Kunis, MoroccanOil, NKPR, NKPR IT Lounge, Sally Hershberger, Shoppers Drug Mart, Stylist Box, Susan Sarandon, Tastemakers Lounge, The Suite, TIFF, TIFF 2013, TIFF Suite 2013, Variety Studio

Shopping: Summer 2013 Essentials From Yorkdale!

18 June, 2013 Nelia

yorkdale-fave-8-nelia

I don’t know about you, but summertime is my favourite! I can finally pull out my brightest lipstick, wear white lacey dresses with wild abandon, don those short shorts, and stop worrying about having to bundle myself up in 20 million layers of clothes. Summertime is the best! So to celebrate the official start of summer, I asked my fave Yorkdale employees and fellow Style Council members for their summer essentials, which turned out really fun, and I think y’all should check it out! From the must-have denim jacket, to your next fave summer read, Yorkdale’s got you covered!

My essentials after the jump!

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Fashion, Shopping Aldo, Aldo Rise, Aldo x Preen, AllSaints Spitalfields, Ela Handbags, Holt Renfrew, Juicy Couture, Kate Spade, LOFT, Maybelline, Shoppers Drug Mart, Shopping, Summer 2013, Wishlist, Yorkdale, Zara

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Enter your email address to subscribe to Style Blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Popular

** What I Wore **

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Popular

** Lookbooks **

** Giveaways **

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As Seen In

** FLARE Magazine **

** FASHION Magazine **

** Holts Muse **

Archives

Send me some love!

Got questions, concerns, or suggestions? Send them over to Nelia at styleblog.ca@gmail.com!

Categories

  • Art
  • Beauty
  • Celebrity Fashion
  • Events
  • Fashion
  • Fashion Week
  • Faux Pas
  • Foodie
  • Freebies
  • Gadgets
  • Hot Men
  • La Vie
  • Organic Style
  • Random
  • Shopping
  • Style Shop
  • Stylish Staples
  • Travel
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WHO IS NELIA?

Nelia Belkova is a Toronto-based fashion and lifestyle blogger by night and a financial analyst by day. She loves to travel, read gossip sites, eat sweets, and cuddle up to her husband and her cat on the couch. Read More…

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