Now that the warmer temps have finally arrived, it’s safe to talk about suncare without enduring Boo! and Hiss! from my collective audience.

(Technically, y’all should be applying sunscreen all year round. You do know that, don’t you?)

Still, there seems to be a consensus that once the jackets come off and the sunroofs come down, it’s time to break out the sunscreen. However, until recently, it was hard to find product that:

a) wasn’t thick and chalky
b) didn’t take eons to slather on, leaving a gross, sticky feel
c) gave the skin an odd, whitish appearance

Sounds like your sunscreen? Then you’re using the wrong sunscreen, mate.

There’s only one sunscreen for me – Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30. It’s the only sunscreen that has hydrating ribbons for continuous in-sun moisture, which means that it acts more like a high-end moisturizer than a drugstore sunscreen. When paired with the Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion, you are ready to rock and roll.

(I *may* have used Ryder’s Hot Wheels to prop up the product on my snazzy Hawaiian Tropic beach towel. Okay, I admit that I did. A girl’s gotta improvise, you know!)

So here’s the deal. The Silk Hydration Sunscreen incorporates UVA and UVB sun protection with hydrating ribbons infused with silk protein and shea butter. And on top of Hawaiian Tropic’s trusted formula, you’ll also receive 12-hour moisture, a silky, luxurious feel and waterproof protection. Did I forget to mention the signature coconut fragrance? Smells like summer!

And after you’re done enjoying the outdoors, relax with the Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion. The dual ribbon formula pampers and nourishes your skin after a day in the sun with ribbons of aloe, which provides rich, luxurious moisture with cooling effects. With mango, shea butter and 24-hours of hydration, it will be your go-to lotion all year round! (more…)

Some women gravitate towards fresh-smelling fragrances; others love a good floral. Me? Give me the yummiest, sweetest-smelling scent, and I’m in heaven. These include – but are not limited to: Strawberry, Lemon, Tangerine, Coconut, Raspberry, Mango, Green Apple, Pear, Watermelon, Passionfruit – the list goes on and on.

Love a good, fruity fragrance? Here are my picks for the sweetest shower scents that will revive your senses:

Cake Beauty Be Delectable Shower Gel, Lemon & Cream ($10)

Sold exclusively at Target stores across Canada, Cake Beauty launches Be Delectable, a luscious five-piece collection including body washes, body polishes, body lotions, hand creams and hair & body mists. I’m quite partial to the Lemon & Cream Shower Gel, which offers dreamy bubbles and potent, heady sweetness. The sugary fragrance makes me reminisce about lemon-filled donuts and danishes; all the goodness with zero calories. The supremely rich blend is infused with coconut oil & aloe vera to nourish, hydrate and soften.

Also part of the Be Delectable lineup:

Ultra nourishing hand cream ($12): Give your hard-working hands a well-deserved treat with this ultra-nourishing hand crème enriched with shea butter, coconut oil and aloe vera.

Decadent hair & body mist ($10): Perfectly balanced, this sumptuous mist lasts all day without being overwhelming. Use at home or on-the-go, hair and body will smell fresh, clean all day long.

Super smoothing body polish ($14): Scrub away dull, dry skin to reveal your most gorgeous glow with this super smoothing body polish made with coconut oil, aloe vera for moisture and fine apricot shells to smooth and exfoliate.

Triple moisture body lotion ($14): Indulge in three times the softness, three times the smoothness and three times the richness with this beautiful blend of coconut oil, shea butter and aloe vera.

eos Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream, Pomegranate Raspberry ($3.99)

Packed with natural conditioning oils, shea butter, and vitamins C and E, eos 24-hour moisturizing shave cream soothes and softens your skin. In fact, it’s the only shave cream that keeps skin soft, smoothed, and moisturized for 24 hours (even after rinsing!) – and it’s so moisturizing, you can shave wet or dry. OMG. A dry shave that doesn’t wreak havoc with your skin? It IS possible with this shave cream! And the smell… let me tell you about the scent. It’s like visiting a farmer’s market on a summer morning. It’s as good as raspberry jelly, smothered on fresh bread. It’s that first sip of cold pomegranate juice. It’s awesome.

The formula is paraben-free and the easy-to-use pump allows for 100% propellant-free dispensing. Better yet, the soft-touch, ergonomic plastic bottle is RUST-FREE! Woo! No more rust ring on the edge of the bathtub.

Key Ingredients:

Aloe – soothes, moisturizes and heals;
Natural conditioning oils – to give razor a smooth glide and provide long-lasting moisture;
Oat – protects delicate, dry, sensitive and irritated skin;
Shea butter – softens and nourishes;
Vitamin E & C – rejuvenating antioxidants for healthy looking, radiant skin. (more…)

Ah, Mother’s Day. When I was young, it was an opportunity to sum up a whole year’s worth of love and gratitude neatly packaged in the form of a homemade card or breakfast in bed. Often, the cards were messy and misspelled, and the breakfast was inedible… but it was the thought that counted. And now, as an adult (and a mom of two) I understand just how much mothers do – every minute, every day – to ensure that their children are blanketed with love, care and happiness. I realize that we celebrate our mothers once every 365 days… to acknowledge their lifetime of servitude.

Be nice to your mom.

Do one, really-really-really special thing for her this Mother’s Day: Make a promise to honour her more than once a year. To say thank you; to show gratitude, to give love.

Then, spoil her with chocolate. And flowers. And time to herself. And you simply must spoil her with a spa day. My recommendation? Stillwater Spa at the Park Hyatt Toronto.

You may remember that we recently visited the Park Hyatt for a staycation, where we enjoyed a large, family-friendly room, delicious in-room dining and a few special surprises that truly made us feel “celebrated”. At the end of the weekend, I felt rested, rejuvenated and ready to take on the world… with one *tiny* regret: that I didn’t make an appointment at the renowned Stillwater Spa.

Recognized among the best spas in Toronto, Stillwater Spa at Park Hyatt Toronto Yorkville is an indulgent escape from urban demands. The full-service downtown Toronto spa features 17 treatment rooms, a couple’s massage room, aqua therapy room, steam room, sauna and whirlpool, and tea lounge for relaxing before and after Stillwater Spa treatments. Stillwater Spa uses innovative, trendsetting products to achieve well being and bestow tranquility.

And, they happen to share my vision of celebrating mothers for more than one day. (more…)

A few weeks ago, fifty (50) lucky readers were given the opportunity to try out the NEW Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor. Now you all know how much I love it (and if you missed my rave review, be sure to check it out here), but it’s often helpful to hear more than one opinion, especially if you’ve been on the fence about purchasing an item.

Hence, I’m so pleased to share feedback from my amazing readers, who took the time to thoroughly test the product and provide detailed feedback on their experience. (For those readers who didn’t submit their review, even after several attempts to contact you – consider yourself blacklisted. Hahaha just joking. But not really. #blacklist)

So without further ado… here’s what you need to know about the Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor:

LOVE…

Darlene: “Since I received my Schick Intuition razor I can notice a difference in my skin’s hydration after shaving. I have eczema and am very sensitive to cheap shaving products, which cause immediate skin irritation. The blend of coconut milk and almond oil moisturizes from the very first use. Best of all its smells great!”

Marcy: “I have never had the luxury of handling a razor so well. The easy-to-use flexible head was perfect for those ‘ouchy’  areas around the back of the legs. The built-in lather made is so convenient and fast to shave without having to utilize any soap. As soon as I opened it, I so loved the coconut-almond smell! Yum! The four blade action was amazing, it is so nice to see a women’s razor that stands up to the men’s four razor, now we’re equals! The best part: my legs have never been so smooth!”

Ashley: “Schick Intuition was soothing and calming. I felt like my legs were getting pampered as it gently glided up my leg. I loved the scent of it as well! I couldn’t helped but dance a little in the shower as the joy of shaving just boost up 10 folds.”

Anne: “I have psoriatic arthritis in my hands but I found this razor very easy to hold on to in the shower, it was ergonomically perfect and didn’t get too slippery to hold. I love almond oil and when I started to shave the aroma reminded me of marzipan; which reminded me of my grandmother (I know that was a bit off topic, but its where the smell took me).”

Lori: “I love the fact that all I need is the razor. It is so great to not have to fight with a can of shave cream/gel or deal with having my hands covered with it! What a great idea. I am interested to see how long solid lasts. I have been using this razor for the past two weeks and there is not a significant reduction in its size. The four blades make for great coverage and faster shaving which is also a bonus as it cuts down on time. The coconut milk and almond oil is a wonderful scent.”

LUKEWARM…

Megan: “The razor part is amazing and gives such a smooth shave. Just wish the cream part was wider at the bottom instead of the top as I seem to use the bottom up long before the top or blade is done.”

Tricha: “I love the smooth shave, WITH NO SHAVING CREAM. My only issue is the price for the refills but with coupons or sale price, I will definitely buy it.”

Judy: “I loved that it didn’t feel like you were shaving because you couldn’t feel the blades. It left my legs feeling very smooth and I had no nicks. It also seemed to pivot smoothly and easily got into those hard to reach spots. The only thing I suggest is that you shave in the shower with it and not the tub, as the conditioning solid does disappear quicker when constantly exposed to water in the tub.”

Donna: “I like how it also moisturizes my legs and leaves them really smooth. What I don’t like very much about it is that the bar on it melts really fast in my shower especially when I need to rinse the hairs off the blade. Then all I’m left with is just a sharp blade and I just end up using regular shaving gel.”

LOATHE…

Janice: “I like this razor – it’s extremely hydrating and it glides across your skin so you don’t feel the blades. The moisturizing stick that surrounds the razors themselves is perhaps too plentiful in the beginning, since my first two shaves weren’t particularly close. My only advice to Schick would be to forego providing the holding cradle with suction cup. My experience with these has shown they never stay up – and this was no exception.”

(I think “Loathe” is a strong word – and apologies to Janice for placing her helpful review in that section – but I love alliteration and couldn’t think of another verb that began with the letter “L”!)

To all the fabulous reviewers – please know that all feedback has been sent straight to Schick for review and consideration. Thank you so much for your time and efforts in making this Rate and Review program a success! To reward those who sent in their review on time, I’m pleased to announce the winner of the $100 Visa Gift Card is… Darlene! Congratulations!

And now, with summer around the corner, who’s ready to get their legs in tip-top condition?

Click here to learn more about Schick Intuition razors.

I’m a huge fan of hairstyles that look chic and effortless. Unfortunately, these are often the styles I spend the most amount of time putting effort into. They include:

a) beachy waves
b) volumninous bed hair
c) tousled waves
d) unstructured topknots

I firmly believe that anyone who believes women can “roll out of bed and look gorgeous”… is a man.

Case in point: tousled waves. For me to achieve tousled waves, I normally have to blowdry my baby-fine wavy hair straight with copious amounts of volumnizing spray. Next, I ruin all that straightening work by putting a curling iron to my hair; reconstructing the curls section by section. Next, I’ll pin the curls up and secure them with bobby pins, spritzing a setting spray and allowing them to dry. Finally, I’ll comb out the curls, strategically placing the pieces to frame my face. (Once in a while I’ll hit it with dry shampoo as well to give a tousled and bed hair feel.) Et voila! “Effortless” tousled waves.

And so when the recent topknot craze swept Hollywood by storm, I questioned the “effortless” factor.

Thankfully, Dove Celebrity Stylist Mark Townsend, who created Rachel McAdams ‘do for the premiere of To the Wonder, breaks down the hairstyle for us:

“For the To the Wonder screening I created a fun topknot for Rachel McAdams. I love a topknot and I am so happy this trend is sticking around; they are young, cool and super modern. To keep a topknot looking more chic and polished (instead of like you just left the gym) follow these easy steps:

1. I started by spraying the Dove Refresh +Care Invigorating Dry Shampoo on Rachel’s dry hair, focusing at the root. This dry shampoo is amazing at giving you a clean scalp and also amazing texture.

2. Next, I raked a dime size amount of Dove Colour Care Leave On Conditioner through Rachel’s newly dyed hair to condition and add lots of shine before gathering her hair just in front of the crown of the head and pulling it into a ponytail.

3. I sprayed Sally Hershberger Genius Spray Wax into the ponytail to give the hair rich texture and then twisted the hair around the base of the ponytail, tucking the ends under the knot to hide them away and then secured with 12 bobby pins. I always make an X with two bobby pins when securing, and I always spray dry shampoo on them for extra security (the starch in the dry shampoo sticks to the pins and gives them a matte finish and creates a little extra friction with the hair for tighter hold).

4. When the knot was secured, I pulled out some flyaway hairs to soften the hair around the knot. To add to the look, I used a strip of black satin as a headband.”

Okay ladies, are you taking notes? For the topknot trend, be sure you’re armed with dry shampoo, leave-in conditioner, spray wax and perhaps a little hairspray to keep everything in place.

I love the addition of the thin satin headband to add a little interest to the hairstyle. The best part? You really can’t go wrong, because the unstructured topknot is just that – unstructured. For more information on the latest from Dove Hair, visit their Facebook page.

Attention Canadians: Spring Has Sprung! (Well, technically. We all know that the weather outside is frightful.)

Nevertheless, it’s the perfect time to dust off those pretty pink polishes that are synonymous with the (soon-to-be) warmer weather. And who better to inspire thoughts of rose, blush and fuchsia than… P!NK!

The gorgeous CoverGirl combines pretty and punk for the most spectacular pinkage ever. Her edgy glamour and rock star confidence are ever present in her music, fashion and beauty. From cotton candy-tipped hair to romantic rose lips, P!NK embodies the spirit of the hue.

I’d like to think that it was P!NK who inspired the gorgeous girly shades in CoverGirl’s Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss. The high-shine, punchy full-coverage nail enamel combines a base coat, high gloss colour and a chip-resistant top coat in one simple step. Beauty junkies worldwide are raving about its long-wearing ability – up to seven (7) days! – with continued strength and shine. (more…)

We’re all friends here, right? Right. 

So, I can be honest. The very first time I laid eyes on a Schick Intuition Razor, I thought it was the silliest thing I had ever seen. Incredibly bulky and decidedly unsexy, I thought to myself, “Who uses these things?”

Fast forward to my honeymoon. In a hurry to get to the airport, I mistakenly tossed a can of shaving gel in with my carry-on luggage. Of course, with the no liquids/gels rule, it was unceremoniously thrown out by the security agent. As I looked in dismay at my brand new bottle being cast aside, the agent said – “You should have bought one of those razors with the soap thingies around it so you don’t have to pack an extra can of shaving stuff.”

Touché.

Of course, that’s when I realized that the Intuition razor really did have a place in society: for travel! Imagine, never having to pack a separate shaving gel!

So, for our very next trip, I ran out and bought a Schick Intuition razor. And, after I used it for the first time, I was hooked. So hooked, I realized that I wanted the feeling of oh-so-smooth legs all the time, and I never wanted to see another can of shaving gel on my bathtub ledge again. Hence, my love affair with the Intuition razor began.

And now…

Introducing the NEW Schick Intuition Pure Nourishment razor.

I’ve always been a fan of BIG hair. You know, the kind of ‘do that is widely accepted in the Southern US and generally tolerated here in the Great White North – except perhaps in the early nineties, when grunge-inspired hair necessitated flat, unkempt locks. (Also known as: the WORST hair trend known to womankind.)

And, since I just happen to have the least envied hair texture – that unsexy combination of fine and frizzy with a cowlick in the back, greasy roots and dry ends and oh, just a hint of a kinky curl that resembles crimped hair at best and a treasure troll at its worst – I tend to invest a lot of time and energy in fighting Mother Nature. *Shakes Fist*

In fact, if there’s consistently one type of product I’ve always sought out, it’s the ones that promise full-bodied and voluminous hair. Bodifying shampoos. Volumizing mousses. Big and bold finishing sprays. And a back-comb at the roots, for good measure. So when John Frieda (read: hair-styling GOD) recently released his lineup of Luxurious Volume products, I was more than a little curious. I was a little obsessed.

MUST. TRY. NEW. PRODUCTS.
WILL. SOLVE. ALL. OF. LIFE’S. PROBLEMS. WITH. BIG. HAIR.
So what’s the “big” deal? Here I am pre- Luxurious Volume – after a quick blowdry with my current go-to mousse (ahem, which shall remain nameless), I’m left with smoother hair but decidedly zero pizzazz. I look like a 30-something gal with fine locks and a hint of hair happiness. This is actually what my hair looks like every day before I pull it into a ponytail – so I suppose if you popped by my house unannounced, this is the Lena who would likely greet you at the door.

I decided to photograph myself relatively unstyled, because if I put a large-barreled curling iron to the ends, backcombed my crown and added a bit of FRIZZ-EASE Extra Strength hair serum to the ends, I’d fool you into thinking I had more hair than I really do. So as far as “before” shots go, there I am. (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only. 

Ever since these products arrived on my doorstep, I’ve been like a kid in a candy shop. Or a woman in a makeup store. And that store would be The Body Shop, of course. Pretty, shiny things? Oooh… yes please.

Line them up. Arrange them like so. Marvel at their dewiness. Inhale their sweet scent. They’re just like little toys! And repeat…. Line them up. Arrange them like so….

Have you ever played with your makeup? The Body Shop’s new Yummy range of lip glosses is irresistible for collectors – especially those who like to covet beauty products. Style-queens will love the clean lines and simple design of the chic new packs. Each transparent lip gloss tube features a bold image of its fruity flavour and shows-off the gorgeous gloss colour within. You’ll want to own them all… just to say you own them all!

There are 11 super-glossy, mouth-watering shades to choose from, each with a succulent fruity flavour to lift your mood. Love seasonal fruits? Then slick on the Plum, Peach or Strawberry. Fancy something more exotic? Try the Mango, Lychee or Coconut. Looking for a refreshing hue? Have a sip of the Mint or Watermelon. Want to go wild? Mix them as you like! And if you hate sticky but love sweet, each super-shiny shade delivers a glaze of sheer colour that’s non-sticky and lightweight to wear. The new formula is enriched with vitamins E and B5 and Community Fair Trade organic virgin coconut oil. Perfect for a dewy spring look! Priced at $10, these juicy lip glosses are a treat for you and your friends.

I must admit that I’ve never been a fan of watermelon lip gloss – there’s just something about the synthetic fragrance that doesn’t do it for me. However, I am crushing on the new Yummy Watermelon! It’s so fresh and fragrant, it makes me think of summer barbecues. Ah, dreaming of warmer weather! (more…)

There are some celebrity endorsements I get – and some I don’t necessarily understand. Do I believe that Justin Bieber uses Proactiv? Sure! Now there’s one less pimply teenager. Britney Spears drinks Pepsi? Of course she does. After she walks barefoot into gas station restrooms.

But… Jennifer Lopez for Féria? Not on your life. I’m quite confident that no boxed hair colour has ever touched a strand of her hair – not since she left the block, that is.

So let’s just say that I was slightly skeptical when introduced to Heidi Klum’s newest endorsement - CLEAR Scalp & Hair Therapy beauty products. A supermodel… standing behind a drug store brand? Could I possibly believe that her gorgeous, perfectly coiffed hair is a result of a mass marketed beauty product… retailing for $4.99 each?

The Claim: CLEAR Scalp & Hair Beauty Therapy is a nourishing hair care line, with Nutrium 10, a rich blend of vitamins and nutrients. CLEAR feeds your scalp and gives you stronger, more beautiful hair in 7 days. Use CLEAR shampoo and conditioner for 1 week and it’s guaranteed you’ll get stronger, more beautiful hair – or your money back.

I’ll admit, I was intrigued. After being introduced to the line at Unilever Canada’s Be Groomed Be Gorgeous event back in November, I immediately liked three things: a) the science behind the formula, b) the luscious fragrance and c) Heidi Klum. Yes, I was swayed by the celebrity endorsement. (more…)

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Whew! It’s been quite a week - OPI and Nicole by OPI Week to be exact! Today is the last of FIVE full collections that I’ve featured on my blog. As always, if you love nail polish… and on-trend lacquers that are heavily-pigmented, super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant… then you’re at the right place! Read on friends – here’s your chance to win OPI’s Oz The Great and Powerful for Spring/Summer 2013.

“OPI is very excited to take this fantastical journey with Disney,” explains Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “Inspired by the magic of Oz The Great and Powerful, this SoftShades collection captures the whimsy seen in the film.”

The new Liquid Sand nail lacquer – What Wizardry is This? – offers a never-before-seen look with a pebbled finish that lightly shimmers with fine glitter particles. With a mix of soft crème and warm glitter shades, the line is ideal for layering to create rich, complex looks.

Oz The Great and Powerful by OPI includes the following shades:

What Wizardry is This? – a textured, matte finish infused with reflective sparkle.
Lights of Emerald City – White confetti adds city girl flair and style to nails.
Don’t Burst My Bubble – Don’t wake me…I’m dreaming about puffy clouds of white.
When Monkeys Fly! – I’m simply bananas for this gold confetti.
Glints of Glinda – Only a good witch could turn beige from meek to chic.
Which is Witch? – Is this silver glitter with iridescent sparkle or the other way around?
I Theodora You – This adorable, sheer pink is bewitching on you.

I find the colours of this collection to be very harmonious and authentically perfect for layering. I’m not really a nude or neutral polish person, but the endless colour combinations brought about by the glitter and sparkle can make for an interesting application, indeed. (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

OPI and Nicole by OPI Week continues on Listen to Lena! Today I’m featuring yet another new collection for Spring/Summer 2013, from the world’s most popular nail polish brands. And once again, you’ll have the chance to win the entire collection, too!

Now is anyone else heartbroken that Jelena (Justin + Selena) is officially over? I adored them as a couple! Ah well, I’m quite certain that someone as sweek and spunky as Selena will find her perfect match. In the meantime, that same personality is reflected in her Nicole for OPI collection – hence, if she can’t wear her heart on her sleeve, she can certainly wear it on her nails!

Bright glitter and confetti lacquers dominate the collection, which has a young, innocent, girl-next-door feel to it. (Likely the target consumer of the product.) The diverse range of hues and layering options offer endless possibilities for every occasion.

Nicole by OPI Selena Gomez collection includes the following shades:

Stars at Night – Star light, star bright…confetti-silver nails tonight!
Mi Fantasia – This purple-aqua glitter is the stuff dreams are made of.
Kissed at Midnight – This romantic gold glitter is perfect any time.
Confetti Fun – Nothing says “party!” like a shower of color.
Heavenly Angel – This iridescent confetti gives me wings.
Sweet Dreams – This violet-teal is a dream-come-true.
Inner Sparkle – Let this light pink glitter shine through!
Selena – This fresh, young peach will make your heart sing.
Hit the Lights – This not-so-mellow yellow has got stage presence.
Love Song – Fall head-over-heels for this true purple.
Naturally – Who wouldn’t want this pure pink dream?
Spring Break – The perfect hot pink for the perfect hot vacation!
Pretty in Plum – This picture-perfect purple is a genuine beauty.
Scarlett – This shimmery red-violet is leading lady lovely.

To tell the truth, I can’t think of a better namesake for her collection – the “Selena” shade personifies everything about the pop princess to a T. It’s fresh, dewy and screams teen idol. I adore this hue! I’m also a huge fan of Scarlett, the red-violet that’s a little bit dangerous – perhaps a little bit rock and roll. (more…)

NOTE: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

Do not adjust your computer monitors - it’s officially OPI and Nicole by OPI Week at Listen to Lena! I’ve teamed up with the world-famous Nail Polish empires to kick off 2013 with a BANG – by giving away FIVE entire collections. So you guessed it – there’s ANOTHER OPI giveaway up for grabs!

Today, feast your eyes on eight (8) limited edition shades hand selected by multiple Grammy Award winning recording artist Mariah Carey. These shades include four new OPI Liquid Sand lacquers featuring groundbreaking technology for a textured, matte finish infused with reflective sparkle.

What is Liquid Sand?

OPI Liquid Sand nail lacquer offers a never-before-seen look with a pebbled finish that lightly shimmers with fine glitter particles. Always worn without top coat, Liquid Sand lacquer gives nails a unique textured matte finish worthy of a superstar.

(Or perhaps worthy of a diva. As I type, Mariah’s stint on American Idol is playing in the background. Love the alpha female tension with Nicki Minaj!)

Mariah Carey by OPI includes the following shades:

A Butterfly Moment - This sophisticated and frosty tan nude has us all a-flutter
Sprung - Fall hopelessly in love with this shimmery copper
Pink Yet Lavender - This pink glitter with lavender shimmer has superstar shine!
Anti-bleak - This deep, creamy purple will lift your spirits
Stay the Night - Make it last in this matte black with red glints
Get Your Number - Wearing this matte blue with sparkles is a great call
Can’t Let Go - Hold onto this matte purple with dazzling sparkle
The Impossible - This matte fuchsia with star confetti will never give up

I’ll admit that I didn’t request samples for this collection because frankly, the words “textured” and “matte” terrifies me. I am very much a “shiny” and “sparkly” kind of gal! Reviews for the OPI Liquid Sand shades have been mostly positive, though – with many polish experts citing a wearable texture that is both unique and interesting on the nails. I’ll have to take their word for it! (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

OPI and Nicole by OPI Week continues on Listen to Lena! Every day from Monday to Friday I’ll feature a new collection for Spring/Summer 2013, from the world’s most popular nail polish brands. And, you’ll have the chance to win the entire collection, too. (Isn’t life grand?)

Today, who can resist ABC’s award-winning comedy, Modern Family? The nail line features shades created to capture the show’s colourful personalities, from a classic taupe named after family patriarch Jay, to a sparkly pink hue fitting for toddler Lily.

“Modern Family is not only one of the funniest shows on television, it features a great ensemble cast of rich characters that inspired a range of shades, from pastel hues like sea foam green and periwinkle to brighter colors of cobalt and red-violet,” remarks Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “From studious Alex to bombshell Gloria, to classic (and neurotic) Claire, to flirty Haley, there are shades to represent each of these uniquely fabulous women – and everyone else in the blended family.”

I am completely crushing on EVERY shade in this collection:

Am I Making Myself Claire? - Make no mistake…I’m liking this lilac.
I Do De-Claire! - Let me just say how frosty cool this soft rose is!
She’s Lily Something - Pink, sparkly stars…so Daddies’ Little Girl-y!
A Like-Haley Story… - Typical teenagers (and their moms!) will love this not-so-typical fuchsia.
My Jay or the Highway! - This trendy taupe is inflexibly cool. Period.
Stand by Your Manny - Be loyal to this periwinkle blue.
Alex by the Books - Look smart in this seafoam green.
Haley Good Lookin’… - She’s cookin’ up plans for this pink super-glitter.
Basking in Gloria - This red-violet is the color of passion.
Luke of the Draw - Chances are you’ll love this gunmetal glitter.
A Phil’s Paradise - No fooling…this pewter is the real deal.
Candid Cameron - Call this teal just like you see it…gorgeous!
Back in My Gloria Days… - This voluptuous violet has still got it goin’ on!
What’s the Mitch-uation? - This cobalt blue demands an update.

Now I’m pretty sure me and Sofia Vergara are the same person, because Back in My Gloria Days… and Basking in Gloria are SO me. Love the red-violet! And Candid Cameron? HELLO! Have you ever seen a more beautiful teal? (more…)

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

It’s been a looong time since I did any sort of giveaway bash or gift guide. Truth is, as much as I love product reviews, I find my connection to readers is stronger when I select the content for my blog on my own terms. Sometimes, that means talking about my son’s knack for photo bombing, and often, I rant about how good US shoppers have it.

But, I always make an exception. 

And, I can’t think of two better brands to make that exception for. Giveaway enthusiasts, rejoice – it’s officially OPI and Nicole by OPI Week at Listen to Lena! I’ve teamed up with the world-famous Nail Polish empires to kick off 2013 with a BANG – by giving away FIVE entire collections.

Love nail polish? Love on-trend lacquers that are heavily-pigmented and super rich, long-lasting and chip-resistant? Then you’re at the right place! Read on friends – here’s your chance to win OPI’s Euro Centrale Collection for Spring/Summer 2013.

“Classic meets contemporary with Euro Centrale by OPI for Spring/Summer 2013. Celebrating a region where history meets modern design, the collection’s twelve new nail lacquers offer a mixture of glamorous metallic hues; playful bright shades in periwinkle, aqua and pink; and creamy blues in indigo, midnight and aubergine.”

Euro Centrale by OPI includes the following shades:

Polka.com - Blue and violet are dancing partners in this glittery combo.
OPI…Eurso Euro - This deep blue cream is very continental.
Suzi’s Hungary AGAIN! - Thank goodness there are zero calories in this warm and yummy pink!
You’re Such a BudaPest - If I let you borrow this periwinkle-purple, will you go away?
Can’t Find My Czechbook - I hope you take credit, because I must have this aqua!
My Paprika is Hotter than Yours! – Get the extinguisher…this fiery red is sizzling!
Hands Off My Kielbasa! - Get your own…this bronzy tan is all mine!
OY–Another Polish Joke! - So this shimmery-gold walks into a bar…
A Woman’s Prague-ative - I’m changing this shimmery copper for…never mind!
Vant to Bite My Neck? - You know you want to…wear this deep eggplant.
I Saw…U Saw…We Saw…Warsaw - Be seen in this deep midnight blue.
My Vampire is Buff - Creamy, pale and nude…just how I like my vampires.

I had a chance to try out You’re Such a BudaPest, Hands Off My Kielbasa!, OY–Another Polish Joke! and Can’t Find My Czechbook. Now the truth is, my finger nails are dreadful thanks to OCD and a nail-biting habit I should have grown out of about 20 years ago. So, I’ve set the polishes aside for flip-flop and peep-toe weather this summer. But I am exceptionally excited for Can’t Find My Czechbook – I’ve been looking for creamy aqua shade for the longest time, and baby, this is IT. (more…)