“Fra-gee-lay. That must be Italian.”

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Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

It is my pleasure to feature a brand that is the true essence of beauty: Lancôme.

A sun-soaked day. A large Parisian apartment. A bed draped with silk veils the colour of skin. A woman. An actress. Captured by photographer Mario Testino, Kate Winslet is more sensual than ever. ABSOLUTE FEMININITY.

KATE WINSLET

This season, Lancôme introduces L’ABSOLU NU. The lipstick combines lip-care with a unique, delicate texture for a nude lip sensation. This never-before-seen lipstick is able to reproduce and magnify the colour, texture and natural radiance of your lips, enveloping them in moisture while drenching them in soft, even colour.

It all starts with Pro-Xylane. This active ingredient replenishes lips, enhancing their natural shade and smoothing their surface. In fact, from the moment of application lips are moisturized for 8 hours; L’Absolu Nu literally swathes lips in a veil of hydration.

ABOVE, #302 VOILE DE ROSE

LEFT TO RIGHT, #101 CORAIL EVANESCENT, #201 BEIGE DE SOIE, #202 BEIGE TUILLE, #205 BEIGE CHARNEL, #301 ROSE SUBTIL

Lena Loves…

The packaging. Outfitted in a gorgeous black and gold case, capturing the rose design (the brand’s emblematic flower), L’Absolu Nu lipsticks are a feast for the eyes. The case also houses four micro-magnets, which allows the lid to be released from the base with an enchanting click.

The fragrance. Lancôme says it best: “After opening with absolute freshness, composed around a juicy peach note, its heart unveils a bouquet of rose and violet, a delicate flower that has already fragranced Lancôme’s very first satin lipsticks. Absolutely sensuous, it ends with just a hint of vanilla.”

The application. Saying it applies as smooth as silk is an injustice – the lipstick applies smoother than silk. It is likely the only lipstick I can wear without a first coat of lip balm due to it’s incredible moisture and hydration. The product quickly melts into your lips and gives you a feather-light, nude sensation. Although reapplication is necessary for all-day colour, I’m more than willing to trade that for smooth, supple lips.

The range of shades. L’Absolu Nu is divided into 3 colour families that correspond to pigmentation diversity among women: Pale, Medium and Intense. Its also very easy to build up your colour; the lipstick first applies very sheer but the pigment multiplies with each application. It also has an ultra delicate sheen that can be seen in the swatches, even though the lip colour in the tube looks relatively flat. The effect is a subtle tinting that gives lips a radiant glow

The results. After 4 days of wearing L’Absolu Nu, my lips feel fuller, softer and more hydrated. A lipstick that is both sensual and sensuous - this is L’Absolu Nu.

L’Absolu Nu lipsticks retail for $35 each are available at all Lancôme counters and online at Lancôme.ca. 

One lucky Listen to Lena! reader will win all five (5) L’Absolu Nu lipsticks pictured right:

#101 CORAIL EVANESCENT
#201 BEIGE DE SOIE,
#202 BEIGE TUILLE
#205 BEIGE CHARNEL
#301 ROSE SUBTIL

… for a total value of $175!

To enter, simply visit Lancôme.ca and choose three (3) other products that would complete your summer look. Then, leave a comment here telling us why you love them.

You can also qualify for extra entries! Remember, you must leave a separate comment for each. You can:

(1) Follow my blog, Listen to Lena! (2 extra entries!)
(2) “Like” Listen to Lena! on Facebook
(3) NEW Follow Listen to Lena! on Twitter
(4) “Like” Lancôme Canada on Facebook
(5) Follow Lancôme Canada on Twitter
(6) Tweet daily: Please use this Lancôme Giveaway Tweet.

I’ll draw for a winner on July 31st. Good luck everybody!

A few weeks ago, I was pretty irked with Lancôme’s $240 GWP – I mean, really, a couple of face creams and an overpriced makeup bag do not make for fab goodies (especially when you have to spend $60 to receive it).

Enter Holt Renfrew: known far and wide to have the best Gift with Purchase promos. And their recent Lancôme GWP is no exception – packed with makeup (I love you HR!) and valued at $227, you simply have to spend $50 to receive:

ABSOLUE PREMIUM Absolute Replenishing Cream
COLOUR FEVER SHINE Sensual Sheer Color Vibrant Lipshine
COLOUR FEVER GLOSS Sensual Vibrant Lipshine
COLOUR DESIGN Sensational Effects Eyeshadow
DÉFINICILSTM High Definition Mascara in Black
BI-FACIL Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
Lancôme Closeable Lip Brush
Lancôme Signature Cosmetics Case

Woot! Woot! LOVE when companies realize that we don’t want petite versions of a “best selling” face cream – ahem, 99% of cosmetics shoppers are already loyal to one brand of skin care, and don’t require pint-sized tubes of this and that replenishing/ resurfacing/ regenerating/ rehydrating lotion floating around their vanities. GIVE US MAKEUP! Makeup that we can experiment with, trade with our friends, and add to our stash, if only because the packaging is pretty :)

The promotion runs from March 19th thru 28th – hope you have a Holt Renfrew near you!

p.s. While you’re there, stop by the Chanel counter to pick up FREE samples (4 shades) of their new Rouge Coco line!

I’ve seen some pretty big gift with purchases, but Lancome’s latest seems to be out of the park. For a limited time, spend $60 or more at Lancome.ca, and you’ll receive a FREE goodie bag valued at $240 when you enter code SPRING10 at checkout.

I’m looking at the picture to the left, and I just can’t figure out where the $240 is coming from. So of course, I added up the retail value of the contents, and am happy to share that the “Signature Travel Case” is valued at $60. Suuure it is.

Anyhoo, if you’re a fan of the brand, there are some very nice pieces included, such as Le Rouge Absolu lip colour and their awesome Défincils High Definition mini mascara. Plus, spend $85 or more, and shipping is free.

Click here to shop at Lancome.ca.

Holy Hannah! Attention Lancome fans… here’s a gift of epic proportions!

Until September 18th, with any Lancome purchase of $34 or more at Sears, you’ll receive a gift worth approximately $140. Now THAT’s a gift.

Your gift includes:

• HIGH RÉSOLUTION REFILL-3X Triple Action Renewal Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15
• BI-FACIL Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover
• Assorted manicure set

Plus, choose your look (Mascara, Colour Design Quad & 2 lipsticks):

NATURAL LOOK
• DÉFINICILS High Definition Mascara in Black
• COLOR DESIGN Eye Shadow in Honeymoon, Sun Touched, Amber & Lézard
• COLOR FEVER Lasting Radiance Sensual Lip Color in Wicked Brown
• LE ROUGE ABSOLU Reshaping & Replenishing Lip Color in Sun Touched Terra

DRAMATIC LOOK
• VIRTUÔSE BLACK CARAT Divine Lasting Curves, Length & Volume Mascara in Black
• COLOR DESIGN Eye Shadow in Daylight, Vue, Volcano & Statuesque
• COLOR FEVER SHINE Sensual Sheer Color Vibrant Lipshine in Hot Nights
• COLOR DESIGN Sensational Effects Lip Color in Vintage Rose

CHIC LOOK
• VIRTUÔSE BLACK CARAT Divine Lasting Curves, Length & Volume Mascara in Black
• COLOR DESIGN Eye Shadow in Drape, Camisole, Opal Mystère & The New Black
• COLOR DESIGN Sensational Effects Lip Color in Edgy
• COLOR FEVER SHINE Lasting Radiance Sensual Lip Color in Rose Defile

The gift also includes a Lancôme signature cosmetic bag & companion. One gift per customer, while supplies last.