Halloween at Home – 4 Ideas for a Festive Celebration

From spooky crafts to Halloween baking, this list of fun activities to do at home will ensure your little ones are entertained not just on Halloween, but all October long!

1 – Decorate the house

Halloween decorations help create the festive mood. Be as elaborate as you’d like, and remember that you are creating the experience! Pull out the construction paper in all your favourite colours, and have the children create window décor and more! Add in some spider webs and orange lights for an extra spooky feel. If you’re heading out to decorate the yard, pick up some danger tape, and some leaf bags to double up your fall cleanup and your Halloween yard display. If you’re not in the mood for a spooky feel, consider these 7 fall décor ideas to create the fall mood. 

2- Pumpkin Carving

Children love to carve pumpkins. There is something special in the memories created together when crafting your own pumpkin design. Anything from a simple face, to an elaborate silhouette, the pumpkin is your blank canvas. All you need is a pumpkin carving kit, some space and old news paper to help capture the mess. If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out these 23 jack-o-latern ideas!

3- Halloween Candy Hunt

It’s like Easter, but without the eggs. All you need are your favourite Halloween treats. Simply hide them around the house while the kids are distracted and then let them dress up and get hunting. Added bonus: you can create spooky traps to add to the experience! Imagine a skeleton drops down when the treat is collected. Turn on the black light, turn up the scary music, and let the kids run around searching for treasure! (Weather permitting, it can be an inside and outside activity, with treats hidden in the yard or garage too!)

4- Homemade Halloween Treats

Our friends over at Nestle have crafted some creative ways to enjoy the season. Try any or all of these recipes for some delicious home made treats everyone will enjoy.

KIT KAT Witch’s Broomstick

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 24 (12 g each) Nestlé KIT KAT Treat Size Bars
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) butter
  • 5 cups (1.25 L) mini marshmallows
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla extract
  • 6 cups (1.5 L) puffed rice cereal
  • 1 cup (250 mL) milk chocolate chips, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) white chocolate chips, melted and cooled slightly

Directions:

  1. Grease baking sheet; set aside. Chop 6 KIT KAT bars. Melt butter in large saucepan set over low heat; stir in marshmallows for about 6 minutes or until completely melted. Stir in vanilla. Remove from heat.
  2. Immediately stir in cereal and chopped KIT KAT bars until coated. Scrape onto prepared baking sheet; using wet hands or buttered spatula, spread evenly. Let cool slightly; transfer to cutting board and trim edges. Cut into 3 long strips. Cut each strip into 12 triangles. Cut a small part from top of each triangle to create a flat edge; make an indent in the top with a chopstick or teaspoon handle.
  3. Spoon milk chocolate into resealable bag; snip bottom corner. Break remaining Kit Kat bars in half along seam. Pipe some chocolate into indents of triangles and affix 1 Kit Kat bar into each, pressing down lightly into rice cereal treat.
  4. Spoon white chocolate into resealable bag; snip bottom corner. Pipe or drizzle remaining milk chocolate and white chocolate over rice cereal treats to resemble bristles. Let stand for about 1 hour or until chocolate is set.

Makes 36 servings.

Nutrition Facts – Per 1 broomstick

Calories 140
Fat 6g
Cholesterol 5mg
Sodium 75mg
Carbohydrate 19g
Fibre 0g
Sugars 13g
Protein 2g

SMARTIES Cookie Cauldrons with Witch’s Brew

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 12 (10 g each) Nestlé SMARTIES Treat Size Bars
  • 1 pkg (496 g) Sugar Cookie mix
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) butter, softened
  • 1/4 cup (60 mL) cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp (15 mL) milk
  • 1 egg
  • 16 (8 g each) MACKINTOSH Toffee Pieces, halved
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) corn syrup
  • 2 black licorice whips, cut into 24 (2-inch/5 cm) pieces
  • 24 pretzel sticks

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 375˚F (190˚C). Stir together cookie mix, butter, cocoa powder, milk and egg until combined; shape dough into 24 balls and place into ungreased mini muffin pan.
  2. Bake for 8 to 9 minutes or until edges are lightly golden and dough is cooked through. Immediately press indentation into each with end of wooden spoon, pressing gently against edges to create “cauldrons.” Let cool completely in pan. Remove from pan and transfer to serving tray.
  3. In microwave-safe bowl, combine toffee pieces and corn syrup; microwave on Medium for 1 or 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, or until smooth and melted. Drizzle into cookie cauldrons. Fill each cauldron with 5 Smarties. Using round edge of skewer, poke hole on each side of cauldron; insert ends of licorice whip into holes to create rounded handle. Insert pretzel stick into each cauldron as a broom handle. Let cool completely.

Makes 24 servings.

Nutrition Facts – Per 1/24 recipe

Calories 220
Fat 9g
Cholesterol 20mg
Sodium 110mg
Carbohydrate 32g
Fibre 1g
Sugars 21g
Protein 2g

CRUNCH Frankenstein Brownie

Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time:  60 minutes

These brownies will delight the kids because they look exactly like mini Frankenstein heads.

Ingredients:

  • 1 pkg (400 g) brownie mix
  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) prepared vanilla icing
  • 4 or 5 drops green food colouring
  • 12 (10 g) Nestlé CRUNCH Treat Size Bars
  • 2 tbsp (30 mL) chocolate sprinkles
  • 24 small candy eyeballs
  • 12 (8 g) Nestlé MACKINTOSH TOFFEE pieces, halved crosswise
  • 2 oz (60 g) chocolate, melted

Directions:

  1. Prepare and bake brownie mix according to package directions in 9-inch (23 cm) square pan lined with parchment paper. Let cool completely and lift brownies out of pan onto cutting board; remove parchment paper.
  2. Cut brownies into 12 equal bars. Tint icing with food colouring; frost tops of bars. Insert a CRUNCH bar horizontally in top third of each brownie bar. Arrange a few chocolate sprinkles just under the CRUNCH bar to resemble Frankenstein’s hair. Gently press two candy eyeballs onto brownie.
  3. Using re-sealable plastic bag, create mouth with melted chocolate. Using back of teaspoon, create holes on each side of the brownie. Insert a TOFFEE half in each hole.

Makes 12 Frankenstein brownie bars.

Tip: Brownies will stay in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.

Nutrition Facts – Per 1 brownie bar

Calories 380
Fat 16g
Cholesterol 20mg
Sodium 140mg
Carbohydrate 56g
Fibre 2g
Sugars 41g
Protein 3g

Happy Halloween!

Best Pumpkin Carving – Official Rules

 

Best Pumpkin Carving – Official Rules

Show us your Halloween pumpkin carvings! Snap a photo of your jack-o’-lanterns and submit it for a chance to win 1 of 2 $50 London Drugs gift cards! Contest runs until Nov 1, 2020 11:59pm PST. See full T&Cs on entry page. Good luck!

Participating and entering in this promotion is considered a complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant. It is also an acknowledgement that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook.

To enter:
Submit a photo of your pumpkin carvings
Oct 20 – Nov 1, 2020

No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) entry per social network per contest. Limit one (1) prize may be won per household.  Entries must be received no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Time on Nov 1, 2020 11:59pm PST.  London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected.

Contest is open to all residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who, as of the date the prize draw is made: (i) have not won a London Drugs contest since Nov 1, 2019; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as at Oct 20, 2020 iii) are not employees of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization (if any), or any family member living with any such employee.

The winners will be randomly chosen on the day the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. To win, selected entrants must have correctly answered the skill-testing mathematical question on the entry for on the online entry form and must sign London Drug’s declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize(s) as awarded, releasing London Drugs from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes.

There will be 2 (two) prize(s) awarded to 2 (two) winners: each receiving a $50 London Drugs gift card valued at $50. Prize(s) must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. London Drugs reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value should any prize become unavailable for any reason. Prize will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to the winner.

Contests dates: Oct 20, 2020 – Nov 1, 2020 11:59pm PST
Draw Date: 12:00 PM Pacific Time Nov 3, 2020

Selected entrants will be contacted by email, or social network they were drawn from. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winner does not respond then she/he will be notified for the second time, 3 (three) days after the first notification. If the winner still does not respond within 3 days of the second notification, a new winner will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is successfully contacted.

The chances of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final.

London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).

This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. By entering the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs and their agents.  The entrants also agree to the collection, use and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation.  All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties.  All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.

The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.

Statement of Declaration and Release

All selected entrants will be required to sign the Statement of Declaration and Release attached before they can be declared a winner and receive a contest prize.

The air you breathe: keeping the air in your home safe

Dry, itchy skin is just one of the problems that dry air can cause. When the air is dry, your respiratory system can suffer as well. Your nasal passages can dry out all the way down to your lungs, leading to a dry mouth and coughing, even if you have no medical problems. If you do have any lung issues, dry air can make them worse. You can raise the moisture level of the air in your home by using a humidifier. A humidifier can help relieve:
• Asthma and allergy flare-ups
• Chronic runny nose
• Dry throat
• Hay fever symptoms
• Nose bleeds
• Sinus congestion
• Cough and flu symptoms

Types of Humidifiers

There are a number of different types of portable humidifiers that provide excellent options that allow you to adjust the humidity in specific rooms where you spend a lot of time, such as bedrooms or a home office.

Cool mist evaporators utilize a wicking filter system to draw water out of the reservoir. A small fan pulls dry air from the room through the saturated wicking filter. Moisture from the filter evaporates and is pushed back into the room by the fan.

Warm-mist humidifiers produce a steam vapour that is up to 95% bacteria-free. This vapour mixes with dry air in a cooling chamber and releases soothing, warm moisture into the room.

Getting the most benefit

In order to get the most benefit from your humidifier, it is important to keep it clean and make sure it is in proper working order:
• Change the water regularly. Bacteria and mould can grow in standing water. And wash any buckets or filter systems every two or three days.
• Follow the manufacturer’s directions about how often to change the filter.
• Check your home’s humidity level every few days to ensure that the air isn’t too humid. Health Canada recommends, the humidity level in your home should be no lower than 30% in the winter and maximum 55% in the summer.

Air purifiers

A humidifier is an excellent option for keeping the humidity in your home at a healthy level, but it may not be all you need to make the air in your home safe. Lack of ventilation indoors can trap pollutants such as dust and pollen. In fact, the air in most homes contains more pollution than the air outside. Air purifiers can help reduce:
• Allergens such as dust, pollen and pet odours
• Asthma triggers including dry skin cells, dirt, perfumes, household cleaners, and smoke from cooking
• Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide
• Fumes and pollutants that come in from outdoors
• Tobacco smoke that can trigger health problems such as heart disease, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and ear infections

Air purifiers are an excellent way to reduce allergens, such as dust, pollen and even pet odours, if you’re a pet owner.

There are different types of air purifiers to help capture indoor pollutants:
• True HEPA Air Cleaners are recommended for people suffering from allergy and asthma symptoms. These devices help reduce up to 99.9% of certain airborne viruses and bacteria. Certified Hepa air filters capture up to 99.97% of airborne allergens.
• HEPA-type & ifD® models are recommended for or those who want fresher, cleaner air in their homes. These units capture up to 99.9% of harmful particles and germs.

Air is something no one can live without, so it makes sense to do whatever you can to make the air in your home healthy and safe. London Drugs carries a number of humidifiers and vapourizers that will help provide relief for congestion and ease breathing. If you are unsure of which appliance will best suit your needs, our team of pharmacists will be happy to help you.

Best Halloween Decor Official Contest Rules

Best Halloween Decor – Official Rules

We want to see your Halloween décor! Submit a photo of your indoor or outdoor Halloween décor and you could win 1 of 4 $25 London Drugs gift cards! Contest runs until Nov 1, 2020 11:59pm PST. See full T&Cs on entry page. Good luck!

Participating and entering in this promotion is considered a complete release of Facebook by each entrant or participant. It is also an acknowledgement that the promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook.

To enter:
Submit a photo of your indoor or outdoor Halloween decor
Oct 12 – Nov 1, 2020

No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) entry per social network per contest. Limit one (1) prize may be won per household.  Entries must be received no later than 11:59 pm Pacific Time on Nov 1, 2020 11:59pm PST.  London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected.

Contest is open to all residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who, as of the date the prize draw is made: (i) have not won a London Drugs contest since Nov 1, 2019; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as at Oct 12, 2020 iii) are not employees of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization (if any), or any family member living with any such employee.

The winners will be randomly chosen on the day the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. To win, selected entrants must have correctly answered the skill-testing mathematical question on the entry for on the online entry form and must sign London Drug’s declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize(s) as awarded, releasing London Drugs from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes.

There will be 4 (four) prize(s) awarded to 4 (four) winners: each receiving a $25 London Drugs gift card valued at $25. Prize(s) must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. London Drugs reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value should any prize become unavailable for any reason. Prize will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to the winner.

Contests dates: Oct 12, 2020 – Nov 1, 2020 11:59pm PST
Draw Date: 12:00 PM Pacific Time Nov 3, 2020

Selected entrants will be contacted by email, or social network they were drawn from. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winner does not respond then she/he will be notified for the second time, 3 (three) days after the first notification. If the winner still does not respond within 3 days of the second notification, a new winner will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is successfully contacted.

The chances of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final.

London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).

This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. By entering the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs and their agents.  The winner(s) also agrees to the collection, use and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation.  All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties.  All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.

The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.

Statement of Declaration and Release

All selected entrants will be required to sign the Statement of Declaration and Release attached before they can be declared a winner and receive a contest prize.

Crocktober – 5 Recipes the Family Will Love

It’s Crocktober! It’s that time of year to dust off the Crock-Pot and make all those hearty, heartwarming meals that warm up the cooler days.

The Crock-Pot is a one-pot marvel that creates tasty dinners with minimal clean up and effort. Put it on, go about your day, and voila, a delicious dinner hours later. If you’re working from home, you can put it on at lunch, and have an amazing meal ready at the end of your work day. If you haven’t tried a Crock-Pot, what are you waiting for? You can get one here today, and we promise an easy and tasty meal awaits.

Crock-Pot have also recently launched the all new “Mytime slow cooker“. MyTime Technology adjusts the cook cycle automatically to ensure an ideal taste and texture whenever you’re ready to serve, making dinner fresh and on time, every time.

For some tasty ways to optimize your Crock-Pot, head over to the Crock-Pot website for ideas. They have a wide selection of recipes that can be viewed by meal type, ingredient, or cuisine! We’ve selected some of our favourites to help you get inspired!

Slow Cooker Potato Leek Soup with Crispy Prosciutto

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp. olive oil
  • 3 leeks, white and light green parts diced
  • 3-4 potatoes, diced
  • 4 1/2 cups stock
  • salt and pepper
  • 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 2-3 tbsp. chopped chives
  • 3 pieces prosciutto

Instructions

  1. Cut leeks and potatoes.
  2. Add olive oil, leeks, potatoes, stock, salt and pepper to Crock-Pot® slow cooker. Cook on high for 3-4 hours.
  3. Put half of the soup in a blender and pulse until smooth. Add that back into the Crock-Pot® slow cooker.
  4. Stir in milk and chives.
  5. Cut prosciutto into strips. In a small nonstick saucepan, crisp the prosciutto over medium-high heat. Add olive oil to speed the process. Place on a paper towel to soak up any excess grease.
  6. Ladle soup into a bowl. Top with more chives and a few pieces of crispy prosciutto.

Dynamite Chili

Ingredients (Chili)

  • 1/2 Pound ground beef – 80/20
  • 1 15 ounce can light red kidney beans – lightly rinse to remove some of the starch
  • 1 15 ounce can dark red kidney beans – lightly rinse to remove some of the starch
  • 2 14 ounce cans of Italian stewed tomatoes
  • 1 Large onion – thinly sliced
  • 2 Garlic cloves – finely chopped
  • 1/2 Cup yellow pepper – diced
  • 1/2 Cup red pepper – diced
  • 2 Tablespoon ground chili pepper
  • 1 Tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 Tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 Tablespoon dried parsley
  •  Teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Olive oil

Ingredients (Garnish)

  • Scallions – diced (whites and greens)
  • Sour cream
  • Shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

  1. Drizzle olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef. Season with salt and pepper and brown, using a potato masher to break up the meat. Add spice and stewed tomatoes, stir to combine.
  2. Pour cooked ground beef into your Crock-Pot® slow cooker adding in the onions, peppers, garlic, and kidney beans. Stir in 14 ounces of water and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
  3. Pour chili into a bowl and garnish with scallions, sour cream, and cheddar cheese

Curried Butternut Squash Soup

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds butternut squash, rinsed, peeled, cored and chopped into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 firm crisp apple, peeled, cored and chopped
  • 1 yellow onion, chopped
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
  • Salt and black pepper
  • ¼ cup chopped dried cranberries (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Place squash, apple and onion in CROCK-POT® slow cooker.
  2. Combine broth, curry powder and cloves in small bowl; stir to blend. Pour mixture into CROCK-POT® slow cooker. Cover; cook on LOW 5 to 5-½ hours or on HIGH 4 hours.
  3. Pour soup in batches into food processor or blend; process to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper. Garnish with cranberries.

Vegetable Stew

Ingredients

  • 4 large carrots, diagonally sliced into 2-inch pieces (about 5 cups)
  • 2 medium turnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 cups)
  • 1 large onion, diced (about 1 cup)
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch slices
  • 1 (16-ounce) can chickpeas, drained

Instructions

  1. Combine all ingredients except zucchini and chickpeas in your slow cooker and combine well.
  2. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours.
  3. Add zucchini and chickpeas and cook for 1 hour longer.
  4. Serve in bowls warm.

Barbecued Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 Pounds pork roast
  • 14 Ounces of your favourite barbecue sauce
  • 1 Teaspoon brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 Medium onion, chopped
  • 8 Hamburger buns or hard rolls

Instructions

  1. Place the pork roast in the Crock-Pot® slow cooker.
  2. Cover; cook on Low for 10 to 12 hours or on High for 5 to 6 hours.
  3. Remove the pork roast from the stoneware and pull the meat into shredded pieces.
  4. Pour out any liquid in the stoneware and combine pork with the remaining ingredients in the Crock-Pot® slow cooker.
  5. Cook on High for 2 hours. Serve the barbecue pork on hamburger buns or hard rolls.

 

We hope this has inspired you to get into the season of Croctober!  With the winter weather just around the corner, it’s the best time to try out something new and enjoy a tasty, home-cooked comfort meal.

All recipes featured here and many more can be found on Crock-Pot’s website.

5 DIY Halloween Costumes Using Items #FoundAtLondonDrugs

Although Halloween may look a little different this year, it doesn’t mean you still can’t celebrate safely. These 5 D.I.Y. Halloween looks can be easily created using items found at London Drugs, while also adding a Halloween face mask from our selection or creating a customized face mask from our Photolab to fit the look! Keep reading for a step-by-step on each Halloween costume.

Want to turn yourself into a mythical mermaid? We’re showing you how to really up your Halloween game to create this elevated creature-from-the-deep Sea Witch look, complete with pearlescent scales, striking blue hair, and eerie contact lenses.

WHAT WE USED:

NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette in Onyx and Brights
Ardell Faux Mink Lashes in 810
-Primal Costume Contact Lenses in Cotton Candy (find them in-store at select stores!)
NYX Professional Makeup Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Little Denim Dress
NYX Professional Makeup Glitter Primer
NYX Professional Makeup Face & Body Glitter in Ice
NYX Professional Makeup Pigments in Froyo
KISS Glam Fantasy Special FX Gel Nails in FGF01
NYX Professional Makeup White Eyeshadow Base
L’Oreal Colorista Spray 1-Day Colour in Blue300 and PastelBlue300
Fishnet Stockings

STEP 1
Firstly, you’re going to want your makeup to last all night, so using a primer is a MUST. We’ve used the NYX Professional Makeup Eyeshadow Base in white. What’s great about this is that because it’s white, any colours you layer over it will really pop. Use this on eyelids and anywhere you’re planning on putting your mermaid scales on (we’ll explain more about these scales later). We recommend applying the primer along your hairline on your forehead, cheekbones, chin and nose.

STEP 2
Next, apply iridescent coloured eyeshadow using a makeup brush to the areas where the primer was applied. We recommend a pastel colour like blue, pink or purple. Here, we’ve mixed some purple shadows from the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palette in Brights and NYX Professional Makeup Pigments in Froyo.

STEP 3
Now it’s time to add the key part of the look- the scales! Stretch the fishnet stocking over your face and dab on dark blue eyeshadow over the spots you applied the purple eyeshadow. We’re using blue shades from the NYX Professional Makeup Ultimate Shadow Palettes in Brights and Onyx. Apply generously and remove the stocking to reveal your aquatic scales!

STEP 4
Turn your regular hair into Sea Witch hair. Use L’Oreal Colorista Spray 1-Day Colour to get temporary hair colour that easily washes out. We recommend shades of blues, purples and pinks. Here we’re using shades Blue 300 and Pastel Blue 30.

STEP 5
A great Halloween look is all in the details. Deepen your eyeshadow by adding blue to the corners, line your eyelids with liquid black liner and apply some false lashes. You can even pat on some glitter to capture that mystical underwater element. This is your chance to get creative! We’ve used the NYX Professional Makeup Vinyl Liquid Liner, Ardell Faux Mink Lashes, NYX Professional Makeup Glitter Primer and NYX Professional Makeup Face & Body Glitter in Ice.

Also add to the look with ocean accessories. These can be done by gluing seashells to a headband or hairclips. Don’t have any of those? Don’t worry-we’ve simply cut out printed images of starfish and shells and taped them in place. BONUS TIP: Use our London Drugs Photolab to print out items such as these for effortless costume accessories. You can also add fake nails to complete your costume. Here, we’ve used Kiss Gel Fantasy Special FX Gel Nails.

ELEVATE THE LOOK: You’ll want to make your eyes the main focus as you wear your face mask. We’ve taken this look from simple mermaid to Sea Witch by adding Primal Costume Contact Lenses. We’ve used the colour Cotton Candy here. They are easy to put on and add a super eerie vibe. Find them in-store at select London Drugs locations.

MASK: We went with a mermaid-scale pattern face mask to compliment the costume. Find this template at our Photolab or upload your own image!

Feel elegant and divine by simply turning a bed sheet and scarf into this easy DIY Greek Goddess costume. It also gives you an excuse to get all decked out in gold! Keep reading below to find out how to get the look.


WHAT WE USED:

White Bed Sheet
Annabelle Smoothliner Eyeliner in Black
Gold Coloured Jewellery
Ardell Faux Mink Lashes in 810
Annabelle Single Eyeshadow in Ebony
NYX Professional Makeup Pigments in Go H.A.M.
NYX Professional Makeup Pigments in Brighten Up
Annabelle V.I.P. Lipstick in Nevada
-Gold rope or beige sash (find them in-store!)

STEP 1
The very first part of the costume is tying the toga. For this, we’ve simply use a white bed sheet that you can find at any London Drugs. First, grab two ends on the long side of the bedsheet and twist each end so that they make a rope. Cross each rope end over each other and bring them up so that they are behind your neck. There, secure it with a knot.

STEP 2
No Greek goddess is complete without her gold jewelry and accessories. Use a piece of rope or a sash to tie around your waist. Here, we’ve used a beige-coloured pashmina scarf and some jewellery you can find in our cosmetics department.

STEP 3
For your makeup, start off with your usual foundation routine. Since you’re a divine entity, add a gold eyeshadow to your eyelids and deepen the outer corners with some black eyeshadow. We’ve used NYX Professional Makeup Pigments in Go H.A.M and Annabelle Single Eyeshadow in Ebony. Line eyes with some black liner and add some drama with false lashes. Here, we’ve used Annabelle Smoothliner Eyeliner and Ardell Faux Mink Luxuriously Lightweight Lashes in 810. For lips, we went with a neutral shade from Annabelle’s V.I.P. Lipstick line. Also, don’t forget to add highlight everywhere to get that lit-from-within heavenly glow! We’re using NYX Professional Makeup’s Pigments in Brighten Up (we even added some to the lips!). Lastly, swipe on some gold nail polish to complete the look. We suggest using Sally Hansen’s Insta-Dri Fast Dry Colour in Go For Gold.

MASK: We went with a gold-pattern face mask to compliment the costume. Find this template at our Photolab or create a personalized mask by uploading your own photo.

There might not be a full moon on Halloween, but that doesn’t mean you can’t transform yourself into a hair-raising wolfman! We’ve laid out everything you need to create this terrifying look below.

WHAT WE USED:

A white shirt
-Hair Gel (L’Oreal Studio Line Indestructable Gel Concentrate)
-Halloween Stage Blood & Fangs
Danson Makeup Crayons
Halloween Tube Makeup in Black
-Primal Costume Contact Lenses in Thriller (find them in-store at select stores!)
Danson Fake Blood Spray

STEP 1
The great thing about this costume is that you can use regular clothes! We recommend wearing jeans, a plaid long sleeve shirt, and a white shirt you don’t mind getting some fake blood on.

STEP 2
Using a brush or a makeup sponge, apply the black cream makeup around the hairline, jaw bone and cheek bones. Let it dry and then use a black face paint crayon to draw “hair marks” over the areas you applied the black cream. Also draw hair marks on the eyebrows and along either side of the nose. This doesn’t have to be perfect and can be messy-you’re a scruffy wolfman after all!

STEP 3
Next, use the black crayon to colour the tip of the nose and nostrils and to draw half almond shapes under the eyes. Apply the black cream makeup to the lips. You can also apply a small amount of the black cream to the sponge and dab it over the face to give it a “dirty” look.

STEP 4
Apply a generous amount of hair gel so that your hair looks like a crazy mess (you’re a wolfman, remember!) We’ve used the L’Oreal Studio Line Indestructable Gel Concentrate.

STEP 5
Now time for the part that will really transform you into a wild animal! Put in some fangs and apply generous dollops of the fake blood to the corners of the mouth. Use the blood spray to apply blood onto the neck, your white shirt, and anywhere else you want!

ELEVATE THE LOOK: Take your costume from basic wolfman to terrifying werewolf by wearing Primal Contact Lenses. For this look, we’ve chosen the style Thriller. Now get out there and do your best howl (while maintaining your social distance!)

MASK: We went with a growling werewolf face mask to go with the costume. Find this template at our Photolab or upload your own image to create a personalized face mask.

 

This costume is just as classic as it is creepy. Keep reading to learn how you can transform into a mummy with face paint and bandages you can find at London Drugs.

WHAT WE USED:

Danson Makeup Crayons
-Primal Costume Contact Lenses in Zombie I (find them in-store at select stores!)
Adhesive Medical Tape
Gauze bandages
Halloween Tube Makeup in White

STEP 1
All that’s required for the actual costume part of this look is a white shirt. Bonus points if you have white pants but a pair of black pants or even jeans will do.

STEP 2
Using a sponge, brush or your fingers, apply the white cream makeup to the entire face, down to the neck and ears. Next, mix the black, red and blue face paint crayons together to create a black-purple colour. Apply this colour on the lips and around the eyes and lids to create a sunken-eye look.

STEP 3
Now it’s time for the mummy wrappings! Using gauze bandages, wrap around the head, neck and face, leaving the eyes and the mouth exposed. Secure into place using adhesive medical tape. Take the gauze and also use it to wrap around the chest, arms, legs, anywhere you want – the more bandage, the better. You can also use safety pins to secure the bandages to your clothing. That way, you can do your best mummy walk without having to worry about unravelling!

STEP 4
Warm up a tiny amount of the black face paint crayon with your fingers and roughly apply this over your mummy bandages. This will make it look like you crawled out of a 2,000 year old tomb

ELEVATE THE LOOK: Sure, you’re a creepy mummy, but why not become the bone-chilling walking undead? Pop in some Primal Contact Lenses in Zombie I. We guarantee anyone who stares into your dead eyes will run the other way.

MASK: We went with a ghoulish mummy face mask to compliment the costume. Find this template at our Photolab or create a personalized mask by uploading your own photo.

Want a sweet and simple costume for your little one? Check out this super easy costume you can create yourself using items you can find at London Drugs! Just follow the step-by-step tutorial below.

WHAT WE USED:

A small towel (any colour works, we chose baby pink)
Goody Ouchless Headbands (any colour works, we chose bright pink)
-Playgro Bright Baby Duckies (You can use any small bath toys)
Body puff (any colour works, we chose pink)
Cotton Balls
A Hot glue gun

STEP 1
This step requires you to get a bit crafty in creating your little one’s costume. Gather together the bag of cotton balls, small towel, head bands and rubber duckies. Using a hot glue gun, attach cotton balls in clusters onto one side of the bath towel. These will act as bubbles and bath foam. As well, take one of the rubber duckies and secure to the headband will a dollop of hot glue.

STEP 2
It’s now time to turn your little one into a bath time cutie! Take the small towel wrap it around your little one with the cotton balls facing the front.  Secure it in place with safety pins.

STEP 3
The final step is to accessorize! Put the rubber duckie head band on, place the body puff around your little’s wrist and give them another rubber duckie to hold. Voila! An easy and adorable DIY costume that is sure to garner a lot of “Awwww!” and “So cute!” comments.

MASK: We went for a face mask with bubbles and a rubber ducky to compliment the costume. Find this template at our Photolab or upload your own image!

Not into dressing up for Halloween but still want a fun, seasonal face mask? No problem! Our Photolab has a collection of pre-designed face masks with fall patterns or Halloween faces. We even have Canada-themed designs, animal patterns, school designs, and more! You can also choose from our Weddingstar Halloween face mask selection as well.

And there you have it! 5 DIY costumes all created with items found at London Drugs. Choose the look you like best to create for Halloween this year, or simply use these ideas as inspiration to create your own unique costumes. Have fun building your own spooky (or cute) look, be safe while maintaining social distancing, and Happy Halloween!

4 hacks to make face mask wearing a little easier!

Wearing masks has become part of our every day new normal. We wear them commuting on transit, at work, to the grocery store, and even during social distancing gatherings with friends. And we’re sure you have come across a few issues that make wearing them daily a bit hard to adjust to! We’re here to list off a few solutions to some of the small-yet-annoying problems that have come along with mask wearing!

#1 – Foggy Glasses

If you’re a glasses wearer, there is nothing more annoying than having your glasses fog up right after putting on a mask. So how can you prevent this? Try tucking the mask underneath your glasses. If it’s a mask that has a wired rim, make sure to pinch it tight so that it fits snug against your nose and face.

You can also try folding a piece of tissue paper into a thin strip and using it to line the top of your mask, right above your nose. This will ensure a tighter fit so that air doesn’t escape to fog up your lenses.

               

Lastly, use some dish soap to clean your lenses. Make sure you use it on both sides of each lens. This leaves a transparent layer that prevents the temperature changes that cause fogging. BONUS: Your lenses also get a cleaning!

#2 – Improper Fit

Let’s face it, one mask is not going to fit everyone the same. So if you’re stuck with a mask that fits a bit looser than you had hoped, an easy solution is to simply crisscross the mask straps before looping them over your ears. This will ensure a tighter fit against your face.

#3 – Running out of Filters

It happens to the best of us; with your busy schedule, you forget to wash your mask filters and are now left without any clean ones. So what can you do? Cut a piece of paper towel in half and fold it so that it is in two layers. You can now slip it into your mask and use it as a filter! Dried baby wipes and coffee filters can also double as mask filter options.

               

#4 – Ear Pain

Wearing a mask constantly can eventually lead to ear pain, especially when the straps are looped around your ears. You can fix this by wearing it so that the mask straps wrap around your head instead. Simply attach one hair tie or elastic band to each mask strap. Secure the elastic bands together by looping each of them to a paper clip. London Drugs also sells mask extenders, which you can also use to secure your mask around your head.

               

Hopefully, you’re able to use one (or all!) of these hacks to solve those little daily annoyances that come with wearing a face mask. They can help make your day a little easier and a little more comfortable! If you are experiencing maskne from continued mask wearing, check out our blog with 4 ways to prevent and treat maskne. Need a new mask? We’ve got you covered! Browse our selection of reusable and disposable face masks here in the PPE section of our website.

« Previous Page Next Page »