5 Minute Face for Busy Mornings

We’ve all been there: you accidentally hit ‘snooze’ too many times, the morning is extra hectic with the kids, or you’re in a rush to get to an early meeting or class. For busy mornings, having a basic and condensed makeup routine can save you precious time. This 5-minute makeup tutorial with Beauty Expert Samantha St. John will help you get out the door quicker, while also giving you the pick-me-up you need to look wide awake first thing in the morning! Watch the tutorial video here, and learn about each of the time-saving and fatigue-fighting products Samantha is using below!

Products featured in this tutorial:

Clinique Beyond Perfecting Makeup in Alabaster

No time to spot correct with concealer before applying your foundation? Reach for this all-in-one foundation and concealer! The “Magic Wand” applicator allows for easy application.

Or apply using: Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge and Travel Sponge Case

NYX Professional Makeup Sweet Cheeks Blush in Citrine Rose

A healthy flush of colour to your cheeks can go a long way to looking refreshed in the morning. This blush blends easily, so you can quickly brush on and go.

Apply using: Real Techniques Blush Brush

Wunder2 Wunderbrow in Brunette

This time-saving brow product truly is a wonder. The formula is transfer-proof, budge-proof, waterproof and lasts for up to 3 days. That means some mornings, you’ll be able to skip filling in your brows entirely!

Apply using: Wunder2 Dual Precision Brush

Annabelle Bouncy Single Eyeshadow in Pop the Champagne

These light and shimmery eyeshadows can easily be applied in seconds with just your fingers. Simply apply all over the lid to help make your eyes pop.

NYX Professional Makeup Faux Whites Eye Brightener in Baby Powder

Just apply this eyeliner to the corners of your eyes and the waterline for a quick and easy way to look wide awake in no time!

NYX Professional Makeup On the Rise Volume Liftscara

If a lash lift or extensions aren’t in your budget, no problem. Swipe this ‘Liftscara’ over your lashes in the morning for definition and lift that will make you instantly look alert.

NYX Professional Makeup #thisiseverything Lip Oil in Sheer Berry

Applying your lipstick while running out the door is no easy task. Instead, if you’re tight for time, try this sheer lip oil. It adds a glossy, sheer dose of colour to your lips, and can easily be applied without a mirror.

Want more helpful LDBeauty tips? Head over to our YouTube channel to see more!

Beauty Basics for Back to School

Early mornings, late night study sessions, and hours of homework. Adjusting to your new school routine can really do a number on your skin. As you settle into your busy class schedule, Lifestyle and Beauty Expert Kenzie Tayla is sharing a curated list of must-have beauty products that will help to make school life a little easier – from skincare to manage those pesky breakouts, to makeup that will protect your skin from damaging blue light emitted by your electronic devices! Watch the video to see them all, or simply keep reading below to learn more.

Almay Clear Complexion Blemish Armor

Waking up to a glaring new pimple is not how anyone wants to start their day. Luckily, there’s a spot treatment formulated with maximum level strength salicylic acid that will work to shrink that pimple throughout the day. The Almay Clear Complexion Blemish Armor acts like an invisible “patch” over blemishes, blurring and smoothing the look of them while also drying them out.

Bioderma Sebium Global Intense Purifying Care

To avoid future breakouts, consider incorporating Bioderma’s Sebium Global Intense Purifying Care into your skincare routine. The formula acts on both the causes and consequences of pimples and blackheads to eliminate them. It also helps to limit scarring, and can be used under your makeup.

Marcelle Hydractive Anti-Fatigue Eye Contour Gel

Late night study sessions can leave your eyes looking puffy and tired. To give your eyes a pick-me-up, try Marcelle’s Hydractive Anti-Fatigue Eye Contour Gel. The fresh and cooling gel will give your eyes a rested look, reducing the appearance of dark circles. It features an innovative Water Lock™ Complex that is made of 100% natural sugars, reinforcing the skin barrier to lock in moisture and reduce transepidermal water loss.

La Roche-Posay Serozinc Mist

Here’s a secret weapon if you have oily skin! Just spritz your face in the morning with the La Roche-Posay Serozinc Mist, an oil control toner, to help control sebum production and mattify the skin. Keep a 50mL bottle conveniently in your gym bag to remove shine and purify on-the-go after gym class. It’s like oil-blotting papers, but in a can (making it easier to applying over makeup)!

Annabelle Enlighten Loose Finishing Powder

Between checking your phone and doing your homework on the computer, a lot of time is spent staring at screens throughout the day. Unfortunately, the blue light from your digital devices can be damaging to your skin. To help protect your skin from that damaging blue light, look for skincare and makeup products that are blue light-blocking. Annabelle’s Enlighten Loose Finishing Powder not only mattifies the skin and helps to absorb excess sebum, but it also works overtime to protect against blue light from your digital devices!

Want more helpful LDBeauty tips? Head over to our YouTube channel to see more!

Suncare and Bronzing Tips for Summer

Summer is here, and the sun is out! That means it’s time to up your sun protection game. After all, the sun’s UV rays can be harmful to your skin. If you’re still craving that golden glow though, we’ve got you covered. Beauty Expert Bree from The Urban Umbrella has curated a list of suncare and bronzing must-haves from London Drugs that will give you a sunkissed look without the sun damage.

St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse

We know tanning in the sun isn’t good for us. Luckily, St. Tropez has mastered the perfect sunless tan to give you that golden glow you’ve been longing for! In fact, St. Tropez is Bree’s go-to self-tanner. Their Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse has the most delightfully tropical scent, and goes on clear, so there’s no need to rinse off. Plus, the formula is vegan-friendly! Try Bree’s application tip: exfoliate your skin 24 hours before applying the mousse for best results.

Biotherm Aqua Gelée Autobronzante Face Self-Tanning Serum

To give your face a truly glam glow, Biotherm’s Face Self-Tanning Serum is a must-try! Not only does it give you a natural-looking tan, but the mother-of-pearl in the serum also illuminates the skin beautifully.

Clinique Super City Block Oil-Free Daily Face Protector SPF 40

Protecting your face from harmful UVA and UVB rays starts with a good facial cream in your daily routine. Clinique’s Super City Block Face Protector has a high level of sun protection (SPF 40), and yet is sheer and weightless on the skin. If you have oily or break-out prone skin, no problem. The formula is also oil-free and fragrance-free. It makes a great under-makeup primer, or simply wear on its own.

Andalou Naturals Vitamin C BB Beauty Balm Sheer Tint SPF 30

If you’re not already wearing one year-round, consider swapping out your usual BB cream or foundation for one with an SPF – like the Andalou Naturals Vitamin C Beauty Balm. This formula has a sheer tint to help camouflage imperfections, while also packing an SPF of 30 to help protect your skin from the sun’s rays.

Emani Perfecting Bronzer

To look like a bronzed babe without the sun damage, a good bronzer is key. The natural mineral Perfecting Bronzer in Copacabana from Emani has the perfect combo of both matte and shimmer in one compact. It’s also a 100% vegan formula!

Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick

Finish off that sun-kissed glow with another great natural product. Burt’s Bees All Aglow Bronzer Stick is 100% natural, and has a hydrating core made of coconut oil. Just dab on the tops of your cheekbones and blend for a bronzed shimmer that enhances your skin’s natural sheen.

Shiseido UV Lip Color Splash Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Don’t forget to protect your pout! The Shiseido UV Lip Color Splash is a lip balm packed with broad spectrum SPF 30 to help shield your lips from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Unlike some high-SPF lip products, it’s formulated with Clear Defense Technology, so it won’t turn white on your lips. It comes in a variety of subtle shades: Miami Pink, Nairobi Orange, Tahiti Blue and Uluru Red. Once you get out in the sun, you’ll really see the colour pop – under light, the glow becomes brighter and creates fresher looking lips!

Looking for more helpful beauty tips from our LDBeauty experts? Head over to our YouTube channel for tons of tutorials.

Beauty Tips for Sensitive Skin & Allergy Sufferers

Irritated skin, a runny nose or itchy eyes are nothing to sneeze at. Especially when they make your face red and your mascara run. Thankfully, Tasha from The Open Journal is here to share her beauty tips for surviving allergy season and keeping your sensitive skin concerns at bay. Watch Tasha in the video below – or keep on scrolling to read more about her must-have products from London Drugs for managing skin sensitivity issues!

Clinique Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser

If your skin is generally prone to redness or tends to flare up due to allergies, the right way to start your beauty routine is with a cleanser that will soothe the skin. Clinique has a Redness Solutions Soothing Cleanser that will do the trick. It’s a non-drying cream that will help to immediately improve visible redness, while melting away makeup and impurities. In general, Clinique products are always a good bet if you have sensitive skin. They’re dermatologist developed, allergy tested, and free of fragrances, parabens and phthalates!

Bioderma Sensibio Anti-Redness Care

As a second step in your skincare routine, consider switching to a moisturizer that will also work overtime to keep your redness concerns under control. Bioderma has formulated the Sensibio Anti-Redness Care to do just that – not only reducing redness but preventing it. It also makes an excellent base for your makeup.

Bioderma Sensibio Eye Contour

Allergies can make your eyes puffy and swollen, but Tasha has just the trick for that! First, she puts her Real Techniques Eye Reviver in the fridge for a few minutes to cool it down. Then she uses it to apply her Sensibio Eye Contour Gel from Bioderma. The cold helps to soothe the skin as the eye gel is applied, and then the eye gel will decongest, soothe, reduce puffiness – and an added bonus – minimizes wrinkles!

L’Oreal Magic Skin BB Cream

Red, blotchy skin can be frustrating, but L’Oreal’s Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream has an anti-redness formula that will do wonders. As the green-hued cream is blended into the skin, it neutralizes the look of redness, and transforms to a universal shade which evens skintone. The BB cream also works great as a spot treatment if your nose is particularly red from all that sneezing (oh the joys of allergy season).

Marcelle Kohl Eyeliner

If your eyes are particularly sensitive, or if allergies have them constantly watering, your go-to eyeliner should be a kohl liner from Marcelle. Their kohl liner is formulated specifically for the very sensitive waterline area: it’s 100% hypoallergenic, perfume-free and ophthalmologist tested. This particular pencil liner is also waterproof, so it won’t budge once applied.

La Roche-Posay Toleraine Volume Mascara

Sensitive eyes also deserve a mascara that’s specially formulated for them. La Roche-Posay’s Toleraine Volume Mascara has a special brush design that magnifies every lash without discomfort or irritation during application, protecting the eye contour. It’s also expertly formulated to be removed easily, so as to avoid any potential irritation.

Avène Care for Sensitive Lips

Even lips can feel sensitive and irritated. Luckily, there’s the Avène Care for Sensitive Lips. This rich, creamy lip balm features Avène’s Thermal Spring Water, which has properties that will help comfort and soothe your poor lips.

Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray

We saved Tasha’s best tip for last. Avène’s Thermal Spring Water Spray is an easy way to calm sensitive and irritated skin on-the-go. Just like their lip balm, the Thermal Spring Water offers soothing and softening properties to help relieve your skin issues. Just simply spray directly to the face (or any other part of the body). Because the Thermal Spring Water is captured directly at its source and bottled in a sterile environment, the spray is also safe to use on the eyes. It’s a perfect solution for irritated, itchy eyes that can result from allergies or other sensitivities!

Hungry for more beauty tips? Check out all of our beauty tutorials on our YouTube channel!

Mother’s Day Gift Ideas to Treat Your Beautiful Mom

This Sunday is Mother’s Day, and if you’re still a bit lost on how to surprise mom, we’ve got you covered with some thoughtful Mother’s Day gift ideas. Mom has done so much for us. She literally gave us life, has shown us unconditional love…and maybe even taught us all of her beauty secrets! So of course, she deserves something extra special on Mother’s Day. Something to make her feel pampered and cared for, and to show her how thankful we are that she is in our lives.

To help you find the right Mother’s Day gift to treat your amazing mom, Tasha from The Open Journal is here with her top gift ideas found right in the London Drugs Beauty department. Just watch the video below to check out all of her picks – from fabulous fragrances and luxury skincare mom wouldn’t otherwise splurge on herself, to natural pampering products and makeup specially formulated for mom’s beautifully mature skin!

Think one of Tasha’s top picks would be the perfect gift for your mom? You can shop all of Tasha’s Mother’s Day beauty gift ideas here.

And of course, stay tuned for more beauty videos, coming soon to our YouTube channel!

Giveaway! You Could Win the $2000 London Drugs Beauty Box

Calling all beauties! Are you ready for one of our BIGGEST giveaways of the year? This is your chance to win the Beauty Box filled with products from the brands we love at London Drugs worth over $2000! Oh yes, you heard that right. Plus, it’s the exact same box we gifted our VIP influencers and bloggers at our annual #LDBeauty event.

Do we have your attention yet?! There is something in this box for every skin type and makeup look your heart desires, including just-released products and cult favourites. Let’s dive in to how you can enter and scroll for the top products (all in the box!!) our London Drugs Beauty Advisors are in love with right now from the LD Beauty Event.

1. Shiseido Daiya Fude Face Duo

A brush that acts like your fingertips? Yes, please! This diamond-shaped brush from Shiseido allows you to apply, buff and blend all face products without having to change brushes. It even conducts heat to warm up the product, leaving you with a more natural looking application.

2. EcoTools Makeup Brush Cleansing Cloths

We have to clean our brushes, beauties! The EcoTools cleansing cloths instantly wash away surface makeup, oil, and impurities from your brushes to keep them clean, soft, and healthy.

3. Bioderma Atoderm SOS Spray

Is your skin prone to itching? Bioderma’s Atoderm SOS Spray soothes itching in 60 seconds for 6 hours—wow. New Skin Relief technology is combined with soothing ingredient Enoxolone to block the biological process responsible for itching right from the start.

Are you ready? Here’s how to enter!

Follow @ldbeauty_ on Instagram OR follow London Drugs Beauty on Facebook
Tag a friend who LOVES beauty as much as you do in our Instagram post or our Facebook post
Extra entry: Comment on our Instagram post or our Facebook post with a beauty product from the photo you can’t wait to try!
Extra entry: Share our Instagram post in your Instagram Story

Terms and Conditions

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 November 30, 2018. 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 November 30, 2017; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as at November 30, 2018 (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 chosen by a judge on the day the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. Winners will be selected based on a combination of number of post likes, comments and overall skill/creativity. To win, selected entrants must have correctly answered the skill-testing mathematical question on the 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 1 prize awarded: the winner will receive ONE Beauty Box, worth approximately $2000. 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: November 16, 2018 – November 30, 2018. Draw Date: 12:00 PM Pacific Time Monday, December 3, 2018.
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, 2 (two) days after the first notification. If the winner still does not respond within 2 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.

Enter for a Chance to Win a Lipikar Skincare Prize Pack!

Contest Rules

LDBeauty Lipikar Contest– Official Rules

To enter: Like this post on Instagram or Facebook and tell us your family’s biggest skin concerns!
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 October 18, 2018. 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 October 15, 2017; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as at October 18, 2018 (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 chosen by a judge on the day the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. Winners will be selected based on a combination of number of post likes, comments and overall skill/creativity. To win, selected entrants must have correctly answered the skill-testing mathematical question on the 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 1 prize awarded: the winner will receive ONE Lipikar Baume AP+ and Syndet AP+ prize pack, worth approximately $100. 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: October 15, 2018 – October 18, 2018. Draw Date: 12:00 PM Pacific Time Monday, October 22, 2018.
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, 2 (two) days after the first notification. If the winner still does not respond within 2 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.