First off, a bit of housekeeping. You may have noted it’s May 1st, which usually means a new Find of the Month. Rest assured, that post is coming – I’m holding it off by a day simply because of some very exciting news and reveals from this month’s featured brand won’t be available till then. So to tide you over in the meantime, I have an equally great event and collection of gift ideas to profile.

With that in mind – how many of you know someone that’s been touched by cancer? I know several people – including young women like myself – and it isn’t pretty. Literally. Look Good Feel Better is an incredible not-for-profit organization that works with women, men, teens and children to help them overcome the physical, appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment. On Saturday, May 3, Shoppers Drug Mart stores across the nation will be hosting The Makeover Event. Tickets are $10, with $5 going to Look Good Feel Better and $5 for you to spend on product while perusing Shoppers Drug Mart’s amazing beauty lines. During these exclusive gala events, you’ll enjoy complimentary makeovers and skincare consultations while munching on delicious refreshments, taking home free samples, and maybe even walking away with a prize. All you have to do to snap up a ticket is speak with one of the beauty consultants in the Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique.

May I make a suggestion for how to spend that $5? How about a Mother’s Day gift for mom? Or a new treat to update your spring beauty routine? Or a prettifying palette for your sister or best friend’s birthday? No matter what, the Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique has you covered. Still need convincing? Here’s just a few of ideas of what’s in store:

philosophy Hooray for Sorbet and Cake Me to Paradise Gift Sets – $31 each
Spring is in the air and you can always count on philosophy to deliver some fresh new scents to match the sunny mood we’re all feeling right now. Both of these gift sets are just hitting store shelves right now, and each features three of philosophy’s signature 3-in-1 bath products (shower gel, shampoo and bubble bath, oh my!) Whether you’re buying for a diehard philosophy fan or a newbie to the brand, they’ll flip for these two summery sets. Hooray for Sorbet channels a fruity, creamy cup of this delicious sweet treat – perfect for scrubbing up to greet the morning. Meanwhile Cake Me to Paradise combines the delicious fragrance of fresh-baked cupcakes with tropical scents like pina colada, strawberry daiquiri and mint mojito. At this price point, it’s an ideal gift for a good friend (or a lovely indulgence for yourself).

Katy Perry Killer Queen Oh So Sheer 30 mL – $39
If you loved the original scrumptious, candy-laced incarnation of this fragrance by Katy Perry, then you’ll definitely want to snap up this limited time spinoff. Available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart locations, this new twist is rich with summer berries like purple plum, mulberry, blackberry and elderberries, for a fresh, fruity scent. Of course, it wouldn’t be Katy Perry without a little sugar involved: caramel and liquid praline are also prominent, along with some soft floral undertones. The result is a scent that literally seems good enough to eat (only don’t, for real). The fab price makes it a cute gift for your niece or the Katy Perry fan in your life.

Quo Beauty Contest Box – $30
One of the fun things about perusing Shoppers Drug Mart is the opportunity to check out their exclusive lines like Quo, which is always coming up with fun, limited-edition collections. For Mother’s Day they’ve launched a set of five new products, including the oh-so-pretty Beauty Contest Box pictured above. Perfect for traveling, this compact collection includes 13 cool-hued shadows, four cream liners to make your eyes pop, and two blushes. It’s an amazing bang for your buck and would surely make any mom glow just a little brighter upon opening (and using).

DuWop Cosmetics BronzeRush – $35
If you really pressed me, I’d probably tell you that DuWop is my favourite brand to buy from when browsing the shelves at Shoppers Drug Mart. It’s not available at other major beauty retailers, yet it carries really innovative, special products (their BrowWow palette alone is worth a look). I took a peek at some of their latest launches and this product caught my eye as a great go-to for ladies toting small purses or travel bags. Offering two gel-based cheek stains that can be mixed and matched to create your ideal shade, as well as an anti-orange bronzer, this is a great way to get that summer fresh glow in an instant.

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure ‘Pastels on Point’ Collection – $8.95 each
The nail polish section of Shoppers Drug Mart makes it incredibly difficult to walk out without a new bottle or two in your shopping basket. And with prolific innovators like Sally Hansen constantly launching new collections, good luck not splurging on a bottle or two to craft the perfect at-home mani/pedi. The new Complete Salon Manicure line from Sally Hansen promises to deliver salon-level quality, with seven salon benefits in one easy-to-apply formulation. The softly hued, limited-edition Pastels on Point collection channels ballet slippers, lush bouquets of flowers, and the bright shades of a tropical landscape – making them an ideal pick to go with all those cute new spring clothes you’ve stocked up on.

All of these gift ideas are just a preview of what Shoppers Drug Mart carries in their Beauty Boutiques. If you haven’t paid one a visit in awhile, there is seriously no time like the present. The Makeover Event will be taking place this Saturday, May 3 so trot on down to your local Shoppers Drug Mart location to get the details of the event and your tickets! As a quick heads up, Look Good Feel Better is the charity you will be supporting if you visit stores in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and the Atlantic provinces. Stores in B.C. and Ontario will be in support of another equally awesome charity – so be sure to pop by, get your beauty on, and support a great cause.

As an extra bonus to you pretty people, I’m also giving away a $100 Shoppers Drug Mart gift card so you can stock up on all the beauty products you could ever need (for a month at least, right?) Here’s how to enter:

1) Tell me in the comments below by May 24, 2014 – What’s your favourite beauty brand at Shoppers Drug Mart? If you’re unfamiliar, check them out here.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around May 25, 2014 to select the winners, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Congrats early birds – if you catch this post before May 3rd and Tweet about The Makeover Event tagging @ShopprsDrugMart and @LGFBCanada, you can earn up to three bonus entries for each Tweet you share until May 4th. Just be sure to link back to your Tweets in individual comments below.

Keep your eyes peeled readers – there may be other ways to earn bonus entries into this fun giveaway as the month rolls on.

A couple of weeks ago I kicked off my themed gift guides with some ideas for when a dude is shopping for another dude. Today I’m flipping the script and taking a look at lovely gift ideas to be gifted between gals. Maybe you’re shopping for a sister, a best friend, a coworker, a niece – whatever the case may be, these are all sweet little finds under $50 that any girl would be absolutely delighted to open.

Breakfast Club of Canada Bracelet – $26
Let’s start off with a gift idea that’s good for the heart and soul. Shockingly, even in a country as fortunate as ours, 1 in 7 children are at risk of not having breakfast before heading to the classroom – causing them to be unfocused, distracted, and of course, not particularly healthy. Breakfast Club of Canada supplies breakfasts to children in need – and this holiday season, they’ve released a new, limited edition bracelet crafted by Toronto artist Mai Lin. Bright and beautiful, this delicate bracelet is designed to remind you of the importance of taking care of our young people. Plus, every bracelet purchased will actually go toward Breakfast Club of Canada’s programming and feed a child for two weeks. And when someone asks your friend where she got her brightly hued bracelet, she can spread the message about this important, close-to-home cause.

Sarah Style by Sarah Richardson – $32
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had a conversation lately where somehow, some way, the subject turns to HGTV. Bashful, I confess that I could easily veg out in front of that channel for hours at a time – only to find my close friends feel the exact same way. Does this mean I’m a grown-up now? Anyway, those of you that tune into HGTV on the regular will probably recognize Sarah Richardson, interior design guru and Canada’s chicer answer to the likes of Martha Stewart (or whatever lifestyle / DIY master you’re inspired by). Now Sarah’s released a brand new book that takes you on spectacularly photographed and designed tours of 100 different rooms, designed to give you inspiration everywhere – from the laundry room to the master bedroom to the kitchen. It’s a spectacular choice for that design-minded friend that’s never quite finished updating her house that’s also looking for inspiration.

Fresh Sweet Nudes Collection – $42 @ Sephora
Any girl that’s tried Fresh’s signature lip treatments has been hard-pressed to go back to anything else afterward. After all, they keep your lips ultra-nourished and soft, add a pretty hint of colour, and come in purse-worthy twist-off metallic tubes that aren’t going to track open and wreck your bag. This super sweet (and awesomely priced) set includes three of Fresh’s more neutral shades, as well as a Sugar Lip Polish to buff away dryness and allow the colour to go on perfectly smoothly. And if you’re in the mood for something nude but no-less-fabulous, this swell kit even comes with an untinted sheer balm for anytime wear. A gorgeous choice for your sister or for your college-aged niece.

Yummi Yogi Cookie Cutters – $40 / Set of 5
Maybe it’s the friend you ring up when you’re in the mood for some savasana. Maybe it’s your actual yoga teacher. Maybe it’s your yoga-addicted sister that hits a class three times a week. No matter the case, they’ll flip for these super adorable yoga-inspired cookie cutters from Yummi Yogi. Channeling core poses like Tree, Warrior 2 and Downward Facing Dog, these high quality baking accessories are great for doing a yogi twist on gingerbread, but just taking a peek at the Yummi Yogi gallery offers plenty of other inspirational ideas – including repurposing your cookies (and cutters) as ornaments, gift tags and more! Available online and at a selection of studios across Canada, this one’s almost sweeter than a blissful break in Child’s Pose.

Ombre Nail Polishes – $16 each @ 100% Pure
Treat your tips to some serious love – and beautiful colour – with 100% Pure’s new line-up of Ombre Nail Polishes. This all natural brand is perhaps known for their fruit-tinted cosmetics, as well as their commitment to keeping any ‘bad for you’ ingredients out of their products. In fact, this lovely collection of polishes is 5-free of the major carcinogens (like formaldehyde and camphor) that you’ll find in some other brands. The Ombre collection consists of seven fall-hued shades in warm tones of taupe, brown, red, and gold, which can either be purchased separately or all together. Easy to apply with a smooth, creamy finish, host a manicure party and see how well these colours work together – then let every guest take home a bottle for keeps. As a heads up, these polishes are just about to hit the shelves on November 21, so if you’re eager to buy ’em, no worries – there’s still plenty of time to purchase them before the holidays, just add them to your wish list now!

Endito Hoop Earrings – $34-$39 @ Far & Wide Collective
This is my first (but certainly not my last) mention for Far & Wide Collective, so let me preface this with a little back story on this amazing shop. This Toronto-based retailer carries stylish products from around the globe – all of which are handcrafted by talented artisans, many of which are in emerging countries. What’s particularly impressive is that they aren’t just buyers, they’re enablers, offering a toolkit that helps artisans ensure their products are good to go in the global marketplace. Case in point? These pretty hoop earrings, which are made from upcycled materials and hail all the way from Tanzania. Available in two different sizes and styles, the best part of gifting these colourful hoops is the incredible story you get to tell as your friend unwraps them.

Holika Holika Cosmetics – From $8
I’m not going to lie to you. Visiting the Holika Holika Canadian website is sort of like sensory overload. And I mean that in the best possible way. This Korean brand is the #1 celebrity-endorsed brand overseas – and they’re bringing their lineup of affordable, innovative, lust-worthy products here for your browsing (and wish-listing) pleasure. As demonstrated by the little collage I put together above, there’s a MASSIVE range of products here – and I’d wager about 95% of them are under the $50 mark. Maybe you’re looking at skincare solutions for mom, infused with exotic ingredients like black caviar, black sea cucumber, or aloe vera. Or maybe you want to nab some fab beauty finds for that makeup maven bestie of yours – be the one to introduce her to Holika Holika and I guarantee she’ll have a ball filling up her shopping cart. Heck, there’s even tons of choices under the $10 mark, allowing you to stuff stockings, Secret Santa swap, or treat all of your gal pals to a fun and girly pick from this sensational brand.

Rifle Paper Co. Monarch Flip Calendar – $16
As I expounded upon a few weeks ago, I love the look and feel of just about everything Rifle Paper Co. does. The great part is they’ve expanded well past art prints and greeting cards into amazing giftware too, such as this sweet little desktop flip calendar. Each month you’ll be greeted by an infamous member of the monarchy, from Queen Elizabeth I to more exotic royals, like Lili’uokalani, the last monarch of Hawaii. It’s a particularly sweet and inspiring gift for your savvy coworker that’s always keeping an eye on dates. Just think, with a little planning and coordination, she could wield as much power as these regal women.

Corked: The Wine Party Game in a Bag – $31.99 @ O.co
Nothing goes together quite as well as a group of girl friends and a bottle of wine. Add a fun party game into the mix and your night is set! Corked is basically a variation of charades. You and a partner stand up and each take one half of a common word or expression – for example, ‘Honey’ and ‘Comb’. From there, it’s up to you to act out both halves of the card simultaneously while getting the other players to guess what the heck it is you’re demonstrating. Once a pairing is guessed correctly, you move onto the next set of words, until the timer runs out. Points are doled out for the best actresses and the best guessers, and whoever has the most points at the end of a round (which takes a mere 30 minutes or less) wins! Where does the wine come in? Let’s just call it a social lubricant that’ll make both the acting and the guessing that much more fun. Bring a bottle of your besties fave Pinot and you’ll be laughing the night away!

Bliss Handy Candy – $30
No matter how thick and plush your mittens are, our hands all tend to take a beating in the winter. The upside is, winter is a great time to indulge in some luxurious hand cream to keep your paws tender soft. Anyone that’s ever tried Bliss’ amazing hand cream will agree with me, it’s almost impossible to turn back after using the stuff. And this year, they’ve packaged up four of their amazing hand creams into one adorable, gem-themed box. Two of the scents are appropriately holiday themed – Peppermint and Snowflake – but you can also opt for their Naked, scent-free cream or their citrus-scented High Intensity Hand Cream. Break ’em up and divide ’em amongst your best girlfriends, or treat one lucky lady to the gift of soft hands all winter long.

Buns, Braids and Twists by Christina Butcher – $24.50
I actually encountered this book at a friend’s place and instantly fell in love. It’s sort of like that Pinterest board you have for cute hairstyles, but because it’s a physical thing, chances are you’ll actually try to tackle some of them. And with handy, step-by-step instructions, full colour photos of every style, and tons of helpful tips and variations, it’s easy to get the twisty, braided, chic hairstyles of your dreams. I’m actually living proof – I’ve always been mystified by the elaborate plaits and such I’ve seen online or on other girls, but after getting a copy of this awesome, giftworthy book, I’ve mastered all kinds of complex styles like the waterfall braid or figure 8 braid. A super choice for any gal that’s handy with doing her hair – especially if it’s long.

Dolly Pastels Palette + Frosted Pastels Palette – $20 each @ The Body Shop
There’s nothing quite like an eyeshadow palette to give a girl a case of the squeals. And kudos to The Body Shop for delivering with not one, but two amazing palettes priced at just $20, and filled with shimmering, frosty shadows that are simply perfect for holiday celebrations. The Dolly Pastels set veers toward rich warm hues of pink, peach and brown, while the Frosted Pastels presents an arctic-inspired palette of cool tones. Both kits come equipped with a double-ended brush for on-the-go use and come housed in a super sweet, Nordic-influenced package that’s totally ready for gifting.

Catch Phrase Decades – $24.99 @ Real Canadian Superstore, Target, Toys “R” Us, and Wal-Mart
So pretty much all of my friends are aware of the fact that I LOVE me some Catch Phrase. This addictive, portable game has fueled many a games night, dinner party, gathering of the gals, and even office lunch breaks. For the unfamiliar, the gist of the game is to get your teammates to guess what word is on the Catch Phrase screen – with a few rules to make things more challenging. I didn’t think Catch Phrase could get any better, but now they’ve released a new version of the game, with hundreds of new words spread across five decades – the 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s and today. It’s a fresh, challenging spin on an old favourite that’s fun for every generation to show their ‘historical’ prowess.

Quo Cosmetic Crackers – $15 for a set of 3 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
If you and your ladies are getting together for a holiday shindig, consider breaking out these super fun Christmas crackers to get the party started. Rendered in hot pink and baroque-inspired gold and black, these festive crackers are a great starting point for setting the table and picking an overall colour scheme for your event. But what really makes them amazing are the contents: each cracker contains a mini lip gloss and eyeshadow duo so you can get prettified for the holiday season. Now that’s way more fun than a paper crown and a corny joke, am I right?

Hand Stamped ‘I Have Love In My Heart For You’ Necklace – $25 @ Zelma Rose
Does anyone remember the childhood saying ‘LYLAS’? Meaning ‘love you like a sister’, it’s a sentiment that many women share between them. Whether you’re buying for an actual sister, daughter, parent or friend, this pretty (and popular) necklace from designer Zelma Rose is a sweet way to show that you care. Made from real brass and a custom hand stamp, it’s simple enough to be worn everyday, but heartfelt enough to put a smile on your loved ones’ face every time they slip it on. You can also customize the necklace with an additional alphabet charm, to up the personalization factor.

philosophy Winter Snowflake Set – $31 @ Sephora
I’ve yet to meet a friend that doesn’t love philosophy – and for good reason. The brand delivers year after year with incredible gift-giving sets and new scents. This year one of their new offerings is ‘Winter Snowflake’, a fresh, clean scent inspired by the sparkle and wonder of freshly fallen snow. You can nab this two-piece set at a fab price for gifting exclusively at Sephora. First, lather up with one of the brand’s signature 3-in-1 shampoo, shower gel & bubble bath formulas, then follow it up by lavishing your skin with their glazed body souffle. A lovely choice for any lady you’re shopping for this season.

There you have it! 16 amazing gift ideas to put a smile on any gal’s face – without breaking the bank either. And since this post is all about friendship, here’s my gift to you: I’m giving away a ‘Jingle Belles Rock’ prize package for your gal pals valued at over $520! If you win, you’ll be the lucky owner (and gifter) of:

– A Breakfast Club of Canada bracelet
– A copy of Sarah Style
– A 5-piece set of Yummi Yogi cookie cutters
– 7 Ombre Nail Polishes from 100% Pure
– A pair of large Endito Hoop Earrings from Far & Wide Collective
– $120 worth of Holika Holika cosmetics
– A Corked game
– A copy of Buns, Braids and Twists
– A ‘Dolly Pastels’ eyeshadow palette from The Body Shop
– A $25 Shoppers Drug Mart gift card
– A Zelma Rose ‘I Have Love In My Heart For You’ necklace
– A philosophy ‘Winter Snowflake’ gift set
Worth playing for (as I channel my inner Jeff Probst)? Here’s how to enter for your chance to win:

1) Comment on this post by midnight on November 29, 2014, sharing with me which of these lovely lady gift ideas you’d most like to gift (or receive). Feel free to go crazy and pick as many as you like – it’s hard to choose!

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 30, 2014 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: There are a TON of bonus entries to be had. Go for all of them, go for one of them, go for none of them – it’s up to you. Whatever you choose, be sure to leave each bonus entry in a separate comment below.

Breakfast Club of Canada is on Facebook. Like them, leave a comment on one of their wall posts, and leave a link back to your comment in a separate comment below.

Simon & Schuster is the publisher of Sarah Style. Follow them on Twitter and tag them and me (@cdngiftguide) in a Tweet about why you’d love to read this book – don’t forget to link to this post! Once you’ve Tweeted, include a link to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Yummi Yogi is on Facebook. Like them, leave a comment on their wall (you’re under no obligation to mention the CGG). Once you’ve done so, leave a link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

100% Pure is on Instagram. Follow them, like or comment on a photo, and leave a link back to that photo in the comments below with your Instagram username.

Far & Wide Collective is on Facebook. Stay in the loop with their latest product launches by liking them, and say hello by leaving a post on their wall. Afterwards, swing back over here with a link to your post in a separate comment below.

Holika Holika has an impressive following on Facebook. Join the crowd and like the brand, then say hello with a note as to your fave product from their site. Once you’re done, jump back this-a-way and leave a link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

O.co (Overstock.com) is the place where you’ll find Corked: The Wine Party Game in a Bag. Sign up for their ‘O Mail’ (there’s a link at the top far right of the page) to receive their latest sales and product launches and you’ll nab an extra entry into the draw too. Just leave a comment below telling me you’ve done so – and be sure that whatever email address you use to leave a comment is the same one you used to sign up for their emails (I can see your email addresses, but they remain private to the public, no worries!)

Raincoast Books is the Canadian distributor of Buns, Braids and Twists. Like them on Facebook and leave a comment referencing this fab book and why you’d love to score it. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below for another entry into the draw.

The Body Shop is on Twitter. Follow them, Tweet about this post and tag them and me (@cdngiftguide). Link back to your post in a separate comment below.

Shoppers Drug Mart is on Twitter. Follow ‘em. Tweet at them and @cdngiftguide with a link back to this post. Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Zelma Rose is on Twitter. Follow them, tag them and me (@cdngiftguide) in a Tweet that links back to this post. Leave a link to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

philosophy is on Twitter. Follow them, tag both them and me (@cdngiftguide) in a Tweet and be sure to link back to this post in your Tweet. Then, post a separate comment below with a link to your Tweet.

Perhaps you’ve noticed Quo Cosmetics during your visit to one of Shoppers Drug Mart’s 1,200+ stores across Canada. The brand isn’t exactly new, having been a mainstay on Shoppers’ shelves exclusively for several years, but they’re catching the eye of the beauty mavens more and more thanks to their cute packaging innovations, on-trend colour stories, and affordable pricing. As we head toward spring and a reawakening of our stylish selves as the weather warms up, I invite you to take a peek at some of Quo’s latest and greatest get-pretty innovations that’ll put a radiant glow on your face, both literally and figuratively.

Quo Eye Palette – $18 each
The theme for this spring’s Quo collection (which is rolling into stores over the next month / April) is this beautiful, ornate design that carries through all of their packaging. If you’re like most girls and the first thing you gravitate toward is colour, then you’ll want to check out their three new eyeshadow palettes. ‘Presence’ (pictured above), features crisp, cool hues in springy shades of purple, blue and grey. ‘Sensation’ is an electic mix of pinks, mauves and silvers, with a hint of orange. And ‘Pose’ is the warmest of the lot, with a range of browns, taupes, and greens. All three of them are priced under $20, making this an ideal birthday present pick that packs a lot of style into a small price tag.

Quo Lipstick – $12
Another place you’ll find colour on the Quo shelves is through their two new lipsticks. These pretty tubes come in two universally flattering, vibrant shades. Above is ‘Charm’, a bright fuchsia hue that instantly livens up your face (hint: apply minimal additional makeup and let the colour sing). Your other pick is ‘Illusion’, a deeper, mauve-taupe hue that’s a little more neutral but adds a fresh, spring vibe to your look. For the record, Quo Cosmetics, as I mentioned, are only available in Shoppers Drug Mart stores. That means no shopping online – but with so many locations nationwide you can easily pop in and test these pretty hues before you buy.

Quo Spring Brush Set – $60
If you’re shopping for someone who has more than enough makeup, then consider gifting them with the next best thing – a stunning set of brushes with tres chic pink and black handles. I’ve actually owned quite a few brushes from Quo over the years and recommend them as a great entry level brush line for those just getting into the art of brushing and blending like a pro. This synthetic set contains everything a makeup maven needs to get her face on, including three face brushes (powder, foundation, blush), three shadow brushes (all over, smudger, crease blending), a liner brush and a concealer brush. It also works for gals on the go, thanks to the handy carrying case that’ll keep your brushes from picking up outside debris.

Quo Face Palette – $20
If contouring is your thing, then be sure to check out the two new face palettes from Quo this spring. Each one contains a rose-hued blush, a shimmery highlighter, and a flattering bronzer that’s free from that telltale orange-y hue (at least, when applied properly). There are two collections available here but they are virtually the same – ‘Contessa’ is a touch lighter than ‘Camelot’, which is pictured above. The shades layer well so you run little risk of over-compensating with your brushes. This also makes a lovely bon voyage gift for a pal that’s traveling – she can save herself from having to bring along multiple makeup cases!

Quo by ORLY Art Scene Polishes – $10 each
Quo isn’t just about beauty for your face – they’ve also teamed up with respected nail polish brand ORLY to regularly release trendy, unique polishes. ORLY, for the uninitiated, is a great brand that’s been committed to three-free formulations well before it was de rigeur. It promises fast drying times and streak-free coverage. This season, Quo by ORLY’s collection features four dynamic glitter polishes, inspired by famous art movements and their works. My personal favourite is the copper-fleck sparkle pictured second in, called ‘Contemporary'; it’s subtle enough to work for the office when worn on its own, or it can be applied as a fun top coat to your favourite neutral shade.

Quo Eyebrow Palette – $12
One of the most-often overlooked yet impactful areas to amp up your beauty potential is your eyebrows. Good maintenance and grooming is part of it (threading, waxing and plucking) – but simply filling in your brows or using a wax cream to keep them in line can do wonders for framing your eyes. If you’re new to beautifying your brows, then start off with Quo’s affordable palette designed just for the brows. It features two blendable shades to custom match your eyebrow shade (although you’ll generally want to darken them a bit as you fill them in), a dual-ended brush, and a cream to keep those stray hairs in place.

As I mentioned, this lineup of spring beauty products from Quo will be in Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada as of April. That being said, Quo is carried year-round, so be sure to pop by and see what they’ve currently got in store – if you’ve overlooked this brand in the past, don’t! They offer really beautiful colours at a great price point, and their accessibility simply can’t be beat.

Finally, I’m delighted to announce that one of my readers is going to have a very pretty spring. I’m giving away every item I featured in this post. That’s right! One lucky winner is going to nab three palettes (eyes, brows, and face), a lipstick, the spring brush set, and the entire Quo by ORLY Art Scene collection, for a grand total of $160+! Want to win? Here’s how to enter:

1) First and foremost! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by March 31, 2015 telling me which of these fabulous spring items from Quo you’re most interested in trying out.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around April 1, 2015 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entries: Get Tweet happy this month. First off, follow @ShopprsDrugMart and @cdngiftguide on Twitter. Secondly, send out one Tweet a week that tags both of us, promotes / links back to this post, and includes one of the following hashtags: #QuoCosmetics or #Quo or #QuobyORLY. Repeat Tweets will not count, so get creative. Finally, leave a link back to each of your Tweets in the comments below. The bonus entry periods for each weekly Tweet bonus entry are:
March 1 – March 7
March 8 – March 14
March 15 – March 21
March 22 – March 31

Don’t forget! There’s often many other chances to earn bonus entries into all of my giveaways. As a subscriber, keep your eyes peeled on the daily posts for more ways to enter to win!

What It Is: A lot of you loved my Quo Cosmetics feature the other month – so when the chance came up to highlight their new summer line, I had to take it! Be sure to check out that post for the background on this fabulous brand, sold exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutiques across Canada. In the meantime, let’s talk summer beauty routines. In general, the summer heat means you may want to lighten things up a bit. It’s also a great time to experiment with new colours – bright fresh shades have never looked more on-point. And if you’re concerned about getting enough sun, fake it till you bake it with bronzing and highlighting products.

Luckily, Quo’s new lineup for summer covers all of your bases. This season’s theme is a sparkling agate, which can be found on the outside of all the cases of their new releases. There are three new eyeshadow palettes to suit every taste, from super neutral Barely There to bright and summery Colour Me to the dramatic and sultry shades of Grey. There are also two new highlighting kits to help you shape and contour your face, and a multi-hued bronzer to give you a soft, tawny glow. Plus, Quo carries all of the brushes you need to give your face a head-turning new look.

Who It’s For: Your bridesmaids, as fun goodie bag picks. Your sister, as a great birthday collection. Your wife, who can’t get enough eyeshadow palettes.

What It Costs: $16 for the eyeshadow palettes, $18 for the highlighting kits, and $20 for the bronzer. Brushes are $17-$20.

Where It’s At: Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada.

I couldn’t feature such a fabulous collection and not give it away, especially during my blog’s five-year anniversary (oh yes, there’s other fab giveaways right now). One lucky reader is going to score herself all three eyeshadow palettes, two highlighting kits, and a bronzer – for a prize valued at over $100! Here’s how to enter:

1) First of all! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave a comment below telling me what your favourite item is from Quo’s Summer 2015 collection. You have until June 25, 2015.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around June 26, 2015 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Follow @shopprsdrugmart on Twitter and send out a Tweet that tags them and me (@cdngiftguide) AND links back to this post. Be sure to leave a link to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

So earlier this week I talked a fair bit about beauty gifts…and as always it inspired hundreds of you to weigh in with your favourite beauty gift ideas. Today I wanted to point you in a particular direction – Shoppers Drug Mart! For those of you that missed it, Shoppers Drug Mart’s famed Beauty Boutiques now have an online presence at BeautyBoutique.ca, which means you can finally peruse their expansive lineup of brands from the comfort of home – and discover all kinds of hidden gems! It’s also a great place to browse house brand Quo Cosmetics, which is chockful of gifting ideas, some of which I’ve rounded up for today’s post!

Quo Cosmetic Cracker Set – $20
I believe I featured Quo’s original crackers last year, as a great gift idea for your girlfriends. That recommendation holds strong this year, as these festive dinner table decorations hold something way cooler than a paper crown and a silly trinket. Instead, each cracker has a miniature lip gloss / eyeshadow. It makes for a fun hostess gift if you’re gathering with the gals, or a cool gift for the ‘teens table’ at an overstuffed Christmas dinner.

Quo Emery Board – $3 each
Stocking stuffer alert! These glittery emery boards have a totally festive feeling to them, while still getting the job done. Available in pink, black, or gold (Quo’s signature colour scheme this season), these cute emery boards are so affordable and the perfect complement to a collection of fun nail polishes…oh yeah, more on those in a bit!

Soap & Glory Winter Wonderhand Gift Set – $12
Perfect as a stocking stuffer, hostess gift, or present for your bestie, this trio of hand creams is perfect for staving off dry, crackly hands. Non-greasy yet oh so moisturizing, the brand’s ‘Hand Food’ lotions are quickly becoming cult favourites for their affordable price and amazing results. This little set contains three delicious scents – their rose and bergamot Original Pink, the baking-inspired Sugar Crush, and a limited edition fragrance called Smoothie Star.

Quo by ORLY Perfectly Painter 12-Piece Mini Nail Lacquer Set – $35
After you’ve perfected your nails with the emery board and hand lotions featured above, it’s time to polish them off – literally! I love the idea of mini polishes as it allows you to experiment with tons of colours without breaking the bank or worrying about them drying up. Quo by ORLY has a few different gift sets out this season, but this is the grand dame of them all, featuring 12 mini lacquers in solid brights and glittering festive hues alike. It’s amazingly priced too – making it a great fit for everyone from your granddaughter to your closest girlfriend.

High five to anyone that figured out last week that my post on Lacoste’s pretty preppy pastels were actually a preview of this week’s look at the two colours of the year from Pantone. The company insists they’ve chosen two colours as they like the combined harmony of them, one designed to boost feelings of peace and well, serenity, which may be quite fitting considering the current turbulent world we live in right now. Anyway, here a few ideas for how to bring two of this year’s hottest colours into your life.

Quo by ORLY COLOR AMP’D Polishes – $10.99 each @ Shoppers Drug Mart
If you want to really experience on-trend colour, then you’ve got to look at the nail industry which is always on top of the trendiest hues. This new collection of Quo by ORLY polishes consists of 24 different hues from vibrant to neutral, glitter to gloss. The formulation is part of a two-step designed to function like a gel, but be easily removed like a polish. No UV lamps are required – all you need to do is apply the colour of your choice, then use the brand’s Sealcoat to lock in that flawless polish. The four colours you see above are on point with the vibe of Serenity and Rose Quartz; in clockwise order starting from the top left, they are Surfer Girl, Celebrity Gossip, Art Walks and City of Angels. I’d also recommend taking a peek at On The List’ for a more shimmery variation.

Dualitas Rings – From $125 USD
Fans of the metaphysical – i.e. crystals, aromatherapy, et al – were jazzed to hear about this year’s colours. Rose Quartz, after all, is an actual stone used in crystal therapy to boost your relationships and open your heart. Dualitas specializes in crystal-embedded gems, like these pretty sterling silver rings with precious rose quartz and lapis lazuli that are specifically cut so the stone actually touches your skin. It’s a lovely way to celebrate the colours of the years while bringing love into your life for the long-term.

SEPHORA + Pantone Universe Collection – $23 – $49
As always, one of the official sources for Pantone items is their lineup with SEPHORA COLLECTION. Three of the four products you see above are indeed sold out right now online (the lipsticks and the shadow palette) but eagle-eyed shoppers may be able to find them in stores or can sign up to be notified for when they’re back in stock. The eyeshadows, for the record, reflect the full palette of shades Pantone has picked for the year (they also pick seasonal fashion palettes) and is a great price for a whopping 24 shadows.

KitchenAid Stand Mixers – From $599
Even your kitchen can be in tune with the colours of the year. KitchenAid has announced they’ll be releasing that pretty pink hue on the left – called Guava Glaze – inspired by Rose Quartz, in July of this year. The shade on the right, Cornflower Blue, is currently available. It’s this particular image that struck me with its similarity to baby boy and girl announcements, but Pantone has been firm in saying that wasn’t intent – they’re interested in the way these colours play with one another, and I have to say, they do play nice!

Nella Bella Soho Nu Bag in Marine Blue – $99
Vegan leather bags are as fashionable as ever, as this cute little satchel bag demonstrates. Available in a Serenity-esque marine blue, this easy-to-wear tote features a detachable strap, solid YYK zipper, and plenty of space to stash all your essentials. Looking for something not so vibrant? It comes in a few other hues too – but none quite as on-trend as this serene shade of blue. Best of all, Nella Bella is a Canadian brand!

Pantone Limited Edition Mug – $25
Every year, Pantone adds to their mug collection by releasing a limited edition mug with that year’s big colour. Show you know your colour trends by sipping out of this year’s particularly unique mug, that features a chip of both shades on either side of the mug. It’s the perfect gift for the budding graphic or fashion designer in your family. I also love their new Pastel Mug Set, which includes two similar shades to Rose Quartz and Serenity.

Marina Statement Necklace – $90 @ Stella & Dot
Here’s a great example of how well these two colours fuse together. This stunning statement necklace has a little bit ladylike charm and loads of glam potential. Picture it over a soft creamy sweater or worn for a wedding with a springy floral dress. The potential is endless – especially for compliments!

Wet n Wild Lip Products – From $0.99
One of the best parts of this year’s colour pairing has to be how great they work in the beauty realm (I mean, Emerald was tough, amirite?) Rose Quartz in particular is a beautiful pick for blush and lip products, and Wet n Wild has tons of affordable choices so you can stay on trend for the year and switch things up when the next hot shade is announced. From left to right, we’ve got a MegaSlicks Lip Gloss, Silk Finish Lipstick, Balm Stain and MegaLast Lip Colour, each designed to give your lips a slightly different finish and all with that fresh, pretty rose quartz hue.

Ludlow Oxford Cotton Shirts – $128.50 each @ J Crew
Finally, proof that even men can get in on the trend, J Crew has conveniently packaged these two super soft cotton tees into one product listing. The official shades are ‘Rustic Blue’ and ‘Pale Jasmine’ but I’d be surprised to find out Pantone’s colours didn’t have an influence on their creation. As this post demonstrates, the hues look great together, so find a stripey tie or bow tie that picks up both shades to finish these dress shirts off.

Finally, I have a great little beauty prize package for one lucky winner, valued at over $110! If you win, you’ll nab:

• Wet n Wild 1x Silk Finish lipstick, MegaLast lip colour, Balm Stain and Mega Slicks Lip Gloss
• Quo by ORLY COLOR AMP’D 4x bottles of polish + 1x Sealcoat
• 2x Quo Nail Polish Removers, 1x Quo Cotton Pads and 3x Quo by ORLY Nail Treatments

Want to win? Here’s how to enter:

1) First & foremost: you must be a subscriber to the Canadian Gift Guide to enter this giveaway. It’s as simple as finding ‘The Gift of Gab’ box in the righthand column and dropping in your email or clicking follow. Then leave me a comment below by February 6, 2016, telling me your favourite Pantone gift idea in this post.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around February 7, 2016 to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry #1: Follow Wet n Wild on Twitter and send out a Tweet about this giveaway, including a link back to this post, and tagging me (@cdngiftguide) and Wet n Wild. Share your Tweet in a separate comment below.

5) Bonus Entry #2: Follow Shoppers Drug Mart on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos or share the Quo polish photo shown above in a post of your own. Be sure to tag Shoppers Drug Mart and @cdngiftguide in your post. Then share it in a separate comment below.

6) Bonus Entry #3: Follow @cdngiftguide on Pinterest and Pin your favourite Pantone gift idea from this post. Share your Pin in a separate comment below.

Valentine’s Day typically isn’t a gift-giving occasion that requires excessive thought and planning. First of all, a lot of people don’t buy into the holiday at all, which I get! But I do think there’s something sweet about picking out a little token of affection for your most loved person. Valentine’s Day doesn’t need to be a big production, and you can easily scoop something up at the last minute by popping into one of Canada’s biggest retailers, like Shoppers Drug Mart. With over 1,200 locations from coast to coast, Shoppers is an awesome destination for picking up fun gift ideas for every loved one you’re hoping to impress this February 14th, and I’ve picked out a few great ideas below.

Carnaby Sweet Treats
Valentine’s Day is all about the sugar rush! At least it is my household. Carnaby Sweet, Shoppers Drug Mart’s house brand of candy and confections, has plenty of Valentine’s Day-worthy options to impress little ones and lovers alike. From milk chocolate roses to gourmet jellybeans, it’s all super affordably priced too!

Chloe Love Story Perfume – $90
A fitting gift idea for the most romantic holiday of the year! This pretty perfume from Chloe melds together orange blossom with a dewy floral accord for a fresh, springy scent that’ll work well past February 14th.

Quo ‘Love’ Makeup Bag
Another house brand worth checking out is Shoppers Drug Mart’s Quo Cosmetics. Not sure what shade she is? Scoop up this adorable Parisian-inspired tote bag to stash her perfect pucker-up shade of gloss or lipstick.

Gift Cards – From $25
Valentine’s Day is about showering the ones you love with things that they love – and who doesn’t love a bit of spending power at their favourite store or venue? Both in-stores and online, Shoppers Drug Mart has a killer selection of gift cards for everything from shopping malls to movie theatres to of course, Shoppers Drug Mart itself.

Smashbox For 25 Years Our Lips Have Been Sealed Palette – $79
Light up your lips with one of 25 best-selling shades of Smashbox’s Be Legendary Lipstick. From cool plums to bright pinks, this commerative collection is designed to celebrate Smashbox’s 25 years in the beauty biz, but is also a crazy steal of a deal for Valentine’s Day!

The ideas I featured here are truly just a fraction of what’s in store at Shoppers Drug Mart locations. I’ve popped into a few over the last few weeks and spotted everything from giant cuddly plush toys for the little ones to walls of sweet treats for everyone to enjoy to nice greeting cards for everyone from your grandparents to your coworkers. And I’m giving one reader a sweet surprise! Shoppers Drug Mart and I have teamed up to gift one of you a $100 prize package, including a selection of Carnaby Sweet items, a Quo Cosmetics makeup bag, and a Shoppers Drug Mart gift card. Here’s how to enter for your chance to win!

1) Heads up: you must be a subscriber to the Canadian Gift Guide to enter this giveaway. It’s as simple as finding ‘The Gift of Gab’ box in the righthand column and dropping in your email or clicking follow. Then leave me a comment below by March 1, 2016, telling me what item from Shoppers Drug Mart you’d most love to nab for your Valentine. It can be something I featured in this post or you can browse their site / flyer to pick another item!

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 2, 2016 to select the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Follow Shoppers Drug Mart on Twitter and send out a Tweet that tags them + me (@cdngiftguide) and links back to this post. Leave a link to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Ever since I started my online boutique Ever Rose, I’ve been eagerly anticipating spring – a season I admittedly just kind of shrugged at in the past. And for good reason…spring is the season for the prettiest of clothes and makeup, with fresh pastels taking over from the more muted tones that tend to dominate our fall and winter wardrobes. One brand that’s jumping on the spring colour bandwagon is Quo Cosmetics, which has just launched their new Prismatic Collection exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada. Want to know what’s in store before you go shopping? Read on!

Prismatic Eyeshadow Palettes in Intergalactic, Colourful Life and Infinity – $18 each
A little bit space age, a little bit retro groovy, this season’s shadow palettes are all about soft kisses of colour that borrow from all shades of the rainbow. Intergalatic is a stunning pick if you love cool tones ranging from icy blue to sandy beige, whereas Infinity warms things up with elegant peaches and taupes. If you want to span the entire spectrum of colour, then opt for Colourful Life, which has 10 pretty pastels that call to mind Easter eggs! Honestly though, at this price you can probably even warrant picking up more than one palette to set off your eyes (and new spring wardrobe) this season.

Prismatic Face Palettes in Moonwalk and Stardust – $18 each
If you’re not much of a shadow gal, trust me, blushes and bronzers and contouring powders are still very much a worthy addition to your makeup arsenal. Ever since contouring has entered the mainstream via the likes of the Kardashian clan, more and more makeup brands are answering the call by launching easy-to-use complementary palettes, like these new travel-friendly options from Quo Cosmetics. Rendered in two Neapolitan-ice cream inspired combinations, each face palette contains a soft pink blush with a hint of sparkle, as well as a highlighter and bronzer. Just fire up a YouTube tutorial or two so you can learn how to best apply these awesome products!

Prismatic Brow Kit – $12
It’s worth noting that once again, Quo has come up with some really cute packaging – this sort of psychedelic textured swirl effect that you see in full force above, with the brand’s brow kit. This awesome little purse-appropriate brow kit contains wax and two shades of brow filler, plus a brush and mirror, so you can touch up your eyebrows on the go. It’s a fabulous all-in-one brow tamer at an awesome price; plus the two shades make it easy to blend until you get your ideal shade.

Quo by ORLY Nail Polishes in Always Chic, Retro Glam, Stand Out and Cultured Classic – $10 each
I’ve been seeing a lot of these fresh mint and melon hues in the fashion world as of late (including my store’s own logo!) and it’s awesome to see them extended to the beauty world too. Quo by ORLY’s latest spring lineup features four gorgeous hues that’ll match perfectly with your new spring wardrobe – go more neutral with a whisper soft pink or a springy peach, or liven things up by adding in a sparkle-infused plum or bright emerald green. You can’t go wrong mixing these a bit too – try an accent nail in one of the more vibrant hues.

Excitingly, I get to give away this entire collection to one lucky reader of mine. If you win this awesome giveaway, you’ll score $142 in beauty products, including:

• 3x Prismatic Eye Palettes
• 2x Prismatic Face Palettes
• 1x Prismatic Brow Kit
• 4x Quo by ORLY Nail Polishes

Here’s how to enter for your chance at nabbing this truly beautiful, truly colourful cosmetics collection:

1) First and foremost! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by March 27, 2016 telling me which of these fabulous spring items from Quo you’re most interested in trying out.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 28, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entries: Get Tweet happy this month. First off, follow @ShopprsDrugMart and @cdngiftguide on Twitter. Secondly, send up to three Tweets over the contest period that tags both of us, promotes / links back to this post, and includes one of the following hashtags: #QuoCosmetics or #Quo or #QuobyORLY. Repeat Tweets will not count, so get creative – limited to one Tweet per day please! Finally, leave a link back to each of your Tweets in the comments below.

Don’t forget! There’s often many other chances to earn bonus entries into all of my giveaways. As a subscriber, keep your eyes peeled on the daily posts for more ways to enter to win!

Another day, another gift idea for Mother’s Day. This time I’m focusing in on the beauty-loving mom. Whether she’s already a palette queen or could simply use a refresh for her daily beauty routine, I highly recommend you check out the new Quo Cosmetics Mother’s Day collection. Packaged in a pretty pastel floral motif, this awesome line includes the following items!

Quo Beauty Box – $25
Perfect for the mom on the go, this compact little kit contains 20 eyeshadows, 3 blushes, 3 lip glosses, 3 lip colours and 2 applicators – all neatly packaged with a handy mirror. The price is unbeatable and the range of fresh spring colours includes both cool and warm tones to suit every gal’s complexion.

Quo Lip Gloss Set – $20
Containing five gorgeous pink-toned hues, this awesome lip gloss set can take mom from work life to a nice night out. Ranging from high shine gloss to a hint of sparkle, these petite glosses can be stashed anywhere from mom’s diaper bag to her dashboard to her desk.

Quo Perfectly Prepped Palette – $20
Not every mom needs to be a glamazon – but a little makeup can go a long way. This pretty compact contains four neutral hues ranging from taupe to brown to cream that can be blended expertly for an eye opening daytime look.

Quo Deluxe Portfolio – $50
If you really want to treat mom right, then pick up this amazing gift set containing over 70 different products! Jam-packed with 45 eye shadows from pale neutrals to dramatic darks, 6 face powders to highlight and contour, 9 gel-based eye liners, and 18 lip colours, this compact set is a great pick for the mom that likes to experiment with her look day in and day out.

These and dozens of other great Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty Boutique items are available at literally thousands of stores across Canada, making Quo Cosmetics a great last-minute pick too! I’m super excited to announce I’m also giving away the entire Quo Cosmetics Spring Mother’s Day line you see above! Here’s how to enter:

1) First and foremost! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by May 20, 2016 telling me which of these fabulous Mother’s Day collection items from Quo you’re most interested in trying out.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around May 21, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry #1: Get Tweet happy this month. First off, follow @ShopprsDrugMart and @cdngiftguide on Twitter. Secondly, send up to three Tweets over the contest period that tags both of us, promotes / links back to this post, and includes one of the following hashtags: #QuoCosmetics or #Quo. Repeat Tweets will not count, so get creative – limited to one Tweet per day please! Finally, leave a link back to each of your Tweets in the comments below.

5) Bonus Entry #2: Follow @cdngiftguide on Instagram and share an image from this post onto your own Instagram, tagging myself in it. Link back to your image in a separate comment below.

Don’t forget! There’s often many other chances to earn bonus entries into all of my giveaways. As a subscriber, keep your eyes peeled on the daily posts for more ways to enter to win!

Back to school is literally just around the corner – and plenty of brands are rolling out fun back to school collections, like Quo Cosmetics, which has a new, limited edition Back to School collection in Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada. Learn more below!

Want to be the top of your class when it comes to beauty? Check out the latest products from Quo Cosmetics to perfect your fresh fall look. From L to R, the line includes:

Quo Daily Beauty Palette – $42: Want to do a quick roll call? This killer set includes 28 shadows, 7 liners, and 3 blushes, plus a handy mirror. Use it to create endless looks for all of your awesome back-to-school looks – I love this as a gift idea for a niece or granddaughter that’s heading back to class and experimenting with beauty products this fall!

Quo Get A Grip Magnetic Brush Set – $32: Keep your brushes nice and tidy with this cool magnetic brush set. Featuring five soft synthetic brushes, this great set is ideal for between-class touch-ups as it keeps your brushes from getting all over the place, plus if you’re washing them, it keeps them high and dry while they’re airing out.

Quo Hall Monitor Clutch – $22: Something a little different from the beauty team at Quo is this cool little organizer. Keep a fave lip gloss stashed next to your school ID, money, cards, and of course, your smartphone, with this uber cute pink and black patent zip case.

Quo Taking Notes Beauty Palette – $32: Fool the teachers with this cute zip case that looks like a binder or notebook on the outside, but secretly stashes a few ‘sheets’ of beauty products on the inside, including 12 shadows, 2 liners, 4 blushes / bronzers, and 4 lip colours. Finish it off with a couple of essential brushes, plus stash your phone and cards with this super versatile, backpack-ready gift idea.

Want to win items from the Quo Cosmetics Back to School collection? Here’s how to enter my friends:

1) First and foremost! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by September 23, 2016 telling me which of these fabulous Back to School collection items from Quo you’re most interested in trying out.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around September 24, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry #1: Follow @ShopprsDrugMart and @cdngiftguide on Twitter. Then, send up to three Tweets over the contest period that tags both of us, promotes / links back to this post, and includes one of the following hashtags: #QuoCosmetics or #Quo. Repeat Tweets will not count, so get creative – limited to one Tweet per day please! Finally, leave a link back to each of your Tweets in the comments below.

5) Bonus Entry #2: Follow @cdngiftguide on Instagram and share the image from this post onto your own Instagram, tagging myself in it. Link back to your image in a separate comment below.

Don’t forget! There’s often many other chances to earn bonus entries into all of my giveaways. As a subscriber, keep your eyes peeled on the daily posts for more ways to enter to win!

The holidays are one of my favourite times to go shopping, because virtually every retailer out there starts stocking sparkling, shimmering, shining gift ideas. And as someone who would like to claim glitter as one of their favourite ‘colours’ (not a thing), it’s a joyful time to be cruising around the stores, virtual or otherwise. I was recently inspired to create this little gift guide to highlight one of the holiday season’s perennial fave metallic tones: gold! Whether burnished and dark or shimmery and champagne-like, there’s something about this hue that feels oh so festive. But you really don’t have to break the bank to add a little glittering gold to your life. I’ve highlighted six options below – all for under $50!

Clockwise from Top L

Quo Cosmetics Ready-Set-Travel Brush Set – $17 @ Shoppers Drug Mart: If you’re shopping for a jetsetting friend or coworker, set them up right with this sturdy yet simple makeup brush set. It fits easily into any carry-on and contains four essential brushes in a crush-proof case.

Shiny Tailored Dress – $49.90 @ Zara: On the hunt for a perfect holiday party dress? This simple shimmering shift dress is pretty universally flattering, looks good with boots or tights, and strikes the ideal balance between polished and fun.

Celestial Cuff – $39 @ Stella & Dot: The stars’ll be on your side well past the holidays with this moon and star cuff bracelet. With pretty pave stones, it’s the perfect finishing touch to your favourite red and green ensemble.

Golden Wonder Bath Bomb – $6.95: Pop this one in the bath before you go out for the night. Infused with cognac and zesty lime, it will totally get you in the party mood. Plus it’ll douse your skin with a fine shimmer of gold!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Light Fusion Highlighter – $48 @ Sephora: This new product from MAKE UP FOR EVER is for sure my new favourite standalone highlighter (You could previously nab it as part of the brand’s Pro Sculpting Duo). Coming in two different shades (the lighter one is more of a petal silvery-pink, but speaking as someone on #teampale that’s tried the ‘darker’ golden hue, it can still be worn by any skintone), this gel-based formula glides on with ease to give you a certain je ne sais quoi. Avoid looking like you just dropped a pound of glitter on yourself; the subtle shimmer will have everyone asking what’s your secret?

Kenadda Hat – $22 @ Aldo: Not a huge gold person? You can still add a little sparkle to your life. This neutral, faux fur-topped toque is made a little more special with golden sequins. Bonus points if you pick up the matching infinity scarf.

Oh hey! How about another giveaway to kick this holiday season off right? I’m giving away the Ready-Set-Travel Brush collection from Quo Cosmetics to a lucky reader. If you want to win it, here’s how to enter for your chance:

1) First off! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by November 14, 2016, telling me what your favourite golden gift idea is in this post.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 15, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Follow @ShopprsDrugMart on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, using the #QuoCosmetics and linking back to this post. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

Today’s gift guide guide is inspired by mom. Only, instead of doing a typical mom gift guide – bathrobes and bubble bath galore – I thought it’d be much, much better to do a ‘cool mom’ gift guide. I’ve rounded up some of my favourite gift ideas in Canada for mom – and you can check them all out below!

Wool Sock Stripe Basket – $25 @ Simon’s
If mom’s not big on gifts, you can still treat her to something sweet, like this fun and cozy blanket. Designed to look like everyone’s favorite winter wooly socks (and their associated sock monkeys) it’s the perfect place for mom to stash her knitting needles, current reads, or slippers. While it’s got a classic aesthetic mom will love, let’s face it – her daughter or granddaughter would just as easily love it in their place too.

Nadia Lloyd Scarves – $69 each @ NadiaLloyd.com, The Spacing Store + the McMichael Canadian Art Collection
Any woman will seriously turn heads with one of these striking scarves from Toronto artist Nadia Lloyd. Designed as a more accessible entry point for art lovers, these 100% silk chiffon scarves are inspired by different parts of T.O. The oversized shape of them means they can be worn in a range of ways – as a headscarf, wrap, or pretty accessory for her favourite sweater.

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer – $499.99 @ Hudson’s Bay
Yeah it’s spendy – but this hair dryer is earning rave review for its extremely lightweight design. Like Dyson’s fans, this bladeless hair dryer blasts your locks with concentrated heat to dry hair in a flash. Plus it comes with three attachments so you can style your locks exactly as you want. With total heat control, this dryer won’t fry your hair either.

Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty – $34.99
Women’s lit author Liane Moriarty – she of The Husband’s Secret and Big Little Lies fame – has quickly established herself as one of those authors you want to pick up every new release that’s out. Once again, she weaves another spellbinding family drama, with the tension practically crackling off the page. The story is set over the course of one afternoon, where three couples seem to be enjoying a pleasant BBQ party together. Only, there appears to be a disaster that links this group of people together, one that’s just bubbling under the surface. The story isn’t so much a whodunnit? but a whatdunnit / howdunnit / whendunnit. Rest assured, all will be revealed, but Moriarty spends three quarters of the book twisting the screws until you can barely stand it! A must-read for any mom.

Women’s Original Rubberized Hunting Coat – $495 @ Hunter
Mom already knows and loves Hunter’s coveted rainboots – but did you know the brand also offers top to toe rain gear? Check out these rubberized jackets that are cut like a classic duffel coat, but are totally waterproof. Designed with a built-in hood and oversized pockets, this multi-season coat comes in a huge range of colours, from bright blue and yellow to deep grey and forest green.

Murad Merry & Polished Gift Set – $95 ($140 Value)
Spa gift cards such a gimme when it comes to mom. Instead, equip her with everything she needs to enjoy spa-like treatments at home. This potent duo of skincare products from Murad is designed to buff away dry, dull skin for a glow even brighter than the star on top of your Christmas tree. Coupled with a hydrating yet lightweight lotion, mom’s skin will stay soft and supple for 24 hours, turning back the clock with each application.

Jessica Women’s Flannel Tote – $29.99 @ Sears
Buffalo check plaid has never been trendier – amongst all age groups – than it is right now. Update her wardrobe with a cool tote bag that evokes the perfect blend of holiday magic, winter warmth, and of-the-moment trendiness. With plenty of space for all of her cool weather essentials (and her phone, so you can stay in touch), this right-priced bag is an ideal choice for the fashionable mama.

Quo Brow Beauty Eyebrow Kit – $20 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
It’s actually stunning how transformative tailoring your brows can be when it comes to your beauty routine. Brow taming is a relatively new part of the beauty industry’s fixation – so if mom hasn’t jumped aboard the train yet, hook her up with this awesome set that makes it a snap to turn her brows into a total wow factor. Featuring three micro tools, highlighting powder, plus two shades you can blend for the ideal tone to fill your brows, the set is completely foolproof thanks to step by step instructions and handy guides for plucking and filling.

Green Cross Blanket – $285 @ Mjolk
If you’re going to give mom a blanket, give her something that’s equal parts family heirloom and design piece. This stunning blanket from designer Pia Warren has a very modern Danish-influenced look, but is made from a heavyweight organic cotton. I highlighted the Christmasy forest green version of this reversible blanket here, but it also comes in black, grey, and orange.

That wraps up my cool mom gift ideas post! A post for all the cool moms out there wouldn’t be complete without a cool giveaway. Valued at over $200, if you win, you’ll receive:

• Nadia Lloyd Scarf
• Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty
• Murad Merry & Polished Set
• Quo Brow Beauty Eyebrow Kit

Here’s how to enter for a chance to win my friends:

1) First off my friends! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by November 20, 2016 telling me your favourite cool mom gift ideas are that are featured in this post!

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 21, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry Opportunities:

Follow Nadia Lloyd on Instagram and either regram a photo or share a photo of your favourite scarf from the Nadia Lloyd website onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.

Follow Raincoast Books on Instagram and either regram one of their photos or share a photo of Truly Madly Guilty onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.

Follow Murad on Instagram and either regram one of their photos or share a photo of your favourite Murad holiday gift set on your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.

Follow Shoppers Drug Mart on Instagram and either regram one of their photos or share a photo of the eyebrow kit above. Be sure to tag them and use the hashtag #QuoCosmetics! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.

It’s always a fun challenge to track down Christmas gift ideas for under $10 that actually still feel substantial. I’ve tried my best with the ideas below – as always, I’m not counting taxes and shipping (although I’ve tried to avoid exchange rate issues). Whether you’re on a Secret Santa / Yankee Swap budget, doing some early stocking stuffer browser, or just curious about what a tenner will get you, here are 10 Christmas gift ideas under $10 for 2016!

Mini Hand and Nail Gift Sets – $10 each @ The Body Shop
Housed in a reusable (and easy to wrap) tin, each of these pint-sized sets comes with a nail file and luxe hand cream to keep those paws looking soft all winter long.

Eye Masks – $8.95 each @ La Vie En Rose
Want visions of sugarplums to dance in your head? Slip on an animal eye mask in a fun shape like Rudolph, polar bears, or sleepy owls.

Quo Lip Gloss Trio – $10 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
Wave this wand and you’ll have instantly kissable lips in no time. Featuring three kissable, neutral hues in the berry and pink family, you can gift this trio of lip products to one lucky lady, or split it up amongst friends for a fun little extra. At this price, you simply can’t go wrong!

Classic Survival Tool – $10 @ Indigo
Made from stainless steel, this wallet or purse-friendly tool is equipped with 11 different functions in 1 handy package. Use it as a wrench, can opener and more!

Dr Teal’s 2-Piece Bath Sets – $7.99 each @ Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart, Loblaws, London Drugs and Pharmasave
Relaxation is just around the corner with these awesome sets. A friend of mine swears by Epsom salts and these little kits contain bags of them, along with a foaming bubble bath. You can choose between two scents, depending on what speed your giftee is going at. If they need to be perked up, pick festive Eucalyptus & Spearmint. If they need to chill out, opt for the super relaxing lavender kit.

Barbie Fashionista Dolls – $9.97 each @ Toys “R” Us
When did Barbie get so affordable? Now you can nab one of a dozen plus styles of Barbie in one of her signature covetable outfits. With a wider range of skintones, hairstyles, and body types than ever before, there’s a Barbie to inspire any little girl.

Poketo Double-Sided Notebooks – $10 each @ Drake General Store
A notebook is a timeless gift for a reason – whether someone uses it at the office, for making grocery lists, scribbling bright ideas, or doodling a lazy afternoon away, they’ve got plenty of function at a low price point. These quirky books are actually double-sided…curious to see what the other side looks like? Click here or here.

Silicone Purse Light – $5.50 @ Indigo
For the woman that truly has everything, this little gadget clips onto your purse straps to illuminate the insides of your cavernous bag, making it a snap to find your keys, phone, wallet – whatever! It’s also a cool idea for any backpack-toting family members.

Playmobil Stanley Cup with Referees – $7.97 @ Toys “R” Us
He may never get to hoist the cup himself – but with this cute playset anyone can have a Stanley Cup replica in their home. You can also get a Playmobil figure from his fave team!

Invisibobble Hair Rings – $10 each @ Sephora
This product is a cult fave – and a must-have gift for all the gals on your list. The phone cord-inspired material means a perfect ponytail with no kinks, no headaches, and less split ends. Check out the festive sparkly editions too!

Want to win a few of these affordable gift ideas? I’m giving away both sets of Dr Teal’s bath kits plus the Quo Cosmetics Lip Gloss Trio featured in this post! All you have to do to enter to win is follow the instructions below.

1) First off my friends! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by November 22, 2016 telling me your favourite bargain gift idea highlighted in this post.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 23, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry:  Follow @ShopprsDrugMart on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, tagging me (@cdngiftguide),  using the #QuoCosmetics and linking back to this post. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

5) Bonus Entry #2: Follow @DrTeals on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, tagging them + me (@cdngiftguide) and linking back to this post. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

ICYMI: You can check out all active giveaways by visiting the Winners Circle section of my site!

Today’s gift guide is one of my most anticipated of the season! That’s right, it’s time for my annual beauty gifts roundup, filled with tons of amazing gift ideas for the gals in your life who love to primp and pamper themselves. Let’s get right to it!

Teeez Cosmetics – From $15 @ Hudson’s Bay
Have you heard of Teeez? This relative newcomer to Canada hails from Europe and has some of the cutest darn packaging I’ve ever seen – making it perfect for gifting. With a huge range of products from lip stains and dual-ended lip glosses to trendy eyeshadow quads and of course, the basics, Teeez pulls inspiration from the catwalks and infuses them into their line of totally on trend makeup. With everything under $50, it’s a lock for great gifting, no matter what combination of items you pick up!

Maybelline The Blushed Nudes – $13.99 @ Drugstores + Mass Market Retailers Across Canada
Some high end  makeup brands have made a name for themselves with their nude-themed makeup palettes. But if you balk at the idea of spending close to $70 on a palette you won’t use every single day, no fear – brands like Maybelline have swept in to save the day and release palettes that have a similar vibe and some truly stunning colours. The Blushed Nudes is Maybelline’s softest nude palette, featuring rosy tones of pink, plum, and taupe, with a rose gold shimmer. You can mix and match them for endless looks (some inspo here) that go from daytime innocent to sultry romance goddess at night. Plus seriously guys – that price is unreal.

Sephora Collection Sparkle & Shine Line – From $25
My favourite part of all the holiday edition items has to be all the sparkles involved! Each year Sephora releases a lineup of coordinating brushes, bags and more with a different theme, and this year’s fun glitter chevron print in dazzling blue, gold, and pink is a total knockout. There’s an amazing travel bag that has different compartments for everything you want to bring, a small pouch for an overnight at a friend’s place, a few different brush sets, and cool little accessories like compact mirrors or standalone brushes. Buy one or two pieces that you know someone really needs, or outfit a beginner beauty babe with a cool set for everywhere she wants to look good.

Burt’s Bees Face Essentials – $22.99 @ Drug, Grocery and Mass Retailers
There are always a multitude of Burt’s Bees gift ideas available – and the price points are unbeatable, with everything come in under $25. I’m a huge advocate for this natural care brand that puts good-for-you products in the hands of consumers at an affordable price point. This little set is aptly named; it has everything you could want to take care of your face. Wipe off the daily grime with the included facial cleansing wipes, and exfoliate with a deep pore cleanser. Finish things off with a deep cleansing cream and a quick slick of Coconut & Pear lip balm for a touchably soft complexion before bedtime.

Atelier Cologne Necessaire Nomade III – $52 @ Sephora
Why gift just one perfume at Christmas when you can hand over an entire set? This charming collection of eight purse-friendly sprays is a total steal – and a dreamy gift idea! These cool little sprays are perfect to break up if you’re a traveler, or can be kept together so you can change things up whilst on the road. With internationally inspired aromas like Vanille Insensée (which has some surprisingly earthy, woodsy notes) and Cèdre Atlas (inspired by the Atlas mountains in Morocco and Sicilian lemons), there’s a perfume to go with every outfit in your closet – and every destination you’re headed to.

Paul & Joe Lipstick Cases – $7 each @ beautyBOUTIQUE.ca and select Shoppers Drug Mart locations
While many brands draw inspiration from the runway, Paul & Joe is a unique makeup brand that’s actually an extension of the designer brand’s quirky chic aesthetic. Each season, they release new lipstick cases for their lipsticks to allow you to change your lipstick to match the newest trends, patterns, and colour schemes – or possibly even your outfit! The latest iterations range from funky animal prints to gorgeous florals. Not only do they look lovely, they’ll keep your lipstick nice and safe in your bag too – no more crushed lippy or marked up interiors!

Benefit Gals Just Wanna Have Fun Set – $58 @ Sephora
I already featured one of Benefit’s ultra cute doll-inspired beauty sets this season, but I couldn’t resist highlighting another one! This full face makeup kit features luxury sample sizes of some of Benefit’s longtime top sellers, including their Hoola bronzer (great for contouring), their versatile Benetint, the best mascara ever (They’re Real!), and one of their newer products, their Gimme Brow filler. Plus, the kit itself comes with three shadows built right into it for a soft, shimmery smokey eye look. It’s a wonderful travel set for the Beneholic in your life – or a great intro to the brand.

Pai Skincare Everyday Hero Collection – $75
Ladies with sensitive skin may be wary about receiving beauty gifts for Christmas – but they don’t have to be left out! Many brands, like Pai, are making an effort to create products specifically for women with sensitive or acne-prone skin. This cool trio of products contains three full-size products and a cleansing cloth, as a fantastic introduction to the brand’s uber natural and soothing products. With a cleanser, day cream, and the brand’s signature BioRegenerate Oil, not only is this a great way to get to know Pai, it’s also a great deal – you’ll save $40 off the regular retail price of buying the items separately! Now that’s a merry gift idea. Fun fact – you can also buy Pai products at The Detox Market!

ArteStile XO Holiday Beauty Kit – $55
Good quality beauty tools are just as important – if not moreso – than the products themselves. ArteStile is a Toronto-based beauty brand with a top notch line of grooming tools handcrafted in Italy, and sold here on their website or on retailers like Walmart.ca or Amazon.ca. This pint-sized set contains four essentials any woman will use endlessly to create the perfect brow: a set of tweezers, scissors (to trim those pesky longer hairs to be the same uniform length), a pencil, and a brush – the latter of which is great for evening out eyebrow colour for a more natural look. All four items fit neatly into a little red faux croc pouch, making this superb luxe stocking stuffer or a refined pick for the minimalist makeup wearer.

Too Faced The Chocolate Shop Palette – $72 @ Sephora
I really think Too Faced takes the cake when it comes to cuteness. And cake is a fine word here, given this cute collection is infused with real cocoa powder and gives off a pleasant, sugary scent when you use it. Containing 21 decadent eyeshadows that can be mixed and matched for tons of great looks, a blush, bronzer, eyeshadow primer, mascara, and luminizer, it’s a truly sweet gift that any beauty bombshell will treasure.

Stila Bright & Bold Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Set – $26 @ Shoppers Drug Mart, Murale, Sephora, beautyBOUTIQUE.ca and Sephora.ca
I love this little collection for two reasons: the price point makes it an easy choice for any friends on your list, but it can also be split into three gifts as well. Stila’s liquid lipstick means business too. One brush of it over your lips and it will truly stay put and saturate your lips, no matter how many glasses of eggnog you sip or lips you kiss under the mistletoe my friends. This cute mini-collection contains three vibrant hues from a bright sugarplum to a classic holiday party-ready red. It even works as a fab stocking stuffer for one very lucky lady!

bareMinerals Be Beautiful Ready Face and Eye Palette – $58 @ Sephora
This one caught my eye because it’s rare to see face makeup and eyeshadow packaged together so nicely – but this collection is fully meant to play nicely together. Loaded up with four eye shadows, a finishing powder, a blush, and two all-over face colours, this perfect-for-travel gift set has a soft, rosy tone throughout. Beauty mavens will appreciate the fact the kit only features matte colours, which is sort of a must-have when you’re going for that natural, fresh-faced appearance. Plus, the all-over face colours are perfect for contouring and highlighting to bring out your very best features!

essie Winter Collection 2016 – $9.99 each at Drugstores, Salons & Beauty Destinations
This holiday season has trendsetting nail brand essie garnering inspiration from the swinging 60s in London! While there are spins on classic holiday shades – Satin Sister is a teal-green and Party on a Platform is definitely a merry pop of red – there are also some unexpected shades in the mix too. I flipped for the peachy sparkle of Oh Behave, while Ready to Boa has a posh, dramatic vibe. Bonus points for new spins on classic festive metallics; a shimmery dove grey called Go With The Flowy and a bright champagne gold called Getting Groovy. Buy the entire set for a manicure maven, or split ’em up for fun stocking stuffers.

Pretty Woman Gift – $134.95 @ Lush
Swoon alert! This feminine and fun gift from Lush is jam-packed with over a dozen products designed to make any woman feel (and look, and smell) beautiful. With seven bath bombs and bubble bars to choose from, she can further lather up with one of a few soaps, body lotions, shower gels and more. Infused with rich scents of rose and strawberry, this cute set is finished off with a Bubblegum lip scrub and Passion Fruit lip balm for that perfect mistletoe-ready pucker.

Quo Ultimate Beauty Eye, Lip & Cheek Collection – $35 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
Sometimes a girl just needs some options in her life – and that’s exactly what you get with this compact little beauty collection from Quo Cosmetics. Jam-packed with a shopping 12 eyeshadows, 4 blushes, 2 powders, five lip colours, a mascara, and a mini set of beauty tools, this sliding case folds up into a shockingly small package that’s great for your gym bag, purse, or carry-on. The colours are totally universally appealing too; nothing too off the wall and a nice mix of both cool and warm finishes. A fantastic find for the gal who doesn’t have a ton of space but has a lot of love for beauty products!

Fresh Mini Mask Spa – $115
This little collection costs about the same as a one or two facials in most cities…yet will keep you in the facial business for the entire year! With five of Fresh’s best-selling face masks, it’s a sumptuous treat for any lady that likes to lavish her skin. Each 30 ml mask has its own potent benefits. Exfoliate with the Sugar Face Polish and hydrate with the Rose Face Mask (a personal fave). More frequent use-friendly masks include the Black Tea Instant Perfecting Mask and the Umbrian Clay Mattifying Mask. One particularly neat offering? The Black Tea Firming Overnight Mask, that gives you a more youthful glow come morning. A wonderful option for anyone that already knows and loves Fresh’s face care line!

Sephora Collection Glitter Happy Brush Set – $74
This year’s marquee brush collection from Sephora is almost too pretty to use – but use it you will. Featuring an Art Deco-inspired glittery brush stand, this cool set comes with six essential brushes – lip, precision concealer, blush, powder, allover shadow, and crease. Made from a silky smooth, animal-friendly fabrication, the base is actually surprising durable, ensuring your brushes are always within arm’s reach and not even a pesky cat or toddler can send them a-flying.

The Detox Market Gift Guide Sets – From $92.99
This year, Canada’s favourite natural beauty and lifestyle retailer is helping you make gift-giving easier than ever with their gift set ideas. Note that these sets aren’t actually available to purchase as is, however, you can use them as a jumping off point for creating the perfect gift set based on your recipient’s tastes. Are they into coffee? Include a bag of Bean Head Organic Coffee next to that On A Branch handcrafted soap. Looking for a way to zen out? A layered drop-and-go soup makes a wonderful complement to Bath Fizzie by Inspired Soap Works and a box of tasty Zimt chocolate truffles. While you can certainly pull inspiration from their gift sets – and even request them to be packaged up together by name – honestly just browsing The Detox Market website is sure to get your creative gifting juices flowing.

Paul & Joe Eye Color CS – $26 each @ beautyBOUTIQUE.ca and select Shoppers Drug Mart locations
I love shimmery, satiny shadows for the holidays, and these trios from Paul & Joe are all tops to get an easy smokey eye at home. Start with the base pale shade, spread the middle shade on the centre of your lid, and finish with the darkest shade for contouring. The price makes each palette a great choice for a gift for your closest friends – customizing which palette they receive based on their personal makeup preferences. From coppery bronze to soft pink to evergreen, there’s a Paul & Joe palette for everyone – and as per usual, you can tuck it into your favourite fashionable case too!

Who wants to win almost $500 in amazing beauty gift ideas? You do? Well, if you win today’s giveaway, you’ll score:

• Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Palette
• Burt’s Bees Face Essentials Set
• Paul & Joe Lipstick Case
• ArteStile XO Holiday Beauty Kit
• Stila Bright & Bold Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick Set
• essie’s 2016 Winter Collection
• Quo Cosmetics Ultimate Beauty Eye, Lip & Cheek Collection
• Paul & Joe Eye Color CS in ‘Stroll in the Park’
• $250 Prize Package from The Detox Market (Featuring products from One Love Organics, Pai Skincare, Odacite, W3ll People, MV Skincare, and Babo Botanicals)

Eek! Want to take all these goodies home my pretties? Here’s how to enter for your shot at winning it all!

1) First off my friends! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by December 11, 2016 telling me your 3 favourite beauty gift ideas highlighted in this post.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December12, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry Opportunities: 

Follow Maybelline Canada on Twitter and send out a Tweet about this giveaway and gift guide that links back to this post, and tags both them and me (@cdngiftguide). Leave a link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Follow Burt’s Bees Canada on Twitter and send out a Tweet about this giveaway and gift guide that links back to this post, and tags both them and me (@cdngiftguide). Leave a link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Follow Paul & Joe Beaute on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos, or share a photo of your favourite product of theirs onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them + me in your post, and leave a link back to it in a separate comment below.

Follow ArteStile on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos, or share a photo of their XO Holiday Beauty Kit (above) onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them + me in your post, and leave a link back to it in a separate comment below.

Follow Stila Canada on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos, or share a photo of their Bright & Bold kit (above) onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them + me in your post, and leave a link back to it in a separate comment below.

Follow essie Canada on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos, or share a photo of their Winter Collection (above) onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them + me in your post, and leave a link back to it in a separate comment below.

Follow @ShopprsDrugMart on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, tagging me (@cdngiftguide),  using the #QuoCosmetics and linking back to this post. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

Follow Detox Market Canada on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos, or share a photo of your favourite gift idea on their site onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them + me in your post, and leave a link back to it in a separate comment below.

Without fail, this ends up being my most popular post of the year – and for good reason. It’s a huge gift guide packed with amazing gift ideas for women you can buy in Canada. And, as per tradition, I’m giving away everything I am featuring in this post. Interested? Read on to check out some of my top gift ideas for 2016 for women!

Joe Fresh Holiday Collection: Embellished Dress – $49, Woven Jogger Pant – $39, Lace Hem Sweater Dress – $39
I was so hard-pressed to pick a favourite item at Joe Fresh this season, so I landed on three of ’em – but really, they’ve outdone themselves this year with their luxe, sparkly line! With Miranda Kerr as the brand’s face for this year’s holiday collection, there are dozens of fun pieces that are perfect for partying (like the shimmery jogger pants above, also available in black), brunches with friends (hello lace-trimmed sweater dress) and even day-to-night looks for that hustle and bustle holiday schedule.

PosterJack Custom Gifts – From $3.29
Nothing feels better than a gift from the heart – and PosterJack is here to make it a breeze to turn your photos into truly unique one-of-a-kind products. Naturally, the most basic item of them all is a photo print, but what caught my eye were all the unique applications PosterJack offers. You can create custom multi-panel canvases, print on unique fabrications like metal, wood, or acrylic, and even get a framed version of your photo. Best of all, it’s all done in three simple steps: Select the product, choose the size, and upload your photo. There’s still time to order your custom photo gifts before Christmas – so jump on it! Gift her a favourite memory of the year together, or a look back at some important milestones, like a wedding or first year of mother. The options are endless!

Lonely Planet’s The Travel Book – $70
Think of this as a new school atlas. Only, instead of gazing at maps, you’re getting an inside look at what it’s like to travel to every country in the (United Nations-approved) world. Spoiler alert: We live on a great, big, beautiful planet. With spectacular photos, each country is given a two-page(ish) overview of top things to see, cool stats, and other tidbits. What’s particularly cool is the way the book is arranged alphabetically. If you read it that way, you’ll bounce between far-flung nations with wholly different cultures and climates. The result is a breathtaking coffee table book that’ll have you itching to book your next vacation.

Saint Sinner Clutch – $59.90 @ Express
Finally, a fashion accessory that’s ready to indulge in both your naughty and nice sides. This playful lucite clutch is a must-have accessory for NYE (and beyond). Featuring dual glittery messages in both silver and gold, you can flip it around to match your outfit – or your mood. With enough room inside to easily tuck your phone, lip gloss, and credit card, it’s a cheeky pick that’ll have everyone asking where you got it!

Deck the Halls Gift – $149 @ Lush
I’m relatively confident that 99% of women would flip out if they saw this decadent tub of treats sitting under their tree come Christmas. Lush’s wrapped gifts are perennially covetable – and this awesome collection is ideal for any lady that likes to lounge in the bath. Jam-packed with a dozen soaps, bubble bars, and bath bombs, plus other goodies for your skin and showers, you’ll find a perfect mix of classic Lush holiday favourites and new products all in one neat little (er, big) package. A wonderful gift for the lifelong Lush fan – or to introduce a woman to her new obsession.

Kate Spade New York Earbuds – $69.99 @ Bell
Leave it to the queens of cute at Kate Spade to make an everyday gadget – earbuds! – into a way chic fashion accessory. These petite earbuds come in two variations – Aquamarine / Gold (pictured above) and Crystal / Rose Gold. Both iterations come with an inlaid sparkly stone that brings new meaning to the term ‘ear candy’. With sharp sound and an even chicer look, its a subtle little way to add fun to her favourite tech.

Bend Beauty Anti-Aging Formula – $80 @ Thermae
Ah bliss. That’s pretty much what you’ll say every time you slather on this potent anti-aging formula, which is technically a digestible product to help you glow from the inside out. With six powerful active ingredients, you’ll be wowed by the product’s ability to turn back the clock. Plus, in a breakthrough clinical trial, users built up a higher resistance to UV rays by 83%. You can pick up this and tons of other get glowing and gorgeous gift ideas from Thermae, a Calgary-based cosmetic skincare clinic that tailors skincare programs to nurse your skin back to health, at any age. Consider picking up a few products from them this holiday season – and booking a consultation for a loved one while you’re at it!

Kuraidori Induction Cooker – $99.97 @ Home Hardware
For the chef in the house comes this very handy big meal lifesaver! Mimicking the power of an induction stovetop, this portable single burner has multiple functions to let you steam, simmer, or boil your food. It’s a must-have when making a multi-course meal where every burner on your stove is gobbled up, but it’s also great for bringing dishes best served warm to the dinner table. This ain’t your college dorm room hot plate my friends – this efficient little home appliance is also great for when you don’t want to waste energy by using the entire stove, plus it’s made for easy cleanup.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Artistic Brush Set – $103 @ Sephora
Any makeup artist will tell you: You’re only as good as your tools. Given that MAKE UP FOR EVER is a brand created by and beloved by makeup artists, it’s no wonder their brushes are held in such high regard. Having used some of their brushes myself for many years, I have to say that with proper care, they hold up beautifully. This luxury four-piece set contains four essential brushes: Foundation, Highlighter, Concealer, and Correctional. Learn to wield them properly and you’ll have a flawless face in no time. With sturdy wood handles and whisper soft bristles, this travel-friendly case of petite-sized makeup brushes is great for makeup mavens looking to upgrade their collection.

Ayla Bamboo Gloves – $26
And another Canadian-made gift idea for you this season! Ayla Gloves is a Vancouver-based brand that specializes in crafting gorgeous fingerless gloves from eco-friendly bamboo fabric. Way soft and way warm, these chic gloves come in a huge range of colours and prints, as well as different lengths and cuts to suit your needs. Ideal for texting whilst walking the dog, or simply keeping your arms warm in an overly air conditioned office, these sweet gloves make wonderful gifts for your BFFs, or even stocking stuffers. Available online and at a range of independent retailers across North America, including Favourite Gifts in Lower Lonsdale, Art Mania in West Vancouver, Granville Island Hattery, Maclaren Art Gallery in Barrie, Ontario, Sage n’Smudge in North Carolina, and Weeds n’ Glass in Yaletown.

Quo by ORLY Perfectly Painted Collection – $35 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
Talk about reinventing the definition of a bucket of paint! This adorable collection of pint-sized polishes proves that amazing holiday gifts don’t have to break the bank. With 12 stunning shades to choose from ranging from classic rich reds to avant garde metallics to glittering shades of silver and red, there’s a shade in here for every month of the year. Or more realistically, a new shade to try out every week you give yourself a manicure! The small bottles are an optimal way to try as many fashiony shades before they go stale too – so smart!

Santa Baby Tea Collection – $28 + Ski Mouse Colour Changing Nordic Mug – $23
I don’t know about you, but sipping on tea on Christmas morning is pretty heavenly. So why not get the lady in your life one step closer to bliss by including a gift set of DAVIDsTEA amongst their gifts (you have plenty to choose from if this nine-pack doesn’t suit). Of course, to help her make the perfect cuppa Apple Strudel or English Toffee tea, you’ll want to get the perfect tea mug. I *swear* by them my friends – these all-in-one looseleaf tea diffusers come with a handy lid to lock in warmth while it’s steeping, while doubling as a place to let your infuser drain when you’re ready to imbibe. Plus, they’ve got plenty of cool colour-changing variations for a special surprise!

MizDragonfly Cuffs – $125 each
Make a serious fashion statement with a bold cuff from Canadian brand MizDragonfly. This cult fave is perhaps best known for their uber cool cuff bracelets, inspired by Wonder Woman but since applied to a range of pop culture heroes. With multiple options available for art scene icons like David Bowie, Prince, and Marilyn Monroe, plus other cool pieces of chunky superhero-esque jewelry, you’ll have no trouble finding her new favourite jewelry piece. Best of all, you’re supporting Canadian business. What’s not to love?

Hoover Cruise – $249.99 @ London Drugs, Best Buy Canada, Amazon.ca, and Business Depot
Give the gift of way more time and way less stress with this multi-tasking cleaning tool from Hoover. Ultra lightweight and adaptable, the Hoover Cruise weighs less than five pounds and offers cordless freedom. Hallelujah right? Even better – it can be used multiple ways. Take it for a spin on your carpets and hardwoods, use the extendable arm to reach hard to get high up or tight spaces, or detach it for an easy-to-use handheld unit to clean away pet hair or under the sofa. Clean has never been easier: a simple press of a button releases a dirt cup for hands-free disposal. Genius, from top to bottom!

WonderBra Meant to Be Seen Bra – $48 @ Hudson’s Bay
It makes sense that one of the best-known bra brands in the world would constantly be innovating. With a sleek and smooth profile, this lace-trimmed bra looks as good as it feels. And honestly? It’s actually designed to work with your body in more ways than one. The Meant to Be Seen Bra is made with the brand’s unique X-temp feature, which adapts to your skin’s temperature for total comfort. With WonderBra’s legendary fit, she’ll want to pick one up in every colour after trying one out as a gift!

DENY Designs Art Prints + Hangers – From $49 USD
Add a little artistic flair to any woman’s life with one of these amazing works of art, crafted by talented designers and artisans all over the world! In fact, DENY Designs specializes in handcrafting art printed goods to order right in the good ol’ US of A (which equals lower duties thanks to being NAFTA-friendly), with a portion of proceeds going back to support the artists behind the prints. I’ve highlighted the Art Prints + Hangers above because A) they’re new and B) they’re awesome. You can get them in a huge range of sizes to suit whatever wall space you’ve got, from 8 x 10″ to 40 x 60″! With whimsical designs, fun sayings, abstract minimalist designs and more, there’s a DENY Designs style for every room in your house. Be sure to check out their other products, like vibrant duvet covers or even art-printed furniture!

So…as promised, I am giving away every single thing I wrote about in this post. That’s crazy right? One lucky lady (or her lad, I suppose) will be showered with nearly $1,800 worth of prizes if you win, including:

• $100 Joe Fresh Gift Card
• $100 PosterJack Gift Card
• The Travel Book
• Saint Sinner Clutch
• Lush ‘Deck the Halls’ Gift
• Kate Spade New York Earbuds
• Bend Beauty Anti-Aging Formula
• Kuraidori Stovetop
• MAKE UP FOR EVER Artistic Brush Set
• Ayla Gloves Mini Glove Wardrobe
• Quo by ORLY Perfectly Painted Collection
• MizDragonfly Cuff Bracelet
• Hoover Cruise
• WonderBra Meant to Be Seen Bra
• DENY Designs Hanging Art Print (Your choice of size!)

I honestly feel my heart skip a beat every time I write this post and see what amazing gifts I’ve rounded up – and am so excited to give away. Want a chance at winning EVERYTHING? Here’s how to enter:

1) First off! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by December 29, 2016 telling me your three favourite gift ideas for her featured in this post!

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 30, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry Opportunities:

Follow Joe Fresh on Twitter and send out a Tweet that links back to this post and tags them + me (@cdngiftguide). Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Follow PosterJack on Twitter and send out a Tweet that links back to this post and tags them + me (@cdngiftguide). Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Follow Raincoast Books on Instagram and either regram one of their photos or share a photo of The Travel Book onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.

Follow Express on Instagram and either regram one of their photos or share a photo of your favourite gift idea from their site onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.

Follow Lush on Twitter and send out a Tweet that links back to this post and tags them + me (@cdngiftguide). Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Follow Erikson on Twitter for the latest news on their electronics brands and send out a Tweet that links back to this post and tags them + me (@cdngiftguide). Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Follow Thermae on Twitter and send out a Tweet that links back to this post and tags them + me (@cdngiftguide). Link back to your Tweet in a separate comment below.

Follow Home Hardware on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, tagging me (@cdngiftguide) and them and linking back to this post. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

Follow Ayla Gloves on Instagram and either regram one of their photos or share a photo of your fave pair of their gloves onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.

Follow ShopprsDrugMart on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, tagging me (@cdngiftguide),  using the #QuoCosmetics and linking back to this post. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

Follow MizDragonfly on Instagram and either regram one of their jewelry photos or share a photo of your favourite cuff from their site onto your own Instagram, using the #winmizdragonfly. Be sure to tag them! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.

Follow Hoover on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, tagging me (@cdngiftguide) and them and linking back to this post. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

Follow WonderBra on Instagram and either regram one of their photos or share a photo of your fave bra of theirs onto your own Instagram. Be sure to tag them AND use the #bewonderful! Link back to your photo in a separate comment below.

You may have noticed this post’s close date goes a bit longer than some of my other giveaways – keep your eyes out for bonus entry opportunities peeps!

I’ve noticed a lot of you really loved my big beauty gifts giveaway, so naturally I knew I had to feature some more beautiful gift ideas! Today’s gift guide highlights some of my favourite picks from Quo Cosmetics’ holiday line, available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart. Well-priced and delivering great performance, this awesome collection is great for last-minute gifts (there are thousands of Shoppers locations across Canada), affordable stocking stuffers, and fun beauty gift ideas your makeup maven friends and family will adore. Here are my five favourite gift ideas from Quo Cosmetics this holiday season!

Hidden Treasures Cosmetic Crackers – $18
I featured another set of crackers this season already (and spotted some others still on sites like DAVIDsTEA) – I’m calling it now, fun crackers sans party hat and lame toy are the new branded advent calendars. Quo Cosmetics’ take on the trend consists of three equally covetable sets of lip gloss and eyeshadow duos. I don’t want to spoil the surprise (although really, the back of the box does it for you) but the hues are all pretty universally appealing – think, neutral pinks and plums – and your friends can totally swap for their faves upon opening!

Best of Quo Discovery Set – $65
If you’re already a bonafide Quo Cosmetics fan or you’re introducing someone to the brand (or makeup in general for the younger set), you can’t go wrong with this sampler set. It features some of Quo’s bestsellers and beauty staples, including a hydrating pressed powder, a potent mascara, a blush stick (great for travel), a lip gloss, eyeshadow, eyebrow set, eyeliner, and a shadow brush. It’s everything you need to create a neutral face, and will help you easily (and cost-effectively) pick out some new go-to products from Quo.

Quo True Artist Eye, Lip & Cheek Palette – $45
I love the studio makeup artist look of this slim and sleek palette. It folds open so you don’t have to prop it or constantly flip it open, and keeps a mirror pointed at your face at all times. The colour range is pretty impressive too – we’re talking 24 shadows, six lip colours, and six bronzers / blushes. The shadows are all refreshingly matte and have good colour payoff – the range of highlighters in the lighter end were particularly of note so you can find the perfect one to go with your look. In fact, you can view each vertical row of this palette as a single ‘look’ – blend the shadows for a contoured eye, slick on some gloss with the included brush, and finish with a dusting of powder on your cheeks.

Quo Tools of the Trade Brush Set $29
This might be the most travel-friendly makeup brush set I’ve ever laid eyes on. Quo’s makeup brushes are beloved by beauty insiders for their affordable price point and soft bristles – I’m a disciple and I can tell you I see almost no breakage or warping of my brushes, plus I don’t feel guilty when I do replace them because I know I got my money’s worth before buying a new one. This particular travel-friendly kit comes with four double-sided brushes to help create every look you can imagine – and a handy tote with a rose gold zipper to keep things organized.

Quo Lip Gloss Bar – $20
Finally, who doesn’t love lip gloss? This cool set offers major value – eight glosses for $20! – making it an ideal choice for a stocking stuffer or Secret Santa swap. You can even break it up amongst your nieces or daughters or friends. What I love most is this set encourages you to be a little daring and try out glosses you might never normally pick up – like a neutral taupe or a dramatic plum. When the price is this great, you can truly afford to give the collection a ‘gamble’, looking perfectly primed for a kiss under the mistletoe!

If you can believe it, I am lucky enough to be giving away my favourite gift ideas from Quo Cosmetics to one lucky reader this holiday season. You read that right: everything I featured in this post I am giving away, for a prize package valued at over $175. Want to win it? Here’s how to enter:

1) First and foremost! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by December 19, 2016 telling me which of these fabulous holiday collection items from Quo you’re most interested in trying out.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around December 20, 2016 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entries: Follow @ShopprsDrugMart and @cdngiftguide on Twitter and send out a Tweet that links back to this post AND includes one of the following hashtags: #QuoCosmetics or #Quo. Leave a link back to your Tweet in the comments below.

You can also do the same on Instagram! Follow @ShoppersDrugMart and @cdngiftguide on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos or share a photo of your favourite holiday gift idea from Quo featured in this post, using the hashtags above and mentioning CanadianGiftGuide.com Link back to your post in a separate comment below.

Spring is most definitely in the air (by Canadian standards) where I live – hopefully other parts of Canada are seeing hints of a thaw as well. Whether or not it’s spring where you live, I’m excited to see all the spring fashions popping up in the mall. Spring is a great time for reinvention and for new beginnings – especially when it comes to your look.

Today’s gift guide is a cool pairing of how you can achieve a ‘metamorphosis’ of your own by pairing of the moment spring fashion with some amazing new spring beauty products from Quo Cosmetics.

Quo Metamorphic Brush Set – $60 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
Arianna Holographic Mini Skirt – $60 USD @ Nasty Gal
The future has never looked so amazing. Holograph fabrics are a fresh way to liven up your wardrobe, whether it means rocking a fun mini or stashing your new, ultimate favourite collection of beauty brushes in a cool reflective tote that can also double as a clutch. With 8 brushes to create dramatic beauty looks, this is one killah gift idea for any beauty maven with a fashionable side.

Quo Matte Lip Crayon – $12
Needle & Thread Cherry Blossom Embroidered Top – $249 @ ASOS
Is there a more appropriate time of year to wear pink? Spring and this pretty hue – whether pastel or neon – seem to go hand in hand. If you’re donning a sweet pink dress or top, be sure to set it off with one of Quo’s matte lip crayons, which come in three stellar shades this season (nude and red are also available if you don’t think pink).

Quo Face Palette in ‘Down to Earth’ – $20
TOMS Canyon Clay Canvas Women’s Classics – $65
Classic neutral colours inspired by nature have also been a muse for both TOMS and Quo. TOMS’ Canyon Clay kicks are the perfect way to welcome the warmer weather. Meanwhile, try Quo’s killer face palettes (coming in two ranges – one is darker than the other) for three highlighters and bronzers you can mix and match for the perfect contoured face.

Quo Cosmetics Eye Shadow Palette in ‘Rock It’ – $18
Cobble Hill Mylie Bag – $209 each @ Kate Spade New York
More muted neutrals to fall in love with. There are actually two new shadows from Quo – this one features four cool-toned matte neutrals, while its sibling ‘No Pressure’ has four paler, shimmery neutrals. If you’re finishing off your classically styled look, opt for a simple crossbody bag in a soft tone and polished shape.

Want to win ALL of the fabulous beauty products pictured above from Quo Cosmetics? This fun beauty prize package is valued at $110 and can be yours if you’re the lucky winner. Here’s how to enter for your chance at winning all the beauty loot:

1) First off! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by March 28, 2017, telling me what your favourite spring fashion + beauty gift ideas are in this post.

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around March 28, 2017 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Follow @ShopprsDrugMart on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, using the #QuoCosmetics and linking back to this post. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoSpring. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

5) Bonus Entry #2: Follow @ShoppersDrugMartofficial on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos, or nab one of their photos and share it onto your own feed. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoSpring. Be sure to tag them and leave a separate comment linking to your photo below.

6) Bonus Entry #3: Follow @cdngiftguide on Instagram and share your favourite photo from this post onto your own feed, tagging me. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoSpring. Leave a separate comment to your photo link below.

Today’s gift guide is pretty straightforward – I’ve picked out some common Mother’s Day gifts and swapped ’em out for some creative ideas from Quo Cosmetics. Available at Shoppers Drug Mart locations across Canada, these affordable ideas are not only reinventions of common mom’s day presents, they’re also ways to help mom refresh her look!

Flowers are an old standby for Mother’s Day…but they’re also a little tired. Why not try something fresh like this pearlescent powder that’s embossed with flowers? Combining blush, bronzer, and highlighter in one, a simple swoosh will give mom an easy, healthy glow.

So, truth be told, mom doesn’t really need another new bag in her wardrobe. What she could use is a new set of beauty brushes though! This limited edition set from Quo comes with six high quality, super soft synthetic brushes with custom handles – and a matching clutch to stash ’em while traveling or to wear out on the town.

If mom has an artistic streak, it’s certainly tempting to gift her (another) adult colouring book. But there’s more than one way to express her creativity! This multi-faceted palette has 18 eye shadows, 12 lipsticks colours, 3 blush duos, 1 setting veil, 1 soft focus powder, 1 eye primer, and 4 colour correctors to keep mom busy (and beautiful!)

Who needs bling when you’ve got lipsticks housed in shiny silver cases? This Creamy Lipstick Set contains three nourishing lipsticks in a palette that works for every mom – from notice-me red to neutral berry.

Sure mom could use a phone case to protect her smartphone from shattering – but she probably already has one (or five). Give her another travel-friendly gift idea instead, like this Beauty Box. Perfect for stashing in your purse or luggage, this miniature palette contains a whole lot of wonderful: 20 eye shadows, 3 blushes, 6 lipstick colours, and even 2 applicators!

Wonderful news readers! I’m giving away the entire limited edition Quo Cosmetics Mother’s Day collection (valued at $166!) Want to win it for your mama (or yourself)? Here’s how to enter for you chance to score all the beauty booty:

1) First and foremost! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by May 25, 2017, telling me what your favourite Mother’s Day gift idea from Quo Cosmetics is from this post! You can totally pick more than one

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around May 26, 2017 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Follow @ShopprsDrugMart on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, using the #QuoCosmetics and linking back to this post. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoSpring. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

5) Bonus Entry #2: Follow @ShoppersDrugMartofficial on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos, or nab one of their photos and share it onto your own feed. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoSpring. Be sure to tag them and leave a separate comment linking to your photo below.

6) Bonus Entry #3: Follow @cdngiftguide on Instagram and share your favourite photo from this post onto your own feed, tagging me. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoSpring. Leave a separate comment to your photo link below.

Quo Cosmetics has launched yet another new collection with yet another stone cold cool motif – marble! Featuring beautiful earthy tones and neutrals to warm up your look as we head into the chillier months, here are some of the latest fall finds from Quo, available exclusively at Shoppers Drug Mart.

Quo Brush Set – $50
You can’t make a great face without a great set of makeup brushes. Featuring six brushes to cover off your powder, blush, foundation, shadow, eyeliner, and lips, this multi-tasking set has super soft bristles and comes in a trendy marble print tote bag that can be used to keep your makeup space organized or for traveling. I love this one as a gift idea for any newbies to makeup, or to those that simply need a brush upgrade.

Quo Brow Palette – $12
Get flawless arches in a flash with this all-in-one kit. Customize the perfect brow shade, use the highlighter to define your shape, and keep stray hairs in place with the included wax. A dual-ended spoolie brush is clutch for keeping things looking naturally divine.

Quo Eye Shadow Palettes in Stone Cold and Evergreen – $16 each
Even though these shadow palettes span the realm of both ‘cool’ and ‘warm’ colours, both of them feel just right for fall. The cooler-toned Stone Cold set has two lighter shades paired with two darker ones, perfect for creating a contoured eye offset by a shimmery white highlighter. Meanwhile Evergreen features lush shimmery shades, a standout green, and two lighter tones to keep things fresh.

Quo by Orly Breathable Polishes – $10.99 each
Any mani maven will know; sometimes your nails can suffer if they’re constantly coated in polish. That is, till this new innovation from Quo by Orly, which still results in full blown colour but treats your nails right by allowing more oxygen in, keeping them healthier-looking and stronger. Check these three new shades: rose gold Fairy Godmother, neutral beige Down to Earth, and classic De-Stressed Denim.

Quo Matte Lip Crayon – $12 each
Matte is where it’s at, in part thanks to its stay-all-day finish. These highly pigmented lip crayons from Quo come in three seasonal shades; tawny Chestnut, deep Eggplant, and dramatic Brick, ideal for setting off your fall makeup look (and all those cute warm rich jewel tone sweaters you’re donning this season).

Quo Face Palettes – $20 each
Whether you’re focusing on the lips or the eyes, a well-contoured face is the perfect finishing touch to your look. Coming in two similar palette families (one is darker, one is lighter), each of these four-cake face palettes comes with two blushes, a bronzer, and a highlighter, to give you a warm, rosy glow as if you’ve just been outside in the wind.

Now…who would like to up the pretty factor this fall? Quo Cosmetics is teaming up with me to give away a $109 prize package of beauty goodies to one lucky reader, including:

• 1 Quo Fall Collection eye shadow palette
• 1 Quo Fall Collection face palette
• 1 Quo Fall Collection brush set
• 1 Quo Fall Collection Matte Lip Crayon
• 1 Quo by ORLY Breathable Fall Collection nail polish

Want to enter for a chance to win all of this awesome? Here’s what you need to do:

1) First and foremost! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by November 3, 2017, telling me what’s your favourite Fall beauty product from Quo Cosmetics! You can totally pick more than one 

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 4, 2017 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

4) Bonus Entry: Follow @ShopprsDrugMart on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, using the #QuoCosmetics and linking back to this post. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoFall. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

5) Bonus Entry #2: Follow @ShoppersDrugMartofficial on Instagram and either Regram one of their photos, or nab one of their photos and share it onto your own feed. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoFall. Be sure to tag them and leave a separate comment linking to your photo below.

6) Bonus Entry #3: Follow @cdngiftguide on Instagram and share your favourite photo from this post onto your own feed, tagging me. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoFall. Leave a separate comment to your photo link below.

This remains one of my most popular holiday season posts each and every year I write it, so here we go…a roundup of many of the diverse advent calendars out there designed to get you geared up for the holiday season (and fall in love with what little trinkets and surprises you open up each day). This definitely isn’t an exhaustive list – I spotted quite a few others as I was building this, but these were some of my favourites! As a heads up, I can’t guarantee that all of these advent calendars are currently in stock – these babies tend to fly off the shelves fast, so if you can’t find one online or in stores, try the likes of eBay or online swap boards.

Quo by Orly Breathable 12 Days of Colourful Healthy Nails + Quo Cosmetics 12 Days of Beauty Advent Calendars – $40 each @ Shoppers Drug Mart
First up, a duo of get-gorgeous advent calendars that you can pick up at any of the 1,200+ Shoppers Drug Mart stores across Canada. Two things I love about these beautiful sets? The fact they hone in on just 12 days for a not-too-overwhelming haul, and that there’s two of ’em. If you’re buying for your daughters for example, gift each gal their own calendar and they can swap goodies each day as they wish.

OLEHENRIKSEN 12 Days of Glow Advent Calendar – $82 @ Sephora
This calendar may be smaller sized than other ones, but it packs a big punch in the form of a dozen luxe skincare goodies from cult fave OLEHENRIKSEN. I have several friends that love the brand and can vouch – a little goes a long way, meaning you could easily ride out testing and trialing these products for quite some time.

ASOS Grooming Calendar – $112
How’s this for something a little different? ASOS actually has a few different advent calendars, but this one caught my eye for being geared toward men. It’s extra cool cause he’ll get to try a bunch of different items instead of just one brand, and the 25th day contains a coupon code to shop on ASOS! Pretty cool for any dapper guys in your life.

Dog Treat Advent Calendar – $39.95 @ Falvai Creative
While most people indulge in advent calendars for themselves, this creative entry is designed to please your pooch. Filled with a cute crocodile treat dispenser, your furry friend can get in on the excitement with a healthy dog treat in one of three flavours (organic grass-fed beef, wild sustainable Pacific salmon, or peanut butter) made in partnership with B.C.-based Kali Wags. While you can order them nationwide via Etsy, you’ll want to contact Falvai Creative owners Mark and Joanne directly for a list of their ever-growing list of retailers so you can pick this fun gift idea up locally. For the record Falvai Creative also makes some awesome fly fishing advent calendars for any avid anglers in your life!

Artdeco Advent Calendar – $86 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
This exclusive calendar at Shoppers Drug Mart is loaded up with dozens of beauty goodies, perfect for experimenting with new looks this winter. From a dramatic kajal liner to clear gel for your brows and lashes, there’s literally a full face worth of makeup contained in this fun calendar for any beauty mavens.

Playmobil Rivalry on the Pond Advent Calendar – $34.95
I think Playmobil has been part of this roundup almost every year I’ve been writing it – and they’ve got more advent calendar themes than ever this year, with fun sets like ‘Jewel Thief Police Operation’ and ‘Royal Ice Skating Trip’, to name a few. This hockey-friendly set caught my though, with its official NHL branding, classic Canadiana teams featured, and even Santa as a referee. There’s also a fun gadget included that lets you simulate a real game with a slapshot action. Too cute for any hockey fans young or old.

L’Occitane Deluxe Advent Calendar – $134
So, L’Occitane actually has two advent calendars this year. Their more modestly priced Signature Advent Calendar ($69) is plenty nice and a great value, but I had to highlight this new luxe addition. Not only is the design gorgeous (you open a little drawer each day), the samples are super varied and come in perfect travel-ready sizes – from perfume to hand lotion to shampoo to cleansing oil.

Atelier Cologne Advent Calendar – $59 @ Sephora
Perfume lovers will adore this gorgeous set, loaded with $180 of perfumed products across multiple formats; from handy travel sprays to fragrant soaps to classic dabbers. Experience the entire Atelier Cologne set and mix and match to make your own custom layered scent.

My Kindness Calendar – $75
While most advent calendars focus on treats for you, the My Kindness Calendar (created by Toronto-based mom of 2 Maran Stern-Kubista) is all about giving back and teaching kids about the real meaning of Christmas. Each day, the kids are encouraged to complete one act of kindness – such as ‘Teach Someone Something New’ or ‘Donate a Toy’. As the season progresses, their wall-mounted advent calendar becomes as beautifully decorated as their regular tree. The kit comes with 25 reusable stickers to get you going, as well as five additional customizable ones for any special traditions you’d like to instill at home. A super cute idea to bring Christmas cheer to the entire family!

Hard Candy 12 Days of Eye – $9.97 @ Walmart and Walmart.ca
This has to be the best value advent calendar of this entire list. Each day you pop open an iridescent window, you’ll unlock one of Hard Candy’s signature mini eyeshadows in fierce, shimmery shades that are perfect for the holidays. And at this price point, it makes an excellent Secret Santa or Yankee Gift Swap gift idea!

Hudson’s Bay Musical Advent Calendar – $49.99 @ Hudson’s Bay
This one has more going on than meets the eye. Housed in a metal tin, when you open up this little ‘house’ you’ll see 24 tins, each containing a tasty milk chocolate caramel to nosh on in the morning. However, the box is also a music box, with a wind-up dial that plays Jingle Bells. Best of all it can be used again and again – fill it up with a variety of sweets and sweeter messages next year!

Charlotte Tilbury Naughty and Nice Advent Calendar – $250
I recently got into Charlotte Tilbury cosmetics and I have to say this little gift set would be a dream come true to show up under my tree (or I guess, 12 days before Christmas). Loaded with 12 full-size or deluxe-size beauty products, including the brand’s signature products like their Supermodel Body lotion or Wonderglow Face Primer (a personal fave), this set may be spendy but it’s oh so worth it.

The Body Shop Advent Calendars – $69 – $169 
If you want to see what it looks like to go all-in on the advent calendar craze, take a peek at The Body Shop. They’ve got a range of different advent calendars this year, each with bold, beautiful designs and slightly different themes and products. The standout has to be the marquee 25 Days of Game-Changing Adventure Advent Calendar ($169) though. Apart from opening up a luxe treat each day, you’ll also find a feel-good action to complete each day. And when the entire calendar is popped open, it transforms into a fun trivia game to play on Christmas Day – in your jammies post-face mask and body butter-lathering of course.

Advent Calendar to Colour – $12.56 @ Amazon
For the crafty bunch I give you this creative advent calendar, designed to celebrate the holidays in a peaceful way. Each day folds out with doors and windows to open (and cute mice to shade in). Stash it away between colouring sessions (or till next season once it’s complete) or fold out the entire festive city scene for a pretty piece of holiday decor you DIY’d. An awesome gift for anyone into the adult colouring book scene.

Biotherm Advent Calendar – $82 @ Shoppers Drug Mart
If skincare is your thing, this calendar will deliver. Featuring 24 luxury sample sizes of classic Biotherm products, it’s got everything you need to cleanse, moisturize, soothe, and refresh skin – making it particularly apt for the harsh winter months.

24 Days of Tea Advent Calendar – $45 @ DAVIDsTEA
I’m not holding my breath that this will be in stock as this post goes live, but so you know – DAVIDsTEA’s wildly popular advent calendar and as scrumptious as ever. It includes sample-size tins of many of the brand’s best-selling teas and their holiday faves, including newbies like Caramel Shortbread and Walnut Orange Scone. Drink up!

Now I’ve got some exciting news…I debated how to do the giveaway for this post and ultimately I decided that one person doesn’t need a ton of calendars. So my friends, you’ll be entering to win one of these amazing calendars:

• Quo by Orly Breathable 12 Days of Colourful Healthy Nails
• Falvai Creative Dog Treat Calendar
• Playmobil Rivalry on the Ice Calendar
• Hard Candy 12 Days of Eye

Want to win 1 of these 4 advent calendars (if you’re selected, the calendar you win will be randomly assigned)? Here’s how to enter for your chance to countdown to Christmas in an extra special way:

1) First Up! You must be a Canadian Gift Guide subscriber to enter this giveaway. Just find the ‘Gift of Gab’ box on the righthand side of this page and either hit ‘Follow’ or enter your email address. Once you’ve done that, leave me a comment by November 23, 2017, telling me what your favourite advent calendars are from this list! You can totally pick more than one 

2) Entries are limited to one per person / per email address / per household (or more if you score bonus entries). A random draw will be conducted on or around November 24, 2017 to select the winner(s), who will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen in their place.

3) Entries are limited to Canadians that have reached the age of majority in their province. Quebec is not eligible for this promotion.

Follow @ShopprsDrugMart on Twitter and Tweet about this giveaway, using the #QuoCosmetics and linking back to this post. Use the hashtags #QuoCosmetics and #QuoHolidays. Be sure to leave a separate comment below that links to your Tweet!

Like Falvai Creative on Facebook, then leave a wall post that tags a friend you think would be interested in their products. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

Like Playmobil Canada on Facebook, then leave a wall post that tags a friend you think would be interested in their advent calendars. Link back to your wall post in a separate comment below.

Follow Hard Candy on Instagram, then tag two friends on one of their posts that you think would dig their products. Link back to the Instagram post you commented on in a separate comment below, with your IG username.