Lena is Awesomesauce

Last Friday I was invited to a beauty raffle held by the lovely Lena at Listen to Lena. As an in-demand blogger, she has accumulated far more make-up than she can ever review or use – so rather than letting all the amazing *new* products go to waste – she held a raffle and donated the funds to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto.

It was a small event so it had a casual and friendly atmosphere. I finally got to meet Shauna from Kindergarten Confidential (her blog is a MUST read if you need healthy school lunch ideas) as well as her lovely sisters (and sisters-in-law). I also met some of Lena’s high school friends and THEIR sisters too – they were all SO sweet! After the raffle, there was lots of swapping and donating between us…so we all ended up VERY happy with what we won (and the Sick Kids Hospital is a cause that is close to my heart, so even if I hadn’t won anything, I would have still been happy!)
Here’s what I came home with:

Vasanti Gloss in Caribbean/ FACE atelier lipstick in Revenge/  Dalton lipstick in Shy/ Lancome L’Absolu Nu lipstick in Rose Subtil

Bodyshop Bronzer shade 03/ Marcelle blush in Timeless Charm/ Laura Mercier Perfecting Water/ L’Oreal Infallible eyeshadow in Eternal Black/ Skinn Fiber-Optic Mascara

Sephora by OPI in Only Gold for Me/ Mini-Seche Vite/ Magique Ongles Nail-drying drops

Sephora foldable hair brush/ Body Shop White Musk Libertine Spray/ Jennifer Aniston perfume/ Weleda Buckthorn Body oil/ Pink Sugar soap

THOUGHTS SO FAR:
-I’m really loving the Vasanti lipgloss. I had heard about Vasanti make-up before but I just thought that it was blogger hype (I’m a little cynical!). This lipgloss has changed my mind – it feels more luxurious and hydrating than any other lipgloss I’ve used. It’s pigmented and glossy (like a Juicy tube) but without the stickiness. It adds a subtle yet noticeable flush of colour that lasts a long time.
-The Face Atelier lipstick provides the perfect ruby lipstain for fall.
-The Sephora glittery topcoat will be perfect for the holiday season.
-I was super-excited about the Jennifer Aniston perfume because I was actually planning on buying it from Sephora – the smell is so fresh and sweet!

So that’s my mini-beauty haul – I feel very lucky 🙂 Thanks so much to Lena for holding this event (and feeding us such yummy food! I can’t wait to serve the PC brownies at home!) And if any of the other attendees are reading this – I loved meeting you guys!

p.s. I’m trying to improve my blog photography and I found the MOST helpful and easy to understand post by Makeup Savvy. Click here to read it if you want to improve your blog photos.

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19 Comments

  1. Louise @ cosmetic bee
    November 8, 2011 / 4:04 pm

    Wow, that's quite a haul! I'm interested to hear what you have to say about the Weleda Seabuckthorn Oil. That is one of the 'trendy' oils right now (along with argan oil), and I'm interested to hear if it is really as miraculous as it's supposed to be.Thanks for the comments re: the H & M tunic! I'm glad you managed to track one down! Looking forward to an outfit post 😉

  2. Something About Kerri
    November 8, 2011 / 5:45 pm

    i have the same vasanti lipgloss and i love it as well! it gives just enough tint and the smell is amazing and texture isnt thick and sticky.

  3. Beautygirl24
    November 8, 2011 / 7:27 pm

    Sounds and looks like fun! And what a great cause 🙂

  4. Anonymous
    November 8, 2011 / 8:40 pm

    What a fun event, and for a great cause!

  5. Ella Pretty Blog
    November 8, 2011 / 10:12 pm

    Louise – I hadn't heard of Buckthorn oil before – good to know that it's the next best thing LOL! I'll definitely review it soon – I'll be using it post-bath in the dry winter weather.Kerri – I was so surprised at how amazing the Vasanti formulation is! Loved your recent fashion week posts – seems like such a fun event to attend.Noelle & Andi – yup, it was super-fun, and I'll be eternally grateful to Sick Kids hospital because my daughter had an op there when she was 3 weeks old…and they are amazing – so talented, cheerful and efficient – I always contribute to them when I can 🙂

  6. Fee Fee Trixiebelle
    November 8, 2011 / 10:29 pm

    Thanks for the lovely mention 🙂 Fee x

  7. Ella Pretty Blog
    November 8, 2011 / 10:32 pm

    Fee – thanks for commenting – you have one of the most helpful and interesting beauty blogs EVER! Although seeing all the UK goodies (especially mag freebies) make me miss living in England LOL!

  8. Jennifer
    November 9, 2011 / 12:19 am

    great stuff <3

  9. Ella Pretty Blog
    November 9, 2011 / 1:59 am

    Jennifer – thanks! Can't wait to see you next week at the Marcelle event 🙂

  10. Shauna MacKenzie
    November 9, 2011 / 4:25 am

    It was so great to have met you too!! I loved stories about your little ones 🙂 I think all us mama's loved the evening out with such great company, and for such a great cause! Lena sure knows how to throw a party! I really do hope to see you again soon!

  11. Katherine
    November 9, 2011 / 6:10 am

    The raffle is such a genius and kind idea! You came away with some fabulous items 🙂

  12. Ella Pretty Blog
    November 9, 2011 / 9:52 pm

    Shauna – it was a lot of fun! Did you try your falsies mascara yet? It's my fave!Katherine – it is such a good way to distribute extra products – you wouldn't believe how much had been accumulated in such a short period of time!

  13. Lena!
    November 9, 2011 / 11:37 pm

    HI!!! Sorry it took me so long to pop by; I read your post a couple of days ago but I think you've seen first hand that I can be a bit scatterbrained :)So happy you were able to make it, and that you walked away with a great haul! You are such a doll and we must hang out again! xxoo

  14. Ella Pretty Blog
    November 10, 2011 / 3:04 am

    Lena – I had so much fun – and am super impressed at how you do so much and still have such a lovely and tidy house- very inspiring! Can't wait until we next get to hang out 🙂

  15. alison*elle
    November 11, 2011 / 6:40 am

    Sounds like such a great event and cause, I love what you ended up getting. I have one of Vasanti's lipglosses in a different colour and I think they're great. Not sticky and they smell yummy!xo, alison*elle

  16. Ella Pretty Blog
    November 11, 2011 / 6:55 pm

    Alison*elle – I can't wait to find a Vasanti stand and try out their different shades – I think they're my favourite gloss ever!

  17. alicia
    November 12, 2011 / 5:18 pm

    the gold glitter nail polish looks amazing!

  18. Ella Pretty Blog
    November 12, 2011 / 5:51 pm

    Shannon – it really is so much fun to try all these different products and finding unexpected favorites.Alicia – I love the large gold flakes in it. Can't wait to use it!

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