Erica and I had the pleasure of attending the London Drugs 2016 Beauty Preview a couple weeks ago. 16 different beauty brands with all the up-and-coming products that have already landed or are soon to be found in the London Drugs beauty department. We went, we saw, we conquered. It’s a tough job lugging home a huge shopping bag full of Makeup, hair and skincare products but someone’s gotta do it. With makeup for days and enough eyeshadow to make over a small country, see what drugstore finds we’re super excited to see on London Drugs’ store shelves.

Essie Gel Couture Nail Polish, $13.99 CAD 
We’re already huge fans of Essie Nail polish so we were pumped to see Essie come out with 42(!) shades of gel polishes that promise to last for 14-days, chip free and without the need for a UV or LED lamp. The two-step system involves colour applied directly to your nails (no base coat required) and then a top coat for impeccable gel-like shine. Erica and I can’t stop raving about this product (see her initial thoughts here). The Formula has intense shine but the miracle is in the tapered Brush that allows for a perfect cuticle line and covers the majority of the nail bed in one application. This is the first time I’ve ever been able to do red nails on my own without getting the polish all up in the sides and on my skin. Game changer.

Rimmel Volume Colourist Mascara with Lash Tint Complex, $10.99 CAD 
With so many mascaras to choose from, how does one stand out from the pack? This volumizing formula loads lashes with an immediate jet black lash look, but the formula also gradually darkens bare lashes from root to tip in two weeks.

Revlon Mascaras, $11.99 CAD 
Revlon has really gone back to the basics and simplified your mascara purchases going forward. Straight up and descriptively named for what they are, choose the mascara that best suits your needs: Dramatic definition, super length, ultra volume, volume and length magnified or all-in-one. Each tube comes in a bold and brightly coloured tube which is simple and easy to decipher.

StriVectin Overnight Replenishing Moisture Mask, $68 CAD 
I’m obsessed with keeping my skin hydrated and supple so I rarely meet a moisture mask I don’t like. I’m looking forward to giving StriVectin’s overnight anti-aging hydration mask a whirl. I’m approaching my mid-30’s so stepping up my anti-wrinkle game is a must. Formulated with “NIA-114” Technology (a fancy way of saying molecule), this mask contains vitamins that reinvigorate the skin’s surface, strengthens moisture barrier and inhibits the impact of environmental aggressors. StriVectin first began as a stretch mark cream but it was soon discovered that the formula worked best to fight wrinkles and hydrate skin.

Makeup Revolution, Approx $20 CAD 
Makeup Revolution is a new beauty brand from the UK that is being introduced to Canada and London Drugs for the first time. With a belief that high-quality and affordable makeup should be available to all, Makeup Revolution has a wide selection of makeup palettes that will excite every beauty junkie. Iconic eyeshadow palettes are the perfect mix of pearl, shimmer and matte shades. Salvation palettes are high-impact shadows with 12 shimmer and 6 matte shades in fun names like Run Boy Run and Unicorns Unite. And, finally their Contour Palettes which have 8 cream-to-powders are designed to let you contour, define and sculpt to your heart’s delight.

Conair Diamond Brilliance Ionic Straightening Brush Approx $89.99 CAD
This diamond infused hot paddle hair brush had me and Erica seriously thinking about putting away our curling irons. With Diamond Ceramic Technology and silicone bristles, this brush has three heat settings (to a max of 400 degrees) to effortlessly straighten hair and leave a silky smooth finish. With this brush heating up in 30 seconds, straightening your hair has now become as simple as running a brush through your tresses.

Schwarzkopf Styliste Ultime Hair Spray Fixtif, $12.99 CAD
A volumizing hair spray developed with supermodel Claudia Schiffer? This had us intrigued. Erica had a quick spritz of this on her hair at the beauty preview and I have to say, instant volume achieved. The waterless formula provides perfect distribution for soft touchable 24-hour hold and the micro-fix technology allows for quick set styling and a weightless feel.

KISS Makeup, Pricing TBD
You might be familiar with KISS for their false eyelashes and now KISS is launching a makeup line. Interestingly enough, the collection was created in Korea. A few notable products to look for – the Egoism Matte Velvet Lipsticks, Top Brow Brow Sculpting Pencil and the Contour Kit – complete with a brush and step by step instructions on how to highlight, contour and bronze.