The 10+ #LDBeauty 2018 Goodies I Can't Wait To Try

Year after year, #LDBeauty is one of my favourite beauty blogger events hands down. Amazing hospitality, the chance to connect directly with brands and other beauty lovers, plus a bevy of makeup, skin, body, and hair care products to test afterward? Yes, please! I had a blast at this year's Whistler event (you can see some of the highlights on my Instagram) and walked away excited about quite a few launches. These are just some of the items that sparked joy and a visceral "I can't wait to try this!" reaction as soon as I glimpsed them, and best of all, quite a few of them seem to be on sale right now. Look for them at your local London Drugs!

Devices

The new Silk'n Titan Anti-Aging Facial Skin Tightening & Lifting Device ($299 at London Drugs) promises to firm skin and combat wrinkles. It uses the same technology as the Silk'n Silhouette Body Contouring & Cellulite Reduction Device (which I previously featured here), but the smaller sensors and size make it safer and more suitable for use on the face. I was impressed with the results I achieved from the Silk'n Silhouette even though I only used it sporadically and not in the regimented way prescribed by the manufacturer, so I'm definitely curious about what sort of results I'll see with the Silk'n Titan. Also, can we talk about that sleek zip case for the device? I wish the Silk'n Silhouette had also come with one (it's currently sitting in an IKEA storage basket next to my beauty blogging desk).

Skincare

#LDBeauty proves time and again that there are wonderful, affordable skincare options at the drugstore level.

The Burt's Bees 3-in-1 Micellar Cleansing Towelettes ($9.99 on sale for $7.99 at London Drugs) pack the potent cleansing power of micellar water, along with Australian white cypress oil and honey extract, into a 99.5% natural towelette made from repurposed cotton. What's not in the wipes: fragrance, parabens, phthalates, or petrolatum. Makeup-removing and cleansing wipes are one of my staple products because they're so convenient, especially when swatching products, so I have to confess I cracked this open while still at Whistler and have used quite a few wipes since. I like how the wipes are sufficiently saturated with cleansing solution instead of feeling dry to the touch and they don't sting around the eyes. The tab closure on top of the package also seems sticky enough to stay closed instead of peeling open and letting the contents dry out (always a wipe pet peeve of mine!). The fact that these are natural, more eco-friendly than your average drugstore cleansing wipe, and less than $10 a package make these a "must repurchase" item for me.

Hello, NeoStrata rebrand! We spent the morning of the second day getting a crash course on their new packaging and reformulated products. This science-forward yet relatively affordable skincare brand definitely punches above its weight in terms of active ingredients and achieving results. Fellow beauty blogger Sheila of Maddy Loves has already tried and is raving about the NeoStrata Enlighten Dual Acid Brightening Peel ($80 on sale for $60 at London Drugs). I couldn't do the same over the weekend because I was fighting a cold and the skin around my nose was a little raw and red, but now that I'm recovering I think an at-home peel is in my near future.

All-natural skincare brand Derma E has been around for 34 years but is new to London Drugs. Hooray for more natural beauty products at the drugstore level! The Derma E Vitamin C Concentrated Serum ($34 at London Drugs) boasts a 100% stable form of vitamin C that maintains its potency down to the last drop of product, as well as hyaluronic acid for a hydration boost. Vitamin C has a lot of benefits: it brightens and evens out overall skin tone, it's an antioxidant that fights free radicals, and it can help boost collagen production. The fact that it's available in stable form in an affordable, all-natural serum totally deserves a raised-hands emoji.

Lips

A bold lip colour is one of my favourite Lazy Girl hacks for looking put together in a hurry, and at this year's #LDBeauty event I spied several lipsticks I wanted to try. Lancome L'Absolu Rouge Drama Matte 507 'Dram'atic' ($40 at London Drugs) is a stunning velvety-matte burgundy that goes on pigmented in a single swipe, and for a limited time it's available in this elegant same-shade lipstick case instead of the standard black packaging. No wonder I couldn't resist reaching for it when I was prepping for the #LDBeauty dinner. It's the perfect vampy lip shade for fall and winter and stays put pretty well too. Although some of the colour from the middle of my bottom lip transferred, the formula remained remarkably intact through a glass of wine and three courses.

Burt's Bees Glossy Lipstick in 514 'Brimming Berry' ($9.99 at London Drugs) boasts the slip and moisturizing comfort of your favourite Burt's Bees lip balm, but packs a heck of a lot more pigment. One coat creates a pretty tinted lip balm effect; two coats will deliver more colour but still let your lip's natural undertone peek through; three coats deliver full coverage with a slight sheen. This formula is not as stay-put as the Lancome lippie, but its buildable coverage makes it more wearable for day to night and more forgiving on chapped lips.

I haven't had a chance to try Revlon Kiss Cushion Lip Tints ($12.99 at London Drugs) yet, but that sponge-tip applicator is intriguing, isn't it? Will report back when I do.

Finally, I was psyched to see the new natural products from Physicians Formula, including this Organic Rose Oil Lip Polish featuring organic rosehip oil, raw sugar, shea butter, and coconut oil.

Eyes

Despite the fact that I don't wear eyeshadow often, I still find myself coveting a pretty palette or soft brushes. The NYX Professional Makeup Away We Glow Shadow Palette ($24.99 at London Drugs) looks to be the perfect mix of neutral shades in various finishes, versatile enough to create an endless number of looks. I also like how the rose-gold packaging makes this palette look more luxe. Will be testing this along with the Real Techniques Enhanced Eye Set 2.0 and Eco Tools Eye Enhancing Duo Set ($9.99 at London Drugs) makeup brushes. Fun aside: I bought my first set of Eco Tools brushes in 2008 and reviewed them on my old blog, a review which prompted a coworker to buy her own set, and 4/5 of those original brushes are still going strong.

Every other makeup brand seems to have a new mascara launching, but I was most wowed by the L'Oreal Unlimited Mascara with its oversize tube, polymer brush, and bendable applicator. I wore it for the first time last night and was impressed by how it lengthened and volumized without clumping or flaking. Further testing required to see how well it'll stand up to all-day wear and oily eyelids.

Body care

London Drugs is my favourite place to stock up on Crabtree & Evelyn, particularly during holiday sales when the hand lotion gift sets are available for a steal. The Gardeners Hand Therapy hand lotion is a cult fave for its earthy, herby scent, so much so that they're introducing a Gardeners body wash and body lotion in the same scent this season.

And that's it for #LDBeauty for now! I'll be reporting back here or on Instagram as I test these products. In the meantime, do you see anything here you'd want to try?