Hemlines | Vancouver blogger hosts hair pop-up at Holt Renfrew

Blogger hosts hair pop-up at Holt Renfrew

Vancouver fashion blogger Cara McLeay’s envy-inducing hair can now become your reality thanks to a new product release.

The online influencer behind the blog A Fashion Love Affair, who first launched into the hair game with the release of her XO Styling Iron ($189), has announced the upcoming arrival of two new styling products — Beach Hair Texturizing Spray ($35) and Radiant Weightless Finishing Oil ($45).

“For me, beauty is natural, effortless and in everyone,” she said in a news release. “Whether you wear your hair in big bouncy curls, tousled beach waves or sleek and straight, be playful, be bold, be you.”

McLeay has partnered with Holt Renfrew to host a pop-up shop in the Vancouver store’s first-floor beauty department, where shoppers can get a chance to meet the blogging beach-wave pro — and purchase her products.


The pop-up shop is scheduled for Aug. 16 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To learn more about McLeay and the XO Styling products, visit afashionloveaffair.

Benefit goes mini

Benefit cosmetics is bringing new meaning to the term mini makeover with the release of three new makeup kits.

The company released the petite packs — which include miniature products from a few of their fan-favourite lines including The PoreFessional, Hoola and They’re Real — exclusively at Sephora.

Boasting two new products (Shy Beam, a nude-pink matte highlighter, and Dew the Hoola, a soft-matte liquid face bronzer) among the tried-and-true faves, the kits include tips and tricks for application from Benefit beauty pros.

Priced from $42 to $44 each, the new Benefit Iconic Kits are available exclusively at Sephora.

EBay collaborates with Canadian designers on back-to-school collection

EBay Canada has teamed up with three designers for a special back-to-school capsule collection.

“The first day of school — whether it be nursery school, kindergarten or grade school — is an important milestone in both a child and parent’s life,” the company’s press material says. “To celebrate, eBay Canada has collaborated with Canadian designers for an exclusive back-to-school collection to make sure the first day of school is one to remember.”

The launch, which has been dubbed the First Day with eBay, will feature tee and sweater designs from Vancouver-based children’s clothing line Whistle & Flute priced from $29 to $39.

The designs from Whistle & Flute Clothing’s husband and wife design duo Ryan and Miranda McCullagh will be featured alongside bags and accessories from Toronto-based line SoYoung ($30-$37) as well as clothing options for boys and girls from Montreal’s Nano clothes ($26-$40).

The First Day with eBay launches Tuesday and runs to Sept. 15 at ebay.ca/boutiques.

Shoppers Drug Mart launches online beauty boutique

Fans of Shoppers Drug Mart’s expansive beauty boutiques can now shop the selection from home.

The retailer has launched an online beauty boutique where shoppers can find brands including Clarins, Estee Lauder, Prada, Shiseido and more.

“The vision of beautyboutique.ca was to create a unique online retail experience, all while keeping three things in mind — accessibility and reach, convenience through digital and brand assortment,” said Shoppers Drug Mart vice-president of category management Cathy Masson in a news release. “We wanted to ensure that our customer would get the same great experience in-store and online — any time, anywhere, through any channel.”

Obakki announces competition winners

Katie Wilson-Day and Cheryl Shatford, both from Halifax, bested 14 international competitors to win two spots on an upcoming philanthropic mission to Cameroon in Africa with Obakki Foundation founder and creative director Treana Peake as part of the Live with a Purpose competition.

“It was inspiring to see the effort that each participant put into their Live with a Purpose campaign,” Peake said in a news release. “Katie and Cheryl have always been exceptional supporters of the work that we do — and I am looking forward to travelling to Cameroon with them on our philanthropic mission.”

Through a series of fundraising efforts via their Love Well Project, the pair raised $12,235. The competition raised a total of $36,159.42 for Obakki Foundation projects.