CVS Pharmacy Health & Beauty Innovations

In April I attended an interactive brand showcase hosted by CVS Pharmacy. Media and influencer guests got to preview new health & beauty innovations and new products. 

I was really excited about the launch of K-Beauty HQ, started rolling out in April to 2,100 CVS Pharmacy stores nationwide and on CVS.com. With 100+ new and exclusive trendsetting products, CVS Pharmacy has partnered with K-Beauty expert Alicia Yoon, founder of influential K-Beauty e-retailer, Peach & Lily, to curate the selection. 

Four exclusive brands you'll find within K-Beauty HQ at CVS include Alicia Yoon's own Peach Slices, waterless fruit-based Frudia skincare, Elisha Coy with naturally-derived effective ingredients such as snail mucin to help replenish skin's moisture and support cell regeneration, and pore-focused JJYoung by Caolion, with masks that steam and cool for facials on the go. 

Also new to CVS Pharmacy is K-Beauty brand Ariul, with their exclusive EGG Collection, which is infused with egg oil to help reduce inflammation, boost elasticity and fight free radicals for a radiant, brighter complexion. Other K-Beauty brands with a presence at the new K-Beauty HQ include The Saem, Holika Holika and additional collections from Ariul. 

Beauty and skincare brands at the preview included MUA, Mineral Fusion, Wunder2, Vichy, Skinfix, and Pacific Shaving. As for vitamins and dietary supplements, I was happy to see new products from Zarbee's and Emergen-C. I've recently been trying out the Sambucol Black Elderberry Gummies too, which supports immunity. I love the berry flavor and I've been looking for a supplement that supports the immune system so I think I may have to take this regularly from now on!

I also love stocking up on snacks at CVS, especially for the office. Some of my new favorites include Larabar Chocolate Macaroon Bites, Go Raw Choco Crunch Sprouted Cookies, barkTHINS, Fig Bar and Emmy's Organic Vanilla Bean Organic Coconut Cookies.

- Kim Weling

Favorite Birthday Freebies

Since I just celebrated my birthday recently, I wanted to share some of my favorite birthday freebies from popular brands and retailers. There's so many I never get to redeeming all of them!

• As part of the Sephora Beauty Insider loyalty program, you get a free gift which changes every year. This year there are three mini set options to choose from: Caudalie, containing a Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet (10mL) and Vinoperfect Radiance Serum (10mL) for brightening and hydrating or Tarte, with Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paint in Birthday Suit (1mL) and Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Paarty (1.5g) for a coordinated lip and cheek twosome, or the cleansing and moisturizing duo from Jack Black - Clean Break Oil-Free Moisturizer (30mL) and Deep Dive Glycolic Facial Cleanser (30mL). 

• Godiva Chocolate Rewards members get $10 off toward their purchase during their birthday. My favorite from Godiva, the Nut Lovers Truffle Flight.
• AMC Stubs Insiders receive a free large popcorn while AMC Stubs Premiere members receive a free large popcorn and large fountain drink for their birthday.
• CVS ExtraCare Beauty Club members receive $3 in CVS ExtraBucks for their birthday.
• For your birthday, Baskin Robbins emails a coupon for a free scoop (2.5 oz) or one 3 oz soft serve swirl.
• To wish you a happy birthday, Friendly's emails out a coupon for a free medium sundae
• Cinnabon emails a birthday coupon for a free iced coffee. 
• My Starbucks Rewards members receive a free drink for their birthday. 
• DSW will give you $5 towards your purchase for your birthday, or $10 if you are a Rewards Premiere member.
• P.F. Chang's offers a complimentary appetizer or dessert of your choice during your birthday month, and is automatically redeemed on your next visit. 

• When you sign up for Sugarfina emails, you'll get an email to redeem a free small cube of your choice for your birthday, My favorite - Champagne Bubbles! 

• As an Aveda Pure Privilege member (with a one-time $10 enrollment fee), Aveda mails you a certificate in the mail you can redeem for a free composition oil. It may vary by store, but when I went to the Aveda Institute I was able to choose between Shampure, Beautifying or Aveda Men. I can't wait to try this product, although I miss the birthday gift when you received a Personal Blends™ Pure-Fume Spirit™, shower gel or lotion custom-blended with the aroma for your choice. I wish they didn't discontinue the Personal Blends line - I miss it!

- Kim Weling

Getting Gorgeous with CVS Beauty 2013

Last month, on April 27th, I attended Getting Gorgeous with CVS Beauty, with hairstyling by Conair and manicures featuring Sally Hansen and Nicole by OPI. I was excited to get a closer look at some of the beauty and hair care products available at CVS. I've been on the lookout for BB creams and volumizing hair care, so some of my favorites include Nuance Renewed Radiance Brightening BB Cream, Nexxus Hydra Light Weightless Moisture Root Lift Mist and John Frieda Luxurious Volume Fine to Full Blow-Out Spray. Other products that caught my eye include Nuance Salma Hayek Texturizing Sea Salt Spray, Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil and Nexxus Youth Renewal Rejuvenating Elixir. 

Blogger attendees also had a chance to meet with participating brands, including New Balance, Foster Grant, Tide, Downy and Dial.

CVS has always been my go-to drugstore, so naturally I'm a Beauty Club member, earning $5 ExtraBucks Rewards for every $50 spent on qualifying beauty products. It's free to sign up so if you aren't already a member, I definitely recommend joining! 

After trying out a few BB Creams, Nuance Renewed Radiance Brightening BB Cream in Medium/Deep 285 was the best match 

As for styling tools, Two-Toned Infiniti Pro by Conair Dryer and Conair AdjustaCurl Root Volumizer are at the top of my list.

 After visiting Conair for a quick hair touchup and curls, I got a fabulous manicure from Nicole by OPI. As for gel manicures at home, I've been wanting to try the Sally Hansen Salon Gel Polish Starter Kit.

The Bacardi Bar introduced fun cocktails, including sugar-rimmed mojitos

Trying out Foster Grant sunglasses

Since cobalt blue is my favorite color, I was naturally drawn to New Balance's Superlight Superfresh sneakers 

Heidi Klum for New Balance

- Kim Weling