A trip to Toronto with P&G Beauty United! Photo heavy!

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Image from Beauty United/ MSL Group.

So a couple of weeks back I received an email from the PR company that represents Procter & Gamble (P&G) Beauty in Canada with an invite to their launch of a new beauty blogger ambassador program called Beauty United.  I was all gung-ho until I saw that the event was taking place in Toronto, and for those of you that don’t know, I live in Winnipeg, which is one province over but a bit of a hike from the big T.O. (21 hours driving time – no thank you).  I begrudgingly replied saying I wouldn’t make it and then buried it in the depths of my mind in sadness.  And then they got back to me saying that they accidentally sent me the local invite and that they would pay for my flight and accommodations.  Needless to say, I was like…

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Of course I wrote back right away (trying to keep my cool) saying that I would be able to make it.  And then it got better.

This brings me to Monday, when a sedan picked me up from my house and took me to the airport.  When I landed in Toronto, there was a guy waiting for me with a sign with my name on it.  I hopped in a brand-new Lincoln Towncar (I could seriously get used to car service, they offer you water and a newspaper – I’m so small town, I know haha), and then dropped me off at the Trump Toronto.  Yes, my friends, Trump freaking Hotel, the number one rated hotel in Toronto on Trip Advisor.

car

It was pouring outside but my mood was not tarnished.  When I went to check in, the guy at the front desk said that he had good news and bad news for me… my room wasn’t ready, but they upgraded me to a one-bedroom suite…

excited

I obviously kept my cool, but I was doing Hampster Dance inside like no one’s business.  Since I had time I kill, I went a hop, skip, and a jump over to the Design Exchange for the Christian Louboutin exhibit, which I was so excited to check out because I was sad I didn’t get to see it when I was in Toronto in June.  The DX is literally like a block away so I walked on over and got to see shoes, shoes, and more shoes (including some scandalous ones) and learned a little more about Mr. Louboutin.  The exhibit closes September 15, so if you are in Toronto, I highly recommend checking it out.

CL sign CL entrance CL front CL glitter CL factory

After the exhibit I cabbed it (cause it was pouring) to luxury playground Holt Renfrew on Bloor, which is a must on my list whenever I travel anywhere with a Holts, and perused the aisles of designer fashions, luxury cosmetics, and expensive handbags.  Leaving with a new Shu Uemura eyelash curler in tow, I crossed the street over to the Magnum pop-up chocolate shop and indulged in my own Magnum creation (the store closes today I believe), and then next door to H&M (because we don’t have one in Winnipeg).

bloor Magnum

Feeling that I killed enough time, I bused back to Trump and entered my room…

Trump living room

If there is one word I would choose to describe my suite at Trump, it’s “wow”.  From the fireplace on the wall to the heated floors in the bathroom, to the television in the mirror in the bathroom (which unfortunately only the sound worked) to even the remote control for the lighting and drapes, everything is very luxe.  Forget the coffee maker, Trump provides Nespresso machines, and at around 5:30 p.m., a lady came by and offered turndown service (which I politely turned down – I was Facetiming the room with my boyfriend) and a chocolate (that came in a Trump-branded box) and bottled water that came in a glass.  I took the water and chocolate, obviously.  I actually got too used to the high-tech gadgets in the room and had a major #firstworldproblems moment when there wasn’t a switch to shut the drapes in the living room.  Guys, I had to manually close them myself.  Seriously, Trump, get on it :p.

Bedroom bedroom other side bathroom Trump robe

I took an hour to get ready (I wanted to spend as much time in room; I looked it up, it costs around $700 a night), popped on my own Cinderella slippers – my Christian Louboutin Decolletes – and then made my way down to the 10th floor for the Beauty United event.

When I entered the room there was a ton of PR people there from the MSL Group and other bloggers from around the country.  After some photobooth fun, hors d’oeurve, wine, and chocolate, we made our way into another room where we learned about the science behind some P&G products, fall trends, and a scientific study about those who wear makeup versus those who don’t.  After, we got to peruse the different brand tables, ask questions, smell, and look at the products.  Beauty United covergirl people Pantene Venus Covergirl Chocolates Dessert table

It was so nice to finally meet some bloggers who I have been following for quite some time and chat about beauty.  I haven’t met any other Manitoban beauty bloggers (if there are any; please leave me a comment if you are one!) and talk about common interests – aka makeup.  I had a blast and when it was all over, they handed us two – yes, two – goodie bags filled with products from Covergirl, Olay, Pantene Pro-V, Herbal Essences, Vidal Sassoon, Venus, Crest Whitestrips, and Clairol.

From L to R: Anna from Sicilianna Beauty,

From L to R: Anna from Sicilianna Beauty, Elaine from Toronto Beauty Reviews, Me, Ande from Make Me Over Ande, and Dee from Liner, Glitter, and Gloss, Oh My!

other bloggers

L to R: Me, Meredith from Ettu and You, and Ande from Make Me Over Ande.

The next morning, I woke up bright and early and took advantage of the amenities at Trump including the salt water indoor infinity pool and gym, and by 10:30 p.m. my carriage (aka another Lincoln Towncar) arrived to take me to the airport and fly me home.

I cannot even describe how much of a dream this whirlwind of a trip was.  The MSL Group and P&G Beauty Canada went above and beyond for us 30 bloggers (especially for those of us out-of-towners), and it was truly a trip I will never forget.

Disclosure: I am a #BeautyUnited blogger. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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