I don't know about you, but I have never been a big believer in entering contests. Instead of a long-awaited "You're a winner!" phone call, the result is usually nothing more than annoying and constant emails from the company you entered the contest with.

Knowing this, I still am tempted by the alluring thought of winning a trip or a shopping spree, or most recently, the chance to become a juror. Yes, you read that right: I entered a contest to willingly be called to jury duty. I eagerly entered my personal information and hoped for the best as this was not just any old jury duty; this was the chance to be a juror for the Elle Canada 2011 Beauty Awards. Along with basic information like my address, the questionnaire tested my knowledge and love of beauty loot by asking me to answer in essay-style format about mascaras and moisturizers. As a previous beauty intern and long-time product junkie, gushing about my favourite primer was a piece of cake.

After sending off my application last August, I had nearly forgotten about the whole thing until about a month ago when I received the elusive winning email — I was selected to be a juror! Duties included receiving a package full of beauty loot, following each product's directions and then signing on to Elle Canada's Beauty Awards site to rate and write up on my findings.

Dreams of Dior and hopes of Hermès immediately flooded my mind and I envisioned a package overflowing with luxurious goodies just waiting to earn prime space on my already crowded vanity. Imagine my surprise when after opening the rather large and heavy box, I found an array of products wrapped up in Elleprinted Mylar concealing the brand and type of product! Some lotions were instantly recognizable, such as Aveeno moisturizer with its cream bottle and olive green pump. Makeup palettes and face washes were not as easy to identify, however, so I did what any other curious girl would do: I tediously peeled and picked at the sticky Mylar wrapping until the name that was so precisely concealed was staring right back at me. Being the designer snob that I am, I was hugely disappointed to find names like Marcelle and Cover Girl instead of Burberry or Tom Ford.

Dedicated to the task at hand, I had to commit to my now dreaded jury duty. How would my spoiled skin react to St. Ives lotion after exclusively being treated to Biotherm? And Annabelle eyeshadow?! Not even in my colourcurious pre-teen experimental days would I venture this far from luxury brands. Reluctantly, I logged on to the Elle Canada juror's website and read each product's instructions.

Although yes, some of the drugstore choices definitely did not make the cut and could not compare to the slew of goods my pampered skin is used to, I shocked myself by loving some of the goods. Cover Girl & Olay Simply Ageless Cream Blush made the cut. It has a super creamy texture, blends well and its natural, peachy finish and long-lasting wear seriously impressed me. Another winner? Gold Bond Ultimate Restoring Skin Therapy Lotion with Q10. This lotion smells amazing, went on smoothly, sunk in quickly and kept my skin soft all day. What more could you ask for in a body lotion? Now that I found some cheap thrills I love, I may have some more dough to splurge on a designer piece of clothing instead of makeup.