Inside the 2026 Brill Block Party in Toronto
Hot dogs, frozen cocktails, beauty discoveries, skincare, watches and a BYOB invitation — although in this case BYOB meant Bring Your Own Bag. Welcome to the 2026 Brill Block Party in Toronto!
There are some invitations that land in your inbox and immediately make you think, yes, I need to be there. The annual Brill Block Party in Toronto was definitely one of those.
I had the opportunity to attend the #BrillBlockParty, the annual summer preview event hosted by Brill Communications and yes you guessed it I had to share.
And honestly, what better way to celebrate summer than with hot dogs, refreshing drinks, fabulous brands and a bag just waiting to be filled with new products to discover?
What Is the Brill Block Party?
The Brill Block Party was an annual summer preview event hosted by Brill Communications, bringing together media, creators and some of the brands they represent.
The concept was such a fun one.
Guests were invited to stop by during their scheduled appointment between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m., meet participating brands, learn about new and noteworthy products and enjoy a little summer block-party atmosphere along the way.
There was even a BYOB request — but not the kind you might be thinking.
For the Brill Block Party, BYOB meant Bring Your Own Bag, because we were encouraged to bring along a reusable bag to fill with products and samples from the participating brands.
Now that is my kind of BYOB.
A Little Behind the Scenes of the PR World
One of the things I don’t always share on my channels and blog is what actually happens behind the scenes as a content creator.
You see the trips, outfits, restaurants, hotels and products that eventually make their way onto the blog or my social channels, but there is another side to this world that I still find incredibly interesting: PR and media events.
Events like the Brill Block Party give creators an opportunity to actually meet the people behind the brands.
Instead of simply receiving a product in the mail and reading a press release, we get to ask questions, hear the story behind a product, learn what’s coming next and sometimes discover a brand we’ve never tried before.
And after all these years of blogging, I still love that part.
Summer in Toronto with Brill Communications
Brill Communications certainly understood the assignment when it came to creating a summer event.
The atmosphere was casual, colourful and fun, with that perfect backyard-block-party feeling.
There were hot dogs to enjoy, something refreshing to sip and, of course, plenty of opportunities to wander from brand to brand discovering products that might become new favourites.
It didn’t feel like a stuffy media event. It felt more like dropping into a really great summer party where every few feet someone had something new and interesting to show you.
And yes, my BYOB bag definitely came in handy!
Discovering What’s New for Summer
For me, one of the best parts of attending a PR preview is discovering products I might otherwise have walked right past in a store.
Sometimes it’s a brand I already know introducing something completely new. Other times, it’s a company I’ve never heard of that suddenly has me wondering, where have you been all my life?
That’s why I don’t necessarily look at the samples we receive at events like this as simply a “swag bag.”
They’re an opportunity to test products in real life.
What do I genuinely enjoy? What will I continue using once the sample is gone? What would I purchase myself? And, most importantly, what might actually be useful or interesting to the women who follow me?
Those are the products you’ll usually see popping up again on my Instagram, YouTube or here on the blog.
Why I Still Love Attending PR Events
I’ve been blogging for a long time, but walking into an event and seeing familiar faces from the creator and PR world still makes me appreciate how much this industry has changed.
When I started A Labour of Life, I certainly wasn’t imagining invitations to media previews and PR events in Toronto.
What started as a place to share snippets of my life has taken me to some pretty amazing places and introduced me to brands, destinations and people I might never have encountered otherwise.
That’s one of the reasons I enjoy sharing these behind-the-scenes experiences with you, too.
It’s a reminder that you never really know where saying yes to something new might take you.
Brands I Discovered at the 2026 Brill Block Party
This is where the Brill Block Party really lived up to its name as a summer preview. There was such an interesting mix of brands represented — everything from beauty tools and skincare to hair, home and even watches. Instead of simply picking up samples, we had the opportunity to stop at each display, chat with the brand representatives and learn a little more about the products.
Here are a few of the brands that caught my attention. ( and if you prefer watching not reading head on over)
Conair
Conair had a fun display featuring some of its latest hair tools, including the colourful Cake Pop Hair Dryer. There were also smaller beauty tools on display, and I love discovering products that make getting ready easier — especially ones that are compact enough to consider for travel.
One of the fun things about a hands-on PR event is actually being able to see and feel these products rather than simply looking at them online.
EcoTools
The EcoTools display immediately caught my attention with all of that gorgeous green. Their reusable beauty accessories fit perfectly into the summer self-care theme, and guests were able to check out some of the brand’s latest tools.
EcoTools is one of those accessible beauty brands that makes it easy to add practical tools to your everyday routine without making beauty feel overly complicated.
Real Techniques
From green to PINK! The Real Techniques area was impossible to miss, with a bright pink display showcasing their beauty tools.
I’ve always appreciated beauty products that make makeup application a little easier, and getting to see some of the Real Techniques collections up close was a fun addition to the event. Plus, can we talk about how Instagram-worthy that pink corner was?
PanOxyl
Skincare was also well represented at the Brill Block Party, including a very creative PanOxyl display.
The products were tucked inside individual locker-style compartments with fun messages such as “Good Skin Loading” and “Spot Check.” It was such a clever way to showcase the collection and definitely one of those displays that makes you stop for a closer look.
Citizen Watches
The Citizen Watches display was another one that immediately caught my eye — and not just because I have a weakness for a great accessory.
There was such a beautiful variety on display, from sporty statement watches to more delicate styles that almost felt like jewellery. I loved seeing the different shapes, finishes and bands, and how beautifully everything was styled amongst the flowers.
It was also a perfect example of why I enjoy events with such an eclectic mix of brands. One minute I’m discovering a new skincare product, the next I’m trying to decide which watch belongs on my wrist, and then somehow I’ve wandered outside and someone is handing me a frozen cocktail.
That, my friends, is my kind of PR event.
Bodycology Cherry Blossom
Bodycology brought a little fragrance to the Brill Block Party with its Cherry Blossom collection. Cherry blossom is such a pretty scent for summer — light, floral and feminine without feeling too heavy.
I love that body fragrance can be such a simple way to change things up seasonally. Just like switching our wardrobe or beauty routine for warmer weather, reaching for a lighter fragrance instantly feels a little more summery.
The Bodycology Cherry Blossom products were another fun discovery to add to my BYOB bag, and I’m looking forward to seeing if this pretty floral scent becomes one of my everyday favourites.
StriVectin
Now this was one display I was particularly interested in exploring.
StriVectin created a full summer moment outside, complete with oversized yellow-and-white pool floats and a backdrop featuring its skincare. It certainly didn’t hurt that the display looked like it belonged beside a fabulous resort pool!
As a woman over 60, I’m always interested in learning about skincare products and ingredients designed with the changing needs of our skin in mind, so this was one booth I was happy to spend a little extra time exploring.
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen
Speaking of summer essentials, you can’t have a summer preview without sunscreen.
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen created one of the most playful displays at the party, complete with enormous sunscreen bottles and a little inflatable pool. Naturally, I had to stop for a picture!
Sun protection is something I take increasingly seriously, particularly when I’m travelling, golfing or spending long summer days outside, so I was happy to discover more about the Blue Lizard range.
And I have to admit, those giant bottles made a pretty great photo op.
Dr Teal’s
The Dr Teal’s display was another perfect fit for a summer wellness event, featuring its Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution and Foaming Bath products. and FYI they also taught me a non bather, hello shower gal, how to still incorporate bath salts in the shower. Guess what, its a regular routine now.
After travelling, walking around a new city or spending a day on the golf course, a good soak sounds pretty appealing. This was another reminder that sometimes the simplest forms of self-care are the ones we appreciate the most.
Sherwin-Williams
The Brill Block Party wasn’t all about beauty, either.
Sherwin-Williams brought a little home inspiration to the event with its Emerald Symmetry paint and a Summer Room Refresh Raffle. The display included paint supplies and plenty of colour inspiration, which immediately had me thinking about all those little home projects we tend to dream up during the warmer months.
I loved seeing a home brand mixed into the event because my channel has never been just about one thing. Fashion, beauty, travel, entertaining and creating a home you enjoy are all part of living life fully.
Ginny
Of course, what would a summer block party be without something cold and refreshing?
Ginny was on hand with a cute outdoor setup and chilled drinks, adding to that casual backyard-party atmosphere that Brill created throughout the event. It was exactly the kind of activation that made this feel less like a traditional media preview and more like an actual summer get-together.
Spring Mill Distillery
Another stop that caught my attention was Spring Mill Distillery, with both their gin and vodka on display.
The spirits are produced in Canada by Spring Mill Distillery, a John Sleeman & Sons company, and they were being put to very good use at the party. The team was creating frozen cocktails with a Ninja machine — because apparently the only thing better than a summer cocktail is turning it into a slushy!
This was such a fun addition to the outdoor portion of the event and definitely fit the Brill Block Party summer theme. ( and did I mention I was the lucky winner and had a maslushiechine delivered to my home, what a treat)
It’s also exactly why I enjoy attending an event with such a broad mix of brands. One minute I’m talking about sunscreen and skincare, the next I’m looking at watches and then somehow I’ve wandered outside and someone is handing me a frozen cocktail.
That, my friends, is my kind of PR event.
The Brill Block Party Really Was a Party
And I think that’s the part I want to emphasize most about the afternoon.
Yes, this was a media preview. Yes, there were brands, products and representatives there to tell us what was new. But Brill Communications didn’t simply line up tables of products and call it an event.
They created an experience.
The colourful Block Party backdrop, balloons, tropical plants, outdoor displays, drinks, food and playful brand installations made the entire space feel like a summer celebration.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist the photo opportunities.
Actually, judging by the number of pictures on my phone, I’m not sure I resisted any of them.
But that’s part of the fun.
I walked in ready to discover a few new products and walked out having spent a wonderful summer afternoon connecting, chatting, tasting, learning and being reminded why, even after all these years, I still get excited when a PR invitation lands in my inbox.
More Than a Swag Bag
Yes, we came home with products to try, but for me the real value of an event like the Brill Block Party is the discovery.
It’s easy to scroll past hundreds of products online without giving them a second thought. Meeting the people behind a brand, hearing what’s new and getting the opportunity to actually experience a product creates a completely different connection.
Some of these products may become favourites. Others may find their way into future blog posts, Instagram Reels or YouTube videos after I’ve had enough time to really try them.
Because that’s the important part for me: receiving something at a PR event doesn’t automatically make it a recommendation.
I want to use it first.
And judging from what came home with me from the 2026 Brill Block Party, I have quite a bit of testing ahead of me!
Making the Trip from Ottawa to Toronto
Of course, attending an event in Toronto means getting there first.
Living in Ottawa doesn’t stop me from attending Toronto events when the opportunity makes sense. In fact, I’ve come to really enjoy turning these quick trips into part of the experience.
Toronto is such an important hub for Canadian media, brands and PR agencies, so being able to attend events like the Brill Block Party gives me the chance to maintain those relationships in person while discovering what’s coming next.
And if I can sneak in a great meal, a little sightseeing or another Toronto adventure while I’m there? Even better.
Thank You, Brill Communications
A huge thank you to the team at Brill Communications for inviting me to the 2026 Brill Block Party.
From the fun summer atmosphere to the opportunity to connect with brands and fellow creators, it was such an enjoyable way to spend a summer afternoon in Toronto.
And now comes the really fun part — going through everything I brought home and actually putting those products to the test.
Because while discovering something new at a PR event is fun, finding something I genuinely love enough to recommend to you is even better.
Stay tuned because I have a feeling a few of my Brill Block Party discoveries may be making another appearance very soon.
Have you ever wondered what happens at a PR or media preview event? Let me know in the comments — I’m always happy to take you a little further behind the scenes of life as a content creator.
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