There were three highlights to our visit to the shiny new Estée Lauder counter at the Bay downtown. First, we geeked out at the high-tech mirror that mimics different lighting situations for beyond perfect makeup. Très cool!

Second, a free makeup application – we couldn’t resist test-driving the limited edition Violet Underground shades.

And third was something – shocker! – shiny: lovely gold compacts depicting every sign of the zodiac filled with Translucent Pressed Powder ($80). When it’s empty, we’ll just refill it with the powder tray refill and that’s one less plastic box in the landfill.

Doesn’t every eco-friendly beauty routine need a Midas touch? —Christine Laroche

585 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.esteelauder.com

Every now and then a game-changing product lands on our desk.

The latest to become an instant essential is Origins Peace of Mind balm, which is boosted with basil, eucalyptus and peppermint - think fancy tiger balm - to nix fatigue and stress. We’re hooked on dabbing this little marvel onto the back of our neck and temples.

Look for the limited edition pink tube (which comes with Make A Difference hand treatment) ($20.50) to de-stress and support breast research: $3.50 from each duo sold will be donated to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Nothing quite like a feel-good game-changer. —Christine Laroche

The Bay, 585 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.origins.com

Topshop and Topman has landed on the island.

The London-based label – whose London Fashion Week show guest lists included the likes of Olivia Palermo, Daisy Lowe and Elle Fanning – has a shop-in-shop at the Bay downtown.

We went straight for to the sparkle (including a navy sequined peplum top, $58, and Miu Miu-esque glitter pumps, $110) but there’s also a great selection of basics, rocker-chic separates and flirty florals, as well as a men’s department on the metro level.

Bonus? Topshop is said to be on the prowl for some larger real estate and Montreal will be the future home of North America’s second biggest location (after NYC).

This is a British invasion we can get behind. —Christine Laroche

585 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.thebay.com

At The Bay downtown, there’s a new way to say “just looking” at the Clinique counter.

Just grab at pink bracelet (or a browsing basket) and the cosmeticians will know that your beauty run is a DIY operation.

The bracelet system, as well as the sleek new space, colour, foundation and lip bars and iPads for self-guided skin analysis are all part of the brand’s new “service as you like it” concept.

Of course, Clinique cosmeticians are always on hand for help but hey, a girl’s gotta have options! —Christine Laroche

585 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.clinique.com

As spring teases and winter taunts, we’re getting tired of our sweater dresses and have started eyeing our sweet summer frocks. But since it’s too cold to go bare legged, we’re pairing our short skirts and spaghetti straps with a cardigan and a cute pair of tights.

Wearing actual thigh-highs can get a little draughty in the cold weather, so we wear Dim Trompe l’Oeil tight ($21), with a knee-length skirt (so we can feel cheeky but not chilly when the wind blows it up). At The Bay, 585 St. Catherine St W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.hbc.com

Soon the spring blooms will burst through the snow, but until then we’ll bring the garden to the party with Mondor’s Floral Lace Fishnet Tights ($18.50). P.S. They’re made in Quebec. www.mondor.com

We love Secret’s white lace tights ($9.50) for when we want to look our most sweet and innocent. But we’ll wear them with a black leather shorts just to maintain our mystique. At The Bay, 585 St. Catherine St W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.hbc.com —JN

We’d love to be one of those practically perfect types, with a Mary Poppins-style purse filled with all the supplies one needs to survive in the daily grind. But we can’t even be bothered to carry a cosmetics case.

So once we’ve applied our makeup in the morning, we’re done. And by the end of the day, there’s barely a trace to wash away.

We tried Lise Watier’s Teint Parfait 12 Hrs Glam foundation and concealer ($45) and the Duo Glam Rouge Infini Lipstick ($27), a single wand including a liquid formulation to stain your lips and a high pigment lipstick for a bolder look. Our face remained flawless and our pout perfectly pink for a full day, no touch-ups required.

No gigantic purse required, either.

At Pharmaprix, Brunet, Jean Coutu, and The Bay.

The first time we saw those iconic interlocking Cs, we were just a little girl sneaking a spritz of our mother’s Chanel #5.

Even though we’re all grown up, we still like to play dress-up at the new 900 square-foot Chanel Fragrance and Beauty Space at the Bay Downtown Montreal. Decorated the brand’s signature beige and gold, this stunning boutique offers shoppers the opportunity to consult with experts to find the perfect Chanel scent and try different looks at one of several play stations at the large Makeup Table. Feeling oh-so-Coco (Chanel, that is)? You can book a VIP consultation to get individualized skin care and fragrance advice in complete privacy.

As the lady herself once said “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”

Chanel at The Bay, 585 St. Catherine St. W., Montreal, www.hbc.com

We’ve been obsessed with NARS makeup ever since we discovered that their bestselling Orgasm blush really did create a cheeky post-coital glow.

Now we’re coveting the moisturizing Velvet Gloss lip pencils ($30), launching tomorrow. We’ll be skipping lunch to head to the brand new 1000 square-foot NARS counter at The Bay downtown to pick up the easy-to-apply pencil in New Lover, a golden pink shade that will make your lips look like you’ve been engaging in some heavy make-out sessions with a new man.

Wear the blush with the lip gloss and let the office gossip fly!

The Bay, 585 Ste. Catherine W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.narscosmetics.com

With so many ways to find the time (check your phone, ask a handsome stranger, etc.), are watches anything more than functional jewellery?

Toywatch’s new styles give us a reason to check our wrists instead of our phones. We love the Jelly Looped with mix ‘n match wristbands to create fun colour combinations, the chic Heavy Metal and the sparkling Gem watches.

You can count down the minutes until handsome strangers start asking you the time. Now that’s functional.

At The Bay, 585 Ste Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-281-4422, www.toywatchcanada.com

With 26 consecutive Vogue covers (and being the make-up artist for Marc Jacobs), François Nars certainly carries weight.

Thankfully his new summer collection is anything but heavy. The limited-edition Multiple Tints ($46) are water-based, giving us subtle, dewy hints of color on cheeks, eyes and lips (we love the bright pink Cadaqués shade). And we just adore his matte and oh-so-airy Skin Smoothing Face Prep ($36) for filling lines without leaving a heavy mess.

We sure light that.

At Sephora.

See photos of Montreal editor Marianne Wisenthal’s NARS experience on today’s Editors' Diary.