It’s almost sandal season. Are you committing a cardinal sin?

We recently lunched with the head honcho at Lotus Aroma for the re-launch of the South Shore-based brand. There were two takeaways: First, the brand’s collection is now made from 99.5% natural ingredients and packaging is made from recycled materials, which we love.

Second, if two foot-specific products have been added to lineup, it’s because of two run-ins with gorgeous, impeccably dressed women who committed a major beauty infraction: Cracked, chapped, and altogether unsightly feet.

We have vowed not to be that girl this summer, so we’re slathering up Lotus Aroma 3 in 1 Foot Care ($16) that protects, moisturizes, exfoliates and deodorizes.

The only thing our feet will be guilty of is fabulosity. – Christine Laroche

At Jean Coutu, 1675 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, www.jeancoutu.com

We’ve stocked our closets with pieces in the It shade of the season, but when it comes to working it into our beauty routine, we need help.

To our rescue comes the Sephora + Pantone Universe 2012 Colour of the Year Capsule Collection, a limited edition collection of makeup and accessories in the beloved #17-1463 shade.

From the gorgeously creamy (and surprisingly wearable) lipstick ($22) to the nail polish set ($29 for four) and too-cool brush set ($82), every beautista is guaranteed to crush on at least one of the orange offerings. —Christine Laroche

Sephora, Carrefour Laval, 3035 Le Carrefour Blvd., Montreal, 450-688-8886, www.sephora.com

We met the singer at The Bridal Boudoir Affair (she co-hosted the event) and couldn’t resist grilling her about her to-die-for complexion. She graciously accepted to spill her skin secrets (and a little bit more!).

Your skincare routine is...
Simple! I wash my face with LaRoche-Posay Effaclar and follow-up with two Reversa products: EyeCare ($35) to remove dark circles and puffiness and UV Anti-Wrinkle Cream with SPF 15 ($36). I stay out of the sun, so when I want a bronzed look, I use self-tanner or makeup like Benefit Get Even ($30) in a shade darker than my skin tone.

Your three favourite beauty products are...
Aveeno body cream, Chanel VitaLumiere Satin Smoothing Fluid Makeup SPF 15 ($56), and L’Oréal Paris Telescopic Explosion Mascara.

You love to shop at...
Small boutiques on St-Laurent and Old Montreal—there are so many! I also love Style Studio & Boutique in St-Leonard and the usual suspects like Holt Renfrew, Browns, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Zara and H&M.

Montreal's best-kept secret is...
Restaurants like Portus Calle and Thai Grill aren’t very well known but they’re fantastic.

The song most played on your iPod is...
"Lilac Wine" by Jeff Buckley.

—As told to Christine Laroche

www.jacynthe.ca

Photo Credit: Alexandre Deslauriers

Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin are the latest glam faces of MAC’s Viva Glam campaign, which hits counters today.

Whether you opt for Nicki’s loudmouth pink shade ($17.50) or Ricky’s clear lip conditioner ($17.50) (a.k.a. a mid-February must-have), know that 100 per cent of the proceeds from the sale of these two products go towards the MAC Aids Fund.

Incredible products, amazing cause…We couldn’t be prouder of this Canadian company, and cannot think of a better post V-day pick-me-up. – Christine Laroche

MAC, 1307 Ste-Catherine St. W., Montreal, 514-842-7711, www.maccosmetics.com

Le sigh: Lip gloss stays put for about five minutes and lip stain can be drying.#firstworldproblem

Thankfully, YSL has addressed our desire for a shiny, moisturizing formula that stays put with the new Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stain ($34, available exclusively at Sephora). This haute hybrid provides the shine of lip gloss and staying power of a stain. Sold!

And speaking of Sephora, did you know that two stores are set to open this spring? One downtown (hallelujah!) and another at Rockland. Stay tuned for sneak peeks. —Christine Laroche

Sephora, Fairview Pointe Claire, 6815 Rte Transcanadienne, Montreal, 514-630-6100, www.sephora.com

Confession: We’ve never actually finished a box of tooth whitening strips. Twice a day for a week? Forget it.

While scouring for some on-sale holiday candy, we came across Crest 3D White Whitestrips ($45). Two hours to a new smile? Sounds good. And since we were also picking up some bold new lipstick shades, we figured it couldn’t hurt.

We stuck them onto our top and bottom teeth, watched two and a half episodes of Pretty Little Liars and voilà: Bright new smile to be showcased with our shocking lippie shades.

Consider us addicted. —Christine Laroche

Crest 3D White Whitestrips 2 Hour Express $45.52 at Jean Coutu, www.jeancoutu.com

Following in the footsteps of Lady Gaga and most recently Daphne Guinness, venerable 90-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel, dubbed the “rare bird of fashion,” has created a collection of makeup with MAC. It is packed with irresistibly beautiful brights named after birds, bien sûr.

We’ll be picking up a few lipsticks ($17.50 each), including Pink Pigeon, a bright pink shade and Morange, a loudmouth orange; eyeshadow ($18) in Early Bird, a bright coral hue and intensely bright nail lacquer ($18) in Toco Toucan, an in-your-face fuchsia.

Flock to your MAC counter today for the best selection: We’re betting that these hues will be to 2012 what NARS Carthage was to 2011. —Christine Laroche

www.maccosmetics.com

Between the teasing (essential for the perfect topknot), curling (someone has to bring the glam to the family photos), crimping (a.k.a. the perfect hair style to match a tacky Christmas sweater) and colouring (what greys?), the holidays have wreaked havoc on our hair.

Inspired by Kate Middleton’s love of luxe hair care brand Kérastase, we decided to treat our tresses to Ciment Thermique ($41 at salons), a leave-in treatment that is activated by the worst damage offender: heat.

After a few uses, our strands were smoother and silkier. Had we not spent Grandma’s gift money on Boxing Day sales, we’d probably splurge on the whole range, including the heavy-duty in-salon treatment.

If it’s good enough for the Duchess, it’s good enough for us! —Christine Laroche

$41 at La Coupe, 1115 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, 514-288-6131, www.lacoupe.ca

We’re dreading the upcoming holiday season, with its never-ending carousel of parties. And with only a couple of LBDs in heavy-rotation, we’ll need some extra help to make sure our look is never as stale as day-old-fruitcake.

Stila’s limited edition Holiday Collection is the antidote to our dark dress doldrums, offering infinite possibilities for face-changing looks. We’ll use the Dream in Full Colour palette ($50) with 29 eye shadow shades and seven blushes along with the Holiday Lip Glaze set ($33) featuring four new shades along with four faves, to create new looks for every occasion.

No one will even notice we’re wearing the same dress twice. —Jennifer Nachshen

At Pharmaprix, Murale and Sephora.

Sure we're into reducing, reusing and recycling, but not when it comes to our hair.

Until recently gals who wanted to go glam and stay green didn’t have a lot of options in the downtown core. Lucky for our long locks, seasoned stylists Andrea Harrison and Damon Thomas have opened Aveda Concept Salon, Adikt. Now we can sneak out from work for a mid-day cut ($70), blow-out (from $30) or gloss treatment (from $30), complete with an Aveda scalp massage and hot cup of tea, and get back in time for our afternoon meeting without anyone suspecting a thing.

Although our shiny new do might raise a few eyebrows. —Jennifer Nachshen

Salon Adikt, 710B Ste Catherine W., Montreal, 514-878-1888, www.salonadikt.com