The late, great cosmetics queen Anita Roddick once said that "there is nothing on God's planet, not one thing, that will take away 30 years of arguing with your husband and 40 years of environmental abuse. Anything that says it can magically take away your wrinkles is a scandalous lie."

Indeed, we’re all skeptical about little tubes of cream with big claims, especially one that promises younger looking skin in just 40 seconds. Scoff if you will (we did), but Nanoblur (US$19) lives up to its claim.

Wear this advanced optical cream under your usual makeup and see how a smooth, matte finish takes hold of your face. Pores, pimples and fine lines soften and your skin becomes instantly luminous.

The effect won’t last forever, just long enough for you to sparkle through a day.

And sometimes, that’s all a girl really needs.

www.indeedlabs.com

If Jessica Moore and Alexia Inge of Cultbeauty make a recommendation, we take note. This fabulously unique beauty blog/boutique is a go-to for beauty editors and product obsessives alike.

It was here that we discovered olive-oil rich MELU Shampoo ($25) by Italian hair care brand, Davines. We’ve used it all summer long, and even chlorine, sun and sea haven’t weakened its effect. It’s the perfect potion for long, tired tresses.

Jennifer Aniston is a fan, and hey, who doesn’t want her mop?

Available at Salon Soho, Sherway Gardens, Etobicoke, 416-621-4012, www.sohosalonspa.com

Our dream bathroom would be white, bright and minimal, with sleek mirror cabinets stacked with a cornucopia of cosmetics.

The next best thing is a visit to new beauty boîte, Jacob & Sebastian. With packaging as luxurious as the products themselves, this place belongs in the pages of Living Etc.

Find Paul and Joe blushes, Malin + Goetz shampoos and old fashioned shaving kits from Baxter of California.

Our picks are Portland General Store’s tobacco scented bath scrub ($17.99) and Zents concrete encased solid perfumes ($39.99).

Now, what to do about the avocado tiles in our bathroom?

Jacob and Sebastian, 622 Queen St. W., Toronto, 647-405-8930, www.jacobandsebastian.com

When we’re peddling home after a few too many Proseccos, there’s only one helmet we trust.

Fully certified, light and comfortable, the Nutcase brand is one of the coolest on the market. With a massive range of bright and bold designs, the helmets ($60) are a shining example of fashion meets function.

Your blow out may collapse, but your street cred will skyrocket.

Available at Curbside Cycle, 412 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-920-4933, http://store.curbside.on.ca

If Coco Chanel was right when she declared, “a woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future,” then perhaps it’s time we talked No. 5 year plans.

At Holt Renfrew’s Chanel Olfactive Bar, trade fortune tellers for fragrance experts and sit in a tweed chair surrounded by black and white photographs of Mademoiselle. Instead of crystal balls, there are ceramic blotters so you can smell the fullness of each fragrance as the perfumer would, without the successive sprays.

The bar is also the exclusive carrier of Les Exclusifs de Chanel collection, from which we found our next scent (we’d tell you what it is, but some things in life should remain a mystery).

Chanel Olfactive Bar at Holt Renfrew, 50 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-922-2333 (call to book an appointment), www.holtrenfrew.com

We love our collection of glosses, balms and blushes, but that doesn’t mean we don’t heart it when our makeup does double duty.

The new Instant Blush Magic Colour ($28) by Clarins is made for the cheeks but can also be used on the lips to enhance their natural hue.

The pale pink, glossy texture goes on clear and is activated by the skin’s acidity and heat, adjusting to your skin tone. The result is an instant natural-looking rosy glow and a light pink lip.

Double trouble.

At Shoppers Drug Mart.

The quest for Erin Wasson’s supermodel body may be beyond our grasp but now her perfectly tousled hair is just at our fingertips.

For naturally sexy waves, spray luxury Swedish line Sachajuan’s Ocean Mist formula from roots to tips on clean, towel-dried hair.  Mist, twirl and scrunch for a look that’s more Venice Beach than Vegas.  Finish with a dash of bronzer (or your own freckles) and one of Wasson’s designs for surf and skate brand RVCA.

Radical style, ladies.


Ocean Mist, $34 at PIR Cosmetics, 25 Bellair St., Toronto, 416-513-1603, www.pircosmetics.com

The smell of barbecues, campfires and sunscreen tantalizes our senses and affirms that summer is here. And so does the stench of most bug sprays.

This year, we’re keeping the bugs at bay with Buzz Away, a DEET-free insect repellent with cedarwood, citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus and lemongrass. Although you have to apply it more frequently than other repellents, the smell is subtle and more fresh than fierce and the convenient 60 ml bottle ($10.25) is easy to tote around.

Cottage country, here we come.

$10.25 at Well.ca

Get pretty from head to toe with our editors' top pampering picks.

Shear Genius
Consult the experts at John Steinberg & Associates for your next cut and colour. 585 King St. W., 416-506-0268, www.johnsteinbergerhair.com

Eyelash Envy
Ask for Priya at the Shu Uemura lashbar at Holt Renfrew on Bloor.  She has the steadiest hand and of course rocks our makeup too. 50 Bloor St. W., 416-922-2333, www.holtrenfrew.com

Body Bliss
Book a 60-minute massage with an RMT at Inspired Health and top-off with 30-minutes in the infrared sauna for good measure 5-320 Danforth Ave., 416-461-8688, www.inspiredlife.ca

Stubble Trouble
Civello Rosedale is our number one choice for Brazilian waxing. 887 Yonge St., 416-924-9244, www.civello.com

Naked nails
Since we stumbled on Arona Nail & Spa earlier this month, we’ve been back twice on our own and brought our mum and sister for a special treat. 205 Davenport Rd., 416-413-1100, www.aronanailspa.com

The word ‘salon’ once typically referred to a regular gathering of artists in a fashionable household. 

The latest artist to arrive in Yorkville is Shu Uemura and the salon of choice is Hair on the Avenue. Visit the striking and dramatic new concept space and treat yourself to a Scalp Ceremony treatment. Sit back and relax for an invigorating massage of specially blended essential oils that moisturize your hair and much-neglected scalp. We left feeling totally refreshed and reinvigorated, inspired by the great master himself.

From $25. Hair on the Avenue, 112 Avenue Rd., Toronto, 416-922-0112, http://hairontheavenue.ca