Move over BB, we’re into CC now.

We admit that to anyone but beauty enthusiasts, this sentence must sound like gibberish, but long-time readers will know that we love a product that multitasks. Short for ‘Complexion Corrector,’ the Almay CC Cream is packed with complexion improving ingredients, while conveniently providing coverage with one product. Unlike its predecessor BB, CC can be thought of as more of a skincare product, rather than a makeup one. Almay’s brand new Smart Shade CC Cream does the trick without having to spend a fortune on multiple products.

Wear alone for a light summer cover up nad you've got this season's minimal trend covered. —Anya Georgijevic

$16.95 at London Drugs and Shoppers Drug Mart.

Kate Middleton may have done her own makeup for her big day, but we think some things are better left to the professionals.

The wedding season is about to begin and whether you’re the bride, a bridesmaid, or a guest (hey, you’ll still be photographed), perfect makeup is a must. For my own recent very important event (um, the Prince concert!), I enlisted The Salon Beauty Bar’s Mobile Makeup service to give me a look that would stand out in the crowd. My laziness worked in my favour: Mobile Makeup’s artists beautify you in the comfort of your own home, so no need to run around town with a half-melted summer face. And did Prince notice me? I’m pretty sure I saw him throw a little glance in my direction. —Anya Georgijevic

From $150, The Salon Beauty Bar, 505 Thurlow St., 604-682-4645, www.thesalonbeautybar.com

Top This

If you’ve tried matte nail polish, you’ll know it chips and scratches way too easily because you can’t use a basecoat or topcoat without creating shine. So OPI came up with a solution: a matte topcoat. Apply this over a basecoat and any colour of varnish, and you get a matte nail that lasts a good few days. For once, we are happy to have a nail that isn’t shiny. OPI matte topcoat, $10.95 at salons and spas. www.opi.com

The Naked Truth

Tom Pecheux developed a beautiful line of skin tone polishes for Estee Lauder’s summer collection. Described as “foundation for nails,” we suggest you wear it underneath the matte topcoat (above) for a super discreet nail. No one likes a shiny foundation, anyway. Estée Lauder French Nudes Pure Nail Color, $25.00 at Holt Renfrew, www.esteelauder.com

Dynamic Duos

The new Pierre Hardy for NARS collection does double duty - literally. The clashing colours work perfectly for finger/toe combos that aren't too matchy-matchy (a nail no-no, in our opinion). Consider Etho Run (orange/navy) for a sleek, powerful look or the youthful Sharks combo (yellow/lavender) for the breezy days of summer. $32/set at all NARS counters and www.narscollection.ca

—Alexandra Suhner Isenberg and Maria Tallarico

With Earth Day just a week away, we've got our eye on all things eco-friendly, starting with our medicine cabinet. Herewith, the beauty-full green picks we love.

We fell in love with Whistler Naturals' Naked Apricot Lily Body Butter, which is inspired by the great outdoors and is as free of all the bad stuff. Read the full dose here.

How could we resist the brilliantly-named Vitamine & Sea? The Montreal brand opened its first shop-in-shop and stocked it with all things natural and organic for skin and hair. Read the full dose here.

We'll make our peepers pop with natural mascara from much-adored line, Ilia. Read the full dose here.

The hunt for our favourite eco-friendly brands got a lot easier with Fresh Faced, which brings hard-to-find products right to our doorstep. Read the full dose here.

While some might shun dressing up for the gym, it can be nice to make an effort during this less-than-flattering time. We love good-looking activewear, even while we’re huffing and puffing through a spin class.

L.A.-based Body Language has just launched in Canada, and we are welcoming this brand with open (toned) arms. It’s a collection of workout gear that looks like it has come out of a fancy Hollywood gym, expect to find snakeskin print, Flashdance-style Tees, and super flattering tanks. A favourite is the Scrunchy Capri ($72), which features a gathered waistband that guarantees no muffin top.

Made with a nice, thick fabric with excellent compression (read: they hold everything in), you can downward dog without worrying about baring it all. — Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Body Language Sportswear at Barre Fitness, 1186 Marine Dr., North Vancouver, 604-971-4161, www.barrefitness.com/north-shore

A quick trip to the drugstore means stocking up on our editors' go-to products.

To whiten my teeth I could give up coffee but that would mean, well, giving up coffee. Instead I’ll opt for Crest’s amped-up line of whitening warriors like 3D White Whitestrips Intensive Professional Effects, which is said to produce results comparable to in-office laser treatments. $74.99 at London Drugs.

Long-lasting mascara is the superhero of my beauty routine. But my lashes don’t always see it that way. Marcelle Renforcils Waterproof Eye Make-Up Remover is a gentle gel formulated to save vulnerable lashes while being kryptonite for mascara. $17.50 at London Drugs.

—Kelsey Dundon

I'm undeniably lazy when it comes to lotioning up. That's why I love the new and ingenious Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturizer: it takes mere seconds, so no more excuses.
$8.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart.  —Anya Georgijevic


My favourite drugstore nail polish is Revlon, which has great staying power and a nice sheen. I love the colour Goldfinger, as it looks great in the summer and is very forgiving to us lazy types. You can barely see the chips. $7.99 at Shoppers Drug Mart. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Your office is paperless, your coffee is fair-trade, and your bras are bamboo.

Next step on your path to earthly enlightenment: organic facials.

The beautifully conceived Bioethique Holistic Day Spa and Boutique is a certified organic spa using all-natural ingredients in products made in their green energy lab in Haute Provence, France, and dispensed from their lovely Kitsilano spa-front.

The white-washed interior, stunning antique light fixtures and bouquet of quince blossoms had us at bonjour.
The BioEthique Signature Facial ($235,) which was 2 hours of sheer bliss, included an organic mud masque, custom blended for our skin type from a row of apothecary jars, and LED light therapy, that made our skin plump to the touch. BioEthique’s own Tamanu Oil Serum, derived from a Polynesian nut, was soothing and healing, while the shoulder massage had us melting into the spa bed.

Ethical never felt so easy. —Sarah Bancroft

Bioethique Holistic Day Spa and Boutique, 3578 W. Fourth Ave., Vancouver, 604-558-2008, www.bioethiquespa.com

Maybe we have it all wrong.

Maybe the key to doing more is to do, well, nothing. At least for 60 seconds at a time. Whil, a new initiative by Chip and Shannon Wilson (whose names you might recognize from a certain Vancouver-based yoga clothing company), hinges on this concept with micro meditations designed to be practiced anywhere. Like wherever you happen to be at this very moment. It’s simple: breathe, focus and set a goal for the next few hours.

Now power down and get started. —Kelsey Dundon

http://whil.com

We’re drawn to Whistler for two reasons: the mountains and the luxury.

Inspired by the latter, Whistler Naturals is a new vegan skin care line that’s made in BC and is as natural as the outdoors – it’s free of synthetic colours and harsh preservatives. We scrubbed away our skin sins with the Vanilla Silk Sugar Scrub ($17.98), which is the colour of brown sugar and smells like you’re exfoliating with delightfully sweet cake batter. Then we lathered up with the Naked Apricot Lily Body Butter ($17.98), the kind of thick moisturizer you’d use to tackle your knees and elbows in the middle of winter.

Or, say, when you’re up in the mountains. —Kelsey Dundon

www.whistlernaturals.com

We’re giving winter the olfactory send-off.

Goodbye, deep woodsy fragrances and hello sparkling notes of bergamot, apple blossom, jasmine, sandalwood and vanilla. The object of our new season affection? See by Chloé eau de parfum (from $55 at Sephora).

This first fragrance by the maison shares big sister Chloé’s sophisticated and chic disposition, but with a fresh and youthful flair that’s bright, cheery and, admittedly, addictive.

One spritz and it’s au revoir, grey February days! —Christine Laroche

From $55 at www.sephora.ca