FASHION Magazine

“You start to lose pigment after 14 days,” explains Clairol Colour Director Marie Robinson, referring to the unfortunate fade that occurs after colouring hair.

To any fan of Saturday Night Live, the name Kristen Wiig conjures her many memorable characters: unabashed one-upper Penelope, the quick-to-comment Target cashier, a Chardonnay-swilling Kathie Lee Gifford. Those who don’t make SNL a standing date may remember Wiig as Will Forte’s sidekick with Farrah Fawcett hair in MacGruber or Katherine Heigl’s bitchy E! co-worker in Knocked Up. But with this month’s release of Bridesmaids, Wiig’s first starring film role (she also co-wrote the script), she’s graduating from sketch- and scene-stealer to the ranks of leading ladies Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.

TEST OF TIME
Michelle Villett asked asked five women to reveal their diet, skin-care and exercise habits—and then got the world’s top anti-aging docs to weigh in.

HELEN MARA, 62
“I don’t have a problem with getting older—my attitude is ‘Bring it on!’” says Mara. “When my mother was my age, she looked like a grandmother, but I don’t think I do.” No wonder she models part-time with the Ben Barry Agency in Toronto. Although she personally has no plans to go under the knife (or needle), Mara says, “I think if it makes you feel better, go for it.”

If it’s true that women consume at least four pounds of lipstick in their lifetime, let’s make the most of that nauseating stat. Bite Beauty lip products (from $21, at Sephora) are laced with the antioxidant resveratrol—a Dr. Oz fave found in red wine—and boast food-grade ingredients, like the bits of pomegranate in this multi- purpose balm.

TEST OF TIME
Michelle Villett asked asked five women to reveal their diet, skin-care and exercise habits—and then got the world’s top anti-aging docs to weigh in.

ANNE TILLMAN-GRAHAM, 54
“There are days when I look in the mirror and go ‘Whoa!’—that’s not how I feel. But you have to keep a sense of humour [about aging]. That, and wake up every morning loving what you’re going to do.” Besides her job as a Toronto-based marketing executive in the cosmetics industry, Tillman-Graham is passionate about fitness. “I’ve been running marathons since 1993, and I’ve done four triathlons. You become addicted to the adrenaline.”

TEST OF TIME
Michelle Villett asked asked five women to reveal their diet, skin-care and exercise habits—and then got the world’s top anti-aging docs to weigh in.

KIM VALLÉE, 42
“Looking good for my age has always concerned me, but I probably feel better today than when I was younger,” says Vallée, a Montreal-based lifestyle and entertaining expert. “I’m at a stage where all my dreams are at least possible or taking form in some way.” First up: the birth of her first child, a boy, this past March. “I think it’s important to live in the moment and to accept the aging process, because with each [decade] you experience something new.”

TEST OF TIME
Michelle Villett asked asked five women to reveal their diet, skin-care and exercise habits—and then got the world’s top anti-aging docs to weigh in.

CHARLENE SWALEHE, 30
When it comes to aging, “I know I should be a lot more preventative,” says Swalehe, a Vancouver-based retail sales manager. “My smoking needs to stop, and I have some weight to lose.” Still, she has a few things working in her favour: “good genes,” a relatively stress-free lifestyle and a solid circle of friends. “I think I have a really positive outlook.”

The invitation that has New York fashion lovers waiting by the mailbox is that of tonight’s Costume Institute’s Met Gala. This year’s extravaganza opens the exhibition Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty (May 4 to July 31, metmuseum.org), which encompasses everything from McQueen’s Central Saint Martins post-graduate collection of 1992 to his final presentation, which was shown days after his death.

TEST OF TIME
Michelle Villett asked asked five women to reveal their diet, skin-care and exercise habits—and then got the world’s top anti-aging docs to weigh in.

GILLIAN DICESARE, 25
“I’m not scared of aging,” says DiCesare, a womenswear coordinator at Holt Renfrew in Toronto. “I noticed some wrinkles under my eyes when I turned 25, but it’s nothing I’m worried about yet.” She’s working on managing her more pressing concerns: work-related stress and a suspected gluten sensitivity, along with “trying to stay as positive as I can.” “It can be hard sometimes, because in your 20s, you’re still discovering what you want to do, who you want to be and where you want to go.”

There’s nothing like a walk along Sainte-Catherine Street West to recharge your retail batteries. And recently there have been many more reasons to shop downtown.

With all of the nail trends of late, we can’t stay faithful to one shade. Mark Nailed It Mini Nail Lacquers ($8 for a set of two, avon.ca) in “Stay Neutral” and “Fuchsia-istic” come in baby bottles, so they’ll be finished before we get bored of them.

From Gucci’s metallic belts to Iceberg’s wristlet bags, rope accents are a fresh way to anchor your spring accessories. A roomy canvas tote with rope handles, like this one from RW & Co. ($20), is the perfect way to wear this twisted trend.