Sexy skin: Skin is your biggest asset, so make it glow, says Linda Hay, head makeup artist of this year’s Victoria’s Secret fashion show. A shimmering body lotion like Dove Energy Glow Shimmering Lotion, $5, drugstores, not only makes your skin soft but also helps mask imperfections with its hint of glimmer. Top that with a bit of sparkling powder on your chest for added allure.Sophisticated brows: Ever wonder why celebs like Jennifer Connelly and Brooke Shields look so effortlessly beautiful?
Their full eyebrows announce “Natural beauty!” Get the look yourself by lightly filling in your brows with soft, feathery strokes from a brow pencil, emphasizing your arch for a touch of drama, says makeup artist Nick Barose. But be sure to choose a color that’s one shade lighter than your brows, so it blends in.
Pretty pout: Drawing attention to the lips is key, but if you go too dark, glossy or thick, a sweet smooch might become a makeup mess, explains Barose. The texture of your lips should show through, no matter what you’re wearing. Good bets: A nongoopy gloss like Tarte Lipgloss in Mimi & Roger, $19, sephora.com, or a moist lipstick like Maybelline Wet Shine Lipcolor in Flushed, $7, drugstores. Wearing either kind will ensure that you’ll have kissable lips all night long.
Dramatic lashes: Nothing is sexier — and easier to pull off — than thick black lashes against lightly powdered lids. Hay says this can be achieved with a few layers of a thickening and lengthening mascara like Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy Lashes Intensifying Mascara, $12, victoriassecret.com. The shadows that long lashes cast on your face are completely bewitching.
Red-hot nails: Feeling romantic is all in the details, and true red polish can instantly snap you out of daily-grind mode. The color of power, red is known to be stimulating and energetic — all things you want for date night. Keep it simple and wear it on your fingers or your toes, suggests Barose: “Just don’t do both at once.”
Touchable hair: Luckily, the most romantic hair look is also the simplest, without a lot of product or fuss. For soft control, skip the gels and strong hairsprays and grab a flexible-hold mousse like Aussie Dual Personality Mousse + Leave-in Conditioner, Flexible Hold, $3, drugstores, then dry your hair as usual. You’ll end up with a pretty style that he can still run his fingers through.
Smooth feet: Start by smoothing your soles with a pumice stone to erase any rough spots, then slather on an ultra-moisturizing lotion. Next, soak a few hand towels in warm water, wring them out and wrap them around your feet. After a few minutes, calluses will be history.
All-natural beauty: When it comes to romantic makeup, “Don’t pile it on!” urges Raina Thiele, East Coast regional manager of Pout Cosmetics. Even if your makeup looks good from a distance, it may be overkill when your man is inches away from your face. Instead, opt for a light foundation or tinted moisturizer with a sweep of blush to give your face a fresh, youthful flush.
Spoil Yourself Silly
Candy is fine, but pretty polish, sweet scents and luscious lipgloss… now that’s amore!
Pretty in Pink Polish
There’s no need to dress in head-to-toe hearts to show your romantic streak. Just apply a shiny coat of one of these festive colors. Wet ’n’ Wild Wild Shine Nail Color in Frosted Fuchsia, Red Red and Lavender Crème, $1 each, drugstores
Chocolate-Covered Lipgloss
This creamy palette of 20 cocoa-flavored shades is the perfect gift for your best galpal — if you don’t keep it for yourself. Too Faced Box of Pink Chocolates Lip Gloss Assortment, $28, toofaced.com
Simply Irresistible Suds
Infused with a yummy blend of aloe vera, passionflower and ginseng, these bubbles leave rough skin smelling fresh and feeling like silk. Mixed Emotions Kiss Me Crème Brulee Body Cleanser, $20, shopmixedemotions.com
Skin Treat
Smooth this berry body cream — spiked with super-subtle shimmer — onto your shoulders for a soft, natural glow. Jessica Simpson Sweet Kisses Deliciously Kissable Shimmer Body Frosting in Strawberry Sorbet, $15, Wal-Mart
Candy Girl
These fund-raising mints (portions of the proceeds go to Operation Smile) may be sugar-free, but they’ll still leave your breath kissably sweet. Sephora Pretty Minty Sugar-Free Mints, $4, sephora.com
Sugarcoated Scent
We know, we know: This come-hither fragrance (with hints of warm vanilla and soft floral notes) is what you really want to unwrap. Sugar Makes the Heart Grow Fonder eau de parfum spray, $28, sephora.com
$20 and under
Toasting Time
Let’s hear it for the classics! This small bottle of bubbly comes decked out in eye-popping pink for a Valentine’s celebration. The champagne inside is pink, too. Pink POP Rosé Champagne by Pommery, $10 for 187ml, finewinehouse.com
Sweet Noshings
Share your sugary sentiments with this box of nine chocolate-covered Oreo cookies. Four are dunked in white chocolate, five in dark chocolate, and all are sprinkled with candy hearts. Oreo Cookie Love Box of 9, $18.50, goodfortunes.com
Instant Messaging
Trying to tell someone something? Forget subtlety. This
all-cotton, long-sleeve T-shirt should get your point across. Valentine’s T-shirt, $12.50, Old Navy
Object of Affection
These heart-shaped lead-crystal bowls, rimmed in red, make any day of the year feel special. Nachtmann Heart 2 Heart snack bowl, $12.50, and bowl, $20, amazon.com, or call 888-
4-RIEDEL for stores
Love in Bloom
Soak yourself in romance by dropping a couple of these rose-scented bubble-bath soaps into a warm tub. They produce minimal suds. Bath roses, $4, H&M stores
© 2006 HealthNewsDigest.com