Scent the stage for romance - Look Great

Shape, Feb, 2004

The right scent can lead to love, according to studies at the Sense of Smell Institute in New York City. In fact, mood is significantly affected by fragrance. Enhance your romantic moments with scents known for their aphrodisiac properties: jasmine, tuberose, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, rose and clary sage. A warm bubble bath, massage oil or candles scented with one of these fragrances increases the enjoyment of tender moments. Turn the page for products that help evoke a sensual mood.

SCENT-SUAL TREATS

Get soft, silky, delicious-smelling skin that your favorite someone will want to cozy up to this Valentine's Day. For instant romance, just try one of the following products:

Femme Fatale Satin Soak in French Vanilla Fling ($32; 877-APOTHIA) creates creamy, moisturizing, vanilla-scented bubbles when poured into a warm bath.

Kneipp Wild Rose

Body Oil ($24; www.kneipp.com) softens skin with a blend of emollient almond and sunflower-seed oils and leaves a refreshing floral scent.

Mixed Emotions kiss me Creme Brulee Body Cream ($22) is a luxurious moisturizer with extracts of passion flower and ginseng and a sweet scent. Also try the kiss me Creme Brulee Body Scrub ($25; both available at shopmixed emotions.com).

BUY OF THE MONTH Botanical Nutrients Olive Sandalwood Styling Pomade ($13.50; 800-395-1001) from Bath & Body Works' hair-care line uses organic flaxseed to provide hold, and gives extra conditioning and shine thanks to organic olive extract. Polish your look in an instant by working through the ends of dry hair.

BEAUTY DIRECTOR'S PICK

skin-damage control

We've all heard about the havoc that environmental factors--the sun, pollution and even heat--can wreak on skin. And, to be honest, plenty of products have been launched that claim to undo this wear and tear. But now there's a new product up to the task: Clinique Repairwear Day SPF 15, which comes in both an Intensive Cream and Lotion ($45 each; clinique.com). This cousin to Repairwear Night (a nourishing cream launched in 2002) activates the skin's repair systems (thanks to potent anti-irritants and antioxidants) so the skin is better able to fight damage.

--Valerie Latona

this just out ...

During February, American Heart Month, you can support the fight against heart disease by making smart purchases. For example, buy any Pantene conditioner this month, and a portion of the sale will be donated to the American Heart Association. And beginning Feb. 1, you can call (888) MY-HEART to learn about other beauty-product manufacturers donating a portion of their profits to the cause.

QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN

Stash these hydrating, protective products in your day pack--whether you're zipping around a half pipe, skiing moguls or snowshoeing through the great outdoors.

1. Kiehl's All-Sport "Non-Freeze" Face Protector SPF 30 ($15.50; kiehls.com) shields your skin from sun-and windburn, and its waxy formula won't run into your eyes.

2. ThermoMax Warm Cream ($20; warmcream.com) has L-arginine, an amino acid that restores warmth to chilly hands and feet.

3. Aloette Aloepure Warming Pumpkin Energizing Masque ($25; aloette.com) exfoliates and purifies with pumpkin enzymes and jojoba beads.

4. Therapy Systems Emergency Treatment Cream ($29.50; 800-733-8606) brings deep moisture to dry skin, and calms irritation with 1 percent hydrocortisone.

5. Alchemy Medic Lip Treatment Scrub ($14; sephora.com) smoothes and moisturizes dry, peeling lips with jojoba and avocado oil.

6. Mario Badescu Protective Cream for Skiing SPF 15 ($20; mariobadescu.com), with carnation and rose oils, is a moisturizing barrier for your face.

7. Weleda Everon Face Balm ($10; usa.weleda.com) uses beeswax to protect skin from the elements and drying indoor heat.

8. Stila sport lash visor ($16; sephora.com) lengthens and thickens lashes, and can handle the most inclement weather.

9. Aveda hand relief ($18; aveda.com) soothes and hydrates chapped, winter-weary hands with plant emollients and vitamins A and E.

10. Zeal [H.sub.2]O Seriously Advanced Lip Balm ($3-$4; at drugstores) uses transparent zinc oxide for UV protection and can be clipped onto a ski jacket. IF YOU BUY ONE THING THIS MONTH ...

See-Through Style Hints of Lucite and transparent vinyl struck runways recently, clearly adding a modern twist to spring accessory staples like tote bags and sandals. One must-have: Calvin Klein's Lucite sandal with lizard-pattern straps ($650; at Calvin Klein, New York City, 212-292-9000)

editor's pick

Spring may not have sprung just yet, but flower power is back. From floral fabrics to silk appliques, it's a fresh take on femininity. The most cost-effective way to get the look? Affix a flower pin to your favorite T-shirt, jacket or skirt. Voila!--you're instantly chic. Try this pretty pale-pink organza rose from Amici ($12; amici accessories.com).

memoirs of a sole-searcher

Passionate, creative and innovative are just a few words that describe Kenneth Cole, the New York designer and fashion icon. His talent for both setting trends and addressing social issues in his provocative ads is brilliantly fused in the recently published Footnotes (Simon & Schuster, 2003; $35; simonsays.com). This retrospective-cum-memoir showcases dozens of samples from Cole's renowned advertising campaigns as well as memories of his rise to becoming one of America's leading clothing and accessory designers.