Date Night Diva

2/7/2009

Valentine's Day is centered around good old fashioned romance. If you're in a relationship, it's a reminder to put your love life back on the front burner where it belongs, if even for one night. If you're single and being set up, or just in the throes of a budding relationship, it's a night where possibility is heavy in the air. Either way, as with most nights on the town, our favorite part is in the getting ready. Here are some beauty basics that will remind your man that he won the lottery, or lock down the heart of a crush. But most importantly, here's how to make sure you love how you feel, no matter what happens at night's end.

Beneath your flirty dinner-date get-up, lay the groundwork with a delectably sweet body scrub. Try LaLicious Sugar Kiss Souffle Moisturizing Body Scrub ($34). The all-natural blend of citrus, rose and vanilla will seep into your skin, making him want to keep you close all night. Slather your body in the shower, and rinse off for a softer, sweeter you.

Trust us, men notice a woman's hands, and you can't get away with hiding your chipped fingernails under the dinner table all night. Make him want to reach across the table for them by painting a splash of hot color on your nails. Try a bright red-violet, like Wildfire from Creative Nail Design's spring collection (cnd.com for locations). Keep them short, trimmed to an eighth of an inch, so nails look glam, not gaudy.

Our cheeks get flushed when we're excited, because blood flows through the tiny vessels in our cheeks and turn them rosy. It's why a pre-blush Scarlett O'Hara pinched her cheeks when Rhett Butler came calling. Simulate this physiological response by choosing a bright pink blusher that will brighten up your cheeks and send the hint that you're digging him. We like Make Up For Ever Sculpting Blush in #10 ($24) because it's a vibrant hue that can be worn by anyone, and can be layered to create greater intensity.

That's why we're digging Bobbi Brown's Creamy Lip Color in Retro Pink ($22) from her spring line. It really is creamy, and glides on easily with just the right amount of color for the perfectly sweet pink pucker.

Send subtle aromatic hints by topping it all off with a romantic fragrance. Keeping in mind that men like sweets (think vanilla, not spice), we reached for Harajuku Lovers Fragrance in Love ($25 for 10mL). The vanilla orchid and pink pomelo comes off as sweet but not sappy. (We are partial to musky scents ourselves, but still found this alluring.)