KEY POINTS:
Of course you can hint about what kind of present you'd like today, but sometimes you've just got to take direct action and go get it for yourself. Who cares if it's not as romantic? At least you'll have what you want. But if we were to hint, fragrant things are always appreciated.
1. Clinique High Definition Lashes Brush-Then-Comb Mascara
$42
Not very romantic, I know, but fluttering lashes have a Valentine's feel about them. And if you are picking up something for yourself, this could almost change your life - at the very least your eyes. This mascara manages to give an entirely natural-looking lash if your lashes happen to be extremely long, voluminous and distinctly unclumpy. It has something to do with the brush, which is half regular wand and half comb.
* From selected department stores and pharmacies.
2. Chanel Allure Sensuelle Body Cream
$148 for 200g
This is unadulterated pleasure on so many levels. It's Chanel and you can't go wrong with anything bearing the interlocking C crest. It's infused with the beautiful Allure Sensuelle fragrance which, if you want to get technical, is a soft oriental floral. The packaging is absolute luxury and the cream is intensely moisturising. Rich people's skin doubtless feels this soft and smells this fragrant.
* From selected department stores and pharmacies.
3. Guerlain KissKiss Laque Fabulous Rose
$49 for 6ml
Such a great name for a lip-gloss this. And whether you're planning on a spot of air-kissing or something more meaningful, this gloss is a star. You get the kind of colour you expect with a lipstick as well as full-on reflective shine. And it's one of the few stayers in the lip-gloss world that doesn't come off five minutes after you've applied it. The rose shade is an all-rounder.
* From selected department stores.
4. Narciso Rodriguez For Her
$150 for 50ml
Always a sucker for anything limited edition, this one comes with a special pink grosgrain ribbon on the box and on the bottle - just because it's Valentine's Day. This is a honey of a fragrance, taking in pink florals, amber and wood notes, making it something that is touted as being the fragrance of seduction and femininity. Have to agree.
* From Smith & Caughey's.
5. With Love ... Hilary Duff
$119 for 100ml eau de parfum
The phenomenon of celebrity fragrance continues. Hilary Duff, the young singer-slash-actress is, her publicists say, also a designer and philanthropist, giving money to Hurricane Katrina victims and helping out with a charity for children in need. Aww. This oriental is "an expression of love in all its forms and dimensions". It has mangosteen fruit, cocobolo wood, amber and musk and is one for the young miss.
* From Farmers.
