from hair to bare

OK, this is awkward. I'm standing naked in the bathroom with my legs covered in new Veet In-Shower Hair Removal Cream ($7.99). I have to wait one minute before entering the shower but no more than two minutes once I'm in there before washing it off. The bad news is, it smells like you'd think hair remover would smell (but it won't be as noticeable once you break open the aromatherapy shampoo). The good news is, I can condition my hair while I'm waiting. Of course, this requires a slightly difficult stance--trying to get my head under the water but keep my legs out of it so as not to wash the cream off too soon. Finally, it's time to come clean. I use the white textured side of the application sponge to wipe away the cream, which hopefully takes the hair along with it, then I rinse off any excess under the shower head. As I finish my cleansing routine, I have my doubts. I think about all the precautions listed on the outer package: Only use on legs, arms, underarms and bikini lines, don't use on irritated, sunburned or recently shaved skin, test for an allergic reaction beforehand, wipe cream off immediately if you feel any tingling, don't exceed six minutes of application time, among others. That's a lot to think about when all you want to do is take a nice, relaxing shower! But you can't be too cautious with these things. I towel dry and run my hands over my legs to experience the results. Smooth sailing! Overall, it was a pretty simple process and--luckily for those of us who just aren't always safe with a razor in hand--a fairly painless one. I can't wait to see how long it lasts. Get your own smooth at www.veet.us.

trust your intuition

Less time in the shower, less mess and greater rewards. That's what Schick's new Intuition Plus razor offers on-the-go women with no time to spare. Whether you have to get yourself to work or your kid to class, the Intuition Plus makes shaving quicker, smoother and easier. The first and only razor that lathers, shaves and moisturizes in one easy step--now why didn't anyone think of this sooner?! You'll know it's unique from the second you pick it up--it has a slim, easy-to-grab handle that's comfortable to hold and use, and a no-slip rubber grip for precise control (definitely not your boyfriend's shaving tool!) The razor itself features four blades surrounded by a skin moisturizing solid (it looks like a deodorant stick!) enriched with shea butter, aloe and vitamin E. So your skin gets moisturized as you shave! I hop in the shower to give it a try and--voila! The Intuition starts lathering up as it hits my skin and the pivoting head lets me get a close shave, leaving my skin super soft. And talk about customizing your razor--the Intuition Plus is available in three types of handles (Advanced Moisture, Refreshing Moisture and Soothing Moisture) as well as four kinds of refills (Advanced Moisture Shea Butter, Refreshing Moisture with Cucumber Melon Scent, Sensitive Care with Aloe and Vitamin E, and Soothing Moisture with Milk and Honey). Check out www.schickintuition.com for more info or go to www.drugstore.com to make your purchase (it retails for only $9.29).

VDay: give beauty (her)

Let's face it--the best gift a girl can receive is one that makes her feel pampered, especially since life can be so stressful these days. Help your favorite female de-stress with these luxurious products from Pevonia Botanica. Start with the Anti-Stress Bath & Shower Gel, made up of hazel nut oil, chamomile and lavender to cleanse and hydrate. Apply all over your body during a bath or shower and feel the stress melt away. The Anti-Stress Bath Salts with Essential Oils also work wonders; just pour one or two scoops of salt into a warm bath and experience its calming properties. Need more relief? Try the Anti-Stress Aromatic Seaweed Bath, designed to mineralize and nourish. With seaweed and pine needle essential oils, it detoxifies and renews. Finish with the Dry Oil Body Moisturizer with squalane, chamomile and lavender to leave skin silky soft with a radiant glow. Once she's hooked, treat her to Pevonia's De-Aging collection including mists, saltmousse and body balms in papaya-pineapple and passion fruit. She can try them at home or at a Pevonia spa--go to www.pevonia.com to find the one nearest you.