AH, VALENTINE’S Day.

Can you feel the love in the air? Can you taste the sweet nothings on your tongue?

But, mostly, can you hear the sound of palms being rubbed together gleefully as florists and restaurateurs islandwide eagerly anticipate cashing in on the occasion?

Yes, cynics might say that Valentine’s Day is merely an opportunity for businesses to reap big profits from moon-eyed lovers.

But there is an upside to the madness – beauty companies get inspired to release products inspired by love.

Here’s a quick list:

SEPHORA SOAP BUBBLES IN GUAVA PASSION

For a fun way to celebrate the day without breaking the bank, all you need is a tub of water and a bottle of this bubbly ($24, from Sephora at Ngee Ann City). A round kawaii-kitsch bottle houses an elixir that produces mounds of froth and comes with a bubble-blower for your inner child. Significant other not totally required.

LCDP WHITE ORCHID LIQUID SOAP AND BODY LOTION

No time or funds for a Tahitian get-away? No problem. LCDP’s liquid soap and body lotion ($109, from Tangs Beauty Hall) is scented with exotic white orchid with overtones of iris, narcissus and amber. It’ll have you channelling French Polynesia while standing in your shower.

EMPORIO ARMANI DIAMONDS INTENSE

Diamonds Intense from Emporio Armani ($125 for 100ml, from Tangs Beauty Hall, Sephora and Robinsons at Raffles City Shopping Centre) is rose-based, and coupled with lusciously-edible notes of raspberry and vanilla.

It’s for the bold temptress and minx in every woman.

KENZO POWER

Too often, the men are left out, forgotten, and totally neglected in the Valentine’s Day frenzy.

Enter Kenzo Power for men ($121 for 125ml, from Tangs Beauty Hall and Sephora), Kenzo’s latest offering for the tougher sex.

It’s a simple, surprising blend of opposites that smells both woody and spicy. The scent comes in a fragrance flask with streamlined metal curves inspired by a Kenya Hara sake-bottle design. Call this man bling at its best-smelling.

RALPH LAUREN ALWAYS YOURS

Ralph Lauren’s Always Yours ($115 for 50ml, from Tangs BeautyHall, Sephora and Robinsons at Raffles City Shopping Centre) is a re-working of its bestseller, Romance. With its sensual musk notes, it’s like falling in love in a sunlit garden – or at least that’s what it smells like.

Beautiful, classic, fresh and feminine.

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