Get Irresistibly Soft.

Craving caressable skin and hair that defies midwinter dryness? Set in motion this strategy for making every inch of you silk smooth.

Soften Your Locks

Exposure to winter's harsh elements can make strands feel like straw, so make sure your mane is silky (and ready for him to run his hands through) with these softening tips from NYC tresspert Jimmy Paul. In the shower, comb a deep-conditioning mask through clean, damp hair, gather locks in a butterfly clip, then step away from the spray. "The steam from the shower will help the mask penetrate the hair shaft," says Paul. Let the mask sink into your strands for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Thick-haired girls should seek out oil-enriched formulas (see Our Favorite Smoothers and Soothers on page 242). Fine-haired femmes beware: Avoid conditioners that have oil listed as one of the first five ingredients or you'll be limp-locked for days, and always shampoo post-mask. (Don't worry--you wont wash away the mask's benefits, just rid your mane of excess residue.) In addition, to help battle dryness, switch from a spray-on styling product to ones you apply with your fingertips (like balms, pomades, and creams), which are more moisturizing than watery stylers. Paul loves Clinique Straightening Balm, $13.50, which he recommends for all hair types. "It acts as a leave-in conditioner as it adds shine," he says. Others to try: MOP Glisten High Shine Pomade, $14.95, and Biolage Defining Elixir, $10.

Quench Your Complexion

If you have flakes on your face that aren't a result of frolicking in the snow, you're in need of the following skin rehab routine. First, slough off the winter-weary outer layer of skin cells that are dulling your complexion by using a cleanser containing both a chemical exfoliator (like alpha- and beta-hydroxy acids), and a physical slougher, like microbeads (see chart on the next page for suggestions). The next step is to saturate your skin with moisture and trap it there, says David E. Bank, a Mount Kisco, New York, dermatologist. "Your skin should be slightly damp when you apply your moisturizer," says Dr. Bank. "It will serve as a barrier to prevent the water from escaping." In the morning, use a gentle hydrating cream with SPF 15 to nourish and protect your face. (See page 242 for our faves.) At night, apply an alpha-hydroxy acid cream to exfoliate dried-out cells and lock moisture into the skin simultaneously. We like Neutrogena Healthy Skin Face Lotion, $11.55. If your cheeks are so red and chapped--either from the wind or from your squeeze's scruff--that it stings to wash your face, switch to a wipe-off cleanser, which will be gentler. Try Aveeno Skin Replenishing Cleansing Lotion, $6.99; or Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser Cream, $5.75.

Get Silken Skin

Our favorite way to make every inch of skin utterly touchable: Hop in the shower and massage a body scrub all over, concentrating on any rough spots. Dry off, then ask your man to cover you completely in a rich oil-based body cream (check out the above chart for hot picks). Now slip into a pair ...