Putting the sizzle in summer Arousing ideas for romance under the sun

[coot]

C&P'd


For gals, one single drop of K-Y Intense Arousal Gel (between $27-$32) offers a pleasurable zing of sexual arousal. According to the findings of a recent study conducted by Leger Market on behalf of K-Y, 60% of guys consider themselves the initiators on bedroom play, however, it seems the Canadian gals are a curious bunch, with more than seven out of 10 women reporting they're up for experimenting in the bedroom. Now that should add some sizzle to your summer.

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Get ready to play outside with this inspiring bedside read. The title pretty much says it all -- 101 Places to Have Sex Before You Die (Simon & Schuster, $15.50). The journal-style book offers handy hints for escaping the sexual everyday, so if you're looking to get action outside of the bedroom, this will get you started.

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Who knew skinny dipping could get even sexier? Get wet this summer with the completely waterproof lubricant, Pink Silicone. It's pool, lake and shower friendly. Find it at the shop for $20 or visit: comeasyouare.com

With a big name like X2, the latest condom from LifeStyles has a lot to live up to. Not just your plain old run-of-the-mill rubber, the X2 packs an extra pleasure punch with the help of a gel lubricant containing stimulating menthol and the natural amino acid L-Arginine on the inside and outside of the condom.

Added bonus: A sweaty, between-the-sheets workout sure beats going to the gym on hot summer nights.

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Skip the sun for a glowing tan

Getting a bronzy glow without spending summer days basking on the beach and rotating like a rotisserie chicken is the "it" way to get bikini-ready bronzed.

Answering the demand, slews of beauty companies have come out with their own formulas for a tan in a tube.

From Nivea comes a goody that promises to tan and tighten skin at the same time. The company's Summer Touch (about $10) Daily Moisturizer darkens skin gradually with daily use.

Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer offers offers similar results for about the same price. Apply the cream as you would regular moisturizer for an easy, do-it-yourself sun-kissed look.

On the higher end of the scale comes Clinique's new Body Airbrush Spray ($24). It dries in about five minutes, starts building colour in less than an hour and a multi-angle dispenser helps target hard-to-reach zones.

Added bonus: With oodles of tanning products to choose from, thankfully customer reviews for most of them are available online, which means you can look before you leap

Mist you

You might feel like a car getting a sprayed-on paint job, but for the body confident, spray tan booths are an increasingly popular option for obtaining a summery hue, sans sun. Spray tans are one of the hottest trends in L.A., Miami and New York (and are known for giving many celebs sexy, year-round tans), and companies offering the service are popping up in most major Canadian cities.

While most are bathing-suit optional, you may want to opt for the tan lines as the process typically involves an attendant joining you the booth and applying the misty spray to your body.

Results vary, but expect your glow to last between five and 10 days.

Added bonus: You'll be a sizzling, beach-ready babe without exposure to UV rays.

Say goodbye, beach sasquatch

Whether you're a manscaping newbie or a longtime trimming pro, chest-baring summer is here, fellas.

Whereas the bushy Burt Reynolds look once signified masculinity, suddenly cleaner looks are topping the charts of male grooming trends. According to the Philips company, Canadian guys have a diverse "landscape" when it comes to body hair, including:

The Lumberjack

He's a guy's man, and is proud of his heavy bodily tresses, but tends to trim around the shoulders and back.

The City Slicker

The smoothed down City Slicker wants a stylishly polished look. In other words, less body hair is better.

The Canadian Cowboy

He's rugged and not afraid to flaunt his manly chest, but he tends to keep things tidy and trimmed below the neck area.

Tighten up those jiggly bits

Dreading stripping down to your bathing suit this season?

While there's no magic potion for getting rid of cellulite, there are some innovative products that can help mask the annoying look of dimpled skin.

My Silhouette Slimming & Reshaping Gel Cream by Nivea (made with white tea and anise extract) is light-weight, easy to use and feels refreshing on the skin. The results are modest, but you will notice slight slimming action on the hips, thighs or wherever you choose to apply it.

From Yves Rocher comes Spa Vegetal Firming Body Moisturizer (about $20) made with maple sugar, Mangifera extract and oils from avocado and macadamia bring full firming power.

The name itself packs a fun punch, but the caffeine-enriched FatGirlSlim cream (about $30) has also been touted for its cellulite-diminishing benefits.

Added bonus: Many cellulite fighters also double up as moisturizers.