The ancient Greeks and Romans thought beauty was one of the most important aspects of existence, right up there with truth, wisdom and health. As most humans have figured out, staying healthy is the first step to staying attractive. And the cultures of the world who have emphasized an enthusiastic or exotic approach grooming and hygiene are often known as the most exciting and beautiful people. Think of the ancient Egyptians and their love of cosmetics and perfumes. The Japanese and their flawless skin and glossy hair. Hawaiians of robust health and beauty. French women who owe their enthralling looks to minimal make up and scrupulous skin care. The modern American emphasis on fitness and good nutrition.
 
Most of us would be willing to admit that our grooming choices are not just about getting ourselves clean and fresh and smooth, but about looking and feeling beautiful and sexy. This is a really personal thing–some of us like a natural look, some of us like to vamp it up, some of us like a "less is more" illusion–and many of us go for a different look or feel depending on the occasion or our moods.

But Aphrodite can help us with each of these grooming styles–she prompts us to be our most feminine and exciting selves, whether we're preparing for a hot date, a romantic night with our partner or just hanging with our own divine selves!

The quiz below can help you determine your grooming type and help you identify what habits you might want to change or enhance. Tips for each type are given below...and you can choose tips from the various types to suit your mood whenever you want!

If you chose mostly A answers: You're a Come-As-You-Are!
You don't like fussing over your looks and probably prefer a casual look in your clothes, too

Helpful Aphrodisian Tips:
The Path of Beauty need not be fraught with difficulty. Consider the basics: is your hair shiny and healthy, or tangled and dry? Are your nail cuticles smooth or ragged? Does your skin look dull? If you do some work now, you can coast on some things later: for example, get a good, simple haircut and you can trim it yourself, maybe. Get your teeth whitened and then use your Crest for Kids with impunity. Hand cream once or twice a day keeps your nails and cuticles healthy. Find an exfoliating facial cleanser and a decent moisturizer and you'll get gorgeous skin in moments a day. The no-make-up look is fine, but a touch of colored lipgloss and a dash of mascara can work wonders, too, with a minimum of effort. Oh, and Noxema is not perfume. Try nice scented soaps  from Lush or Burt's Bees-they impart a nice smelly aura without you having to worry about stinking like a fashion magazine.

If you chose mostly B answers: You're a Sophisticate. (No exclamation points for you)
You're classy and classic and fairly routine in your grooming habits.

Helpful Aphrodisian Tips:
Don't be afraid to shake things up a bit! We sometimes get used to our routine and don't realize a small change can help enhance our looks or well-being. Do you usually wear the same two or three colors of eye shadow, because you're a pale, green-eyed brunette and lavender, pink and brown shadows are the only ones that "work" for you? Surprise your eyes and your admirers with something new: silvery shadow, or plum eyeliner, or apple green mascara! Aphrodite loves newness and variety and color! If you confine yourself to one scent, experiment until you find another–you need not retire your "signature" but wearing something romantic, light and floral is a nice way to get notiiced if you usually wear a musky modern fragrance. Don't worry about striking out–you have a refined sense of what is right for you. And that means trying out that glittery purple lipstick this weekend...

If you chose mostly C answers: You're a Beauty Junkie!
You're in love with cosmetics and with trying new products and routines, and love to be noticed!

Helpful Aphrodisian Tips:
Everyone loves a party girl; but sometimes a gentler approach is the key to standing out in a crowd. Last season's eyes: natural and muted. This season's eyes: rainbow-hued and glowing. Yahoo! You love any excuse to get your freak on. But if you find you have drawers full of last-month's stuff in your bathroom, you might do better to cultivate a "look" and stick with it for a few months (or, okay, calm down, weeks) and see what happens. Start with the small stuff: your soap, shampoo and conditioner. Then facial cleanser and moisturizer. Then a fragrance (you can pick one for everyday and one for naughty-girl nights, for now–how do you want people to remember you?). Then try a make-up look you can live with for a while–again, one look for day (try a neutral but snazzy eye color like smoky grey or dusky plum, and lips of matte rose or glossy ginger) and one for night (give the glitter a rest–go with black or white eyeshadow, and red lips–cool!). Enjoy finding and refining your style...it is what people find exciting about you.

If you chose mostly D answers: You're an Ivory Girl!
You enjoy a natural look but you like to enhance it with effective (cruelty-free!) products, too.

Helpful Aphrodisian Tips:
Your beauty routine is pretty pat–but you're reluctant to try things that seem faddish or "high-tech." Don't be–cosmetics these days are definitely catering to sexy hippie chicks like you! Haircolor, for example. Many of these use natural essential oils and are non-toxic, like Clairol Natural Instincts, so you can try on a new hue. Or get a bright shade of henna and add highlights. As for enhancing your effortless natural look, a bit of shine and shimmer is just right. Many eye and lip colors and translucent powders come with light-reflecting ingredients to add some subtle sparkle, which will be great on your healthy, glowing skin. If you're still against nail polish, you can get a buffing kit and enjoy shiny, strong nails without the acetone fumes! As for perfume, if you can't find an all-natural one you like, try putting essential oils into your body lotion and create your own personal blend! (Check out the article in this series "Scents and Sensuality" for ideas!)