Contradictions are what make his work tick. Take the package of his perfumes. So plain, so... shall we say, banal? Open one, and you expect what? A square bottle? What you get instead is a perfectly proportioned woman's torso, capable of flattering any of Gaultier's couture creations. Apply the fragrance to your pulse points. Breathe in... the headiness of the perfume will make your senses swim. That is what Jean Paul Gaultier is all about.

"Jean Paul Gaultier has been evolving quietly through his career and we are with him to ensure we accompany his evolution, and follow his direction," says a spokesperson from BPI, which is a subsidiary of Shiseido, which handles the Gaultier fragrance line.

Thus, if today, we see that the official portrait of Gaultier is dignified, almost corporate, instead of the thumb-my-nose-at-you brat of yesteryears, it is because the brat has sobered, has been appointed style guru for Hermes, which believes in classical qualities, and also because Gaultier himself believes that every human being is neither black nor white nor grey, but holds in himself all the colours of the spectrum.

So what do the perfumes hold for the woman who ventures into the world of Gaultier?

Classique was relaunched in 2003 with the rose at the heart of the scent. The EDT seduces the senses with a blend of rose and star anise, followed by orange blossom and ginger, which lead to vanilla and woody amber. The eau de parfum is quite another story. Here, rose is warmed by voluptuous, Oriental tones - rhum, orchid, vanilla and sweet wood - dressed in black lace over glass... seduction has a classic face.

For the woman who is both vulnerable and unbeatable, Gaultier presents Fragile. The ad says it all... the woman is proud, haughty, but that golden streak under her eye, is it not a tear?

Fragile explores the chemistry of the mysterious tuberose. In days of yore, young women were forbidden to wander in fields of tuberose lest they lost power over their senses. Gaultier captures the essence in two ways. Picked at dawn, the tuberose is fresh, innocent; picked at night, it is sensual and overpowering. The Fragile EDT is soft, fresh, fruity and musky, with the tuberose at its centre. The Fragile Parfum is stronger of course, and holds bewitching mystery, power and yet, is oh so fragile. Captive inside a bubble, shimmering with swirls of gold dust, the woman is inaccessible, yet irresistible, exactly what the perfume makes its wearer.

Lock Lustre

Unlock the secret of lovely, shiny locks - Pantene introduces a new shampoo that promises to make hair 10 times stronger, so that you radiate lustre from within. The secret is 'aminos', what Pantene calls the building blocks of life. Their cosmetic power is being exploited by the cosmetic industry today, with great results. Being minute, they penetrate right down to the hair cortex, the place that gives your mane its strength and flexibility. Look out for the five new varieties of this protein-enriched formula: Pantene Smooth and Silky, Volume and Fullness, Long Black, Hair Fall Control and Lively Clean. The price remains unchanged at Rs 98 for a 200 ml bottle, Rs 51 for a 100 ml bottle and Rs 3 for a 7.5 ml sachet. Available at general and chemist's outlets across the country.

For The Man In Your Life

It announces itself as "A mature return to childhood sensations" - that's Kenzoair, the new fragrance for men. Think of vetiver taking flight, and a bold composition strumming notes of star anise and light, amber woods. For the eau de toilette, bergamot is accompanied by anise against a vetiver base note, sourced all the way from exotic Haiti. The range includes 90 and 50 ml bottles of eau de toilette spray, 150 ml after-shave lotion spray and perfumed deodorant natural spray, among others. In 2005, Kenzoair will also be available as an eau de parfum.

Roberto Cavalli In India

ITF SpA (Italy), a society that develops and distributes the most exclusive perfume and cosmetic brands in Europe and the rest of the world, in association with Cosmos Brands International, has launched Fragrances by Roberto Cavalli in India. Roberto Cavalli Man and Roberto Cavalli Woman, the first line of fragrances by Roberto Cavalli, are symbolised by the serpent, a symbol that, according to Roberto Cavalli, "has brought me so much success in fashion that I chose to interpret it in this 'dream of mine'".

Fresh and attractive, Roberto Cavalli Woman's top notes are floral and spicy, blending the freshness of mandarins and calabria bergamots with magnolia's flowery sheerness. It is then enriched with a note of elemi and red apple. The heart note reveals flowery tones - Mary roses, freesias, wild orchids and silky puffs softened by the warm touch of Atlas cedar wood. The seductive base note has hints of amber illuminated by patchouli, sandalwood and musk.

Price 40 ml: Rs 2,300, 75 ml: Rs 2,995.

Roberto Cavalli Man - A surprising, immediate freshness, created by notes of bergamot, ginger and lemon. A masculine heart develops around leather and cedar wood, seducing us with the transgression of absinthe balanced by the reassuring scent of lavender. Notes of sandalwood and myrrh, chords of liatris and musk, draw us into the smooth harmony of comforting base notes. Price 50 ml: Rs 2,200, 100 ml: Rs 2,600.

The fragrances are available at:

Mumbai : Gabana - Khar; Shoppers Stop - Bandra , Malad, Andheri; KBN; SAGA; Mado; La Galleria (Juhu), New Delhi : Shoppers' Stop, Kunchals Bangalore : Shoppers Stop, Hyderabad : One Store

All-Day Moisture

Lock moisture into your skin. Oriflame's Continuous Moisture Foundation with SPF 8 contains moisturising spheres that time release softening and hydrating agents into the skin to ensure a continuous moisturising process. Ideal for normal to dry skin, the foundation, priced at Rs 279, provides light to medium coverage. The new range also carries make-up sponges to facilitate smooth and even coverage. Keep those lips moist with Oriflame's Maxi Shine Lipsticks, which are semi-sheer and packed with moisturising emollients. Containing sunscreen to protect the lips, these seven new shades are available for Rs 179 each. Grab these products in the month of November, when they will be available at special introductory prices!

Clear A Pore

Clearasil brings to India some popular products from its international portfolio. The new International Cleansing Range comprises of basic products designed to unblock pores and keep them free of blackheads and acne. Pore Cleansing Lotion attacks the root cause of blackheads and pimples by deep cleaning the pores of excess oil and pimple-causing bacteria. Pore Purifying Wipes come in a portable, resealable pack and are a one-step cleansing system for those on the move. They are designed to clear away oil, dirt and make up, leaving your skin clean and shine-free. Double Action Pads act as cleansers and make-up removers - just wipe, flip them over and wipe again for visibly clear skin. Products from the international range are priced between Rs 49 to 249.

Feather-Light Touch

Hindustan Lever Limited has introduced a new variant in its personal wash category - Dove Ultra Moisturising Body Wash. Dove's body wash builds up a creamy lather that cleanses without drying, while its rich moisturiser hydrates the skin to nourish and protect it. Priced at Rs 120 for a 250 ml bottle, it comes with a free loofah so you can exfoliate while you shower!

The LLLT Buzz

Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a painless, non-toxic therapy that has been used in Europe for over 30 years to treat numerous ailments. Berkowits Cosmetics and Skin Clinic has imported this laser therapy in the form of the Hairmax Laser Comb and the Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL). The Laser Comb is a low-level laser device used by many hair transplant surgeons to complement their procedure. High Intensity Pulsed Light Therapy is computer-controlled therapy that is based on emitting high intensity pulses of light to penetrate the skin and rid the patient of various complaints. Amongst the skin problems treated by this method are freckles, age spots, sunspots, hyper pigmentation, spider veins and even the removal of unwanted hair.

For more information, contact your nearest Berkowits Clinic.