EVER SINCE MADONNA FELL FOR GUY RITCHIE, SHE'S LOOKED MORE GORGEOUS THAN EVER. WE LOOK AT WHY BEING IN LOVE IS THE BEST-KEPT BEAUTY SECRET IN HOLLYWOOD...

Has anyone not noticed how amazing Madonna currently looks? Not that the Queen Of Pop makes a habit of looking rough; it's just that recently there's been a kind of satisfied glow about her. And it's not just from being pregnant - a lot of people put the change down to her being madly in love and that this love has made her more beautiful, inside and out.

There's no doubt she's in love. She told Canadian newspaper The Calgary Sun earlier this year about Guy, 'I adore him,' and, in a recent interview with The Face. Madonna said: 'You know when people say "he turned my head"? My head didn't just turn [when I met Guy] - my head spun around on my body!... Not many people stop you in your tracks.'

It's that phenomenon that LOOKS is investigating - can love transform you into a woman who looks sexy in anything?

LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING

In a word, yes, says Anna Souteriou, a stylist who has worked with the likes of the Corrs and Mel Sykes. 'On a general level love can change your style because, initially at least, you make more of an effort. Your image changes and you're more likely to experiment and try different things to see if they work for you. Look at Mel C, who's started to look more feminine with her shoulder-length hair and more curvaceous body since she was romantically linked with J from Five.'

And since Drew Barrymore got engaged, she seems to have forgotten to wear those fashion monstrosities she was so famous for. Even when she was snapped recently without make-up she looked amazing, because that's what love does to you.

And what has it done to Madonna since she met Guy? 'Madonna is always changing and evolving her style,' says Anna, 'but what has changed about her is her attitude - she seems more relaxed and chilled.'

So, what's the psychology behind this 'looking amazing when you fall in love' business? Is it a coincidence that women who are in love look good? No, according to London-based psychologist Ingrid Collins. She says when you're in love, everyone knows - and not just because you spend all your time talking about the lucky man: 'You feel a sense of abundance and don't need to spend as much time proving you're beautiful, because someone's there who thinks you're beautiful all the time.'

And what about the glowing' thing we've seen in celebs such as Madonna. Catherine Zeta Jones, Kate Winslet and Drew Barrymore? Are these women literally glowing' with happiness? Ingrid Collins says: 'Love gives you a deep self-confidence that shows. For example, when someone walks into a room and they are pre-occupied, no-one notices them; but when someone who's feeling good about themselves walks into a room, everyone notices. This is because, as human beings, we're sensitive to the energy given off by other people and if it's positive energy, we're drawn.'

THE BABY EFFECT

And we mustn't forget the pregnancy factor in this celeb lovefest. According to Sue Hills, director of C4's newest style programme Slave: A lot of top stars currently look amazing, because they're pregnant and pregnant women glow.'

But still, there's no doubt love is one of the best beauty products around - and when it's gone you notice it. Take Patsy Kensit. She hasn't looked her best since the split with Liam, and during public rows they used to have, she looked drained.

The effects of a split don't have to be permanent, though. The self-confidence you discover when in love can still carry on after you've fallen out of love. As Ingrid Collins adds: All experiences change us -it's our responsibility to learn from that change, good or bad, and see how we move on from that.'

Sue Hills sums up the whole looks and love thing: 'Once you've got your man, you might not need to make that much of an effort. At the beginning of a relationship, say during the first three months, your look might change - but then you'll settle down into being who you are.'

That seems to be the word from the Madonna camp - she's more comfortable with who she is now she's a mother and in love. As Madonna herself said to America's People magazine: 'I've changed and grown up. Having a child has made me more aware of my actions and my words. I'm probably a better girlfriend, because I was much more selfish and self-involved before.'

Well, whatever's changed Mads, it certainly looks good on her.