Just in time for Valentine's Day, a

contest sponsored by Merle Norman Cosmetics

on Greenville Bypass will determine who has the softest, smoothest kiss in Greenville.

Greenville Advocate Publisher Eric Bishop and Managing Editor Derek Brown will judge the competition and finally put an end to the question: who's got the best kiss in town?

Between Feb. 3 and Feb 14, contestants can obtain an entry blank at the Gateway Plaza Merle Norman. To enter,

apply lip color and kiss the entry blank

to leave a lip print. Post in on the kiss board in the store with name, address and telephone number on the back.

At 4 p.m. on Valentine's Day, Bishop and Brown will judge the competition to find the winner. Entries will be judged on the basis of shape, 60 percent, smoothness, 35 percent and color, 5 percent.

Store owner Becky Welch said the "Kissable Lip Contest" is a nationwide promotion staged by Merle Norman. Each store can decide when to hold its own contest, and Welch said she felt Valentine's Day would be the best time to host one in Greenville.

"This is the first year we have tried it but I think it is going to be popular," Welch said. "We have thought about doing it at other times of the year, but Valentine's Day is really appropriate."

Welch said the winner will receive a $25 gift certificate and other prizes could be awarded for second or third place.

"We want to encourage anyone with a good kiss to come down and enter," Welch said. "It doesn't cost anything,

and anyone can enter."

The contest is open to legal residents of the United States and Canada

18 years old and over. Employees

of Merle Norman and their family members are not eligible to win.