HOT TIPS\It's a close shave for Barbie's beau.

Byline: Barbara De Witt 

Ken, at age 35, is finally old enough to shave. In honor of Ken's birthday earlier this week, Mattel has created Shavin' Fun Ken, which allows children to give the doll a shave with a special shaver and shaving foam for $14.

But Miz Hot Tips is holding out until September for Cool Shavin' Ken. Not only does Cool Ken have the shaving feature, but he smells like after-shave and has a hip new 'do that can be styled, unlike his original "flocked" hair.

Bag it: Now that fussing with your face is in again, plenty of companies are coming out with jeweled compacts and mirrored lipstick cases, but the BeneFit cosmetics company has taken an eco-friendly approach. Its new Hip Lipsters, a cute little dye-free canvas sack to chain onto your purse strap or belt loop, is free with the purchase of BeneFit's lipstick at department stores or by ordering direct at [phone].

Attention, shoppers: Downtown L.A.'s fashion district is a bargain hunter's paradise but you've got to know where you're going. To help you, the Downtown Property Owners Association now offers a free guided trolley tour of the shopping area with historical trivia and shopping tips, plus a map. The tours are offered every half-hour, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday. The pickup point is at the CaliforniaMart, 910 S. Los Angeles St., Los Angeles. For reservations call [phone].

Conservative comments: Well-turned phrases are being heard right and left these days, but it's mostly the Republicans doing the talking this month. To get up to speed on what Pat Buchanan, Bob Dole, Steve Forbes and others with conservative philosophies are talking about, check out Bill Adler's new book, "The Quotable Conservative" (Birch Lane Press; $9.95). It's filled with quotable soundbites categorized by issues such as drugs, race, welfare, women, the economy, education and the Cold War, with some insightful observations about life in general from past presidents Ronald Reagan and Richard Nixon.

Guy talk: Just tell women there's a free beauty event and many of them will come, but it's harder to get guys out. Bullock's at the Beverly Center has come up with a clever idea that should work. It's a mini men's health expo March 22-24 with samples of Donna Karan for Men fragrance, chats with fitness experts and - best of all - rides on those new virtual-reality bikes and stair climbers from Tectrix. Sorry, no burgers and beer.

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Photo no caption (Ken doll)