THE VALENTINE'S DAY BEAUTY EDIT
THE VALENTINE'S DAY BEAUTY EDIT
February 14th falling on a Sunday means you can devote the entire day to primping and preening; whether in preparation for date night or by means of luxeing up your 'secret single behaviour'. If your sweetheart has scheduled a candlelit dinner, schedule extra prep time to indulge before arming yourself with with your beauty secret weapons [there's no underestimating the power of lipstick and perfume]. And for single gals? On perhaps the one day when it's not only allowed, but also actively encouraged to splurge on oneself, a few chic upgrades to your regular beauty routine can go a long way. At the very least, today is the ultimate excuse for a girl to indulge during a rare free moment in her overpacked schedule.
This is an edit for smart, strong, self-loving women everywhere. Classic and ubiquitous, these are neither essentials nor extravagances, they're beautiful things on a beautiful day. It's as easy, delightful, and romantic as that.
BODY
Nothing says self-care like regular body exfoliation. Slough away dead skin cells with & OTHER STORIES Bonbon Tree Body Scrub* to leave skin baby soft and scented with a fragrant blend of sandalwood, violet, and vanilla. Post-shower, challenge long-term commitment to your favourite body lotion by slathering your limbs in a massage oil instead. AESOP's Breathless Massage Oil* quenches even the driest skin. Exquisitely scented [think: a woody take on citrus], a few drops not only nourishes skin but is the ultimate mood-enhancing stress reliever. The potent blend of essential oils [including sweet almond, jojoba, and laurel] also help to soothe, comfort, and protect skin. N.B. If you're spending the evening with an S.O. and failed to score a suitable gift, nothing says 'I love you' like the offer of a back massage.
The devil is in the details; whatever is upon your agenda tonight, you can't go wrong in matching your lips, tips, and lingerie in a classic crimson that suits all skin tones. CHANEL's Le Vernis Nail Colour in Cinema is a retro red that shouts silver screen glamour at the top of its voice.
HAIR
Don't just focus on your limbs this Valentine's Day. With minimal effort required [and maximum results guaranteed], apply the butter-rich RAHUA Finishing Treatment* to ends in order to soothe flyaways and prevent fluffiness. A highly concentrated blend of natural plant extracts and omega-rich acids work to strengthen hair and ensure soft, shiny, weightless tresses.
The ultimate beauty indulgence... BYREDO's Gypsy Water Hair Perfume* mists hair in a fragrant veil of bergamot, amber, and pine that lasts for days [thanks to hair's heightened permeability] and subtly diffuses throughout the day, amplified by the natural movement of hair. The formulation itself nourishes hair and adds a glossy sheen.
SKIN
No at-home spa night or pre-date beauty prep is complete without a face mask. With a short-term skincare agenda in mind, opt for KAPLAN MD's Firming Mask*, which instantly tightens, tones, and exfoliates skin as well as providing a deep cleanse that leaves skin noticeably clearer, brighter, and calmer post-use. Ideal for smoothing skin before foundation application, the formula is gentle enough that it can be used immediately before applying makeup, without causing unwanted redness.
Give your skin a fresh, radiant glow by layering EMBRYOLISSE's Lait-Crème Concentrè beneath GLOSSIER's Skin Tint for a beautifully natural, low-key finish that requires minimal effort to remove. Then simultaneously colour and warm cheeks by dabbing on a little of NARS' Illuminator* in [the aptly named] Orgasm. The seemingly vivid hue creates a subtle, natural flush, and the silky formula blends beautifully, without disturbing your base.
EYES
Avert a last-minute beauty disaster by employing SMASHBOX's Photo Op Eyeshadow Trio in Dark Brown* in all smokey-eye related activity. Even eyeshadow amateurs will find that the matte, neutral shades build effortlessly from casual to complex. By day, apply the light highlighting shade on the brow bone and the cool brown shade over the lid. Amp it up for night by deepening the crease with the darkest shade, taking the cool brown onto the lower lashline, and dabbing a little of the highlight colour in the centre of the lid. For full, thick, look-at-me lashes, TOM FORD's Extreme Mascara in Ravenous* creates dramatic volume and lift that negates the ritual of falsie application. The creamy formula layers smoothly and the ultra-black pigments serve to enhance the vibrancy of any eye colour
LIPS
Prep lips ahead of lipstick application with CLINIQUE's Sweet Pots* - a power couple of hydration and exfoliation in one perfect pot. The dual-sided treatment houses a lip scrub in one side and a tinted balm in the other that hydrates lips with jojoba, shea, avocado, and grapeseed butters. The exfoliating particles help to soften lips while the act of massaging in the balm has a natural plumping effect; Candied Cassis adds a subtle 'just-been-kissed' warmth of colour.
The worst thing about a bold lip colour is the near constant anxiety that your scarlet/coral/fuschia [delete as appropriate] lip-look has smudged all over your face, or faded from your lips entirely. Enter CLARINS' Instant Light Lip Perfecting Base*, which means that consequently applied lipstick goes on bold and stays in place without you having to apply multiple layers or seal it in with a heavy-duty top coat.
As for lip colour itself, you can't go wrong with CLARINS' Joli Rouge Brilliant Lipsticks*, which deliver sheer, buildable colour and luminous shine. An ultra-hydrating spin on the original Joli Rouge formula [beloved for its rich opacity and noteworthy staying power] - zero reapplication is necessary, no matter how much kissing takes place.
SCENT
Love is in the air, literally. Set the mood for the evening with the ambient flicker of a scented candle [that lasts much longer than those supermarket roses]. Designed to evoke the scent of lipstick, BYREDO's Loose Lips Candle* has been reworked with pink wax and a pink label for Valentine's Day. The fragrance blends a powdery top note of rosewater with hints of cherry and violet for a velvety, elegant scent that infuses the room with a grown-up take on candy-shop sweetness that doesn't overwhelm.
The finishing touch? A spritz of scent will automatically "sex up" your vibe - especially when the bottle is made with 24-carat gold. A foolproof hit of ultra-feminine rose, ACQUA DI PARMA Rosa Nobile Special Edition* calls to mind a cascade of freshly plucked petals. Far from your typically cloying, crowd-pleasing rose scent, it provides a floral hit alongside notes of bergamot, mandarin, and pepper, that interpret the classic flower in a modern, androgynous way.
The best Valentine's Day fragrances straddle the line between flirty and feminine and sexy and sophisticated. In collaboration with Maison Baccarat, the latest fantastical creation from the esteemed fragrance house, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, Baccarat Rouge 540* is a little piece of magic. The bottle is beautiful and the scent is a sumptuous blend of woody amber, jasmine, and freshly-cut cedar that lingers in one's wake for days after application. Intoxicating and heady, quite the scent to seduce.
What's your Valentine's Day beauty lineup?
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