I’m not a big Valentines Day celebrator, but for those who are, or for anyone who fancies treating themselves, here are my picks of some classy love gifts (self gifting actively encouraged!). Each one come beautifully packed and presented - and isn’t the kind of thing we’d normally buy ourselves, always the best kind of gift in my book.
Too Faced Sweetheart Beads
First up, Too Faced Sweetheart Beads - one of the prettiest make-up products I’ve seen in a long time, these pastel coloured hearts are designed to correct skin tone and give a lit from within look. I wasn’t sure quite what to expect, assuming they would be a. verging on colourless and b. quite shimmery. In fact they do add a subtle warm glow to the skin, neither bronze nor blush, but somewhere in between - verging on golden in the light.
Above, left - each bead swatched individually (not that you’d actually use them like that!) and right, blended together. Can you see the glow? Using a Real Techniques Duo Fibre brush, I sweep these all over my face pre-blush, in place of a setting powder for a wide awake radiant finish.
Currently on offer here.
NEOM: Love Candle
New from Neom, Love is a limited edition candle featuring a rich, creamy blend of the oils from Jasmine and Tuberose petals with essence of Mimosa. Described as ‘a warming fragrance with a hint of honey and spice’, to me it smells like contentment, aka pure bliss. As with each of these gifts, the packaging is half of the beauty - from the striking box to the heavy black glass, this is Neom’s best design yet.
Find it here.
Clinique: Kiss It Better Lips & Nails
Clinique’s annual Kiss it Better campaign is offering up some absolute beauties here. Left, the perfect it’s almost Spring nail polish with A Different Nail Enamel in Kiss it Better and right, limited edition Lulu Guinness Coin Purse with Clinique's Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in Super Strawberry. 50% of profits from the nail polish and the full RRP of the coin purse will be donated to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity. Kudos, Clinique.
Find the nail polish here and the coin purse here or in-store at Clinique counters or House of Fraser.
Aromatherapy Bath & Shower Oil
To be fair you really can’t go wrong with an Aromatherapy Associates oil, so just choose which one most appeals to your current frame of body and mind and you’ll be onto a winner. Recently I’ve been loving Inner Strength, created to help balance emotions, calm thoughts and fortify the body - I couldn’t run that bath fast enough! Not only are these oils beautifully scented, well packaged and very potent (only one capful is required per bath), they act as an actual treatment too - think mini home spa.
The first time I stepped into a bath of Inner Strength, the cynical side of me didn’t expect to emerge feeling much different, but hand on heart, I genuinely did feel soothed and restored afterwards. I often dab a drop on pulse points when I don’t have time for a bath.
The best price I’ve found for this (with free delivery) is here.
Amouage Interlude Woman
It takes a lot for me to get excited about a bar of soap, but this is no ordinary soap - and while I should not admit this, the packaging was almost enough for me. Interlude Bath & Body is a new collection from this niche luxury fragrance house for the absolute ultimate in pampering.
At this point I ought to tell you how the soap lathers beautifully and leaves a gorgeous scent on my skin that lasts all day; instead I must confess that I’ve found this way too pretty to use so far. Instead I’ve been enjoying its perfume, which is strong enough for me to catch a waft every time I go into the room. Made with natural vegetable oils to maintain the skin’s balance, its scent is zesty and spicy - with bergamot, ginger, frankincense and rose included in the highly sophisticated mix. As I’m unlikely to ever afford a perfume from the range, I’ll be holding onto this soap for a little longer…
Find Amouage at Selfridges, Harrods or its boutique in Lowndes St, London.
Would any of these make your day this Friday?
