Ladies, we know it’s just around the corner. Whether you have anxiously awaited its arrival or dreaded its annual return, Valentine’s Day is here. The hearts, the flowers, the ever-so-tempting candies—boy, is it here. But, regardless of your plans for the holiday of love, why not show a little love to your beauty routine this time? I can’t promise you love or romance, but I can at least promise you that these beauty essentials will bring a beauty-filled Valentine’s Day.
Date Night
Date night calls for some beauty big guns: kissable lips, flirty lashes, rosy cheeks, glowy skin. (Overwhelmed yet?) These are all incredibly achieveable with a little help.
Benefit “Watt’s Up” Highlighter: This is good for both defining and contouring, and capturing that inner-glow. Brush it on your cheekbones and the bridge of your nose and then soften the glow by rubbing it in with the blender brush. And voila! Glowy skin for a candle-lit dinner. Sephora, $30
Mary Kay “Satin Lips” Lip Mask: I have used this product for years and don’t understand how women wear lipstick without it. It’s one thing to keep your lip moisturized, but another to keep them exfoliated and moisturized. This mask takes care of gross flaky lips and leaves them smooth and perfect for lipstick. (okay, okay, or kissing.)
Dior Diorshow Mascara: I am incredibly particular about mascara. I have spent years (and let’s not talk about how much money) finding the perfect mascara, and to be honest I don’t know if that will ever exist, but this comes extremely close. Diorshow is perfect for long, thick, yet defined lashes for batting those eyes. Sephora, $25
Korres Cheek Butter: This is great for getting those “glowing-from-within” rosy cheeks. I like this cheek butter simply because I feel the color is punchy (I have the shade “eros coral” ) and it stays on my cheeks, unlike some powder blushes. Sephora, $25
Let’s Hear It for the Single Ladies
Staying in on Valentines? Make it fabulous anyway. Use the time to look out for number one. Try a new mask, scrub or bubble bath.
Fresh Sugar Face Polish: This scrub leaves your face fresh and polished, not stripped and raw. It has brown sugar, wild strawberries and seed oils all working to leave skin nourished and refreshed, for all skin types. Sephora, $55
St. Ive’s Invigorating Apricot Scrub: This is a budget-friendlier version to the above. For some reason I have loved this particular scrub for a long time, but it must be the fresh apricoty scent or the way my skin feels exfoliated afterward, but not harshly so. Drugstores, $4
Acure Cell Stimulating Facial Mask: This sea monster-green mask actually lives up to its name. Skin seems instantly stimulated and invigorated after use, and is left glowy and soft. I absolutely love this mask and would probably use it everyday if possible. It doesn’t get much more diva-night-in than a good ole’ scary green face mask. Acureorganics.com , $16
Philosophy Senorita Margarita Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath: Who said you have to go to the bar for happy hour? Spend your beauty date night with a marg in a bubble bath and I don’t think you’ll be missing the bars (or cheesy dates for that matter.) Sephora, $16