Call me a sucker, but I’ve always loved Valentine’s Day.
It’s a celebration of love and relationships, and the most important relationship you have is the one with yourself.
We all deserve to feel good, and that’s why I put together this list of must-have products to make you feel like the best version of yourself. Whether you’re celebrating with someone special, your BFFs or solo, you’ll look good and feel good.
The body scrub
Sugar & Rose Creamy Body Scrub
We’ve talked about it before but exfoliation is key. This body scrub, made with a coconut oil base for extra moisturizing factors, will soften and smooth skin to make you feel like a goddess. The sweet rose scent is sexy, fresh and light, enveloping you in a blanket of decadence. Use this before date night or as an act of self-love because no matter the occasion, you’ll be feeling yourself after this body scrub.
$4.50, walmart.com
The body lotion
The Body Shop Almond Milk & Honey Soothing & Restoring Body Yogurt
Hydrated skin is healthy skin and this body yogurt is full of skin-quenching like almond milk to nourish and honey for intense moisture. The formula absorbs fast but still leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized, and is safe for sensitive skin. The light, sweet scent and the fair trade ingredients are an added bonus.
Tip: After exfoliating, stay silky all over by applying this body butter immediately after a shower, while skin is still a little damp.
$15, thebodyshop.com
The blush
Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Pearlescent Pink
We a love a healthy glow and nothing will give you the perfect peachy pink with golden shimmer like this blush. A dupe for cult-favorite NARS Orgasm blush, you’ll have a sexy, radiant look for one-tenth the price. Apply this to the apples of your cheeks for a sweet, flushed look or swipe on diagonally above your cheekbones for sculpted glam.
$2.99, wetnwildbeauty.com
The nail polish
Wailani Nail Polish in Mother of Pearl
There’s nothing more chic than a nude nail color and this duochrome polish kicks it up a notch. It looks just as perfect for day as it does for night with shades iridescent pink or pearl white. Plus, the whole brand is cruelty-free, vegan and made without harsh chemicals. Can you feel the love?
$12, wailanibeauty.com
The lipstick
Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Red Carpet Red
Very few things are sexier than red lipstick. Hands down this is one of the best lipstick formulas on earth — creamy and hydrating that also lasts through eating, drinking and more. Its perfect blue-toned deep red looks great on any skin tone and its lip brush shape makes application super easy.
Tip: For a super-precise look, apply concealer around and over exfoliated and hydrated lips and blend out with a Beauty Blender. Use a red lip liner (I love Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Liner in Kiss ‘N’ Tell) and line around your lips then fill them in. Apply lipstick over top.
$34, charlottetilbury.com
The hair spray
OUAI Texturizing Hair Spray
Pump up your look with a little volume, a little hold and a lot of sexy texture. Ouai describes this as if “dry shampoo and hairspray had a baby,” and this light-weight spray is perfect to refresh hair and create a sultry, tousled look. You’ll also be in love with its fragrance. No more alcohol smell — this spray’s scent is made up of an intoxicating blend including Bergamot, Italian Lemon, Sandalwood and White Musk.
$26, theouai.com
The scent
Glossier You
Smell is subjective but judging by the people who have approached me in elevators, chased me down the street or circled back to me at a party to ask what perfume I’m wearing, I’d say Glossier You is fit for almost everyone. The Fragrance Foundation’s 2018 Fragrance of the Year winner combines top notes of woody iris root and sparkling, spicy pink pepper with base notes of of warm ambrette, smooth ambrox and musk – one of scents we respond to on the most carnal level. It’s warm and clean and familiar. It smells like you.
(Eau de parfum, $60; solid, $22), glossier.com
Gia Mazur is an award-winning staff writer and beauty obsessive who joined The Times-Tribune’s Lifestyles department in 2015. She’s a product enthusiast who can’t live without an eyelash curler. A proud Virgo, Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk is her go-to. Contact: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT
