February is here, which means Valentine’s Day is suddenly upon us. Now you have only a few weeks to track down the perfect swoon-worthy gift. If your valentine happens to be a skin-care or makeup obsessive (or someone who appreciates cozy loungewear), I’m here to help. I’ve compiled a big list of Valentine’s Day–appropriate beauty gifts at different price points (cheap and splurgy) so you can find the right present, in your budget, that will arrive before V-day.
You can never, ever go wrong with a gift from Buly 1803. Yes, all of the brand’s packaging is absolutely gorgeous, but its formulas also totally hold their own. The soaps in particular are some of my favorites; they’re aromatic and rosy, and really gentle and nourishing on the skin. My mom is the world’s most knowledgeable soap connoisseur, and she agrees with me — which is all you really need to know.
RMS’s lip2cheek is a real cult-favorite makeup product, beloved by celebrities like Kate Bosworth and Miranda Kerr. This particular shade, “Beloved,” is a true red that gives a beautiful sun-kissed flush on the cheeks or a cherry stain on the lips. It’s what makeup artist Fara Homidi used on Hailey Bieber in this Pop magazine shoot, which is so beautiful. This is a great gift for any no-makeup makeup obsessive, or anyone who likes a quick-and-easy, low-fuss beauty routine.
Robes are always a great gift, in my humble opinion. Not only do they make stepping out of the shower into your cold apartment just a little bit less painful, they’re also great for lounging around the house. This one from Parachute is my personal favorite — it’s cotton, supersoft, and pretty.
I wrote last week about how obsessed I am with this expensive-looking, extremely effective Jillian Dempsey Gold Bar dupe. A perfect cheap-yet-very-luxurious gift that I think most anyone would love.
This mask from Klur is an excellent gift for any skin-care obsessive. Not only is the packaging elegant and sleek, the formula itself is stellar. This mask uses a blend of green tea, aloe, centella, panthenol, and kaolin clay to soothe and calm the skin while giving it a gentle exfoliation. This is great for anyone with stressed, tired, or breakout-prone skin.
Note: This is available for preorder and will ship in two weeks, just in time for Valentines Day.
The key notes in this candle are “rain” and “roses,” which make for a beautiful, fresh, floral scent that’s perfect for any season or time of day. This candle really fills a room, which is why I find myself buying it as a gift for friends and family again and again. Plus, the packaging is adorable and very Valentine’s Day appropriate.
Glossier’s new body oil “Body Hero” is equal parts fragrance- and moisture-driven. The formula uses a blend of antioxidant-rich oils like sunflower seed, grape seed, and oat to moisturize the skin and lock in hydration. And the scent is orange blossom neroli, which is a fresh, clean, flowery scent. This product is great for anyone who loves florals and a good skin quench after the shower.
This liquid lipstick (which, again, I would argue has dethroned Mac’s Ruby Woo) is not only one of the most beautiful blue-red shades I’ve ever worn, it also simply does not budge. I’ve eaten full meals with it on, worn masks, you name it. Rihanna also claims that it’s “make-out proof,” if you’d like to put it to the test this Valentine’s Day.
For anyone who takes comfort in long, relaxing, end-of-the-day showers, this might just be the perfect gift for them. It’s incredibly exfoliating — it quickly removes all of the dead skin and sweat from your body — but it’s also really nourishing and hydrating on the skin, so you don’t step out of the shower feeling dry or stripped. It smells amazing (lightly coconutty) and the jar it comes in is recyclable as well!
Slippers are one of my favorite gifts to receive and give! These adorable, faux-fur pink slippers from Madewell are perfect for cozy mornings and loafing around (or working) at home.
I would argue that this gentle, milky cleanser from Versed is a dead-on dupe for Biologique’s cult favorite, pricey Lait VIP 02 cleanser (down to the smell!). It’s a wonderful hydrating and soothing cleanser (good if your valentine has dry or sensitive skin) that washes away dirt and SPF from the day without stripping.
This vanilla-y, shea, and murumuru-butter rich formula is one of my very favorite hydrating lip balms for combating lip flakiness. It’s one of those great-for-everyone gifts because who doesn’t have chapped lips these days?
I think we’re all struggling with cracked, dry hands from constant washing and frigid temperatures. This rose-scented hand cream from Aussie brand Grown Alchemist uses hyaluronic acid and a blend of botanical oils to hydrate and lock in moisture.
This lightweight-yet-deep-quenching moisturizer from L.A. brand Moon Juice uses a cocktail of hyaluronic acid (which moisturizes the skin), adaptogenic ashwagandha (which protects the skin from environmental stressors), and adaptogenic schisandra (which helps with firmness.)
For any pimple-patch devotee (or valentine who get the occasional spot), these heart-shaped ones are absolutely adorable!
Mason Pearson brushes are famous for their ability to gently brush smooth and detangle without stressing or pulling hair. They’re notoriously expensive but are something you’ll hold on to for years and years (until recently, I owned one I’d had since high school). This pink one is adorable and would be a very generous gift for anyone in your life who has hair.
For anyone who’s passionate about their post-shower body-care routine (that’s me!), this hydrating, buttery lotion from Aussie brand Go-To locks in moisture during these dry winter months. This skin-quenching body lotion is packed with hydrating oils and essential fatty acids (such as sweet almond and squalane) as well as moisture-attracting ingredients (glycerin), occlusives (shea butter, coconut oil), antioxidants (vitamin E, rosemary-leaf extract), and calming chamomile, gotu kola, and licorice-root extract.
This date-night perfume from Kim Kardashian West’s affordable fragrance line is perfect for those who are craving an elevated, grown-up version of the ’90s mall classic Warm Vanilla Sugar from Bath & Body Works. It’s not too sweet — it has woody, orange-blossom, and musky notes — but there’s a kick of vanilla bean that lingers on your skin throughout the day. Plus, the packaging is adorable and extremely V-Day appropriate.
This gentle retinol is perfect for the skin-care curious who want to get into retinoids but are scared of the adjustment period. This retinol was specifically formulated for sensitive skin, so you won’t get that ultratight red flakiness. There’s a reason why so many celebrities, like Chrissy Teigen and Shay Mitchell, swear by it.
Any skin-care enthusiast or green-juice lover will adore this antioxidant-rich Golde mask. It’s packed with good-for-your-complexion ingredients like antibacterial chlorophyll, detoxifying spirulina, and soothing and healing marshmallow root, all of which reduce inflammation, unclog congestion, and leave a beautiful glow. Apply this on clean skin, leave it on for about ten minutes, wash, then follow up with your favorite moisturizer.
If your valentine has chronically dry lips, this treatment might be the perfect gift. This lip mask from Tatcha delivers deeply nourishing ingredients as you sleep: a blend of omega-rich camellia oil, calming Japanese peach, and rose extract for hydration.
Any crazy cat lady (a demographic that I can definitely speak to) will love these hand and body washes from sustainable beauty brand Meow Meow Tweet. I can pretty much guarantee these adorable, moody dancing cat illustrations will make your valentine’s constant trips to the sink feel a little bit less cumbersome. They also come in three different scents (grapefruit mint, geranium palmarosa, and lavender sweet orange) and are totally recyclable.
Because what says “I love you” better than a water bottle? I know it might not be the sexiest gift per se, but I gave my boyfriend a water bottle last Valentine’s Day, and it’s without a doubt the most-used present I’ve ever given him. And this one is especially cute — it’s from supercool New York designer Sandy Liang, and I’ve long coveted it.
I can say with confidence that pretty much any skin-care obsessive would be delighted to receive this elegantly formulated vitamin-C serum from BeautyStat. It has a whopping 20 percent of ascorbic acid (that’s the vitamin-C ingredient), which means it works wonders at helping fade hyperpigmentation, even out your skin tone, and just help your skin achieve an all-around glow. It also come in airtight packaging, which means it won’t go bad quickly like so many other vitamin C’s out there.
This ultrarich, honey-infused hair mask from beauty brand Gisou is great for anyone who dyes or bleaches their hair, or any valentine who simply loves keeping their hair hydrated and healthy. It’s superthick and deeply conditioning, which is why it’s one of my personal go-tos for repairing my bleached, damaged hair.
When in doubt, I always go with pajamas as a gift. There’s nothing cozier (especially during these cold winter nights) than a fresh set of pj’s waiting for you. These lightweight jammies from J.Crew are my favorite — they’re supercomfortable, and you can personalize them for your valentine with a monogram!
Sunscreen is a great gift for any skin-care veteran or rookie. And this particular one from Dr. Loretta uses a cocktail of chemical and mineral active ingredients that work together to create a lightweight, elegant, and protective formula that makes you actually want to put on sunscreen every morning.
A sure way to make any teeny-tiny windowless NYC bathroom feel a bit brighter is to decorate it with a vibrant bath mat. This giant papaya mat from Urban Outfitters is cheerful and quirky. Bonus: It becomes a great “for-you, for-me” gift when your valentine also happens to be your roommate.
These Wander Beauty eye patches won an Allure Best of Beauty Award for their ability to deeply hydrate, plump, and soothe dry or tired under eyes. The best thing about them is that they’re pretty sticky — they won’t slip and slide around your face as you do the dishes or tidy up your apartment.
If your valentine loves having their nails done (especially if they like extensions and nail art), they would probably be thrilled to receive these designed press-on nails from Tres She. They’re incredibly easy to apply — even someone who’s never done their own nails before could do this — and last up to two weeks. I personally like these glittery flames, but the cow-print French manicure is also adorable.
If your valentine loves filming beauty tutorials, videos, or TikToks, a ring light and phone tripod stand are excellent gifts for them. The fluorescent lights really brighten up the frame, making everything look way more professional. As someone who records a lot of beauty tutorials, I can vouch for this!
Anyone who suffers from super-dry wintertime skin will love this ultrarich, deeply nourishing Shea Body Butter from Hanahana Beauty. Hanahana Beauty’s founder, Abena Boamah, prioritizes ethically sourced, high-grade ingredients; the brand’s shea butter comes from the Katariga Womens’ Shea Cooperative in Ghana. This Shea Body Butter lotion uses a mixture of nourishing butters (shea, cocoa, and mango) and natural oils (like jojoba, grape seed, and hemp oil) to soothe, hydrate, and replenish dry skin. Also, Beyoncé is a fan … sooooo …
These sheet masks from Papa Recipe are beloved by K-Beauty enthusiasts for their ability to deliver a surge of hydration to the skin (the formula uses moisturizing all-stars like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and panthenol), while also calming any kind of redness or irritation (thanks to reparative and soothing propolis). This is a great mask for combating any kind of wintertime blotchiness or flakiness.
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