The earliest origin story of Valentine’s Day is the pagan holiday Lupercalia, which celebrated fertility. Men would strip naked and sacrifice a goat and dog. Boys would then take the hide from the sacrificed animals and whip young women, which (apparently) promoted fertility. I don’t know about you, but I'd rather have a modest packet of Maltesers and some Tesco end of day roses?!
Thankfully, Valentine’s day is no longer a day exclusively reserved for lovers (or strange fertility ceremonies). February 14th has evolved into a day dedicated to all types of love, whether that be eros, philia, storage or agape. Boo’d up or not, everyone should feel appreciated and loved on this special day.
We have compiled our list of ultimate gifts for the big day; whether you're buying for your Palatine, Galentine or Valentine, there’s something for everyone.
WESTLAB CLEANSING HIMALAYAN SALTS
Soothe, soak and relax. Bathing in high-grade Himalayan Salts is an excellent way to help detox the body, leaving you feeling cleansed and invigorated. The responsibly sourced powerful pink crystals are packed with magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium.
RRP: £4.99
Available to by on: www.hollandandbarrett.com
ERESOS CBD ORAL CAPSULES
A synthesis of premium quality CBD and MCT oil, these 900mg CBD Isolate Oral Capsules are designed to boost your immune system, help sleep and promote relaxation.
A brilliant chilled non-romantic gift.
RRP £35
Available to by on: www.eresos.co.uk
ZARA ULTIMATTE: ORIGINAL
Inject some colour into your life with my hero product of last year; mask proof kissable ‘blue red’, which suits all skin tones, with refillable packaging. It's the perfect dupe for the original Ruby Woo formula (boy, do I miss that!) and colour.
RRP: £11.99
Available to by on: www.zara.com/uk
LAB TONICA: SAUCY MOOD MIST
A product formulated to stimulate physical and emotional desire. Blended with oils including jasmine, rose, black pepper and sandalwood, Saucy Mood Mist is designed to awaken the senses and enchant feelings of arousal and wellbeing every time you spritz.
RRP: £15 for 50ml
Available to by on: www.labtonica.co.uk/
NAILBERRY POLISH IN PINK TULIP & ROUGE LACQUER
We stan a red and pink mani colour combo. Why not give yourself (or someone else) a home manicure with Nailberry’s pop candy varnish in Pink Tulip combined with a timeless fiery red in Rouge.
RRP: £15 each
Available to by on: www.nailberry.co.uk
ECHOR 'END OF DAY' AROMATHERAPY DUO - PILLOW SPRAY & CANDLE
An independent vegan, cruelty-free and eco-brand with blended oils such as geranium, lavender and eucalyptus, these products are designed to reduce stress hormones and optimise your wellbeing.
RRP: £36.99
Available to by on: www.echor.co
XO! CONDOMS
Give the gift of condoms with a conscience, perfect for a lover or pal (who needs a nudge in the protection direction). The XO! Come in two variations, Condoms Ultra-Thin and Hi-Sensation (ribbed + dotted); both are vegan, cruelty-free and made with love and solar power.
The Ultra-Thin Condom Pack (12s) RRP: £13.69
The Hi-Sensation Condom Pack (12s) RRP: £13.69
Available to by on: www.hereweflo.co
BLOOM GIN SELF-LOVE GIFT BOX
Self-love is just as important and worthy of celebration as romantic love. After all, why should couples have all the fun?! That’s why this Valentine’s Day, BLOOM Gin is shaking off the usual traditions and choosing to celebrate self-love. Romance yourself with this single gal’s gift box. The box contains a bottle of BLOOM Gin, a scented candle and a sex toy from So Divine, the ultimate gift of pleasure and relaxation.
RRP: £49.99
Available to buy on: www.bloomgin.com
DR BONNER'S ALL IN ONE ROSE SOAP
Floral and fresh, with a hint of sweetness, a perfect gift for anyone who adores the scent of roses. Certified fair trade ingredients and organic hemp oil for a soft, smooth lather that won't dry your skin. 100% biodegradable in a 100% post-consumer recycled wrapper.
RRP: £5.49
Available to by on: shop.drbronner.co.uk
VESTA LONDON BEAUTY LIP GLOSS & LINER
Find your perfect nude lip colour at Vesta London Beauty, a genuinely inclusive lip liner and gloss range, affordable and vegan with that lux feel. The creamy and long-lasting lip pencil is the perfect pairing for the bespoke nude gloss.
Top Tip: Mix and match lip glosses and lip liners shades to create the perfect ombre finish.
Liner RRP: £6.00
Lipgloss RRP: £11.00
Available to by on: www.vestalondonbeauty.com
ZARA 'VIBRANT CITIES' FRAGRANCE COLLECTION
Gift the scent of the most romantic cities in the world. Zara’s ‘Vibrant Cities' collection has been carefully crafted by Jo Malone, taking inspiration ‘from our return to the pioneering spirit of travel and the discovery of the vibrancy again.’ Available as a set of 8, individually.
RRP: 75ml for £19.99
RRP: 40ml for £15.99
RRP: Collector set 8x40mls £119.00
Available to by on: www.zara.com
AWESOME BOTANICAL 'YOU'RE AWESOME' GIFT BOX SET
A sweet treat self-care gift kit containing Blushing Rose Whipped Soap is made with rose geranium, an essential oil known as the oil of love and trust. Hazy Mauve Solid Balm is a natural hand balm containing lavender and minty mayhem lip balm. Sweet Orange Botanical Bath Salts and Sweet Dreams Bath Bomb packed with lavender and bergamot essential oils.
RRP: £31.50
Available to by on: www.awesomebotanical.com
ROXi PREMIUM & KAREOKE MICROPHONE
A gift for lovers of tech and singing, ROXi is a TV app with free unlimited music videos, karaoke and interactive games that offer perfect at-home entertainment. The app offers over 140,000 tracks, with new releases added weekly, for you to sing along to your heart's content. You also receive a free wireless microphone with a built-in speaker worth £29.99.
RRP: £6.99 a month
Available to by on: https://roxi.tv/
TABITHA JAMES KRAAN SCENTED ORGANIC HAIR OIL
A supernatural, highly nutritious organic hair oil that will restore life and lustre to hair, suitable for all hair types, penetrating the hair cuticles, rather than coating. Best used once a week to increase hair colour vibrancy, smooth, strengthen, and moisturise. It can be used as a pre-wash treatment on the scalp and hair to moisturise and balance oil production or warm a few drops and apply to dry ends as and when. The oil will give weight and volume to fine hair and a smooth, silky finish to thick hair, leaving the hair feeling stronger, protected, and easier to blow-dry or style.
RRP: £38
Available to by on: www.tabithajameskraan.com
RICKY'S THE RELATIONSHIP SAVER COLLECTION
Relationships can be hard work; sometimes, we need some help to inject passion into them. I’m not in a relationship, but if I were, I would 100% rely on this gift set to try and save it. Or even if your relationship isn’t in trouble and you just want to spice things up. The Ricky Relationship Saver Collection has got it all; a double joy partner vibrator, a vibrating love egg with wireless control, a tapered silicone butt plug and the silky stuff lubricant. What more could you want?
RRP: £69.95
Available to buy on: www.ricky.com
ROSEHIP NOURISHING CREAM CLEANSER GIFT SET
Nourish your complexion with the Sukin Rosehip Cream Cleanser Gift Set. This rich cleanser helps to gently remove make-up and impurities for a refreshed and renewed feeling. It is enriched with shea butter, evening primrose, and camelia oil to help hydrate and revitalise the skin. A blend of rosehip and borage oils helps to infuse the skin with antioxidants and essential fatty acids, leaving a healthy-looking glow.
RRP: £12.95
Available to buy on: www.sukinnaturals.co.uk
REMEDY NEWBIE TASTER MIXED CASE
Kombucha aids digestion, rids your body of toxins and boosts energy. The Newbie Taster Mixed Case is the perfect introduction to live-cultured drinks for someone who’s looking for a healthier drinks alternative or simply wants to shake things up a bit!
Remedy range - Remedy Kombucha Peach, Cherry Plum, Ginger Lemon and Raspberry Lemonade, Coconut Water Kefir Pure and Switchel Blood Orange.
RRP: 12 x 250ML £17.99
Available to buy on: www.remedydrinks.com
BY SARAH LONDON BODY OIL
A beautiful body treat. This product is beneficial for eczema-prone skins and during and after pregnancy. It is free from fragrance and essential oils – it delivers deep, lasting hydration without feeling greasy. The collagen-boosting plant oils help prevent stretch marks and improve the appearance of both new and old scars. Softens, comforts and hydrates even the most sensitive of skins.
RRP: £36
Available to buy on: www.bysarahlondon.com
HOT TOOLS PRO SIGNATURE ONE STEP DETACHABLE VOLUMISER BRUSH & DRYER
The One-Step Blow Dry & Detachable Volumiser is designed for adding volume and shape to all hair types; this easy-to-use tool delivers fast results. A lovely gift for the beauty-lover in your life.
RRP: £69.99
Available to buy on: www.uk.hottools.com
BY SARAH LONDON SAVIOUR MOISTURE MASK
A gorgeous gift for yourself or someone who needs a little bit of ‘them time’. The deeply-moisturising gel mask is bursting with naturally-derived hyaluronic acid, aloe leaf extract and other expertly chosen hydrators to quench your complexion instantly. Whether your skin's feeling fragile, thirsty or just a little lacklustre, one ten-minute application of this high-science blend will leave it smoothed, soothed and replenished.
RRP: £44
Available to buy on: www.bysarahlondon.com
WELLECO'S SLEEP WELLE CALMING TEA
This luxurious tea is surprisingly fruity, offering a blend of traditionally used herbs to help calm, relax, and ease into a restful night’s sleep. Each tea bag unites the effects of hops, valerian, lemon balm, mango, passionflower and skullcap to soothe the mind and usher sleep when bedtime calls, encouraging a sense of conscious calm and wellbeing.
RRP: £27
Available to buy on: www.welleco.co.uk
SMILEMAKERS THE ROMANTIC
Put yourself in the driving seat of your own pleasure and romance yourself with this gift. Designed with self-love in mind, the Romantic features a ridged shape that complements internal pressure points and a powerful motor located at its curved head for targeted G-spot stimulation. We love that this vibrator comes with an easy to read educational leaflet about female anatomy and a ‘how to guide’—making this a perfect gift for those first-timer pleasure seekers.
RRP: £69.75
Available to buy on: www.beautybay.com
BLOCKHEAD SCREWING GUM
A tongue in cheek gift with a peppermint flavour serves as a breath refresher and aphrodisiac. Created with a herb that comes from a Peruvian leaf, this chewing gum helps with boosting energy, reducing stress and increasing stamina.
RRP: 6 pouches for £6.69
Available to buy on: www.blockhead.store/products/screwing-gum
BOMBAY BRAMBLE GIN
Treat the gin lover in your life to a personal gift with an engraved bottle of their favourite spirit. Bramble is the latest launch from Bombay Sapphire: a bold new creative expression of gin, bursting with natural flavours of blackberries and raspberries with an idyllic crimson hue. For an extra touch, you can engrave this with a friend or lover’s name or your personalised message.
RRP: £23.00 for 70CL + £5 for engraving
Available to buy on: www.shop.bombaysapphire.com
MORPHE 9Y HEART CANDY ARTISTRY PALETTE
Heart stop. Jaw drop. Meet Morphe’s 9Y Heart Candy Artistry Palette. Deeply-pigmented shades inspired by classic Valentine’s Day expressions of roses, candy hearts, and romantic moments. This palette includes all the multidimensional mattes and shimmers you need to sculpt, contour, and highlight from candy-apple red to sweet pops of pink.
RRP: £12
Available to buy on: www.uk.morphe.com
CLEAR CONFIDENCE PLASTIC FREE DOUBLE EDGE SAFTEY RAZOR, SAFETY RAZOR, SHAVING BRUSH & THE LITTLE SOAP COMPANY ECO-WARRIOR SHAVING CREAM
A perfect trio for eco-conscious people featuring the only shaving brush on the market that is plastic-free and vegan.
RRP: Plastic-Free Double Edge Safety Razor Double £24.97
RRP: Plastic-free shaving brush £14.97
RRP: Eco-warrior shaving cream £4.50
Available to buy on: www.clearconfidence.co
HOOHAA
A monthly subscription service that delivers luxury, unisex artisan-made fragrances from around the world in 10ml bottles to your door. Each month you can select from three very different edits. These niche bottles are perfect for travelling.
February Edits are:
Easy Does It - Gourmand by Olfactive O
Buckle Up - Rivalite Imperiale by Plume Impression
Take Me to Mars - Inevitable Crimes of Passion by 4160Tuesdays
RRP: 3 Months £37.50
Available to buy on: www.hoohaa.co.uk/products/gift-subscription
