THE GIFT OF SELF CARE
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, you may feel you need an SO to indulge in the romance but, what's more romantic than treating yourself to the love you deserve? The perfect excuse to indulge your desires and kindle some joy, we're urging you to use this holiday as an opportunity to appreciate the most important person in your life… yes, you.
Whether you want to curate the ultimate beauty hamper or start elevating the everyday – what’s better than romantising the little things in life? – our edit of self-love staples is sure to help you fall head over heels for a bit of ‘me time’. From skin-soothing cleansers and shower staples to set-the-scene candles and toe-curling sex tech, discover the essentials you need for a supreme self care session from home.
IN THIS ARTICLE
SET THE SCENE
First things first, let’s set the mood. Transform your space into a night at the renowned Kinky Gerlinky club frequented by the famous faces of Vivienne Westwood, Jean Paul Gaultier and Naomi Campbell (to name a few) with Discothèque's Kinky G Candle. Housed in a tricolour gradient glass inspired by the neon signs illuminating club doors, this electric aroma melds notes of cherry pie with fresh white peach, before deepening into a base of sandalwood and vanilla. It’s time to dim the lights, strike a match and let the self care (read: dancing) session begin. Alexa, play ‘Young Heart’s Run Free’ by Candi Staton…
This Valentines Day, we have all the time in the world to focus on ourselves… and what better way to spend that time than dry brushing with Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Body Brush? Jokes aside, this prep step is the perfect way to start of your self care session and give your skin that love frequently forgotten in the everyday. A ritual that hails from the East, it’s used in both Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Ayurvedic tradition, meaning it’s a practice that has stood the test of time. – And that, in turn, is a good sign that it’s effective. Not only does it boost circulation while tackling uneven skin tone, but it also helps to enhance lymphatic drainage while exfoliating dread skin cells.
1
61.02€
9
40.00€
SHOWER AND SKIN CARE
Those three words we've all been waiting to hear... it's time for ‘An Everything Shower’. Aptly named, this head-to-toe routine gives an honorific to a pretty basic concept – describing the action of including every single step of your bathing routine (think basic body and hair care to skin care) in one session of revelling under the hot water. First up, it’s time to luxuriate those lengths with OLAPLEX's Shampoo and Conditioner Bundle – a dynamic duo that strengthens your tresses, minimises breakage and intensely nourishes. Next? The ultimate pamper of course – Aesop’s Geranium Leaf Body Scrub and Geranium Leaf Body Cleanser. Melding geranium leaf extract with mandarin and bergamot rind, these body bestsellers lift away dry skin, dirt and grime to reveal silky-smooth limbs.
Now, we can’t forget skin care… it’s time to melt the day away with ELEMIS’ Cherry Cleansing Balm – the brand's bestselling cleanser, now with a juicy, decadent twist. This indulgent concoction dissolves dirt and make up while hydrating your complexion. The cherry on top? Delight in an aromatic burst of freshly picked cherries, sweet marzipan, and creamy vanilla. Let’s just ignore the fact that top-to-toe routine may have taken a couple hours… but you’re worth it after all.
17
63.28€
44
45.00€
15
39.00€
3
55.37€
AND RELAX...
Now we can’t fully enjoy a moment of self care without lathering our skin in long-lasting moisture. For the face, cloak your complexion in a light layer of Biossance’s Squalane and Vitamin C Rose Moisturiser – a luxurious formula designed to deliver glowy, smooth and nourished skin. Take a moment to appreciate the subtle floral scent – it’s derived from Damascus rose extract, a multi-tasker that’s also behind your skin’s newfound glow. As for the body? Let me introduce you to a firm (excuse the pun) favourite of mine: OUAI's St. Barts Body Crème. Boasting a rich, buttery texture, this body care hero stars a blend of cupuaçu butter and coconut oil to intensely nourish your limbs.
It's bedtime… or is it? Meet Smile Maker’s The Romantic. A super smooth operator that isn't all talk (or any), there's never a bad date with this toe-curling tool. Perfect for a solo session, the smooth, curved design is sculpted from premium silicone and features multiple settings help you figure out just how you like it. Oh, it gets better, it’s designed with g-spot, clitoral and overall external stimulation in mind, and can keep going on and on... and on, for up to three hours. Okay, now it is really time for bed so reap the benefits of a night's worth of uninterrupted slumber with Drowsy's Sleep Mask in ‘Pink’. Crafted from 22 momme mulberry silk (the finest you can get when it comes to beauty essentials), this mask features a big, squishy, cloud-like bamboo padding that blocks out light and invites you into dreamland. All that's left to do is blow out the candle, turn off the tunes and kiss goodbye to your staccato sleep…
9
50.85€
102
38.42€
8
56.44€
1
77.97€
Anya is one of Cult Beauty’s Junior Copywriters. A huge lover of all things skin and body care, time spent intently researching product ingredients has resulted in a mass of skin care know-how (which don’t worry, she’s more than happy to share). When Anya's not treating herself to a new Maison Margiela fragrance or Aesop hand cream, you'll find her at the latest natural wine bar with friends, buying a new book (even though there is already a stack waiting), or walking through Hampstead Heath with her regular order of an almond latte.
