10 Luxe Gifts a Beauty Writer Would Love to Unwrap This Valentine’s Day
High-tech hair tools, sexy scents, and indulgent creams are the gifts that keep giving
I’ve been working in the beauty industry for over a decade, and I still get as excited about new products as I did when I started. Each one is full of promise, with the potential to improve your daily routine and help you feel your best. There’s no worrying about sizing or fit, either—beauty products are ready to go right out of the box, often even doubling as decor that looks fabulous on a vanity.
That’s why I’m such an advocate of giving (and asking for!) beauty products as gifts, especially on Valentine’s Day. There’s no better way to show someone you care than by supporting their self-love journey and giving them an excuse to indulge in thoughtful items they wouldn’t buy for themselves.
And it’s also why I’ve used my professional knowledge of the market to curate this collection of luxury beauty gifts I would personally be thrilled to receive this Valentine’s Day. From a hair-silkening Dyson straightener to spa-worthy facial tools, they’re all guaranteed to excite any beauty lover—and they’ll last way longer than the floral bouquet or box of chocolates.
As someone who is perpetually running late, I’d definitely appreciate receiving Dyson’s newest innovative styler, which is designed to simplify your routine. It has two modes—wet and dry—so you can style right out of the shower or refresh second-day hair. And as with all Dyson hair products, I love that it was created with hair health in mind. This one employs a proprietary Hyperdymium motor and airflow engineering to straighten strands with air, not hot plates or extreme heat, and a cool-shot button that helps lock in the style. It’s exactly what I need to have my hair feeling smooth and shiny faster than I can decide between taking the subway or getting a cab.
This celebrity-favorite fragrance is the epitome of sex appeal. Notes of tuberose and jasmine lend it a heady quality, while osmanthus, amber, and musk create a soft sensuality that makes this perfume ideal for the third date—and beyond.
Who doesn’t love a good candle? I have dozens, but none double as beautifully as objets d’art as this one from Trudon. Surrounding the fresh, floral-scented candle itself is a votive carved from a single block of alabaster, which glows when the wick is lit, producing a one-of-a-kind piece of home decor.
Every beauty enthusiast out there—myself very much included—has been coveting the Airwrap since it came out in 2022. The tool uses an aerodynamic phenomenon called the Coanda effect, which uses air to help you achieve different styles with no heat damage. Having burned myself (and scorched my hair) with a curling iron a few too many times, I appreciate the beauty of using air—rather than searing-hot metal—to curl, wave, and add body.
I love to incorporate a heart motif into my Valentine’s Day look, and this sleek hair accessory is a charming and sophisticated way to do it. It’ll be effortlessly elegant, whether you’re creating a polished French twist or just throwing your hair into a messy bun.
The confidence-boosting power of a red lip can’t be overstated, especially on Valentine’s Day, but I need a formula that won’t rub off on my martini glass (or my date). Swiping on this one from Gucci will create a vibrant, durable pout that promises not to feel dry or heavy.
I’ve had the chance to experience this tool at the salon, and after seeing the results, I’d love to have my own at home. Just like the others in the Dyson line, it’s remarkably powerful and dries hair rapidly, yet doesn’t subject it to extreme heat. It is engineered for different hair types, so anyone can get the look of a salon blowout without leaving home.
On self-care Sundays, I like to pamper myself with a DIY luxury facial. While my version couldn’t possibly match the quality of a facial at the Manhattan atelier of legendary aesthetician Georgia Louise, these chilly cryo globes could help me sculpt and depuff to achieve the carved-out cheekbones of her A-list clients.
I have to admit that while I take incredible care of my face, the skin below my neck doesn’t get nearly as much love as it should, which is why I’m dying to try Tronque’s luxe body-resurfacing serum. A richer version of what I’d use on my face, it’s packed with potent ingredients like glycolic acid, pineapple enzymes, and niacinamide to deliver touchable skin and a radiant glow.
I never feel fancier than when I’m opening a little box from Chanel—and with this rich face cream, I’m pretty certain I’d feel that level of indulgence every evening. It’s fortified with alfalfa concentrate, a botanical retinol alternative that improves fine lines, laxity, and other texture issues without irritation.
