Valentine’s Day. The very phrase may stick in your throat or fill you with a saccharine sense of buoyant joy.
However you feel about it, it is upon us. If you’re exchanging gifts with someone, it really need not be stressful. It’s relatively easy to buy something for a female partner who has any interest in beauty products – even the most baffled partner can generally peruse her dressing table or bathroom cabinet and come away with a strong sense of what she likes.
Men can be somewhat forgotten about today, and showing you care with a cosmetic gift is appropriate regardless of gender.
Many women with male partners complain of his making free with their expensive body lotions or moisturisers. Lots of men do enjoy skincare products, but feel a bit as though they shouldn’t, and tend not to purchase these sorts of things for themselves.
You can satisfy his secret liking for luxurious salves and unguents on this auspicious occasion by heading out to buy him some products of his own.
If he doesn’t like the idea of skincare, a nice carefully chosen product might encourage to take better care of his skin. Even a simple moisturiser with SPF will make a big difference, and protect exposed skin from sun damage.
For athletically inclined chaps,
Molton Brown’s Bracing Silverbirch Thermal Muscle Soak
(€25) is a lovely gift. The woody aromas of cedarwood and birch are classically masculine, and the warming sensation eases tired muscles. Of course women will enjoy this too.
A beauty-related gift can be the perfect way to show someone that you care for their wellbeing, and this bath soak both relaxes and invigorates.
Tom Ford for Men Oil-Free Daily Moisturiser (€90) is eye-wateringly expensive and most appropriate for an already fastidious groomer who will appreciate the magnitude of the gesture.
Men’s skin is naturally thicker and oilier than women’s, and so an oil-free moisturiser can often be most appropriate. This hydrating moisturiser sinks into skin without leaving any annoying residue, and helps with minor redness and irritation, so it works well for after shaving.
If you find yourself with one of Ireland’s few remaining clean shaven men this evening, he might appreciate a pot of
Lush’s Prince Shaving Cream
(€12.95).
This contains witch hazel for some mild astringent action and several lovely citrus oils to soften skin and make shaving comfortable.
It smells of orange blossom, but not offensively so, and is kind to skin. It’s also entirely suitable for women.
You really can’t go wrong with a classic fragrance, and everyone is partial to a really good one. For guidance on which he might like, have a sniff of any he may already have lying around. Generally, though, you can’t go wrong with woody or amber notes.
Chanel Bleu de Chanel has both. With hints of foliage, herbs, and a very pleasing vetiver undertone, it's timelessly elegant. It has just been launched in a 150ml bottle, which will set you back €120, but last for many Valentine's dates to come.
