This story first appeared on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in The Strategist Beauty Brief, a weekly newsletter in which our beauty writers share their must-tries, can-skips, and can’t-live-withouts. But we liked it so much we wanted to share it with all of our readers. If you want more first impressions of buzzy launches, quick takes on what’s trending on TikTok and Instagram, and deep dives into the week’s best beauty launches, sign up here. The Strategist Beauty Brief is delivered every Wednesday.
Most of the time, I wear very sweet, very girlie fragrances — Daisy Eau So Fresh, Rose Prick, and, of course, Britney Spears’s Fantasy. On date nights like Valentine’s, though, I want to smell a little bit more sexy and sophisticated — so I’ll splurge on a bottle of Black Opium. —Rachael Griffiths
I was gifted this Dedcool massage candle a while back, and I won’t lie, I was initially pretty skeptical about rubbing melted candle wax on my skin. Further research, however, assured me that the candle is composed of skin-friendly ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter; I suppose there’s no better time to give it a test run than Valentine’s Day. —Kitty Guo
Do I need another lipstick? Absolutely not. But that’s what makes it a treat. —Dominique Pariso
I’ve long been a fan of this lipstick, which has been called a “liquid Ruby Woo.” It has this whipped, velvet texture that dries down whisper-thin and feels festive for the holiday. I also find that it’s the perfect red for me — a little blue-toned and bright but not neon. It’s barely a splurge at $16 but feels like a good price for something you can indulge in without feeling guilty about it. —Tembe Denton-Hurst
I have no business spending $75 for a lip balm. (This is one of the cheapest things sold on Hermès’s site.) It’s not as orange as you might think. It settles nicely on my natural lip color. It makes my lips shimmer (from “mother-of-pearl microparticles”). I won’t be needing another lipstick or lip gloss anytime soon. Maybe this is me saving in the long run. —Ambar Pardilla
Now that I’m in an apartment with a full-size tub, I’m treating myself to a nice long soak this Valentine’s Day. In the past, I’ve reached for Dr. Teal’s as my go-to, but I feel like stepping up my bath game this year and splurging on this HigherDOSE option. I haven’t used it yet, but it stands out to me because it’s non-drying, nonirritating, packed with skin-care benefits, and said to ease sore muscles. —Arielle Avila
I’m using this season to get back into deep skin care — microcurrent device plus red-light-mask treatments — every day. It’s a commitment, but I feel so good when I’m on that routine, like I’m really taking good care of myself. My red-light mask of choice right now is the new Currentbody. The updates to the latest model are actually meaningful. Better straps and chin coverage mean the mask fits snugly. —Crystal Martin
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