04 Feb Valentine’s Day: Gift Guide, Dinner, and Beauty Ideas

With less than two weeks to go until Valentine’s Day you might be thinking about what to do, wear and prep for the romantic event.

We love the Empress Mimi kimono, pictured, which comes in one of the monthly Empress subscription boxes

It’s the ultimate date night on your annual calendar – except your anniversary of course! Valentine’s Day is a time to show your best self to your other half and celebrate your love.

To help with some choices I’ve put together a complete guide to Valentine’s Day. From beauty prep recommendations, lingerie picks and restaurant ideas, real below for a perfect Valentine’s Day plan!

Beauty Prep Look ♡

Skin Health Spa

If you’re after smooth & lovely fuzz-free skin forever look no further than laser hair removal at Skin Health Spa. The UK chain has several branches in London, Manchester and beyond, and I tried out a few sessions at the gorgeous Marylebone location.

Deni’s date-ready nails by London Grace (Belgravia) and smooth skin thanks to Skin Health Spa (Marylebone)

I found that this is the best laser hair removal ever as I had next to no hair left after just 2-3 sessions! However, packages of 6 will work out best financially per session and guarantee more hair removal. After your first session hair is sparser and skin is smoother. This means you could technically get it done the day before Valentine’s for gorgeous instant results.

Dr Joney De Souza

For a perfect complexion book in for a Prescriptive Brazilian Zero Downtime facial with Marco D’Angelo at Dr Joney De Souza on Blandford Street in London. A full facial pampering is tailored to what your skin and delivers maximum results with little to no downtime.

After a double cleanse and a zonal analysis, Marco custom built my treatment. He used a lovely vegan enzyme peel to exfoliate, hydrate and brighten my combination skin. After some lymphatic drainage to clear toxins and lift, I went under a Red LED light (Photodymanic therapy) for circulation, oxygenation and to help topical actives go deeper.

Afterwards it was time for microdermabrasion which helped vacuum dead skin released by the enzyme peel and stimulate the lymphatic system.

I love microdermabrasion as it exfoliates, smooths and improves skin texture

Next, Marco applied an antibacterial ZO blue sulphur mask to areas of congestion, and a deep hydration mask fortified with humectants and vitamins to the rest. He used a Galvanic micro current to push actives deeper into the skin, lift and tone it. High Frequency produced antibacterial Ozone which expedites healing, seals and oxygenates the skin.

Finally Marco applied ZO Daily Power Defence anti ageing and repairing serum, Growth Factor Serum gel to rejuvenate and protect, and the antioxidant and perfecting SPF30 with Primer. I was date-ready with glowing perfect skin – and no downtime.

For toxin and filler treatments, see Dr Joney, Dr Patel – a brilliant new addition to the team – or another of the clinic’s highly-experienced doctors. 

London Grace

A nail bar with coffee and cocktails, London Grace is the hottest new place to get your nails done in London.

Whether you want gels baked on or a regular mani pedi, the treatment menu is extensive and service outstanding. All treatments are performed hygenically dry, with meticulous attention to detail and friendly chat.

London Grace own polishes come in an array of fashionable catwalk-inspired shades. Plus, they’re chemical-free, natural and vegan, which is amazing if you’re trying to reduce your environmental footprint or transitioning to a vegan lifestyle.

Remington

Create sultry date-ready volume and waves with the Remington Keratin Protect Heated Barrel Brush.

The £32.49 hair tool has a large 45mm heated ceramic barrel perfect for longer hair, and it’s infused with keratin and almond oil to help protect the hair from damage and prevent snags.

Use it on dry hair to create volume at the roots and curl through the lengths. You can choose from two temperature settings (120 and 180 degrees Celsius) depending on your hair type. The Barrel Brush comes with a stay cool tip for safety and ease.

What To Wear ♡

Empress Mimi

Pick this as a Valentine’s gift for yourself or a monthly treat for both you and your lover. Empress Mimi Lingerie is beautifully sumptuous and supremely comfortable lingerie for all women, founded by one amazing woman.

A luxurious gift box with surprise fine lingerie in your size will be delivered monthly to your doorstep. All bras are non wired so that you can wear your prettiest set all day, every day.

Treat yourself to a monthly delivery of lingerie fit for a Queen without spending a fortune. Each monthly subscription box starts from £14.95 for the House of Frillies knickers box. The most premium level, the Empress box, is £119.95 per month. Each one comes complete with a matching set of fabulous lingerie, and accessories such as jewellery, kimonos, sleeping masks and the occasional naughty tassel or whip.

Panache Lingerie

If you don’t mind a bit of wiring, especially on date night, I recommend the Panache Tango set.

The non-padded plunge bra, £29, creates a beautiful natural shape, works perfectly under low-cut tops and stays true to your bust. Plus, the material is super soft texture with beautiful Austrian leaf detail.

It has 3 sections with laminated cups for a supportive fit, power-mesh wings are firm and comfortable up to a H cup. A satin bow is at the center front adds a feminine touch. Choose from matching Brazilian brief of thong.

Best Place For Dinner ♡

I was greeted with soft lighting, cool music and romantic ambience with richly coloured yet understated and luxe-looking decor. Kahani offers vegan Indian fine dining at accessible prices (dishes around £8-£12) in the date-perfect Sloane Square area.

Tucked discreetly off the main King’s Road, access Kahani down a set of stairs, via a cloakroom and gorgeous bathrooms, to the basement restaurant. There, seating and tables are arranged in a way that you can easily feel tucked away from a crowd and have an intimate and romantic evening.

The extensive vegan menu is very impressive, with every dish offering something unique and exciting – Dishoom eat your heart out.

To start, I recommend the creamy and smoky masala grilled avocado with caramelized onion and olives on crisp lettuce.

If you’re out with a long-term love, go for tho for the kale pakoras. It’s deliciously spied but there’s no way you can eat this crumbly and messy dish daintily.

The golden beet cake is more elegant and has an earthy, sweet and spiced flavour. Meanwhile, the truffle radish paratha with black garlic spinach is gorgeous and quite dense. I recommend ordering one to share with your mains.

Dine Like A King & Queen

Speaking of mains, my favourite was the aubergine steak, which will satisfy a meat-eater Valentine’s Day date. It is surprisingly ‘meaty’ thanks to the dense yet soft flesh of an aubergine (eggplant). The ‘steak’ shaped into a fillet steak was juicy, firm and absolutely delicious. Pair it with the paratha bread as, let’s face it, it’s mainly fibre and water.

For an authentically Indian dish with a health-conscious twist, try the cauliflower rice with either the lentil or chickpea main

The chickpea masala is a little more oily than other dishes, dense, aromatic, and strongly flavoured with onion and fragrant masala spices. The yellow lentils have a spicy kick, and taste smooth and a bit tangy thanks to the tomato. Both of these go really well with the charred turmeric cauliflower rice… light compared to regular or brown rice and slightly smoky.

For dessert I recommend the soya rice pudding. I am not a fan of slushy or gloopy dishes for dessert and this was anything but. It was actually delicate, sweet, nutty, aromatic and warming. This is lovely, comforting and filling if you’ve undereaten or dreading going out into the cold London night. Alternatively, try the dark cherry sorbet: sweet, ‘musky’, deep, delicious and not to sharp.

Happy Valentine’s Day beauties, love from Deni xox