We Heart This Stuff

It’s bright red! It’s a jelly! Pretend you’re Rihanna and A$AP and apply masks to each other. The formula has cherry (from Barbados) for vitamin C, plus AHAs and salicylic acid to brighten skin, de-clog pores, and make everything smoother.

I’m a long-time fan of these solid disks that have the heft and smoothness of a river stone. As you run it over your body—or someone else’s—the solid melts into an indulgent lotion. The Forest scent combines Japanese hinoki cypress with yuzu for an invigorating punch and the coconut-oil formula romances dry winter skin.

You’ve heard of eye masks. Welcome to the weirdness of the lip mask. It functions similarly, adding a big dose of hydration in a 10-minute session. This patch by Talika contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and vitamin B5 to counteract winter chapping impressively.

The name feels like a doomed romance or a film by Rohmer. The scent isn’t doomed at all. It’s woody (sandalwood and pine) and slightly masculine, with a synthetic musk called cashmeran, along with incense and bright hits of violet, heliotrope, and jasmine. It isn’t the most obvious choice for Valentine’s Day, which is why it’s perfect.

This ultra-pigmented liquid lipstick is an absolute banger. It’s comfortable, moisturizing (thanks to peony extract), and transfer-proof for all-day (or all-night) wear with minimal touchups.

This little pot holds a multitude of pleasures: Red camellia oil softens and coddles chapped lips and cheeks. And the tint is just enough to create a flush that looks almost innocent (nice trick!). It’s a sneaky, sexy workhorse.

Sure, you could wear a lacy negligee, but isn’t that a little on the nose? These soft cotton voile pajamas come from a 150-year-old Roman shop that specializes in nightwear and knitwear, and that’s pretty romantic. We know someone who wears them out of the house with a sweater and sunglasses (and shoes).

For something a little sexier than classic cotton pajamas but in no way overt, this silk satin camisole and shorts set is creamy and delicious. It’s cut on the bias for the perfect drape and the top has a racer back for comfort. Wear it and try out your Hollywood-ingenue impression.

This probably won’t get you a whole lot of action between the sheets, but it will create harmony in bed, especially if one of you likes to read when the other is sleeping. It sits comfortably around your neck and has three brightness levels and a timer so you can doze off.

The agony and the ecstasy of love— both reciprocated and unrequited—sits at the heart of Caroline O’Donaghue’s newest novel. The protagonist falls for her married professor, but that’s just the beginning of several complicated relationships that take her, and her best friend, James, in all sorts of winding directions.

This small but mighty vibrator is endorsed by Emily Morse of Sex with Emily fame. It’s more compact than the beloved Magic Wand but, at nine inches, it isn’t exactly small. With three intensity levels and a rechargeable battery that lasts two-and-a-half hours, this is especially handy for travel.

This water-based lubricant has a dash of capsaicin to add a little heat to the action. The warmth builds with friction without becoming uncomfortable. It’s nicely safe for use internally or externally.

Sometimes you want to rebel against this saccharine holiday, and sometimes you want to double down and go full Hallmark. This bag in lacquer red makes the hackneyed cool, with a Loulou de la Falaise at Studio 54 vibe. Get it in black if you insist on being subversive.

For a night out—or a night in—these pumps deliver a Deneuve sultriness in patent leather, slingback, and stiletto form. We love the way the heel sits slightly in and the toe is both elongated and crisply squared off, giving the shoe a provocative profile.

Chocolates? For Valentine’s Day? Groundbreaking. But actually, these aren’t the least bit basic because they’re smooth, rich, 70 percent chocolate, and handmade in Brooklyn (ok, that’s a little clichéd) with coconut sugar.

If your Valentine listens to Dr. Peter Attia’s podcast and gets regular cryo, then they may prefer chocolate protein powder to a frilly box of candy and all that devilish refined sugar. This vegan one makes the dreamiest hot chocolate and supplies 30 grams of protein per serving. That’s love.