Valentine’s Day is well and truly upon us – and love it or loathe it, there’s no escaping the fluffy cards, chocolates and giant teddy bears adorning the shop windows at the moment.

Of course, romantic gestures needn’t be limited to one day of the year and I firmly believe you should show your partner how much you love them all year round. But Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to really go to town on a special gift for that special someone – after all, who doesn’t love being spoiled?!

In my opinion, cheesy Valentine’s paraphernalia or petrol station flowers are ultimate no-nos if you want to get in your partner’s good books. If you’re a bit clueless when it comes to what to buy your other half, I’d suggest a foolproof fragrance. I know the beauty and fragrance world can be a bit of a minefield for men, so to make things easier for you, I’ve been scouring the net for the perfect presents to treat your lady with this Valentine’s Day. And for the girls, I’ve laid out my pick of some grooming gifts your man will be delighted to receive.

For Her

Nina Ricci La Tentation De Nina
I tried this limited edition fragrance out recently and can confirm it is utterly delectable! Its main notes are of almond, lemon, rose and raspberry jam, which combine to create a macaroon-sweet scent that lasts all day. The smell is playful and sweet without being overpowering, and the charming apple-shaped bottle will sit perfectly pretty atop your lady’s dressing table.

Prada Candy L’Eau Gift Set
This mischievous yet elegant gift set contains the Prada Candy Eau de Toilette – a sweet floral fragrance with a hint of fresh citrus – plus a matching roll-on version of the scent. The cute heart-shaped gift box complete with chic black bow gives the set a further touch of luxury – plus it means you get to skip on the pesky gift-wrapping!

Guerlain Rouge G de Guerlain L’Extrait in Luxure
If your girl is a bit of a beauty buff, win some serious brownie points by presenting her with this luxurious lip lacquer by Guerlain. The creamy, pigmented formula is non-sticky and non-drying, creating a flawless, kissable pout. The jewel-rich shades in the collection are named after the Seven Deadly Sins, and the deep red hue Luxure – lust in English – is a fitting choice for Valentine’s. Rouge G’s silver casing oozes luxuriousness and incorporates a handy mirror for touch-ups on the go.

Daniel Sandler In Love Candle
This gorgeous scented candle is a collaborative creation from one of my favourite make-up artists Daniel Sandler and artisanal candle crafter Jonathan Ward. The organic soy wax – hand-poured by Jonathan himself – is infused with sandalwood, vanilla, light musk, amber and patchouli, which combine to create a rich, sensual aroma. Perfect to set the mood for a relaxing – or romantic – evening in!

For Him

Dolce & Gabanna The One Gentleman
As the name suggests, this scent is elegant and refined, suiting men of a similar nature. The understated, oriental fragrance combines notes of fennel and patchouli, and was developed to coincide with the 20^th anniversary of the D&G men’s fashion line.

Acqua di Parma Collezione Barbiere Shaving Cream
If your boyfriend is a bit lax with his shaving regime, why not drop him a subtle hint by treating him to this luxurious shaving cream. It contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing eudermic oils, making for a perfect smooth shave – to benefit both you and your man!

Paco Rabanne Black XS Potion Eau de Toilette for Him
This bold limited edition fragrance exudes audacity and confidence much like the original Black XS, but amps up the passion with notes of cashmeran and rum. The scent is dark and provocative, and rest assured you won’t be able to keep your hands off your man once he’s doused himself in this potent elixir.

Ralph Lauren Polo Red Eau de Toilette Gift Set 
If you’re dating a particularly picky guy, you can’t go wrong with a bit of Ralph Lauren at Valentine’s. This gift set contains the Polo Red Eau de Toilette and the scented Polo Red Shower Gel. The fragrance is inspired by Ralph’s love of exquisite cars and as such invokes passion, style and speed whilst saying true to the classic, timeless tone of the brand.

Happy Valentine’s guys and girls!

Lots of love,
Binky xxx