I Asked 5 Editors to Share Their Valentine's Day Starter Packs—They Delivered

I love Valentine's Day. There, I said it. It's not about being in a relationship; in fact, I've spent the majority of them as a single person. It's about leaning into the spirit of it—even when it's kitschy. I make a point to show some extra love to the people around me, engage in some serious self-care, and buy chocolates and flowers if my heart so desires.
I also like to treat myself to a few new beauty and wellness products. Even if I'm spending my night watching a rom-com on the couch (most likely My Best Friend's Wedding), it brings me joy to do so in style. New candle? Burning. Nails? Painted. Perfume? Spritzed. There's just something about it that elevates the experience and brings me joy.
While prepping for this year's Valentine's Day, I got to thinking: What do my fellow beauty editors do to prepare for February 14? Do they have any special products on their wish lists? I decided to ask them, and let me tell you, they delivered. Ahead, five beauty editors share their Valentine's Day starter packs (including yours truly).
Kaitlyn McLintock, Associate Beauty Editor
This lipstick was love at first swipe. The blue-red color is bold and bright. To me, it's the perfect classic Hollywood red à la Marilyn Monroe. Plus, it contains antioxidants and hydrating ingredients, which makes it comfortable to wear for long periods (without constantly applying lip balm over the top).
I love Phlur's Not Your Baby Eau de Parfum ($99), so when I found out it had a matching candle, I knew I needed it on my coffee table ASAP. With notes of cardamom, mimosa, and vanilla milk, it smells soft, sweet, and traditionally feminine. Burn it on Valentine's Day to set a coquette-ish mood.
I journal every single morning. I find that it helps quiet my mind and soothe my stress. Since I'm focusing on self-love this February, I'm buying a new journal as a gift to myself. This one contains thought-provoking prompts to guide you and help you discover what's important to you and what you want to work on. I'm so excited to grab my favorite inky pen and get scribbling.
Maya Thomas, Assistant Beauty Editor
Emma Hughes, Associate Social Media Editor
Shawna Hudson, Associate Beauty Editor
"I significantly cut back on my caffeine intake a few months ago and never looked back! Now, I love drinking tea and adaptogenic drink blends in the morning to start my day. I'm a huge fan of Blume's Matcha Coconut Blend ($28), so it's only right that this superfood-boosted rose blend would be on my wish list. I practice reiki and consider myself a huge herbal enthusiast. Rose is one of the best gentle anti-inflammatories, and it really helps open the heart chakra—a perfect V-Day treat for yourself or a friend." — Hudson
"I'm a huge Ziip fan and loved the original device, but the Halo is new, improved, and high on my wish list right now. It's a nanocurrent and microcurrent device in one pioneered by legendary electrical aesthetician Melanie Simon. Ziip's microcurrent gels are also, IMHO, the best on the market. They give your skin an incredible glow and provide the perfect amount of long-lasting glide for any device. Yes, it's a splurge-y item, but you will not regret investing in this for yourself." — Hudson
"This desert-inspired perfume is rich, earthy, and infused with meditative botanicals that provide you with a serious sense of calm. My fellow beauty editor Kaitlyn McLintock got me intrigued about this brand, and I think it would be the perfect scent to gift a friend for Galentine's or to wear on a V-Day date!" — Hudson
"This lip color kit features a bold, vampy wine shade with a hint of a chocolate undertone. I'm completely in love with it. It contains all your lip essentials from a pencil and gloss to a lipstick. I might snag this for a friend but will definitely be buying for myself, too." — Hudson
Erin Jahns, Beauty Director
"Some might say a red lip is too on theme for Valentine's Day, but I strongly disagree. Plus, it doesn't get chicer than Hermès's limited-edition spring/summer collection, which just launched. Fun fact: The signature refillable and color-blocked tubes were designed by fashion designer Pierre Hardy." — Jahns
"I would quite literally stock every single product from Truly in my bathroom if I had the space. I love the Glazed Donut collection, in particular (the smell is so effing yummy), and this post-shave lotion never fails to give me glowing and smooth skin with nary a bump or ingrown in site." — Jahns
"Recently, I've been in a bit of a hair-perfume phase and have been forgoing my regular perfumes altogether. Balmain's scents are gorgeous—I recommend Cardamom 1974 for this time of year, as it's warm and lightly sweet thanks to black pepper, cardamom oil, vanilla, rose, blackcurrant, ambroxan, and white musks." — Jahns
"How cool is the apothecary-like packaging of Kindred Black's collection of slow beauty products. Environmentally focused, the brand makes natural, artisan skincare, cosmetics, and botanical perfumes (plus other goodies for your vanity and home) sans plastic. Start with this ultra-reparative lip treatment, which not only cures chap practically instantaneously but also delivers the prettiest glossy shine." — Jahns

Kaitlyn McLintock is a Beauty Editor atBest Knockoff Luxury Clothing . She has 10 years of experience in the editorial industry, having previously written for other industry-leading publications, like Byrdie, InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, and others. She covers all things beauty and wellness-related, but she has a special passion for creating skincare content (whether that's writing about an innovative in-office treatment, researching the benefits of a certain ingredient, or testing Wholesale Replica Bag and greatest at-home skin device). Having lived in Los Angeles, California, and Austin, Texas, she has since relocated back to her home state, Michigan. When she's not writing, researching, or testing beauty products, she's working through an ever-growing book collection or swimming in the Great Lakes.
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