Think back for a moment, if you will, to Valentine’s Day in elementary school: It was a day full of sugar highs and high spirits, of donning a favorite red or pink sweater and celebrating the general concepts of love, affection and togetherness. And honestly, there’s no reason the holiday has to lose that spirit in adulthood. Whether single, partnered up or in some amorphous in-between area, chances are, we could all use an excuse to brighten a special someone’s day in the middle of February. It truly doesn’t matter whether that someone is a romantic interest, a BFF, a beloved neighbor or even yourself.
With that mood-boosting spirit — and joyful energy (if not the cavities and headaches of a 10-year-old’s sugar binge) — in mind, team Fashionista rounded up the fragrance gifts we have our eyes on this Valentine’s Day. They include the romantic perfumes, dreamy home scents, luxurious body lotions, delightful car fresheners and other olfactory treasures we absolutely love. They’re perfectly giftable, and certainly a step up from those folded pieces of cartoon-adorned paper you could stick a lollypop through and distribute to the whole class.
Keep scrolling to see (and shop) 18 editor-approved Valentine’s Day fragrance gifts.
Phlur Golden Rule, $99, available here: “With floral notes of orange flower water and jasmine blossom, this fragrance evokes one simple truth: The only thing better than receiving a gorgeous bouquet of flowers is smelling like one.” — Janelle Sessoms, Staff Writer
Aēsop Olous Aromatique Room Spray, $61, available here: “I love a home scent that brings freshness and nature into my city apartment — and this room spray does exactly that, incredibly effectively. After a few pumps, it feels like I just opened a window to a secluded country home surrounded by flourishing gardens.” —Dhani Mau, Editor in Chief
Byredo Suede Hand Cream, $80, available here: “According to the brand, this lightweight lotion features a scent with notes of pear, bergamot, lily of the valley, violet, velvet plum, soft musks and amber. While I certainly can’t pick out each of those, what I do know is that using it is a gorgeous sensorial experience. The musk and amber are the true standouts here, so it also melds perfectly as a base layer with any other scents you may spritz over top.” —Steph Saltzman, Beauty + Style Director
Snif Big Flirt Scented Candle, $46, available here: “With notes of wild strawberries, chocolate ganache, vanilla milk and champagne, this candle is a sensorial manifestation of Valentine’s Day. Now imagine this candle burning while enjoying an actual box of chocolate-covered strawberries. Heaven.” —Catie Pusateri, Contributing Writer
Jean Paul Gaultier Gaultier Divine Le Parfum, $143, available here: “Aside from the fact that the bottle is essentially an unofficial Madonna collectible, I absolutely love the fresh-cut flower smell of this perfume. There’s nothing better than receiving or gifting a giant bouquet of your favorite fully-bloomed florals and the scent emanating throughout a room, so why wouldn’t I want to personally smell like that, too?” —Brooke Frischer, Staff Writer + Social Media Manager
DedCool 01 Taunt Massage Candle, $55, available here: “With a base of vanilla bean and top notes of spice and citrus, the scent profile of this candle offers such a (pleasant) punch to the senses. And then there’s the true aphrodisiac aspect of it: As the wax melts, it can be poured over skin to double as a massage oil. Does it get sexier?” —Savannah Sitton, Market + Branded Content Editor
Glossier You Rêve Eau de Parfum, $78, available here: “For those looking for a creamy gourmand that’s anything but vanilla, this sweet-smelling scent balances notes of buttercream, plum butter, toasted almond, iris and creamy white sandalwood to deliver an alluringly delicious result.” —Catie
Byredo Bibliothèque Candle, $99, available here: “Is there a smell more romantic than that of a library filled with endless love stories throughout history? To me, the answer is a confident ‘No.’ By combining peach, plum and vanilla notes, this candle somehow also offers a whiff of a freshly turned page in a book. I discovered this candle as it was burning in one my favorite stores and I still haven’t made the purchase… someone take the hint!” —Brooke
Rabanne Midnight Sex Eau de Parfum, $315, available here: “Gifting someone a scent named after the notion of late-night intimacy is a bold move for sure — and the gorgeous blend of tuberose, orange blossom and coconut will win over just about anyone. The perfumers drew inspiration from Monsieur Rabanne’s 1969 book of nudes, making it possibly the chicest way to ‘send someone nudes’ in existence.” —Steph
Harlem Candle Co.”Love” By James Baldwin Ceramic Luxury Candle, $98, available here: “This romantic candle scent was inspired by author and activist James Baldwin’s travels from ‘Harlem to Provence’ on the search for love. It melds notes of apple, clove, rose and sandalwood — all is poured into a ceramic vessel covered in blooming roses and gold foil. So even once the wax is burned through, it makes a gorgeous accent to any room, and a gift that never really dies.” — Savannah
P.F. Candle Co. Golden Coast Car Fragrance 2-Pack, $19, available here: “Car fragrances were one of my favorite discoveries upon moving to Los Angeles. I’m currently in the market for a new car, and as soon as the lovely ‘new car smell’ dissipates, I’ll be putting one in. P.F. Candle Co.’s are great: small, inexpensive, uncomplicated, surprisingly long-lasting and noticeable without being overpowering. (They also work in small home spaces like bathrooms and closets.)” —Dhani
Juliette Has A Gun Lady Vengeance, $150, available here: “As one of the most sensual fragrances I’ve ever encountered, Lady Vengeance adds a sultry edge to an already romantic blend of Bulgarian rose, lavender, patchouli and vanilla. But it’s also perfect for that friend who’s been through a recent breakup and has some…feelings about it.” —Catie
Reisfields NYC Clay No. 4 Cement Candle, $70, available here: “The heavy, handmade cement vessel of this candle makes it a stunning gift that feels substantial in the gift receiver’s hands (and heart). Clay No. 4 is a scent ‘inspired by dinner dates’ and the ‘alluring aroma of smokey cocktails,’ which sounds like the ultimate Valentine’s Day eve to me.” — Savannah
Jil Sander Smoke, $290, available here: “Most of the time, smoke isn’t something I enjoy catching a whiff of, but this woody, spicy interpretation of it is just lovely. It features notes of upcycled cedarwood and fresh laundry, like ‘clothes drying near a fireplace,’ as the brand puts it. It’s subtle, sexy and chic — just like the packaging.” —Steph
Saltair Santal Bloom Trio $43, available here: “I’m running low on my beloved Santal Bloom body oil, which I basically use as my personal fragrance since most traditional perfumes give me a headache. It’s such a good scent I would happily accept and use any and all products made with it.” —Dhani
Bottega Veneta Acqua Sale Eau de Parfum, $450, available here: “Even if this were an emperor’s-new-clothes type of situation where this fragrance smelled like nothing, I’d be into it for the stunning, museum-worthy flacon alone. But the woody, slightly salty eau — created to mimic the experience of being ‘enveloped in saltwater’ — is just as enticing as its exterior.” —Steph
Ralph Lauren Romance Elixir, $135, available here: “What better scent to wear for a romantic night out than a fragrance literally called ‘Romance’?” —Janelle
Adlan Fragrances Coming Up Roses, $85, available here: “This Los Angeles-based brand has quite the hype for its luxurious candles that, allegedly, boast more than 60 hours of burn time. Its newest sultry scent is perfect for Valentine’s Day: The coconut wax base features notes of rosewater, wood and cumin for an unexpected, tingly blend that evokes a lovely bouquet of red roses.” — Savannah
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Source: Fashionista.com