Valentine's Day is over, but that doesn't mean the sexytime fun has to cool down. Jimmyjane's Ember candle ($60) is a hot treat for you, your lovah, or the Oscar Wilde aficionado in your life. It burns like any regular candle, releasing scents of fennel, lemon, fig, and wormwood — the key ingredient of la fée verte. But the paraffin-free, lead-free Ember has a trick hiding up its sleeve. As the flame flickers, it melts the candle into spa-grade massage oil. Snuff the wick, drizzle the oil, and get your massage on. Because you know what they say: absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.
Massages are a classic Valentine's Day gift for the pampered beloved, and they're even more special (and nicely priced) if you give one yourself. But although a massage might seem pretty simple to give, the inherent messiness of using oils, candles, and maybe the odd rose petal or two means that a few minutes of planning is a very good thing. A little preparation can keep you from needing new sheets or, worst case scenario, can prevent a particularly embarrassing visit from the fire department. So what should you have on hand before you get romantic? For the checklist, just read more.
Ever ready with a cheeky pun, Lush has just come out with a new massage bar for Valentine's Day. It's called Play Your Cards Right ($8.95), and as you can see, it's designed just like a playing card. Cute, right? Its first ingredient is cocoa butter to soften skin, and it has essential oils of jasmine, clary sage, ylang ylang, and gardenia for fragrance. I haven't smelled it yet, but it's the same scent as that of Lush's bath fizzy Sex Bomb, which is fantastic. (Even Mr. Bella has asked me to pick up "more of those bath things" because he likes the jasmine fragrance so much.)
I prefer massage bars over massage oils because they're nowhere near as messy as drippy oils are; they melt on contact with skin, but as long as you keep them away from heat, they stay solid otherwise. Plus, they're moisturizing and wonderfully fragrant. I sometimes use Fever to moisturize dry skin, and without fail, someone asks me what "perfume" I'm wearing. But with any luck, you can use a massage bar to weasel your way into getting a full backrub from your sweetie.
What do you buy for the baby who has it all, the mom who has everything or for your own little pee-wee who you just can't not pamper? I admit, this is the epitome of indulgence, but aren't all beauty products? Here's a look at a few designer products for the boo!
Bobbi Brown Baby Massage Oil ($15) is great for babies since they are constantly faced with growing pains, aches and sore muscles. After the bath, rub 'em down with a little massage oil. It's the perfect reward after bath-time!
For two more designer beauty products for babies, read more
Fancy-pants British boudoir brand Agent Provocateur is naughty in all the right ways, and that playful sexiness extends to its beauty collection.
The latest addition to the line is Menage a Trois, a trio of non-greasy massage oils. Packaged in sleek black bottles with pink accents, the saucy scents are Rose Passion, Sensual Ylang Ylang, and Tuberose Intoxication. At $60, this is a sexy splurge best shared with someone you love—or at the very least, lust after!
