Elevate & Illuminate: In February, let love begin with you, before it becomes anything else

This Edit is about choosing yourself first and allowing love to move through you, not around you.

Love’s greatest paradox lies in its stark simplicity and its unyielding complexity. It shifts between presence and absence, certainty and doubt, sometimes within the same breath. One day, love blooms as a bursting bouquet of bright flowers, wrapped in silk ribbons and scented paper. Another day, it appears as a message typed too quickly between meetings, imperfect yet sincere.

At times, love enters as quiet vulnerability — the moment you realise you care more than you planned to. At others, it takes shape as visible desire: the urge to be close, to be known, to rest in another’s presence. Love can feel bold or subtle, fleeting or enduring, romantic or rooted in something deeper. As we change, love changes with us. It mirrors who we are becoming, what we are learning to release, and where we choose to open ourselves again. It calls for patience, courage, and attention. It asks us to stay present.

In this edit of Elevate & Illuminate, we explore love in all its forms — through the products we return to, the rituals that soften our days, and the objects that help us feel more like ourselves. These things do not replace connection; they hold it — in scent, texture, colour, and memory. What we choose to love reflects who we are, what we cherish, and how we move through the world. They remind us that love is not only something we feel; it is something we live, choose, and carry every day.

Skincare

Even Pigment Perfector Dual Serum

₦55,575

Eucerin

This powerhouse serum combines Hyaluronic Acid with Thiamidol, a lesser-known but highly effective ingredient for treating hyperpigmentation. And while Thiamidol is impressive, it should not be used on skin that is wounded, broken, or actively irritated.

Shop at Beauty Hut Africa
Plum Plump Hyaluronic Face Cream by Glow Recipe via mirrorsbeauty.com

Plum Plump Hyaluronic Face Cream

₦88,000

Glow Recipe

If you’ve known me long enough, you already know I’m obsessed with hydrating serums and creams. And if you’re anything like me, the best time to add this to your routine was yesterday. The second best time is right now.

Shop at Mirrors Beauty

Eden’s Elixir

₦17,100

Arami Essentials

I’ve been using Eden’s Elixir since 2018, and it’s one of the few products I’ve truly stayed loyal to. It calms and hydrates my skin in a way I can actually feel, and I love how it smells. It’s one of those rare products that works wherever I use it — face, body, and sometimes, even my hair.

Shop at Arami Essentials
N°1 De Chanel Serum-In-Mist by CHANEL via chanel.com

N°1 De Chanel Serum-In-Mist

$120

CHANEL

This light and airy mist sinks into my skin the very moment it touches my face. It’s especially great for hot and humid weather because it leaves no residue or shine in its wake. It simply leaves my skin feeling hydrated and calm.

Shop at CHANEL

Fragrance

Infusion de Rhubarbe

$190

Prada

This delightful blend of sweet and tangy rhubarb, fresh green mandarin, and delicate rose leaves me feeling feminine and graceful. It is beautifully anchored in a powdery white musk, making it a delectable choice for romantic daytime dates.

Shop at Prada

Jasmin Rouge

£222

Tom Ford

This sultry, audacious scent is perfect for sensual trysts, as the month of love demands. It is intoxicating, warm, and just a little dangerous. It wraps around the skin, lingering long after you’ve left your lover’s sheets.

Shop at Tom Ford

Born In Roma

₦289,000

Valentino

This is one of my favourite Valentino creations. It’s warm, sweet, and a little rebellious. Every single time I have worn this scent, I receive endless compliments. It leaves me feeling confident and soft at the same time.

Shop at Essenza

ANGEL NOVA

₦256,000

MUGLER

I loved Womanity deeply, so when it was discontinued, I didn’t think another Mugler scent would move me like that again. Then I found this. The raspberry is bold and sweet, lifted by lychee, with Damask rose at the centre. It’s fruity, woody, and unapologetically feminine. It’s become my new Mugler obsession.

Shop at Diptyque

Makeup

Rosy Glow Blush in “Rosewood”

₦88,000

Dior

This gorgeous shade of blush sits beautifully between rose and brown, giving a warm, sculpted flush that is both elegant and feminine. It’s my idea of a perfect daytime blush; soft and flattering.

Shop at Mirrors Beauty

Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder in “Dancing Queen”

₦52,272

Danessa Myricks Beauty

ABBA’s Dancing Queen has always been one of my favourite songs. So, the fact that this is also my favourite shade of the Yummy Skin Blurring Balm Powder just feels right. It’s smooth, sultry, and leaves my cheeks in that rich plum shade I can never get enough of.

Shop at Mirrors Beauty

I Heart Revolution Chocolate Shadow Palette in “Marble Rose Gold”

₦20,445.39

Makeup Revolution

This eyeshadow palette is warm, flattering, and easy to work with. You can keep the eyes soft during the day or deepen them at night without the colours turning muddy. It’s glamorous, feminine, and very easy to love.

Shop at Care to Beauty

Super Stay Vinyl Ink Longwear Liquid Lipcolor in “Royal”

₦16,000

Maybelline

This is the red you wear when you’re feeling sexy and mischievous. I cannot express how much I love this colour. It’s perfect for dates that linger a little too long, and kisses that aren’t intended to stay private.

Shop at Diptyque

Fashion

Maribel Dress

₦100,000

Yve

This dress is for when you want to unlock your inner vixen. The animal print and sheer mesh tap into something primal and magnetic, and the moment you slip it on, you feel instantly alluring. It’s bold, confident, and made to be noticed.

Shop at Yve

Lily in “Red/Rose”

₦185,000

Lhambi

I’m obsessed with the little heart detail on this one. It’s what makes the whole piece. The red and rose tones feel bold and romantic, while the shape keeps it playful instead of precious. It gives real queen-of-hearts energy, the kind that feels confident, flirtatious, and impossible to ignore.

Shop at Lhambi

Kōyō Saddlebag in “Burgundy”

₦135,000

SHOBIKĀN

The colour alone is reason enough to fall in love with this bag. This deep burgundy is striking and sensual, brought to life through croc-embossed patent leather and soft velvet that feels as good as it looks. It’s the kind of piece that quietly elevates everything you pair it with.

Shop at Mirrors Beauty

Nuit & Lace Sheer Lace Lingerie Set

₦36,000

Brief Essentials

This sheer lace set traces the body beautifully, creating a look that feels soft yet undeniably bold. It’s made for slow, intimate evenings, where confidence and sensuality are a foundational part of the atmosphere.

Shop at Brief Essentials

Wellness

Yuzu Vanille Scented Candle

₦65,000

LOHN

This candle opens with a sharp, almost sparkling yuzu that immediately cuts through the room. As it burns, the vanilla comes forward in a smooth, creamy way that feels sensual rather than sweet. It creates an intimate atmosphere that feels deliberate, personal, and very close to the skin.

Shop at Lohn

Couples Edition

$16.00

We’re Not Really Strangers

I love how this creates space for real, intimate conversations. The questions move from light to deeply personal, opening up memories, feelings, and perspectives you may not have shared before. It helps you understand your partner in a more layered way, strengthening the emotional connection between you.

Shop at We're Not Really Strangers

Adult Dice

₦4,500

Generic

This is for when you’re already in the mood and just want to make it more playful. You roll, follow the prompt, and let it set the pace for the night. It’s cheeky, flirty, and a fun way to turn sexy time into a game you both enjoy.

Shop at Brief Essentials

Massage Oil in “Rose Geranium & Ylang Ylang”

₦12,000

Mint Organic Care

This blend opens warm and floral, with the soft sweetness of rose geranium melting into the creamy depth of ylang ylang. It feels calming, but utterly sensual. It’s as beautiful for unwinding alone as it is for sharing slow, intimate moments.

Shop at Mint Organic Care

The Season’s Affirmations

 

1.

I am worthy of deep, genuine love.

2.

I am chosen, prioritised, and cherished.

3.

I am deserving of safe and steady commitment.

4.

I am at home in my body.

5.

I am comfortable expressing my sensuality.

6.

I am magnetic and desired.

7.

I am open to receiving affection.

8.

I am aligned with love that honours me.

9.

I am enough, exactly as I am.

10.

I am secure in the love that surrounds me.

Love begins with you

Love does not begin when someone chooses you. It begins when you recognise yourself as worthy of being chosen. It starts in the certainty that you are deserving of devotion, tenderness, and care. From this place, love is no longer something you wait for. It becomes something you carry with you everywhere you go.

When you honour your body, your desires, and your softness, you allow love to move through you freely. You stop shrinking for it. You stop chasing it. You let yourself be seen as you are, trusting that what is meant for you will meet you with the same depth you offer yourself.

Love grows when you learn to receive. When you open your heart without abandoning your boundaries. When you stand in your truth and allow connection to feel safe, steady, and nourishing. In choosing yourself, you become the home love was always trying to find.

If there is anything I want you to remember all month long, it is this: love begins with you

lazyload

Author

  • lazyload

    The Siren of the South, Denise is Editor-in-Chief at Marie Claire Nigeria. An astrologer, singer, and tarot reader, she is passionate, spirited, and vivacious. Denise enjoys sitting by the ocean, and can often be found dancing to music only she seems to hear, laughing at out-of-pocket posts, or speaking to plants.

    View all posts
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