From hair to skin and nails, here is my beauty prep for Valentine’s Week
As a beauty editor, Valentine’s Week feels like the perfect time to transition out of my holiday beauty routine, and into something fresher, lighter, and more practical.
Being a dry-skinned girlie, moisture was my top priority during the festive season — but let’s be honest, the weather is way too hot now for heavy lotions layered with Vaseline and body oil. So, beyond my usual skincare, I’m exploring new ways to elevate my overall beauty routine — from laser hair removal and ombré nails to a sleek C-cut bob.
Luckily, my Valentine’s Week beauty prep aligns perfectly with my monthly beauty maintenance, which means I get to experiment with new beauty treatments. Here’s how I’m preparing for the week:
I tried laser hair removal… but I’m unsure
Hair removal is at the top of most ladies’ beauty routines for Valentine’s week *wink wink* – and I refuse to be left out. If you’re not interested in hair removal, there’s nothing inherently wrong with that either.
Personally, I lack the patience for DIY waxing, and I’m not a big fan of using razors either – because of bumps. However, this time around, I decided to explore laser hair removal for my underarms.
At the beauty salon, I was made to wear UV shades for my eyes before the procedure started. A gel-like substance was also applied to my underarms to enable the lasers glide smoothly across my skin. The procedure took about 45 minutes for both arms.
Will I be opting for laser hair removal frequently? Honestly, no. There is a three-month interval before hair follicles return after the procedure. And I was told that I would have to repeat it about four to five times biweekly for ideal results. Honestly, who has the time? In my opinion, it’s not worth it.
The whole procedure was not painful generally, and I even dozed off for a bit. However, from time to time the lasers gave a tingling feeling almost similar to minor electric shocks. I found it uncomfortable, so I don’t anticipate repeating that five times biweekly after every quarter.
It was nice exploring laser hair removal, but I’ll stick to waxing for now.
I got a snazzy C-Cut Bob
I flirted with the idea of stepping into my pixie cut era for Valentine’s Week, but let’s be real — I’m not quite ready to channel my inner Ayra Starr. So, I played it safe and stuck with what I know: a bob. My apologies to the sabi girls — I know, I know. My time is coming.
That said, I’m still embracing newness Valentine’s Week beauty prep! Before this, I had never tried a C-cut bob installation. I won’t lie, the process felt long — nearly three hours for a short bob — but the final look made it all worth it.
Honestly, this might be the perfect Valentine’s hairstyle. It’s chic, versatile, and works for every plan on the calendar — whether it’s a romantic dinner, a Galentine’s brunch, or just another day at the office. It’s low-maintenance, lightweight, and effortlessly stylish.
Basically, the C-cut bob gives you the best of all worlds.
Goodbye heavy moisturisers! Hello body lotion!
For my Valentine’s Week beauty prep I’m removing and replacing. I have taken the Vaseline petroleum jelly out of my routine and replaced it with a lighter lotion — Nivea’s Vitamin C Radiant + Beauty Even Glow.
Before the harmattan season, I had been using this lotion. It does not hydrate my dry skin properly, so it had to leave for heavier moisturizers. But for this hot weather, this lotion does exactly what it’s meant to do. So far, it has helped the appearance of my scars. It has also reduced some dark spots on my hands while giving me an even tone.
But, the effects were not drastic. I started noticing changes in the appearance of my scars and dark spots about two weeks after using it consistently in the morning and at night. Layering this lotion with Vaseline’s Coco Radiant oil will moderately moisturize my dry skin for the hot weather and also help prevent hyperpigmentation.
I’ve been a big fan of Dove’s body wash, the soap bar and body scrub for a long time. Dove body wash moisturizes my skin, and it smells absolutely amazing. If you are prepping for intimate moments with your partner, the alluring vanilla fragrance of ‘pampering’ Dove body wash or bar is just perfect
For my face, I’ve been religiously following my simple four-step facial care routine. I’ve not made any dramatic changes. I’ve been loving this Korean face wash — Song Jung because it doesn’t strip my skin, and it lathers well. Perfect for dry-skinned girlies like me who need the lather to make them feel their skin is cleansed.
I was struggling with hyperpigmentation and Good Molecules Discolouration Serum has just been my go-to. As expected, the changes were not drastic, and my hyperpigmentation was not completely clear until a month later. Topical’s Faded might have faster results, who knows? I’ll try that next time I have serious hyperpigmentation.
Finally, my Face Facts Moisturizing Face Cream and Skin Aqua Sunscreen to seal it up. Honestly, I started using Face Facts Moisturizing Face Cream because it was affordable. It has ceramides, hyaluronic acid and oats. Now, sometimes I use Face Facts and my friends ask me if I moisturized. It has not been the best option for my dry skin, but it’s light and perfect for the hot weather. It does not cause any dramatic changes, but it moisturizes your face. If you have dry skin, and you need something to keep your face moisturized all day, Face Facts might not be the best option for you.
For Skin Aqua, I have no comments concerning the ‘super-moisture’ claims except for the fact that it’s light. I was using Essence before I switched to Skin Aqua, in comparison, Skin Aqua is very light. But I like Skin Aqua, it leaves my skin feeling supple, and it doesn’t leave white casts if applied properly.
Switching up my skincare routine will not cause dramatic changes in time for Valentine’s Day, but in the long run, I’m excited for healthier skin, especially in the hot weather.
Mani-Pedis
Still embracing the spirit of trying new things, I went for a jelly pedicure — and honestly, best decision ever. I read that jelly pedicures are great for dry skin and calluses, and they didn’t lie. Not to be dramatic, but this is the softest, most moisturised my feet have ever felt.
Beyond the hydration boost, the session itself was incredibly relaxing. My feet felt less tense, smoother, and officially sandal-ready for Valentine’s. If you prioritise exfoliation in your pedicures, a jelly pedicure might be your new best friend — it gently removes dead skin cells while leaving your feet feeling baby-soft.
For my nails, I chose a nude ombré set, and quite frankly, I’m obsessed. I’m deep in my nude era and wanted to avoid the go-to French tips. Don’t get me wrong — I love a classic French mani, but it’s Valentine’s, and we’re switching things up!
Now, let’s talk about the process. Getting this set done was exhausting. By exhausting, I mean an hour and a half of sitting, waiting, and wishing it would end. I know good things take time, but can we speed it up a little? This is exactly why I stick to short nails — they’re practical and don’t require me to dedicate my entire afternoon to a nail appointment.
Also, a fair warning: the acrylic powder used during the process caused a burning sensation on my nails. My nail tech had to use a dissolver spray to soothe it. So, if you have sensitive nails or allergies, I wouldn’t recommend an ombré set or acrylic powders. That said, they turned out gorgeous, and you can switch up the colours to match your Valentine’s vibe.
And there you have it – my Valentine’s Week beauty prep as a Beauty Editor. Share what your beauty routine for Valentine’s Week looks like in the comments!
