The complete girl's guide to Valentine's Day

Whether you’ve been loved up for yonks, or just starting something new, Valentine’s Day tends to come with the expectation that big, expensive expressions of love are the standard.

What you’ll be pleased to know is that treating your beau to a special night at home can be just as romantic as any night out – maybe even more so. Here, we’ve put together a foolproof guide to getting yourself and your place ready for a Valentine’s Day evening he’ll never forget…

#1: set the mood

Candles are a fantastic way to set the mood, especially on Valentine’s Day. Just be sure to choose a scent that a guy would enjoy, too. This means nothing too sweet or too fruity. We recommend lighting Ecoya Midnight Orchid (with its sultry mix of black orchid, African violet, rose, white musk and amber) or dusk Aromatherapy Large Pillar in Passion, which smells luscious, thanks to a blend of ylang ylang and patchouli.

#2: beautify your body

If you want to seriously impress your dude (and give yourself some sexy confidence to boot) you’ll want to make sure your body is looking its best. Start in the shower by tending to your limbs with Babe Himalayan Pink Salt Body Scrub, which works to provide you with glowing skin and even tone while reducing the look of lines, lumps and bumps. Next, tend to your bikini line and underarms with the quick and easy-to-use Nad’s Bikini & Underarm Wax Strips and finish with a generous helping of St. Tropez Wash Off Instant Tan, which will provide you with a natural glow that’s water and transfer resistant. If tanning isn’t your thing, coat your body in L’Occitane Rose Tenderness Ultra Rich Body Cream to smell (and feel) utterly scrumptious.

#3: get your hair right

For a romantic, feminine look, big hair with soft curls is always a hit. To ensure you look the part, try prepping your freshly washed hair with Goldwell Ultra Volume Leave-In Boost Spray at the roots, which gives your limp hair the added ‘oomph’ it needs to look pillowy perfect. To the lengths, apply TIGI BED HEAD Foxy Curls Contour Cream – a leave-in lotion that works to carefully define each curl. Next, add to your natural curls by using Remington Perfect Waves. This innovative styling tool is a deep waver and big curler in one and comes complete with a heat-resistant cover. To finish off your look, brush out your curls with a paddle brush and spritz them with Fudge Iced Raspberry & Vanilla Hairspray.

#4: smell pretty

It’s all about how you smell on any date night, but especially on Valentine’s Day, which is why it pays to use aforementioned Fudge Iced Vanilla and Raspberry Hairspray. This strong hold hairspray helps to keep you ‘do in place and (you guessed it) smells just like raspberry and vanilla, which means it’s perfect for when he wants to nuzzle in. Top off your decadent scent with what I believe deserves to be dubbed ‘scent of the season’: Si by Giorgio Armani. This scent features notes of cassis nectar, light musky wood, sensual vanilla, freesia and patchouli. YUM.

#5: come up with sexy activities

A night in is definitely reason to come up with a few activities of a romantic nature. Why not pour two glasses of wine, run a bath with Pevonia Mystique Escape Bath Salts and soak? The combination of aromatic bath salts are enriched with 73 different minerals and provide an intimate setting for just the two of you to enjoy. Next, take the fun outside the bathroom and treat your guy to a sensual massage with a luxurious oil. Our top picks are Jurlique Rose Body Oil and Pure Fiji Nourishing Exotica Oil in Passionflower.

#6: don’t forget the finishing touches

So now that everything’s set for a night he won’t forget, it’s time to get your ultimate date night face on. To start, apply theBalm Sexy Mama (anti-shine translucent powder) over your make-up. This will keep shine at bay without the need for touch-ups all night long. Then, swipe your flutter with a generous lashing of Maybelline New York The Colossal Volum’ Express Cat Eyes Mascara. This little beauty features a collagen-infused formula that saturates each lash with jet-black pigment. To finish, treat your lips and digits to a tantalising swipe of vixen red. We love L'Oréal Paris Infallible 2-Step Longwear Lipstick in 505 Resolution Red (because it won’t budge all night – even after 100 smooches) and
Clinique A Different Nail Enamel in Red Red Red, because it’s guaranteed to fit in with your flirty nature.

Stockists:
Babe Himalayan Pink Salt Scrub, $21.95, buy it here
Pevonia Mystique Escape Bath Salts, $53, www.pevonia.com.au
dusk Aromatherapy Large Pillar in Passion, $26.99, dusk.com.au

What is your tip for creating a picture-perfect Valentine's Day setting? Which products are your favourites when it comes to feeling sexy?