We Aim To Slay

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is seen as an opportunity to express your romantic love towards your significant other, but this year I say we flip the script! I’m walking you through my recipe for the perfect V-Day – showering ourselves in self love!

Spa Day Essentials

If you’ve read any of my previous self care posts, you’ll know that I’m a big fan of a relaxing soak in the tub! For me the ideal bath experience includes: a bath bomb, epsom salts soak, a face mask, a little snack, and one my favorite movies – the 1957 classic, Funny Face starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire!

This year I’ll be crafting the perfect bath with a pair of Asquith & Somerset’s 12 Days of Crystal Bath Fizzers in the scents rose and lavender and Dr Teal’s pure epsom salt soaking solution. To channel my inner Aphrodite I used the Soap & Glory Pout About It hydrogel lip mask, the TONYMOLY I’m Rice clear skin sheet mask, the Fourth Ray Beauty Chill Sesh Hydrating eye masks, and elevated the vibes with the Firenze rose candle! 

As a proud #CurlyGirly, I treated myself to the Paris Hilton Luxury Satin Sleep Set in red satin, which included a scrunchie, a sleep mask, and an embroidered pillowcase! 

Sweet Treats!

Nothing says self care like a sweet treat! This year I’m indulging with one of my favorites, pistachio macarons! I also found the cutest set of chocolates at HomeGoods, the Charbonnel et Walker Handbags and Heels Milk Chocolate Shoes. In sticking with the Valentine’s Day theme, I opted for sparkling pink beverages – the Cote des Roses rose for those who enjoy an adult beverage, and the Welch’s Sparkling Strawberry non-alcoholic juice cocktail for those of us who’d prefer to abstain!

Valentine’s Day Inspired Glam!

I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t take the opportunity for a photo shoot! In honor of those who are planning to celebrate with their galentines or significant others, here are several looks crafted to channel the Valentine’s Day color palette!

The Glam: Makeup Edition

When I sat down to create this look I truly had no expectations – I just knew that I didn’t want to create my usual pink look. I ended up creating a very cool, Marie Antoinette inspired look with little hearts accenting one of my cheeks and eyes! 

Listed below are all of the products I used to create this look, and you can watch the full tutorial on Friday, when the video goes live on the We Aim To Slay YouTube channel! 

• Apres Active Beauty’s Cool + Glow Facial Towelettes
• Apres Active Beauty’s Balancing Serum Facial Mist
• Maybelline Master Prime
• Clinique Even Better Makeup Foundation
• Fenty Match Stix
• Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
• Sephora Brand Setting Powder
• Sailor Moon X ColourPop Blush
• Sephora Brand Setting Spray
• Benefit Fluff Up Brow Wax
• NYX Long Wear Slim Eye Pencil
• Thrive Causemetics lip liner
• Morphe 35H Hot Spot Artistry palette 
• Juvia’s The Zulu palette
• Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner
• L’Oreal Voluminous mascara 
• Huda Beauty Lip Contour 2.0 in Very Berry 
• Huda Beauty Demi Matte Lipstick in SheEO

The Glam: Manicure Edition

This may be one of my most favorite sets of all time! It took me literally hours because I hand painted all of the elements, but I think it turned out really well! Hand painting the aura nails was way more difficult than I ever could have imagined – but they turned out super cute! And, I kind of love the hearts with the golden outlines!

I created this manicure using my go-to brand, Le Mini Macaron, and a brand I’ve been loving more and more, Beetles! Products used are: Le Mini Macaron shades Sugar Crush and Golden Elixir, and Beetles Foundation Base Gel, Top It Off top coat, and shades #606, #611, #615, and #616!

And I finished off my manicure by washing my hands, applying first Ponds Dry Skin Cream lotion, and the Sally Hansen nail oil for my cuticle!

The Glam: Outfit Edition

This year I’ve styled four looks, all catering to a different V-Day outing! 

For the Formal Event

Have plans to go see a play or other theater performance? Then this look is for you! This gown is the perfect item to wear on an outing to see a play or ballet, or even to stage a photo shoot with your friends! I wasn’t able to find a designer in this gown, but here is a selection of floral ball gowns to help you craft a similar look!

For Your Galentine’s!

If you caught last week’s post, you’ll see that I challenged myself to style this Vessita dress! Any of these looks would be a fun look to celebrate with your besties!

To Dance The Night Away!

There’s nothing I love more than a night of dancing! This look helps you battle the February chill while still looking angelic!

I paired this satin slip dress with a faux fur vest and a pair of white quilted booties by Guess. This was also the first time I successfully created the Diana Ross hairstyle and this is definitely one that I’ll be trying to recreate again!

For Your Sexy Date Night

Leave your special someone speechless by combining a full body catsuit with a satin slip! 

Another take on wearing the satin slip out as your outfit, this time I’m combining it with one of my favorite accessories to add an interesting layer to an otherwise simple item! I finished off the look with the same lace shawl I wore with the Vessita dress, and a pair of strappy sandals that I got from TJ Maxx!

How I’ll Be Spending the Day!

I’ll be snuggled up with my pup, watching the Bridgerton sneak peek! If you’ve been starved for Regency-era glamor, you can learn about the fashion of the time period in my post celebrating last year’s premier! And if you’re looking for incredible costuming regardless of the era, my picks for the best period piece movies to watch this Valentine’s Day! 

• The Duchess: Dark, oddly steamy and the costuming is stunning!
• Sophia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette: Not the Regency Period, but stunning looks and cinematography, and a killer soundtrack!
• The Keira Knightly Anna Karenina: Also not Regency, but wow! The set design is so impressive
• The Vivien Leigh Anna Karenina: I’ll never say no to Viv!
• Pride & Prejudice: What we’re learning is, if Keira Knightly is in the movie, it’s likely on this list! 
• Bridgerton & Queen Charlotte: We can rewatch our favorite dysfunctional townsfolk while we wait for the new season!  

What Do You Think?

How will you be spending your Valentine’s Day this year? Even if you have an evening out planned, use some of these tips and products the next time you’re looking to show yourself a little extra love! 

I’ll be back next week to ponder a question I’ve had for a while – is the catsuit the most wearable accessory?!

Have a great rest of your week, and remember to SLAY!