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Whether it’s the stress of finding the perfect gift for that special someone or the strain of knowing you’ll be spending the dreaded holiday alone, Valentine’s Day can be rough. That’s why gifting yourself this Valentine’s Day is an absolute must.
“So many women feel guilty for treating themselves in any way, as though it is selfish or greedy to do so,” said Carole Brody Fleet, author of 'Widows Wear Stilettos: A Practical and Emotional Guide for the Young Widow.' “You deserve to be pampered and treated like the awesome person that you are.”
You deserve to be pampered and treated like the awesome person that you are.
- Carole Brody Fleet, author of "Widows Wear Stilettos"
The Gift of Relaxation
Do you experience frequent knots in your shoulder, have too many visible pores on your face or have a bikini line that's out of control? Well, why not take care of one -- or all -- of those problems?
Treat yourself to a spa day complete with massage, facial, body scrub and waxing this Valentine’s Day -- and you’ll see and feel the rewards for weeks to come.
“Not only can spa treatments improve your health and well-being on the inside, they can also improve your confidence and appearance on the outside,” says Stephanie Cavataro, assistant editor of the blog “Spa Week Daily.” Facials can help fight those pesky fine lines and dark spots, while treatments like body wraps can actually help reduce the appearance of cellulite, Cavataro said.
Can’t afford these lavish treatments? Then go for a mini-massage or a single spa treatment, Fleet suggests. “A mini-massage on your neck and shoulders, a manicure or pedicure, or any other service that isn’t a part of your regular beauty routine is a lovely way to treat yourself.”
You can even purchase an at-home meditation and massage CD to save money while still getting the rejuvenating benefits. “Meditation brings calm, stillness and inner peace,” says Hali Chambers, a hypnotherapist, massage therapist and the creator of the “Virtual Massage” CD. “It brings a smile to your being, and smiling women are always more beautiful.”
Sure, most girls love to indulge in a good mani-pedi or lingerie shopping spree, but self-gifting on Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about fashion and beauty. There are other fun, self-gifting ideas that will stay with you long after the holiday:
Take a cooking -- or art, photography, pottery, foreign language -- class to learn a new hobby or improve your favorite craft. Not only will the class be fun and interactive, you’ll be able to use the lessons for years to come.
Treat yourself to a fun event. Whether it’s a ballet performance, a Broadway show or a concert by your favorite band, you’ll not only get your creative juices flowing, but you’ll make memories to last a lifetime.
Volunteer. “People in need is a year-round reality,” said Carole Brody Fleet, grief recovery expert and award-winning writer. “Why not take a platter or two of Valentine’s cookies or brownies down to a shelter, a soup kitchen or to the children’s wing of a hospital?” Spreading the love to others on Valentine’s Day could be the best gift you’ll ever get.
The Gift of a Hot New You
Whether you’re beauty-obsessed or only go light on the makeup front, a new makeup routine can do wonders for your appearance and your self-confidence. But makeup can be expensive, so buying tons of new products on a whim may not be the best idea.
Instead, head to your local department store and check out your favorite beauty brand for a makeup consultation. “It’s a great idea for Valentine’s Day; it’s the perfect prep before a romantic dinner or going out for drinks with girlfriends,” notes Laramie Glen, makeup artist and founder of Book Your Look, an online makeup consultation booking service. “You will receive a lesson about how to wear makeup that looks beautiful, and you’ll feel great for whatever comes your way that evening.”
If you’re looking to splurge, you can even arrange for an at-home beauty consultant to give you a makeover, Fleet says. “If you usually go bare faced or use minimal makeup, ask to try a glamour look,” she says. “If you already rock the glam with your makeup, change your usual color palette.”
Too scared that your new look won’t be to your liking? “Remember, it’s not surgery and it will wash off if you hate it,” Fleet adds. “If you love it, you’ve just discovered another you.”
To avoid a makeover disaster, be vocal about exactly what you want. “Prepare by looking at some pictures of women whose look you love,” Glen says. “Tell the makeup artist if you want an everyday look for work or a nighttime look, and watch in a handheld mirror as she applies the makeup to learn.”
The Gift of a Great Closet
If you're like many other women who often look in their closets and think, “I have nothing to wear,” the gift of an image makeover may be the perfect Valentine's Day gift.
“An image makeover will instantly make a woman more attractive,” says Dana Lam, image consultant and co-author of “Does This Ponytail Make My Butt Look Big? Style & Beauty for Every Woman.” “When you have an expert showing you what colors look best with your skin tone and what items to wear that will maximize your best features and minimize your flaws, you can’t help but feel more beautiful. “
Hiring an image consultant will help you instantly weed out the bad-for-you outfits, creating a closet full of clothes that look amazing and fashionable. “Having a clutter-free closet with items you love that fit well will save you time, money and stress,” Lam says.
Don’t have the dough to dish out on this kind of service? Do some research on your body type and skin tone to find out what silhouettes and shades will help you look your best. With this information in mind, go through your closet, tossing anything that doesn’t fit the criteria or that you haven’t worn in more than a year -- and then treat yourself to a few new pieces.
The Gift of a Great Body
Have you been slacking off on your New Year’s resolution to hit the gym every day of the week? Then Valentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to renew your resolution with a kick-butt gym membership.
When searching for the perfect gym, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure it’s going to meet all of your needs. Is it conveniently located near your home or office? Do the operating hours fit your schedule? Does the gym have the equipment and machines you like to use?
If the gym you’re contemplating doesn’t satisfy these requirements, it’s likely that you’ll find yourself skipping out on gym time and wasting money.
And when it comes to money, make sure that the price you’re paying is proportional to the amount of time you’ll be spending at the gym. For example, if you’re paying $100 a month, but only hitting the gym once a week, that’s a waste of money – which you could be spending on a fabulous new little black dress. Instead, find a gym that has a lower membership fee, even if this means fewer perks.
The Gift of Sex Appeal
What better way to show off that new hot body of yours than with a revamped – and much sexier – lingerie wardrobe? That’s right, ladies; Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to start building an out-of-this-world lingerie collection.
“You would be surprised at what a difference you feel when you put on a new bra and panty set,” says Jada Michaels, lingerie adviser to stars such as Audrina Patridge and Vanessa Lachey. “Even if it is just to go to the office or to wear to the grocery store, you get an instant feeling that you did something for yourself.”
Michaels suggests starting your collection with three key pieces: You’ll want a sexy robe to wrap yourself in post-shower or while you’re primping for a big night out. You’ll also want a sultry, satin nightgown for sleeping. “There’s something very self-pampering when you slip on a satin nightie and crawl into bed, even when it’s just you,” she explains. “You’ll feel better when you fall asleep and feel like a new sexy person when you wake up.” Lastly, invest in a seductive garter belt and thigh highs. “You can wear them under a pencil skirt or just to spice things up.”
Whether it’s to impress your significant other or to just feel great by yourself, a sexy lingerie collection can do wonders for your self-confidence and sex appeal.
“Remember, being you is what makes you sexy,” Michaels says. “And your lingerie collection is the first step in starting to feel sexy again.”
