Some people like to wine and dine their lover, while others want to shower them with lavish gifts, cards and chocolates.
Like Christmas, February 14 can be an expensive time as shops and firms try to cash in on those snapping up pricy presents for their loved one.
Men especially can be seen tearing their hair out, wondering what gift to go for.
But fear not, HNG’s Tried and Tested team has sampled a few products to see which ones we love or which ones should be dumped.
Dove Spa Milk (4/5)
RRP £15, available from www.dovespa.co.uk
I ADORE long hot soaks in the bath, especially after a long day in work. Therefore bath accessories are a perfect gift for me and are always welcome.
However, I often find some bubble bath lotions leave my skin feeling itchy, instead of moisturised and on a few occasions I’ve had to step into the shower after my bath, just to relieve my skin.
But Dove Spa Milk was a luxurious item, which left my bath smelling gorgeously fragranced, without the cheap and nasty bubbles. My skin felt lovely afterwards too. £15 is verging on the expensive side, but as a gift, this product would be more than welcome.
JM
Flo Fragrance Atomiser (5/5)
£10 from Boots and www.boots.com
THIS tiny capsule lets you bring a favourite fragrance with you everywhere you go.
It’s a fantastic idea, holding around ten sprays without the need to carry around a glass jar of perfume or aftershave spray.
Be careful when loading it, however, as spray can quite easily fall out. It’s one of those rare things, that could appeal to men as well as women.
AJ
Mr and Mrs board game by University Games (4/5)
RRP £14.99 available from all good retailers.
BASED on the hit ITV show, this board game is perfect to whip out after dinner when you have friends round.
I think it’s most fun when there are a few couples, rather than just you and your partner playing. But it’s guaranteed to cause laughs, blushes and a few arguments!
Really good fun and it makes a change from the traditional board games under my table such as Trivial Pursuit or Monopoly.
Great present, which can be used again and again!
JM
Viridian Nutrition’s Ultimate Beauty Gift Set (3/5)
£34, available from independent health stores or at www.viridian-nutrition.com
IF you have a beautiful lady in your life, then this little bag of tricks will only beautify her even more.
Contained in a cute organic cotton cosmetics bag are three products including Ultimate Beauty Complex – multi-vitamin capsules to boost your skin, hair and nails; Ultimate Beauty Oil, a blend of hemp, flax, pumpkin, avocado and evening primrose seed oils to take off and spoon, enjoy in smoothies or salad dressings; and Ultimate Beauty Topical Skin Repair Oil – a blend of organic oils including jojoba and rosehip to rub into your skin reduce the appearance of stretch marks and uneven tone.
There’s also a 40-page booklet contain beauty-boosting tips, advice and recipes.
Trying these products out, I was a bit wary as I find many of these kinds of products don’t deliver their promises. However, I felt they did work their magic a little bit.
Although it smelled a bit like the oil you put in a burner, the Skin Repair Oil left my skin nice and soft, while the nutty tasting Beauty Oil and beauty capsules left me feeling a bit more tip-top in general.
Viridian describes itself as a leading ethical and environmental brand, so this is ideal for the more eco-friendly girlfriend or wife.
HB
Green & Black’s Conversations (4/5)
£4.49, available at all major supermarkets and at www.greensandblackdirect.com
I DO love a good box of chocolates, the only problem I usually have is putting the box down again after one or two.
On offer with this box is a selection of milk, dark and butterscotch chocolates, which come in the form of individually wrapped squares.
Each wrapper also displays conversation-sparking questions (which are fine, but really of little use and more of a gimmick than an actual selling point).
The chocolates themselves were lovely, though very rich, so I only had one or two before putting the box down, which is a good thing.
I initially was a little unsure about trying butterscotch chocolates, but the flavour was really smooth with just a hint of toffee.
It’s also fair-trade chocolate, so that is an added bonus and they are very fairly priced.
This would make an ideal Valentines present for him or her – go for it!
JM
Love Fairy (2/5)
£6, from www.fairiesandfriends.co.uk
THIS is really sweet as a little token gift to give your girlfriend. It’s individual and a really romantic gift that the recipient can hang up in her bedroom to remind her of her man.
Basically, it’s a little fairy doll, complete with pink organza dress, heart sequin and little tinkling bell feet.
And there’s a little love poem that reads: “Keep me safe, I’ll flutter my wings, and love will come to you. Or give me to someone special to show your love is true!”
At £6 though it’s perhaps a wee bit expensive for what it is.
HB
Superdry Double Dry Oil cologne (4/5)
£55 for 100ml, from www.superdry.com
A SURE-FIRE Valentine’s Day winner, bodyspray is something people always need, and this bottle provides a pleasant vanilla smell, which shouldn’t make your date feel nauseous, should you buy it for yourself.
Vitally, it comes in a usefully big bottle, which is of more importance to many gentlemen than the smell of the stuff.
AJ
Forever 25th Edition Eau de Parfum for Women (4/5)
£36.67, from www.forevershopnow.com
IF you don’t already know what your lady’s favourite perfume is, then this will sure to be a winner as it’s got a light pleasant soft scent that isn’t pungent or offensive to the nose.
What I liked about it was its fresh scent, which is ideal for everyday wear as opposed to the type of strong knock-out fragrance you would wear on a night out.
In a pretty clear bottle, it boasts a floral odour that blends petals with warm, musky woods and is aimed at elegant women. I received positive remarks while wearing this perfume and I would be chuffed if I received this as a Valentine’s gift. I would say it’s suitable for women of all ages.
The website is worth looking at as there’s a man’s version, 25th Edition Cologne for Men, also priced £36.67, and other products suitable for women including a luxurious Aroma Spa Collection at £58.73.
HB
Jane Packer – Red Roses Black Violet Cyclamen Eau de Parfum (2/5)
50 ml, RRP £45, from www.johnlewis.com
PERFUME can be a very personal gift. This is because what one person finds appealing in a scent, another might not.
However, I’ve found of late that there are plenty of pleasant, floral perfumes, which make ideal day-to-day wear, and also make a very good gift at the same time.
Red Roses Black Violet does not fit into the above category. It’s strong, verging on heavy, and I would suspect an acquired smell. It’s also perhaps more geared up to a slightly older generation of perfume lovers, judging by its musky scent. Although I can confirm it stays on all day, so no need to refresh.
Unfortunately, I can safely say this brand of perfume would not be welcome on Valentine’s Day, or any other day of the year come to think of it. It’s too overbearing for my liking.
JM
Sranrom ‘True Spirit’ 100g Shaving Cream (4/5)
£10, from www.sranrom.com
WITH Valentine’s Day now within sight, what treats can the ladies splash out on for their beloved?
I gave the shaving cream from Sranrom – which is a “poetic Thai word to describe feelings of pleasure, serenity and contentment” – a go.
Under the True Spirit range, these products are designed for men to help moisturise and energise tired skin.
The shaving cream is said to contain approximately 99 per cent naturally derived ingredients.
Upon opening, it certainly has that masculine smell which isn’t overpowering and certainly appealing. With a mixture of eucalyptus, peppermint and bergamot oils, I found it lived up to the claim of keeping the skin energised, and for me that came after a night’s sleep!
The aloe vera was also a welcome addition in this handy sized pack, cooling down any chance of skin irritation.
This range includes a facial moisturiser, £12, and facial scrub, £12, if you want to splash out on extras.
PC
Cono Sur Sparkling Brut (4/5)
£10.99, from Tesco
A BOTTLE of fizz never goes wrong for a Valentine’s Day gift, but for those who do not relish spending big bucks there are plenty of alternatives to traditional champagne.
Some, though, it has to be said, are not up to the mark and the only similarity they bear to good old champers is the pop when the bottle is uncorked.
Others, however, are certainly not to be sniffed at and provide excellent value for money as well as a most pleasant taste.
One such is Cono Sur, a Chilean offering which combines Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir grapes which blend well together to give a clean, dry perfectly acceptable taste – certainly far removed from some of the sickly sweet sparklers on offer nowadays.
Cono Sur Sparkling Brut comes from Tesco. With a 12 per cent alcohol volume, selling at £10.99 does not break the bank and at the same time will bring a smile to most faces.
LAF
