With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there is a plethora of gift guides for everyone you love. Turning the tables on cupid, I have decided to feature rose derived well-being and complexion boosters to soothe your mind and body in case you’re flying solo this year. Inspired by RuPaul’s famous line “Honey if you don’t love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?” the following recommendations make for a perfect spa night checklist for one or more.
Why Rose, though?
Celebrated as the symbol of love, devotion, intrigue, and renewal, Rose appears in Greek mythology and has maintained its relevance through pop culture cheesiness on The Bachelor. Balancing, calming, hydrating and healing, the flower most purchased on Valentine’s Day is also a very well respected ingredient in the beauty industry. From seed to flower, a handful of rose species are used throughout fragrance and skincare due to their remarkable benefits.
Will you accept this rose?
Colleen Rothschild Beauty Róisín Artisan Candle
After the success of Hygge, the queen of luxury and impeccable taste expands the home fragrance repertoire with Róisín. Soft, white, floral, and just a little bit creamy, this Celtic inspired blend features notes of dew drops, bergamot, earthy rose and cashmere musk. A true re-invention of the classic, this mind soothing blend is an impressive addition to any living space. The comforting aroma lends itself to dinner parties and Netflix nights-in equally well. $65 at colleenrothschild.com (save 20% off your entire order with code VDAY20)
The Organic Pharmacy Rose Facial Cleansing Gel
This British import may be best known for its Carrot Butter Cleanser, but a bottle of Rose Facial Cleansing Gel is my shower staple this time of year. Low foaming and incredibly gentle, the aromatic cleansing solution is infused with nourishing and soothing botanicals including Bulgarian Rose Oil. Ideal for all complexion types (especially sensitive!) this refreshing face wash effectively cleanses and softens the skin for a radiant, youthful appearance. $85 at birchbox.com or $48.50 at Selfridges.com (P.S. shipping to US is $30)
Farmaesthetics Vassar Rose Perfecting Polish
With its magical purple hue when combined with water and any face cleanser, the Farmaesthetics Vassar Rose Perfecting Polish is a total skincare showstopper. This concoction of Powdered Roses, Dried Sweet Milk, Kaolin Clay and Ultra-Fine Volcanic Pumice is an all-natural equivalent to… are you ready for this? Microdermabrasion. It tones, brightens and revitalizes dull skin, which in the midst of winter is a much welcome perk. $30 at farmeasthetics.com
Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum
If your skin is constantly dehydrated (trust me, I feel you), switch up your game and add in a Hyaluronic Acid laced serum before you moisturize. As a massive Fresh fan, I often reach for the Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum to lock in moisture after cleansing. Loaded with Rose Water and Rose Flower Oil, this skin softening botanical medley boasts that cucumber fresh (pun intended) aroma familiar to devotees of the brand’s iconic Soy Face Cleanser. $55 Sephora.com
Jurlique Rose Moisturizing Cream Mask
All sorts of dreamy, the Jurlique Rose Moisture Plus hydrating and replenishing face mask is so good, I wish it were available in a jumbo size. Loaded with skin loving plant extracts, this creamy formula combines Rose Hip Fruit, Avocado and Macadamia Seed Oils with Rose Flower, Cucumber, Grape Seed, Marsh Mallow, Green Tea and Turmeric. Slather it on, take deep breaths, and enjoy the perfect ten minutes of pure aromatherapy bliss. Then, reveal your soft, glowing, and supple complexion. $42 but currently on sale for $33.60 at Sephora.com so RUN!
Kat Burki Rose Hip Intense Recovery Eye Serum
If you’re planning to splurge on yourself this Valentine’s Day, go with the Kat Burki Intense Recovery Rose Hip Eye Serum. Putting the treat in treatment, the innovative formula combines Cold Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil with almost every Vitamin in the alphabet as well as the brand’s patented KB5™ Complex (Arnica, Gotu Kola, Lavender, Calendula, Chamomile). This formula hydrates and energizes the delicate skin around your eyes. Apply morning and evening and successfully banish puffiness, dark circles and stubborn fine lines. The signature all natural aroma is addictive. Worth its weight in gold. $125 KatBurki.com or Nordstrom.com
Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream
*That* rose cream from Whole Foods that Jennifer Lopez swears by. A staple really, this cult classic would be worth the hype even were it not to come with the approval from Jenny from the block. Also available in a ‘Light’ version (my favorite), this soothing and protective moisturizer contains 30 roses in each tube. Infused with Rose Petal Wax to provide comfort and lasting moisture, it is perfect for anyone with sensitive or temperamental skin or for those living in warmer climates. If you haven’t tried this 100% organic potion, get on it. $45 at skinstore.com
Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial
Best known for their body care, the Greek apothecary style brand offers a line up that includes more than a few impressive skincare winners. The Wild Rose range is my personal favorite and includes Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial, which I refer to confidently as one of the best overnight masks on the market. The ultra hydrating formula is packed with potent Vitamin C, Wild Rose Oil, Rose Water as well as Aloe Leaf Juice, Beeswax and Jojoba Oil. Think of it as a richer night cream and indulge in it a couple of times a week to dramatically improve your skin tone and overall radiance. $48 at Sephora.com
Maison Francis Kurkdjian Paris À la rose
There is no better rose scented body cream than this French master perfumer creation. The elegant Shea Butter formula is infused with Bulgarian Rose, Grasse grown Centifolia Rose, Bergamot, Orange, Violet, Magnolia Blossom, Cedarwood and Musk. Soft and feminine, the scent lingers for hours while providing much needed moisture. A complement to the À la rose Eau de Parfum, this extremely giftable ancillary is referred to by Mr. Kurkdjian as his “declaration of love for all women captured in a fragrance”. $75 at NeimanMarcus.com
Lano Rose Hand Cream Intense
Ever since my recent post on Lanolips, I have been reaching out regularly for the Rose Hand Cream. Between the weather and the portable slim tube, my hands have been looking pretty good this winter. Simple in its composition (Triple Lanolin + Rose Oil Blend) this 98.59% natural salve deserves an encore shout out. Not your average hand cream, this workhorse also manages to be free of all the weird stuff like parabens, sulfates, and artificial additives. $14.95 at ulta.com or snag a 2-pack for $30 at net-a-porter.com
Glossier rose balm dot com
You can say what you want about the phenomenon that is glossier but there is no way you won’t fall in love with the latest scented balm dot com formulas. Labeled a ‘universal skin salve’, this lip, cuticle, and anything dry cure is pretty great. Undeniably plain, this cute and creative alternative to good ole vaseline transcends the beauty fad stigma. The Rose Flavor is sweet and on point with a barely there tint. Try it! $12 at glossier.com
*press samples
