February is for lovers: self-love, Valentine’s Day and hair recommendations!

Hi everyone, and happy February!

Welcome to the month of love, and celebrating love in all its forms, whether that is the love you have for your friends, family, coworkers, partner, siblings, flatmates, or yourself. Self-love is often overlooked when it comes to talking about Valentine’s Day, but regardless of your relationship status, it’s incredibly important to make celebrating yourself a priority: both in February, but also every other month!

This month’s newsletter is all about my recommendations and tips for making it a month of self-love, and remembering to treat yourself the way you treat the most important people in your life. You are worthy of celebration, and what better time to lean into that spirit than in the lead-up to Valentine’s Day?! Read on for my February recommendations:

Practicing self-love with your self-care routines

One of the best ways to practice self-love is by making a non-negotiable appointment with yourself in your diary.

Much like you wouldn’t bail on meeting a friend for coffee if you’ve agreed to it, setting aside time and creating expectations for caring for yourself is key. I love to spend time indulging in self-love on a Sunday afternoon when things are quiet. I usually have a few hours to put on the Rahua hydrating hair mask I bought at Le Bon Marche in Paris, run a hot bath to open up my pores, and apply my favourite Aesop face mask. It’s self-care multitasking at its finest.

I’ve recently become obsessed with the Rahua brand: it draws on the ancient wisdom of the Quechua-Shuar tribe in the Amazon Rainforest, and the Rahua oil that they use to nourish their skin and hair. Today, more than 500 families from the tribe and beyond work with the co-founders of Rahua to continue producing their nature-inspired, plant-based products that yield fantastic results.

For my skin, the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair line is my latest go-to:

I’ve noticed incredible effects from the powerful yet gentle ingredients, which leave my skin feeling so soft in the morning after the overnight application.

My plans for celebrating Valentine’s Day

My partner and I love celebrating Valentine’s Day, and this year I think I’m going to treat him to a cozy jumper from one of his favourite brands (given that London is still quite cold these days!), write him a nice card, and pick up a bottle of his favourite Rioja for us to enjoy together. I tasked him with selecting a nice restaurant for us to head to on Tuesday night to celebrate the big day!

I’m also excited for my manicure appointment before Valentine’s Day so I can have nice fresh nails for the evening, which always makes me feel better.

Here I share some of the best nail technicians in London. ( Click on the image)

Whether you are celebrating with a partner or alone this year, don’t skimp on the self-care. Treat yourself to a lovely bottle of something sparkling, a leisurely long walk, a solo spa day away, or your favourite movie (I love Pretty Woman) — the options are endless! And if you need a balayage refresh or a fabulous new look for Valentine’s Day, you know where to find me! Get in touch via Instagram for my last-minute availability.

Finally, here’s a list of lovely London restaurants to check out if you’re in the market for some inspiration:

- Clos Maggiore in Covent Garden

- Daphne’s in South Kensington

- Sparrow Italia in Mayfair

- Serata Hall in Old Street

- Manteca in Shoreditch

- Six By Nico in Fitzrovia

- El Pastor in Fitzrovia

- Bantof in Soho

- The Ned in the City of London

Have an amazing month!

Xo,

Lorena