This post is part of the HEALTHY ESSENTIALS® 2014 program by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc. and The Motherhood, who sent me a box of products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are all my own, and I hope you enjoy them.
If you’re a parent, then you likely relate to the struggles associated with making regular date nights a priority. Valentine’s Day snuck up on us quickly this year and admittedly, I haven’t had a lot of time to prepare. Earlier this year, Jason and I talked about some goals for our marriage (something I’d like to share more with you in a future post) and one of the things we agreed to do was schedule monthly date nights. In essence, each of us will take turns planning the activity and arranging child care. Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, we decided that it would be easier to celebrate (and secure child care) over the weekend, so we’re planning to spend time at one of our favorite local restaurants followed by a movie. We’ve been together nearly 10 years and we’re obviously comfortable around each other. But that doesn’t mean we should neglect to take a bit of time to prepare for our evening out together. In honor of Valentine’s Day, I’ve put together a list of my favorite beauty essentials. Here is how I am preparing for Valentine’s Day this year.
1. Set the mood: Whether you’re planning an elegant night out on the town, or simply staying in for a quiet romantic evening, setting the mood could be as simple as a splash of perfume, the right music, dimmed lighting, and scented candles. We also think it is important to continue to express our love in written notes or cards to affirm our love for each other.
2. Dress it up: Despite our comfort around each other, there is something exciting and romantic about getting dressed up to spend the evening together, even if we’ll simply be enjoying dinner at home. I don’t dress up nearly as often as I’d like to so when I do, Jason knows we’re going to be doing something exciting.
3. Add some glitz and glam: As the girl who used to never go out without makeup, I’ve gotten slightly accustomed to running out of the house with a dab of lipgloss, tinted moisturizer and some neutral eye colors if given time. Sometimes I miss those days when I could spend 30 minutes perfecting my makeup. On those nights when Jason and I are going out on the town, I spend a bit of extra time by lengthening my lashes with a touch of mascara and adding some color to my lips. Johnson & Johnson sent me a box filled with some amazing Valentine’s Day-inspired Healthy Essentials including Neutrogena’s Healthy Volume Mascara (which won’t lump, smudge, or flake) and MoistureSmooth Color Sticks (made with fruit extracts, mango, and shea butter to moisturize and condition lips). I like how both products enhance rather than attempt to create beauty. Most days I prefer a simple makeup look and these 2 beauty essentials are coming in handy as I prepare for our night out together.
4. Have kissable breath: Let’s be honest…bad breath can ruin a romantic moment in seconds. And while there are a slew of wonderful instant remedies on the market, it would be better to commit to a simple, oral care regimen so that you’re ready for that romantic end-of-the-night kiss at any moment. Jason and I committed a long time ago to brush, floss, and rinse twice a day to keep our teeth healthy, our smile bright, and our breath kissable! Our favorite mouthwash comes from the iconic Listerine (I have fond memories of rinsing with my dad each morning!). Not only is it fresh and pleasant tasting, it contains an anti-tartar ingredient and EVERFRESH technology to keep your teeth feeling clean long after you’ve brushed. If your teeth aren’t as white as you prefer either due to a coffee/tea-drinking habit or in my case, years of braces, you might consider Rembrandt’s Deeply White + Peroxide Fresh Mint Toothpaste. You might be familiar with the brand because of its teeth-whitening products. This toothpaste is designed to remove surface stains and whiten teeth while restoring enamel.
5. When it comes to perfume, less is more: As someone who is incredibly sensitive to scents, I’ve always preferred body splashes over perfumes. Utilize scents to enhance the mood and not overwhelm it. I prefer lighter scents with lavender and fruity undertones as opposed to florals or earthy scents which tend to be more overwhelming.
As you prepare for Valentine’s Day Weekend, check out Johnson & Johnson’s Healthy Essentials for incredible savings on beauty essentials from iconic brands like Rembrandt, Listerine, Neutrogena, K-Y, and more. On the site, you’ll find printable coupons, tips, tools, and even recipes (Splenda has a recipe for Raspberry Heart Cookies that looks delightful).
What are your Valentine’s Day Beauty Essentials?
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