PUT YOURSELF FIRST THIS VALENTINE'S DAY

By Ayis Stephen-Diver, 9 February 2026

Solo doesn’t have to mean boring. Whether you’re coupled up or not this Valentine’s Day, there’s often nothing more healing than taking yourself on a date, showering yourself with gifts, pampering your skin and getting lost in your favourite hobbies. After all, as Mother RuPaul often says, ‘if you don’t love yourself, how can you love somebody else?’ Put yourself first with seven solo Valentine’s Day ideas below.

SET THE ATMOSPHERE

Regardless of when your Valentine’s Day pamper session officially begins, you need to get the mood right. Before the bath runs or the kettle boils, set the mood with a good scent. Whether it’s a candle flickering with notes of cherry blossom, a room diffuser for a dreamlike experience or even incense sticks, fill your space with something fragrant.

ASOS LOVES:
NEOM Room Diffuser Wellbeing Pod Luxe, £139
The Ritual of Sakura Cherry Blossom & Rice Milk Scented Candle 290g, £25
The Ritual of Ayurveda Sweet Almond Oil & Indian Rose Home Perfume 400ml, £40
Psychic Sisters Sleep Well Incense 14 Sticks, £6.99

PAMPER YOUR SKIN

Beauty tools like LED masks and gua sha rarely get the dedication they deserve – especially ahead of a hectic morning routine or after an exhausting 9 to 5. But Valentine’s Day is the time to go all in on your skin. If high-tech tools feel a little too Blade Runner, a controlled shaving session, soothing bath, pore-purging face mask and a reliable skincare routine are all you need. It’s official – giving your skin the spa treatment no longer requires a spa.

ASOS LOVES:
The Ordinary Rice Lipids + Ectoin Microemulsion - 60ml, £12.40
This Works Deep Sleep Beauty Bath Soak Salts 200ml, £28
Estrid The Razor Starter Kit -Bloom, £10
STYLPRO Heated LED Electric Gua Sha in white, £29.99

GO ON A SOLO DATE

Whether you’re walking the dog or just indulging in caffeine and a good book at your local coffee shop, romanticise every moment this Valentine’s Day. Add a dose of glow to your everyday makeup routine with the just-landed Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer, and give your cheeks a fresh flush with your chosen blush. With glam this good, it would be a waste to not document it.

ASOS LOVES:
Huda Beauty Lip Contour Stain Cherry Red, £22
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Blur Concealer, £31
Benefit Benetint Liquid Blusher, £22.50
By Terry Tea to Tan Powder Blush - 3 Pink Passion, £45

MOVE YOUR BODY

It can be tempting to cosplay a couch potato or sink into fresh bedding all day, but you’ll thank yourself for breaking a sweat. The trend pendulum is currently swinging towards 00s athleisure – think straight-leg yoga pants, mismatched sets and preppy headbands – so however you like to get active, do it in these styles.

ASOS LOVES:
Abercrombie & Fitch YPB high neck gilet in white, £80
4505 Icon soft touch high waist slim kick yoga legging in green, £25
Nike Shox Z trainers in brown and pink, £119.99
4505 Icon active quick dry headband in bubblegum, £6

GET COMFORTABLE

Not yet clued up on the latest pyjama trends? Bows, lace and soft silhouettes are having a moment, but we’ve got an abundance of pyjamas that suit every preference. Whether you prefer a matching set or just love to throw on a fluffy dressing gown, it doesn't matter. Feeling comfy and cute is the main mission.

ASOS LOVES:
Chelsea Peers towelling robe with good morning embroidery in pink, £70
ASOS DESIGN mix & match soft rib button through pyjama cardigan, £20
Boux Avenue Bow satin cami set floral lace top and shorts nightwear, £40
Boux Avenue Valentines heart short pyjama set relaxed top and shorts, £48

POWER DOWN PROPERLY

We’re still in the first quarter of the year, meaning it’s prime time to pick up healthy habits. Think journalling to get your mind right, having a cup of herbal tea for that all-important gut health or getting busy with a yoga mat and YouTube video. If your wellness routine is already set in stone, allow yourself something equally restorative: finishing that TV show you’ve been putting off (or scrolling through your feed, we won’t judge).

ASOS LOVES:
OYSHO 5mm yoga mat in brown/tan, £35.99
TYPO 2026 a5 weekly hard metro diary in yellow, £15
ASOS DESIGN slim square sunglasses, £14
Skinnydip london miffy laptop sleeve in black 16"""", £18

FINISH WITH FRAGRANCE

Pictures: ASOS

Our magic formula for a truly blissful night? A steamy bath, plush PJs and the final flourish: a decadent scent. Our current must-spritz list is headlined by Coach Love, Cosmic Intense and I Want Choo – each being social media-approved, too. If you’ve not yet defined your preferred profile, work through six hand-picked fragrances in our Scent For Her box to discover your new perfect match.

ASOS LOVES:
Coach Love Eau De Parfum Spray 50ml, £56
ASOS Scent for Her Fragrance Edit - Worth £90, £25
Cosmic Intense by Kylie Jenner Eau de Parfum 100ml, £60
Jimmy Choo I Want Choo With Love Eau De Parfum 40ml, £53