Category

Sex & Relationships

Category

Self-love is more important than ever. Last year has been tough and the last thing we need is all the unnecessary pressure that Valentine’s Day brings. So, this year, instead of Valentine’s we’re showing our gratitude to all the girlfriends that have helped us survive a global pandemic.

Team Coco is all about that supportive female energy – so what better way to say thank you than by treating your favourite gal pals to some of the best self-care, skincare and all-rodn wellness finds this February?

1.The Ultimate Self Love Kit by Bloom Gin available at https://www.bloomgin.com

To help women everywhere on their self-love journey, BLOOM Gin has collaborated with quality sex toy company, So Divine, to create the ultimate self-love gift box – be it for yourself, your friend, your sister, hell, even your mum if you’re so inclined. The limited-edition gift-box, which contains a bottle of BLOOM Gin, a scented candle and a sex toy from So Divine, is the ultimate gift of pleasure and relaxation.

2.Ultra Balm Universal Rescue Cream by Amanda Harrington available at https://www.amandaharrington.com/products/ultra-balm

3.Rejuvenating Body Scrub by Anatomē available at https://www.anatome.co/

4.Jasmine & Evening Primrose Moisturiser by Steam Cream available at https://www.steamcream.com/

Part of Amanda Harrington’s tan-compatible skincare range, the rich, hydrating Ultra balm is designed to prep skin for tan application and combat dryness at the elbows, knees and ankles. Perfect for some self-care this V-day.

Cool wellness brand Anatomē offers a supportive, mindful offering to treat oneself or a loved one with products to help support emotionally and physically. The pink Balance range is perfect for pampering, good health and self-love.

Steam Cream’s Jasmine & Evening Primrose Moisturiser breathes life into spring skin and lifts the soul after a harsh winter. This weightless cream rebalances the skin, helping it to retain moisture and build up its resilience to the changing climate and environment.

This Valentine’s, Nailberry are sharing the love with a complimentary bottle of this bestselling Pop My Berry Lacquer worth £15 when you spend £45 or more with the code POPMYBERRY.

But it doesn’t stop there… Explore Nailberry’s Valentine’s Day limited-edition gift sets to find the perfect present – whether to add to your own wish list, treat a special someone or let your galentine know just how much you appreciate them. The quintessential Valentine’s colours – feminine, flattering for all and a picture-perfect pairing for any daytime ensemble. Nailberry’s iconic fiery red, Rouge, delicate pastel pink, Rose Blossom, and gloss-enhancing Bare Essentials Base and Top Coat. The perfect trio to nail your Valentine’s nail art, that is just too cute to pass up

5.Facial Oil by Amaranthine Beauty available at amaranthinebeauty.com

6.Checkmate Lip Gloss by Vesta London Beauty available at https://www.vestalondonbeauty.com/

7.5-in-1 Acai Elixir by Nailberry available at https://www.nailberry.co.uk/

Vesta London Beauty was created by marketing expert Vesta Boateng, to answer her need for high quality lip makeup that matched her (and others! ) skin tone. She spent 4 years formulating the perfect nourishing blends and has created a range of lip liners and glosses that work on all skin types – like magic!

Nailberry, the ethically focused nail brand with a 12-free, vegan friendly and halal approved L’Oxygéné formula is certainly the nail brand we are all coveting this year. The award-winning Acai Nail Elixir is brilliant and proven to help nourish, harden, protect, boost growth and conceal ridges.

Chāmpo are a South Asian-owned, independentUK-based haircare brand, founded by Kuldeep Knox. Since their founding a couple of years ago, they have become cult favourites in the premium, vegan haircare space, known for their trichologically-driven98%+ naturalformulas that produce tangible results. This results-driven serum combines cutting-edge anti-hair loss actives technology to tonecondition and energise the scalp. This, plus a pioneering complex of biomimetic peptide amino acidslipo amino acids and biochanin a-rich Red Clover Extract, are designed to calm the scalp and prevent hair loss.

8.Pitta Hair Growth Serum by Chāmpo available atchampohaircare.com

9.Pure White Rose Water by Gene in a Bottle available at https://geneinabottle.co.uk/

10.Almond Inga Bralette by Eartha Underwear available at www.earthaunderwear.com

11.Almond Raine Pant by Eartha Underwear available at www.earthaunderwear.com

12.CBD Oil by NICE available at https://mrnicelondon.com/

13. Take Good Care Candle Set by NETTE available https://nettenyc.com/

14. PURIFY: Scalp Cleanse by FFOR available at https://www.fforhair.com/

Eartha Underwear is a wellness inspired and eco-conscious underwear brand. The first collection launched in November 2021 following 12 months of research into sustainable and ethical manufacturing opportunities and natural materials which are more consumer and environmentally friendly than polyester and virgin cotton. Perfect for some guilt-free self-love this Valentine’s Day.

Help your gal pals hit reset on your hair and scalp problems with the latest launch from sustainable, Scandi-inspired haircare brand, FFØR. Designed by eco-conscious hair technicians who know that healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, to allow all of us to achieve that salon-fresh feeling at home this Galentine’s.

Bonus: Here is the perfect gift for the travel-lover in your life. Jet Candy helps weary travellers beat the jet lag blues – along with other ailments associated with the disruption caused to the circadian rhythms. Jet Candy has launched an all-new family of 100% natural remedies, which can be used for long-haul travel, or simply as a much-needed pick-me-up on the ground.

Bonus: The Ensemble by Jet Candy available at https://jet-candy.com/

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, don’t get caught up making last minute plans. We’ve rounded up some of the most exciting special events in some of London’s most romantic restaurants, so you can wow your partner this V-Day.

A cosy dinner at Kutir, Chelsea

Behind the doors of an elegant Chelsea townhouse, acclaimed restaurant Kutir boasts beautifully decorated interiors in an intimate, cosy setting that is perfect for a lowkey Valentine’s Day meal.

Chef Rohit Ghai has created a 6-course Valentine’s Day menu of signature dishes, including masala prawns and pheasant with beetroot chutney. The menu is priced at £80pp with additional wine pairing options, and a vegetarian menu is available too.

A romantic meal in private booth at The Colony Grill Room, Mayfair

Transport your date back to the roaring 20’s at The Colony Grill Room, the Beaumont Hotel’s glamorous 20’s-inspired restaurant. The restaurant is led by Chef Ben Boeynaems and offers an incredible menu of transatlantic dishes. Finish off with drinks at Le Magritte which offers creative cocktails inspired by René Magritte and can be enjoyed alongside a luxurious Oysters & Caviar menu.

Champagne and Caviar at Trivet, Bermondsey

For a truly exceptional dining experience, look no further than Trivet, the first solo restaurant from Fat Duck alumni Jonny Lake and Isa Bal. Here, you can enjoy stand-out dishes, including the signature ‘Hokkaido Potato’ dessert, as well as exquisite wines from the 350-strong wine cellar.

For added luxury on Valentine’s Day, indulge in champagne and caviar – in the form of a buttermilk fan-tan with cultured butter and caviar – can be arranged on arrival on February 14 for £95 per couple.

Drag Bingo at Double Standard, King’s Cross

Valentine’s Day certainly doesn’t have to be a drag – especially if you’re going to an incredible night of drag bingo at the Double Standard.

This month’s Valentine’s special will be held on February 14, and will be hosted by long-term host Grace Shush, who will be accompanied by fellow drag superstar, Sue Gives a Fuck. Perfect for those looking for a non-conventional Valentine’s Day.

Valentine’s puddings at The Proof, East London

Tantalise your partner’s sweet tooth this Valentine’s Day with a visit to East London bakery, The Proof. This year, The Proof is offering a range of special Valentine’s Day pudds including the L’Amour cake and Profiterole Heart.

The Proof will sculpt their signature profiteroles into heart-shaped wreaths, each pastry filled with crème Chantilly and topped with dark chocolate and gold leaf.

The L’Amour cake features three layers of sponge – either chocolate or vanilla – and is topped with red and white Swiss meringue buttercream. Perfect for a sweet ending to Valentine’s Day.

Dress to the nines at The Ninth, Fitzrovia

Perfect for a romantic meal, The Ninth is a Michelin-starred restaurant that encourages intimate dining with a sharing plate menu, which focuses on simple yet refined Mediterranean-style cooking made with the best seasonal ingredients.

This contemporary French restaurant is a beautifully decorated, sophisticated spot on Fitzrovia’s Charlotte Street, perfect to ramp up the romance on Valentine’s Day.

Leave room for the dessert menu, which includes Chef Jun Tanaka’s signature Pain Perdu.

Native at Browns, Mayfair

The epitome of sustainable chic, Native at Browns sees the foraging-focused restaurant take residency in one of Mayfair’s most luxurious department stores. So, you can finish off your next Valentine’s date with a little retail therapy.

Perfect for treating your eco-conscious partner, small plates to share include wood pigeon kebab with Native harissa, while dessert-lovers can indulge in the signature Marrowmel – a bone marrow and white chocolate caramel. Natural wines and cocktails made with foraged ingredients complete the date. Romance and sustainability going hand in hand – now that’s something we really love. While Native isn’t open on 14 February, it’s open on th 12/13th of February making for a perfect romantic date spot on Valentine’s Day weekend.

Go on a culinary escapade from Italy to Japan at Angelina, Dalston

This Valentine’s Day, guests can enjoy a 10-course Italo-Japanese omakase tasting menu at cult Dalston restaurant Angelina. Dishes include chawanmushi (savoury egg custard)andhamachi with truffle and handmade pasta, all served up in the intimate, candlelit dining room.

For a real celebration, match the menu with Angelina’s ‘rare and old wine’ pairing, showcasing a hand-picked selection of unique and exceptional Italian wines.

Authentic and intimate Italian dining at Luca, Clerkenwell

Clerkenwell’s much-loved Luca is one of London’s most beautiful restaurants and the ideal spot for an intimate dinner on Valentine’s Day.

You can start the romance at Luca’s gorgeous bar for a cocktail and plate of their signature parmesan fries, before moving either into the main dining room or to dine al fresco (if you dare to brave the weather).

The secluded terrace surrounded by olive trees and jasmine is warmed by the open fire, and makes for an idyllic spot to enjoy dishes of rigatoni with pork sausage ragu or taglierini with black winter truffle. It’s amore!

Disclaimer: While Luca isn’t open on 14 February, the restaurant is operating on th 12/13th of February making for a perfect romantic date spot on Valentine’s Day weekend.

Spice up your night at Decimo, The Standard, Kings Cross

Spice up your Valentine’s Day at Decimo which is widely hailed as one of London’s sexiest restaurants. Decimo is the ultimate date night spot, thanks to a mix of incredible Spanish-Mexican cuisine from Michelin-starred Peter Sanchez-Iglesias, playful drinks, plush interiors and unmatched views across the city.

Unmissable menu highlights this Valentine’s Day include the iconic Spanish tortilla (with a caviar-topped version available for those looking to indulge), gambas rojas and chistorra and black bean tacos. While Decimo may not be open on 14 February, it is open on th 12/13th of February making for a perfect romantic date spot on Valentine’s Day weekend.

A Love Parade at Chotto Matte

Chotto Matte is putting on a luxurious Love Parade on Valentine’s Weekend to celebrate love in all its formsincluding love for your girls. The incredible activation has been designed for everyone to enjoy and it’s perfect for a Galentine’s night out!

The event will see the return of the brand’s entertainment programme Chotto Lates, with flamboyant live shows and sensual acts inspired by the wild bird love parades of Peru, perfect hot spot to celebrate love with friends or loved ones.

Fall deeply in love at Sumosan Twiga

Sumosan Twiga invites guests to fall truly, madly and deeply in love this Valentine’s Weekend!

On Saturday 12th, guests will enjoy celebrations late into the night at the famous Sloane Street location. Live entertainment throughout the night will feature the best of Cabaret, from pin up singers and cancan dancers to trumpet players, drummers, and even a mime, captivating the audience all night long.

Meanwhile, on Monday the 14th of February, Sumosan Twiga will ensure guests have a wonderfully romantic experience with live music, saxophone players and an incredible tango duo to set the mood alight.

The earlier sitting, costing £120 per person, will welcome guests from 6:30pm with a glass of Kir Royale followed by a selection of Sushi and Maki Rolls, carefully chosen by Chef Alessandro Scala.

Get Lovestruck at Bill’s

Enjoy a ‘Lovestruck’ cocktail composed of Beefeater pink gin, sour mix, strawberry puree and topped with basil leaves alongside a three-course set menu (£24.95) including Bill’s infamous Crispy Chicken and Sesame Dumplings.

No Valentine’s meal is complete without dessert, opt for either the Sharing Profiteroles, complete with vanilla ice, hot chocolate sauce and a sprinkle of gold glitter, or the ever-indulgent Carrot Cake Doughnuts.

If you’re looking for a special place to celebrate with your partner or gather your best friends for that ‘Galentine’s Day’ experience, Bill’s is ready to treat you to the most romantic evening.

Let’s be real. The pandemic — and subsequent lockdown iterations — have caused sex toy sales to skyrocket. As a woman/avid and regular user of a multitude of sex toys, I am happy to say that there has never been more variety and choice for female-oriented sex toys (praise be!)

However, while women have become more and more sexually liberated during lockdown, men are left with quite limited options. This can be attributed to the misconstrued notion that while female orgasms are seen as sexy and a symbol of the feminist revolution, male orgasms aren’t sexy at all. Blame mainstream media, or toxic masculinity views, but to us, all orgasms are sexy no matter what gender.

Enter Turboo, Tracy’s Dog newest pleasure device that seeks to destigmatise male masturbation. Coined as a pioneering innovative male masturbator, Turboo promises to redefine the male orgasm, unlocking new levels of pleasure for men that their trusy old socks simply can’t provide.

Turboo is powered by Tracy’s Dog’s CFET (Centrifugal Forced Ejaculation Enhancement Technology) to deliver ultra-high (and I mean ULTRA) rotation and centrifugal force. The device stimulates like nothing you’ve ever seen and comes with three vibration modes that can vibrate up to 13,000 rounds/min.

At first glance, the Turboo may seem a bit daunting. After all, 13,000 rounds/min in action seems more aggressive than it actually is. So don’t be afraid of slowly easing it in and testing this out in the bedroom, because it will undoubtedly turn you and your partner’s world upside down.

Take Turboo for a ride by clicking here. For more information, visit: www.tracysdog.com

Now that parks are the new restaurants and romance is strictly prohibited to the great outdoors, we’re finding new ways to ramp up our winter-walk style this Valentine’s Day.

If you still haven’t found THE gift for your beau, then our editors have hand-picked some timeless and functional pieces to impress even the most discerning outdoorsman.

  1. Dark denim Jeans by Spoke available at www.spoke-london.com
  2. Submersible Goldtech OroCarbo 44mm Watch by Panerai available at https://www.panerai.com/
  3. Green 1460 Smooth Leather Ankle Boots by Dr. Martens available at https://www.drmartens.com/
  4. Fair isle Crewneck Jumper by Barbour available at https://www.barbour.com/uk/
  5. Bulletproof Trousers by Spoke available at www.spoke-london.com
  6. Brown Corduroy Jacket by Levi’s Made and Crafted available at https://www.levi.com/
  7. Black Roll Top Bag by Stubble & Co available at https://stubbleandco.com/
  8. Black Leather Washbag by Bennett Winch available at https://www.bennettwinch.com/
  9. OS Baffle Gilet by Barbour available at https://www.barbour.com/uk/

Valentine’s Day is all about love so make sure to show yourself some this year. Treat yourself, pamper + preen and raise a glass to the número uno …you.

PERLcosmetics Powder Clay Mask with Illuminating Oil

Be your own mixologist this Valentine’s Day with PERLcosmetics. Self-love activists this 14th February can tailor the DIY clay mask to their skin needs without the worry of the clay being too oily, too dry or not the right texture. Using ingredients such as kaolin clay, for detoxing pores, pearl powder for illuminating and brightening tired and dull complexions to pomegranate seed oil, which works to calm and soothe irritated skin, PERLcosmetics will help stressed skin and help your skin fight hyperpigmentation. Run that bath, light those candles and allow yourself to be totally pampered. £29.50

Taittinger Rosé NV Half Bottle

A half bottle of this sensational Rosé Champagne is the perfect size to enjoy all to yourself this Valentine’s Day. If more is required and you want to upgrade to a full bottle? No judgement here. The fresh fruit flavours make this fizz a delicious accompaniment to fruit desserts and selected cheeses. Stocklists include Champagne Wine Company, Partridges of Sloane Square and Amps Fine Wine Merchants. £28.85 per half bottle.

Jack and Beyond Red Velvet Brownies

The luxury red velvet brownies from Jack and Beyond, an online cake shop with bakery and café in London are a sight for sore eyes. Made with silky dark callebaut chocolate and finished with beautiful patterns, they achieve the perfect balance of sweetness and intense chocolate, ideal for the day of love. The lavish red velvet brownies melt in the mouth and are the perfect indulgent treat to gift yourself this Valentine’s Day. The full range of brownies includes white chocolate and pistachio, salted caramel, peanut butter and vegan chocolate and raspberry brownies. The treats can be delivered straight to your door. £28.00 per box of 8.

Bottle Bar and Shop Strawberry Gin Liqueur

The tipple of Valentine’s Day 2021 is the pink-hued Strawberry Gin Liqueur. Bottle Bar and Shop are an independent company based in Catford South East London creating all their own delicious infusions and cocktails. The Rock Rose Gin infused with fresh English strawberries makes for the perfect drink on its own with ice or mixed to create a fruity cocktail. For something more decadent, pour in some bubbles of your choice, add a strawberry and raise a toast to YOU this Valentine’s Day. £28.00 per bottle.