It's Self-Love Season: Here are the Valentine's Day Gifts You Can't Miss!

Hello February!

This month has been insane to say the least. The constant terrifying and heartbreaking news cycle has been really getting to me, and making it harder to stay focused on the positives and daily joys in life. I’ve been trying to remind myself to just tune out more to protect my mental health and the energy surrounding me, and try to focus on all the things that I’m privileged to have and incredibly grateful for.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and this year is all about self-love, whether you are partnered or single, so make sure you treat yourself and show yourself all the love you deserve. I rounded up some of the gifts of the season, and things that are helping me take care of myself in these crazy times.

Here are a few of my favorite self-care themed Valentine’s gifts you should add to your list!

5 Valentine's Day Gifts You Can't Miss!

Urban Decay Tube Job Mascara

I still love cluster lashes, but it seems the trend is fading and they may be going out of style, and personally the damage they have done to my natural lashes is very real. I just started using Urban Decay’s Tube Job Mascara, and let me tell you – they did their big one with these! The formula just glides on and leaves your lashes looking long and lush, without any of the damage that comes with lash extensions.

 This mascara is perfect for your every day glam, and holds up all day without running or smudging.

The formula comes in black, brown, and a daring platinum blonde that would be perfect for a high fashion look. And paired with their 24/7 Liquid Stick liquid eyeliner which comes in all these colors, your eye makeup will be unstoppable.

And I never got over the Urban Decay 24/7 Glaze-On Shimmer Liquid Eyeshadow and All Nighter Setting Spray, so be sure to add those to cart when you get to shopping!

Viqure Lumirea Photofacial

I recently partnered with Viqure to review the Lumirea Photofacial Device, and this post isn’t sponsored - I just wanted to give an update after using it!

This tiny tool is a powerful and effective at-home light therapy tool designed to address multiple skin concerns commonly associated with aging. It uses a combination of 530-650 wavelength light (DPL) and 900-1800 wavelength light (NIR) to promote smoother, brighter, and more youthful-looking skin.

Unlike traditional LED devices that use a single wavelength, Lumirea’s dual-light approach targets different layers of the skin to support collagen production and cellular repair. This makes it more versatile—and potentially more effective—than cheaper at home devices.

With consistent use, this little thing will help address a variety of skin issues, like fine lines and wrinkles, uneven skin tone, dullness and texture irregularities, and improve overall skin vibrancy and resilience.

It is a little expensive, but if facials are in your budget regularly, you can skip those and this will be more than worth the investment. And you can use my code Malikah15 for 15% off the product!

Quince Cashmere and Silk

Stepping away from beauty for a minute, its freezing out there! And nothing says warm, cozy and luxury like a brand new cashmere sweater. I’ve been obsessed with Quince since I first got my husband one for Christmas.

I got their famous $50 cashmere sweater and to be honest was not impressed because it was super thin and you could completely see through it, so I did return that one. But I decided to try their heavier weight Fisherman Crewneck Sweater which was $99 and that was a world of difference. Obviously $50 is an amazing price for a cashmere sweater, but to me, it looked like a $50 sweater. The fisherman sweaters are $119 for the turtleneck and $99 for the crewneck, but they look like $300 or more, and they definitely give that quiet luxury look!

I love a cream turtleneck, but my makeup would never let me be great, so I got the turtleneck in black and the crewneck in cream. I also got coordinating washable silk skirts, the midi length was just $69.90 and the mini was $59.90 and I think these are some super cute and stylish winter looks.

Cecred Oil Ritual

Moving on to hair! If you have been following me for a while, you know I’m almost always in braids or a weave, but since September I decided to just give them and focus on the health of my hair and learning how to properly style and maintain it.

I ignored Cecred for a while since I truly thought it was all hype, but since I started regularly using the products after buying a bundle on sale, I have to say I am obsessed. My wash and style time is down to 2-3 hours start to finish for a silk press on my type 4 hair, and my strands feel hydrated the full 7-10 days between washes.

My hands down favorite product in the line is the Cecred Oil Ritual. I apply it to dry hair, sit under my steamer for about 20 minutes, then wash and deep condition. Not only do I love how this makes my hair look and feel, I love the ritual behind and the reminder to spend the extra time taking care of myself.

It is expensive, and I do use a lot of oil each time so it doesn’t last more than 4 or 5 washes, but for me and my healthy hair and length retention journey it is worth it!

Anecdote Candles

And the last thing on my list – you can’t have a self-care day without some candles, and my current favorite brand is Anecdote Candles. They are a small brand that designed candles inspired by trending moments and personal memories, all hand-poured in Brooklyn NY.

Bottomless Mimosas has been a long time favorite of mine for the bright citrus scent, and I also keep Mid-Century Modern and Pool Party in the rotation. I also grabbed a few travel sized tins of new scents I wanted to check out before committing to a full-size, and I highly recommend you take advantage of the lower prices on those to get to know which of these scents will be your fave!

What are you planning for Valentine’s Day?

I Moved to LA for Love. This is What It's Really Like

I’ve been in my new home in LA for a few weeks and it’s been great! The stress of a cross-country move has settled down and I’m finally starting to get out and explore the city. I’ve been sharing some of my favorite pics of LA and my new apartment, but haven’t yet shared the reason behind the big move yet.

After spending 2 years in a long-distance relationship, we finally had the chance to move in together, but that meant moving to LA for his next job opportunity. We both had our hearts set on him moving back to NYC since that was home for both of us. But life had other plans. I knew I loved LA and had visited several times, but I never imagined myself quitting my job and giving up everything for a boy. I had built my career and close friendships all around New York, and I felt judged at every turn for my decision. I had already made a big global move for grad school, but moving for a relationship was different. We’ve all heard stories about the silly girl that gave up everything to follow a boy that ended up breaking her heart, and my friends and family worried I’d end up like that.

However I’ve learned how to drown out other people’s voices so I can listen to my own. My voice and my heart were telling me this was the right decision, the only decision. Making a big life decision is never easy, but it’s especially harder when so much of that decision is wrapped up in another person. If you’ve moved for a relationship or are thinking about it, know that it can be equally joyous and overwhelming, fun and frightening. If your partner is worth it (which they better be if you are moving for them!) they will recognize and appreciate the sacrifice you are making for them. Remember that no one’s opinions or thoughts matter as much as your own. If you ever feel like you are a bad feminist for the choice you make, remember that feminism is all about a women’s right to make her own choices.

And make sure wherever you go for whatever reason, you find a way to make it your own!

Memories of My First Love

Images by John Hibionada

I'm a born and raised New Yorker. The city has been the backdrop of so many of my favorite stories, and exciting adventures. I'm sure everyone who lives here feels some sort of connection to this place. For me that connection has deepened so many of my childhood and adult memories. New York moments are real, and here are a few of my most unforgettable.

My dad trying to conquer his fear of heights long enough to take me to the top of the Empire state building. He stayed well in the center of the viewing area but let me get as close to the edge as I wanted.

My school trip to Ellis Island when I suddenly became acutely aware that the identity and history documented there was not my own. 

My mother dancing and twirling along the fountains outside the Met, somehow managing to never fall in.

Years later,  the memory of my first great love kissing me at Lincoln Center. He was in a tux and only took me there because he said the New York Times described it as the most romantic place to share a kiss in the city. It took 3 years after our breakup before I could stand on those steps without feeling sick. 

Tearing up over the view on my last night in the city, before moving to Italy for grad school. And actually crying the first hour of the flight, halfway because of the sheer terror of moving to a country without knowing anyone or speaking the language and halfway because I was leaving the love of my life.

Every time I flew back to this city and met him. 

Every time I make it home from work early enough to catch the view of the sun setting over the city from my living room window.  

Here’s to my hometown