The last minute Valentine's Day gift guide

Sometimes cute, sometimes annoying, and always ravenous – if your girlfriend’s personality traits are similar to that of Singapore’s (in)famous otters, then Starbucks’ rosy-hued collection of Valentine’s Day merchandise is perfect for her. Jokes aside, this otter-ly cute range of mugs, tumblers, and water bottles is sure to melt her heart. There’s even a set of ceramic ‘his and hers’ couple mugs ($46.90), where the 3D otter figures on each cup appear to be holding paws when put side by side. Aww.

Prices start from $26.90 for a water bottle and go up to $81.90 for a large stainless steel Stanley flask. Shop here or at Starbucks outlets islandwide.

You can’t go wrong with jewellery. It’s timeless, deeply personal, and beautifully symbolic – just like the bond you share with your boo or bestie. Local brand Curious Creature takes that sentiment to the next level with its permanent jewellery collection, perfect for celebrating a forever love. These custom-fit pieces are seamlessly welded onto your wrist, finger, or ankle for a clasp-free, lightweight design – think a modern twist on commitment rings or friendship bracelets and anklets. Choose matching 14k solid gold chains or charms that carry special meanings. Take the bonding experience to the next level by getting your piercings together – done professionally with piercing needles – and matching 14k solid gold studs. Book an appointment at its ION Orchard flagship or its New Bahru store for a special V-Day moment she won’t forget.

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New skincare products are always welcome in any lady’s beauty stash, but forget the fancy big brands hyped up by celebs and look closer to home with Rooki Beauty – an underrated homegrown gem that focuses on clean beauty with help from Mother Nature. What you get here are made-in-Japan formulas crafted using natural skin-friendly ingredients like peach juice, seaweed blends, and superfoods like kale – all without harsh chemicals that ruin one’s delicate skin barrier. There’s even an onsen range made using Japanese hot spring water. The Honey Matcha Cleansing Drops ($59) face wash has been a bestseller since its conception, but for something new, there’s the Good Egg Skin Recovery Milk ($70) – a soothing and balancing moisturiser that’s perfect for dry, sensitive and redness-prone skin.

Shop here.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, they say, but with the Pompompurin-themed eyewear by Japanese brand Owndays, the traits she loves most about you will be all the more crystal clear. Through eye-pleasing pudding-inspired colour combinations and dainty motifs featuring the Sanrio character, the themed elements here are brought about in a subtle and classy manner, making the glasses suitable for both work and play. For even more versatility, get the ‘Going Out’ model – with a snap on, snap off shade attachment, it doubles up as sunglasses for whenever the rays hit. As the cherry on top, every pair of glasses from this Pompompurin collection comes with a fuzzy Pompompurin casing with a cute cleaning cloth to match.

Prices start from $138, inclusive of prescription lenses. Shop here or at Owndays boutiques islandwide.

Wanderlust and Co. has been operating for more than a decade, but recently made their Singapore debut in Orchard slightly over a year back. Priding themselves as a sustainable jewellery brand, they only use recycled brass, stainless steel, and sterling silver for their demi-fine hypoallergenic pieces, which are all coated in 14K to 18K gold for durability. This year’s Valentine’s Day collection is full of classic love motifs – think minimalistic heart locket necklaces (from $94) and bracelets ($80), elegant heart-shaped earstuds embellished with mother of pearl ($67), and pave heart huggies ($80).

Shop here or at Wanderlust and Co.’s physical store at Takashimaya.