The lion of the zodiac has a complicated, multi-faceted reputation.
Kings and queens of the jungle, Leos are ruled by the sun and sit within the fifth house of the zodiac, which is associated with all things passionate, romantic, artistic, expressive and ostentatious. Otherwise referred to as the house of pleasure, it’s no wonder that the lions and lionesses among us are often known for the pursuit of all things luxurious and beautiful.
Contrary to popular belief, our bold and radiant Leo friends aren’t necessarily natural-born leaders. Though they enjoy being in the spotlight and certainly possess enviable traits including self-confidence, affability, generosity and an all-around warm and authoritative demeanour, some Leos find themselves desperate to be led, rather than do all the leading. This is often the nature of royalty, after all.
This doesn’t mean that Leos aren’t ambitious creatures, nor that they won’t blaze a trail. However, the adage which dictates the flame that burns twice burns half as long can be applied to the fifth zodiac on a varying, W-shaped curve. There will be times following the height of Leo’s sociability and performativity during which they’ll experience an immediate dip in self-esteem.
With such an inherently vivacious nature, it’s only natural that our feline friends should need to retreat to the lion’s den now and then – so long as they have some easy company in the form of a best friend or partner to confide in.
Confidence can falter behind closed doors and being the life of every party can be exhausting, though it’s nothing a little bit of beauty sleep and some compliments and reassurance from a darling pal can’t fix.
Born in the heat of high summer and filled to the brim with all the energy and buzz that warmer weather brings, our lovely Leos make for gorgeous and unforgettable companions. We’ve curated a selection of the best gifts for those born between July 23 and August 22.
It’s Leo’s time to shine, so shower them in love, adoration and opulent gifts by shopping the edit below.
Pyrrha Bronze One Day at a Time Pendant Necklace
This unique bronze pendant by Pyrrha is crafted with the help of a cast formed from wax seals depicting Victorian-era imagery. Handmade in Canada, we love the gentle reminder to take one day at a time – a much-needed mantra for busy Leos.
Buy now £210.00, Liberty
Diptyque Limited Edition Scented Candle Set 3 x 70g
Anything limited edition is sure to please the Leo in your life, especially this summer-themed scented delight from luxury Parisian perfumer Diptyque. It includes three 70g candles imbued with the aromatic equivalent of a holiday on the coast: Cyprès which is an invigorating Mediterranean blend of honey and cypress, Citronelle which is imbued with the refreshing and uplifting aroma of citronella, and Figuier which reproduces the delicate, leafy scent of a fig tree.
Buy now £110.00, Liberty
Marigold Print
One of the spiritual flowers associated with Leos, the marigold is a vibrant and regal bloom known for its fiery orange hue. This handmade linocut print showcases the flower of passion, creativity and success in all its glory.
Buy now £23.00, Etsy
Prada cat-eye acetate sunglasses
Since all Leos are famous in one way or another, it’s essential that they own a pair of A-lister sunglasses to block out the paps. These squared-off, cat-eye tortoiseshell shades by Prada are a top pick for our feline friends.
Buy now £396.00, Selfridges
Summer Fridays Pool Time Glowing Body Oil
You don’t need to have spent a week soaking up the sun rays in St Tropez to get that fresh from the beach glow. Summer Fridays has bottled the enviable radiant complexion and made it accessible all year round with this body oil.
It is a skincare product first and foremost so it’s packed with the nourishing cocktail of jojoba, macadamia, sunflower, and apricot kernel oils as well as vitamin E to protect against free radical damage. The formula hydrates and leaves skin feeling velvety soft.
The product has a beautiful addictive aroma too, with fresh notes of almond, vanilla blossom and coconut. Dry and dull skin has met its match.
Buy now £40.00, Cult Beauty
Eleanor Bowmer Zodiac Bone China Mug, 300ml, Leo
A classic zodiac gift for the colourful, opulent and charismatic Leo, we adore this ceramic creation by Eleanor Bowmer. Morning coffee has never looked so good.
Buy now £11.95, John Lewis
Turmeric & Limoncello Table Bundle
Offered in a myriad of dopamine-boosting hues, Bed Threads’ coveted linen tableware bundles make a brilliant gift for any occasion. Since Leos are born in high summer, we think this sunny turmeric and limoncello bundle with scalloped placemats and napkins will suit them perfectly.
Buy now £184.50, Bed Threads
Giannini Firenze Hand-Marbled Leather Bound Notebook
A paragon of creativity, the Leo in your life will likely need a vessel to hold their endless creativity and artistic ideas. This beautiful hand-marbled leather-bound notebook by Giannini Firenze is just the ticket. Hand-finished at the brand’s original store in Piazza Pitti, Florence, it’s complemented by intricately stitched ivory paper.
Buy now £56.00, Abask
Extra-Large Gluggle Jug
Beloved Gluggle Jugs are named as such for the delightful, fishy glug sound that they make when poured. These are a brilliant gift for Leos, for the hilariously noisy jug will draw all the attention back to them when utilised at a dinner party, should they choose to pour for the table.
Buy now £38.50, Graham & Green
The Rose Coffee Table Book Stack
Leos care just as much about aesthetics as they do creative value, making this expertly curated and colour-coded coffee table book stack from The Go-To an excellent gift. The impassioned, rose-hued literary set includes Useless Magic: Lyrics & Poetry by Florence Welch, Painting in Italy in the Eighteenth Century: Rococo to Romanticism, La Fábricaby Ricardo Bofill and The Artist's Books by Francesca Woodman.
Buy now £175.00, The Go-To
Arcucci Handmade Osteria Set of 2 Large Blue Oval Trays
These two lovely ceramic oval plates by Arcucci are part of the Osteria Decoro Mare Collection, which has been crafted to celebrate the naturalistic charm of sea creatures. We adore the classic blue trims, and these are sure to be the star of the show at your next dinner party – seafood-themed or otherwise.
Buy now £160.00, Artemest
Bitossi Set of 6 Wine Glasses
There’s something inherently charming about perfectly matched, mismatched tableware. This unique selection of wine glasses by Bitossi is made with mouth-blown glass, imbuing each vessel with unbeatable character.
Buy now £90.00, MyTheresa
Auli Himalayan Salt Lamp - Pink
When the time comes for the Leos in our lives to reset and recharge, there’s no better accessory for rejuvenation than a Himalayan salt lamp. That characteristic warm glow is sure to promote spa-like relaxation.
Buy now £50.00, Abigail Ahern
Sennelier Watercolour Wooden Box Set of 24 Half Pans
A luxury option for the experienced watercolourist, painting with a Sennelier wooden box filled with 24 stunning half pans is an event on its own. Not only does this set come with two high-quality brushes in different sizes, but it also has a dedicated test sheet of watercolour paper which sits in the lid of your set to remind you what each hue looks like when diluted and on paper.
Buy now £95.00, Cass Art
Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé
Created in the cellars of Château d’Escalans – a revered estate in the hills of Provence that set out to create the greatest rosé on the planet – Whispering Angel has become a byword for the pale pinks so beloved of this region.
It’s succeeded, as its dusky colour and dry flavour have become famous, while its evocative name and beautiful bottle add to its cool credentials. While the producer has since brought out other bottles – Rock Angel and The Palm, amongst others – the original remains the best: made from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle, it’s a shining example of its kind and still leads the charge in the rosé renaissance.
Buy now £17.99, Majestic
Vaisselle Ice Ice Baby Bottle Cooler
Perfect for smaller households, this single-bottle cooler can be filled with ice for a gorgeous and utilitarian tablescaping addition. Crafted from white clay with a glorious jade colourway, this is a handwash-only accessory.
Buy now £175.00, Liberty
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
If you’re not yet familiar with Sol de Janeiro or the Brazilian skin, hair and fragrance label’s cult Bum Bum Cream, you’re in for a treat. We cannot stress enough the effect that it'll have on your mood, as well as your skin.
It is enriched with one of the most heady aromas on the market - a combination of almond, vanilla and coconut that you will catch a whiff of throughout the day. While the scent transports you to Copacabana, the nourishing benefits of cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, açaí oil, and Brazil nut hydrate the skin, smothering it with nutrients, antioxidants and essential fatty acids.
At the heart is guaraná, an Amazonian vine that has a smoothing and revitalising effect with five times more caffeine than coffee.
The legendary body lotion is joined by Bom Dia Bright with a light, floral and fresh scent and Beija Flor Elasti-Cream with the fragrance of the Cheirosa ‘68 fragrance that has notes of lychee essence and pink dragonfruit, salty ocean air and hibiscus and a base of sheer vanilla and sun musk.
Buy now £48.00, Space NK
