Going on a hot date tonight? Make sure you tick all the boxes on this pre-date grooming checklist before you head out…
Valentine’s Day is coming up, just in case you needed the reminder (you’re welcome—yes, you can go book the restaurant, we’ll wait). Whether you’re taking your honey out for a special dinner date or you’re throwing yourself onto the dating scene, you’re going to have to look like a functioning person.
Lucky for you, we’re here to tell you what you’ll have to do to look like an actual adult, and it’s really not that hard. Heed our advice below to clean up nicely.
1. Hit the shower
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This should (hopefully) be common sense at this point, but you’d be surprised how many men skip a full-body hose down before a big date. There’s no point looking like a snack if you don’t smell the part so, for your (and your date’s) sake, take a shower.
2. Oral fixation
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Imagine that your date is going well. They seem into it, and you’ve been giggling all night—they’re sending you all the right signals. You reach for their hand and look into their eyes and pause there for a moment. They glance down at your lips and you do the same. They start to lean in. You close your eyes and part your lips but… nothing happens. You open your eyes and they’re throwing up in a trash can. What did you do? Was it something they ate?
Spoiler alert: It was something they smelled. Specifically, your breath.
Don’t let that be you. Brush, floss and use mouthwash (and, no cigarettes!). In fact, you can avoid this whole situation by also packing some gum—and maybe sharing it with your date.
READ: Everything you’re doing wrong with your oral hygiene
3. No sweat
To offset the nervous sweats, don’t forget to hit your pits with a spritz of antiperspirant deodorant. Opt for something mildly scented or unscented, preferably one that doesn’t overwhelm your cologne. Better yet, opt for a deodorant that actually complements your fragrance.
Don’t forget your cologne
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On the note of olfactory etiquette, if you’d like to take it up a notch (or the time you have to get ready does not permit a shower) then spritz a dash of cologne before leaving the house. There are lots of lovely scents about but find one that feels like you. Remember these rules: spritz the wrists and neck and never rub (it dulls the top notes and changes the way it smells). Also, don’t go overboard—you don’t want to suffocate your date!
Fix your face up
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Ah, yes, the money maker. You’ll want to look as fresh as you can, so slap a bit of moisturiser on straight out of the shower (if you really want to impress, you could exfoliate and tone beforehand).
Then, give your face a once-over with a razor to rid yourself of the stubble and follow up with some aftershave. On the other hand, if you sport a beard on the regular, trim it yourself or head to the barber to neaten it out, then follow with some beard oil.
Fun fact: grooming your beard can make an old haircut look fresh.
Comb your hair
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It’s so simple—wash your hair, comb it through, put a little product in it and style it. Our top tip for date hair is just to keep it tidy. First impressions may not be everything but they sure are important! Plus, even if your dearest has seen you at your worst, making an effort once in a while is always a nice change of pace that they’ll appreciate.
Pay attention to your nails
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Cut your nails! There is nothing more off putting than a set of gritty, grubby, scraggly fingernails. Make sure you cut them short and keep them clean, or if you’re lazy to DIY, get a mani-pedi at a salon.
Nose, ears, chest, back, and balls
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To those on the fuzzier side, all these body parts will require trimming (or waxing). Working out the, ahem, logistics is easier with some parts than others, but there are definitely ways to get it done. In any case, good luck and godspeed.
That just about sums up the need-to-knows. We’ve just one piece of advice left, and it’s arguably the most important—be yourself.
For more grooming guides, click here.
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