I call it my 5:2 – the five days I have to dress up, vs the two days in the weekend I can relax in. We all have our business-slash-professional attire, and our comfy clothes and, most of the time, we groom ourselves to be pretty presentable in those outfits. Below: I’m wearing Lululemon active wear.
But what about on the nights when we want to dress up? Getting ready to go out means more than tugging on that LBD and heading out the door. There is real preparation involved for a night out for a special occasion.
Getting Your Skin Ready
When you dress up there is more scrutiny than if you were dressing for work or hanging out with the girls…and definitely more when you’ve got a night out, so pull out the big guns: hair removal strips. Waxing is the only way to get that baby smooth skin that looks so flawless in a slinky dress. The smoother you can be, the better for applying fake tan for a sunkissed look. Once the hair is gone (tend to your eyebrows, underarms, and upper lip as well) you are glowing.
Below: Shoes by Kathryn Wilson footwear.
Do your nails
One of the biggest areas I think we fail on is NAILS. It’s one of the cheapest and easiest things to look beautifully-groomed on, as well. Nailpolish only costs a few dollars – or around $30 or so if you have a manicure done – but it adds instant polish (no pun intended!) to our outfit. You honestly don’t have to have a pro manicure; my nails pictured below I did myself at home. My tip is to make time, turn the phone off, and do two coats and use a top coat (I like Essie Gel Setter) on top to make it last and prevent chipping.
Smelling Good
There’s never been so many great fragrances on the market and what I like about fragrance, is that what you choose to wear on a date, will become a signature perfume that they identify with you. Fragrance has been proven to be a key memory trigger and you want this one to trigger great memories so choose well. Some fragrances, such as Valeur Absolue pictured below, even contain essential oils that enhance mood and calm emotions of well-being.
Makeup on point
Your makeup is going to be one of the first things that your date sees, as people make eye contact and look at your smile. Do you want a bright lip that accentuates your smile? Remember that orange lipstick can make your teeth look yellowy, and red lipstick makes them appear whiter. I’d say err on the side of conservatism and don’t go overboard with too much heavy makeup; a cheek tint can look like you’re blushing flirtatiously and of course you know how I feel about mascara: at least two coats so you can bat those lashes, baby.
Check your teeth
Before you go though, make sure you give your mouth a good going over with a tongue scraper and a toothbrush. You want your breath to smell fresh and your teeth to look pearly white. If you don’t wanna get spinach in your teeth on the date, don’t order spinach. Order omelette! I do take chewing gum with me when I go out, but there’s nothing worse than people talking whilst chewing, so please get rid of it before you meet your date.
Turn off your phone
My last tip isn’t a grooming one it’s a manners one: turn your phone to silent and avoid live-tweeting your date. It’s great to text a friend that it’s going well or not but it’s another being with someone who’s constantly on their phone and not emotionally present and engaged. Instagram will survive without your dinner pic.
Have fun you look great
This probably seems like a lot of work, but trust me: it will be worth it when you step out into the evening and feel as fabulous as you know you look.
Megan Robinson
16th November 2015
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