First dates can be both a blessing and curse. When things go right, that first night out can be an awesome opportunity to impress a new beau, but a first date gone wrong can potentially ruin your chances with your man crush forever.
To help you keep him coming back for more, we’ve partnered with P&G to bring you the only guide you’ll ever need to prepare for a first date. Here are 10 of the most common first date blunders and how to avoid them using award-winning beauty favorites. Go get ‘em, Tiger!
1
Bad Breath
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Nothing ruins a first impression like noticeably unpleasant breath. Avoid scaring him away with your foul mouth, by brushing before (or even during) your date with a breath-freshening toothpaste. And while you’re at it, why not spruce up your pearly whites with a tooth-whitening solution?
The Fix: Seek out a breath freshener and tooth-whitener in one, like Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste.*
*Winner of the Shape 2013 Annual Beauty Awards
The Fix: Seek out a breath freshener and tooth-whitener in one, like Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste.*
*Winner of the Shape 2013 Annual Beauty Awards
2
Sloppy Nails
Mary Ann Lacy Bridant via Getty Images
Even if you’re not a mani-pedi kind of girl, the condition of your fingernails and toenails speaks volumes about your personal hygiene.
The Fix: Keep your nails clean and if you’re in a rush, go for a simple one step solution like COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss.* The latest formula combines a base coat, a high gloss color available in dozens of shades (including flirty yellow hybrid called"Goldilocks") and a chip-resistant top coat.
*Allure Best Of Beauty Winner for Best Sheer Pink Nail Polish
The Fix: Keep your nails clean and if you’re in a rush, go for a simple one step solution like COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss.* The latest formula combines a base coat, a high gloss color available in dozens of shades (including flirty yellow hybrid called"Goldilocks") and a chip-resistant top coat.
*Allure Best Of Beauty Winner for Best Sheer Pink Nail Polish
3
Smelly or Sweaty Pits
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While sweat is a perfectly normal bodily function, excessive armpit sweat or, even worse, armpit stink can really ruin the mood and potentially kill your chance at a second date.
The Fix: If you’re one of those girls that sweat more than most, choose fabrics that let your skin breathe such as cotton, wool, or silk and, of course, be sure to apply a prescription strength antiperspirant such as Secret’s Clinical Strength Stress Response Deodorant.*
*Winner of the Shape 2013 Annual Beauty Awards
The Fix: If you’re one of those girls that sweat more than most, choose fabrics that let your skin breathe such as cotton, wool, or silk and, of course, be sure to apply a prescription strength antiperspirant such as Secret’s Clinical Strength Stress Response Deodorant.*
*Winner of the Shape 2013 Annual Beauty Awards
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4
Raccoon Eyes
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Under eye bags, dark circles and droopy lids can be a sight for sore eyes (no pun intendend).
The Fix: The best remedy for this pesky problem is simply getting a good night’s rest, but if you want to get rid of raccoon eyes in a hurry, use a color correcting concealer like COVERGIRL + Olay’s Concealer Balm* to minimize the appearance of dark circles, age spots and redness.
*Voted Best All Around Concealer for the Self Health Beauty Awards
The Fix: The best remedy for this pesky problem is simply getting a good night’s rest, but if you want to get rid of raccoon eyes in a hurry, use a color correcting concealer like COVERGIRL + Olay’s Concealer Balm* to minimize the appearance of dark circles, age spots and redness.
*Voted Best All Around Concealer for the Self Health Beauty Awards
5
Visible Roots
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Make it a priority to hide noticeable roots on your color treated hair.
The Fix: If you’re pressed for time and unable to hit up a salon, get to the root of the problem with a do-it-yourself touch up kit. Clairol’s Root Touch Up By Nice ‘n Easy* helps you touch up like a pro in just 10 minutes.
*Voted Best Root Coverage for InStyle's Best Beauty Buys
The Fix: If you’re pressed for time and unable to hit up a salon, get to the root of the problem with a do-it-yourself touch up kit. Clairol’s Root Touch Up By Nice ‘n Easy* helps you touch up like a pro in just 10 minutes.
*Voted Best Root Coverage for InStyle's Best Beauty Buys
6
Mascara Mishaps
Markus Amon via Getty Images
Mascara application is a tricky business and it’s hard to find the perfect formula that gives you both length and volume.
The Fix: Try curling your lashes prior to application for an added lift and remember, a rushed application can lead to slip ups like clumps and smudging. Avoid lash disasters by choosing a no-clump mascara like COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher* and bat those luscious lashes fearlessly.
*Voted Best Mascara in the Redbook MVP Awards
The Fix: Try curling your lashes prior to application for an added lift and remember, a rushed application can lead to slip ups like clumps and smudging. Avoid lash disasters by choosing a no-clump mascara like COVERGIRL LashBlast Clump Crusher* and bat those luscious lashes fearlessly.
*Voted Best Mascara in the Redbook MVP Awards
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7
Hairy Legs
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Excessively hairy legs can be a major turn-off for men on a first date. Once you’re comfortable it's totally fine to skip a day or two of shaving, but for your first night out, do you both a favor and kindly get rid of unwanted hair.
The Fix: For smooth, sexy, and stubble free legs, be sure to exfoliate your skin before shaving and choose a razor with multiple blades that allows for a closer cut like Gillette's Venus Embrace Razor.*
*Winner of the 2013 Women's Health Beauty Awards
The Fix: For smooth, sexy, and stubble free legs, be sure to exfoliate your skin before shaving and choose a razor with multiple blades that allows for a closer cut like Gillette's Venus Embrace Razor.*
*Winner of the 2013 Women's Health Beauty Awards
8
Too Much Makeup
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We get it. You don’t want to come off as too basic, but there are other ways to stand out without piling on the powder.
The Fix: Opt for a more natural look and seek out lightweight foundations like COVERGIRL's Clean Whipped Crème Foundation,* to give your skin a matte finish without layers of coverage.
*Winner of Allure Best of Beauty Award
The Fix: Opt for a more natural look and seek out lightweight foundations like COVERGIRL's Clean Whipped Crème Foundation,* to give your skin a matte finish without layers of coverage.
*Winner of Allure Best of Beauty Award
9
Hair Experiments Gone Rogue
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Whatever you do, avoid any major changes to your mane in the days before your big date.
The Fix: Play it safe and keep it simple. If you absolutely must fry or dye your hair, make sure you protect your tresses by applying a heat protectant serum before styling such as Vidal Sassoon’s Pro Series Heat & Protect Shine Spray.*
*Winner of the ELLE 2013 Genius Awards
The Fix: Play it safe and keep it simple. If you absolutely must fry or dye your hair, make sure you protect your tresses by applying a heat protectant serum before styling such as Vidal Sassoon’s Pro Series Heat & Protect Shine Spray.*
*Winner of the ELLE 2013 Genius Awards
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10
Un-kissable Lips
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Even if you have no intention on planting a smooch on your new beau, nobody likes un-kissable, chapped or cracked lips.
The Fix: Treat dry lips by first exfoliating with a toothbrush to remove dead skin and then applying a conditioning balm to lock in moisture. To make your soup coolers stand out even more, go with a statement lip color for an extra pop such as a Bombshell Pink or a Flame Red. COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipcolor’s* moisture rich formula is available in dozens of fierce shades to perfectly match your complexion.
*Voted Best Inexpensive Lipstick by InStyle Best Beauty Buys
The Fix: Treat dry lips by first exfoliating with a toothbrush to remove dead skin and then applying a conditioning balm to lock in moisture. To make your soup coolers stand out even more, go with a statement lip color for an extra pop such as a Bombshell Pink or a Flame Red. COVERGIRL LipPerfection Lipcolor’s* moisture rich formula is available in dozens of fierce shades to perfectly match your complexion.
*Voted Best Inexpensive Lipstick by InStyle Best Beauty Buys