Relationships – Hot date

You’ve met a hunk at a party. You exchanged phone numbers, and now he’s asked you out on a date. The catch? You’ve only got one day to look irresistible. We help you get ready.

ON THE DAY BEFORE . . .

GET RID OF EXCESS HAIR:

Since this is your first date, you want to make a good impression. Sure, make-up helps. But don’t forget that a facial and some hair-removal go a long way towards ensuring that make-up looks good. The trick is to do all of it before, not the day of the date itself.

“After removing your blackheads and shaping your eyebrows, our skin is usually inflamed and reddish,” says Amanda, a beautician. “You should give your face at least one night’s rest before applying any make-up to it, otherwise you’ll have a hell of a time covering up those areas with foundation and eye-shadow, making you look more dolled up than you need be.”

The same rule applies to waxing or shaving your legs or your underarms, unless you want him to admire your red spots instead of your silky smooth skin. Do it yourself if you must, but do it the night before so your skin get’s a good night’s rest. PREPARE YOUR CROWNING GLORY:

Don’t wait to get to a salon — go right now! The reasons are many: besides the fact that getting your hair done out of the way will free up your time for more important stuff — like shopping for a dress. Also, a day-old hair-do looks far more natural than a fresh wash-and-blow dry.

“Freshly washed hair has no natural oil, which is what gives it that frizzy look,” says Lebo, a hairstylist. “Wait for a day for your scalp’s natural sebum to surface. Then, brush your hair from your scalp right until the tip, so the oil is distributed all along the hair shaft. This will settle things down a little, and give your hair a natural shine.”

Also, tempting as it may be, this is the wrong occasion to pick for trying out a new hairstyle. “Remember that new hairdos can go horribly wrong,” Lebo advises. “You’d be better off with the hair you have right now rather than trying a new hairstyle that could come out nothing like you imagined.”

If it’s too late to get to a salon, then go first thing in the morning. Just make sure it’s in a shopping centre where you’re fairly certain of finding that He’ll-Never-ForgetMe-If-I-Wear-This number. And while you’re at it, drop into a nail salon for a manicure and pedicure.

ONTHEDAYOFTHEDATE...

KNOW WHAT TO WEAR:

There are two things you need to remember about rush shopping: 1) You don’t have the luxury of time; and, 2) You don’t have the luxury of choice. With that in mind, you should set out to buy an outfit first thing in the morning (dress or otherwise), but only at tried-andtrue locations, i.e., places you’ve had good luck at before. The golden rule of rush shopping, the one thing you should not do under any circumstance, is go to shops you’ve never visited before.

“Rush shopping is a very objective exercise,” says Khanyi, a 29-year-old self-confessed shopaholic. “If you want to buy a dress, buy the first one you like. Don’t try on any thing else. There’ll always be a better dress, but with rush shopping, you don’t have time for the indecision that comes with having more than one option. A good dress in a bag is worth two nice dresses on hangers.”

But what if you don’t find anything you like at your favourite shops? If you don’t find something you like then you shouldn’t buy anything at all, especially if it’s your first date.

You’ve already got a wardrobe full of clothes that the guy’s never seen you in before. Why not wear something you already own that you know you look good in, rather than risk meeting him in something new you’re unsure about?

In any case, you need to finish your shopping by 2pm, no later. This gives you time to battle traffic home, so you can get that all-important afternoon beauty nap before you start getting ready.

GET A NAP: The last thing you want to do on your date is start yawning uncontrollably. After a busy day of doing your hair, nails and getting your wardrobe ready, it would be a pity to be let down by a mind too tired for conversation. You need to recharge your batteries, both physically and mentally. “Research suggests that by the end of the morning, the first burst of energy after waking has generated a lot of productive activity, but to continue without a break creates burnout,” says Harriet Griffey in Art of the Nap. If he’s a bore, of course, then nothing will save you. Otherwise, having a nap will ensure you stay alert throughout the evening. You’ll be able to laugh at his jokes without forcing it, and if he does have any irritating habits, they won’t get on your nerves so easily. If there’s a good time to be had, you’ll have it. And if the date’s a disaster, well, at least you’ll know it before it’s too late.

And if you’re worried your morning blow dry at the salon’s going to be wasted, then put some curlers in your hair while you sleep. When you wake, your hair will have shine and bounce. FINAL PREPARATIONS:

While getting ready for your date, listen to the news on the radio or TV, so you know what’s happening in the world. If communication is free-flowing throughout the evening, you can count yourself very lucky as most first dates are riddled with false starts and bad humour. Breaking the ice with some current issues is a good way to warm up to each other. If all goes well, you’ll be discussing more interesting stuff before dinner is over.

Also, check you have all your date protection with you, for example, pepper spray. Take the usual preventive measures, and make sure that 1) At least one friend knows who this guy is and where he’s taking you; 2) That your mobile phone is fully charged; and 3) That you are taking your own transport there and back.

Finally, remind yourself the aim of dating is to have a good time. Keep it light, keep it pleasant and keep it real.■

If he’s a bore, of course, nothing willsaveyou. Otherwise, having a nap will ensure you stay alert throughout the evening. You’ll be able to laugh at his jokes without forcing it.