Date Night Dos and Don'ts

If you've spent any significant amount of time in the dating world, i.e. if you weren't swept up out of high school by the quarterback of the football team or didn't marry your chem lab partner, you're well aware that dating is like sparring on a battlefield (thank you Pat Benatar). 

Each and every slip up gets tallied and counted against you at the end of each date night. The good news is though, that while you might lose some points and battles, when you win, you win big. You might walk away with a whirlwind romance, a hot steamy night or even a love that lasts a lifetime. So the bottom line is, you can't reap rewards without taking a risk. 

But when we say take a "risk" when it comes to dating, we don't mean with your beauty. Not to sound like your mother, but the best beauty tips and advice we can give you for a big date is to be and look like yourself. You want to enhance your natural beauty attributes, not change them or mask them with gobs of makeup and hairspray. With that said, there are a certain number of date night dos and don'ts to follow when it's time to get ready for and during a date. 

Dating after all is about first impressions. Yes, they have to like your personality, but in order to do so they can't be distracted by an Oompa Loompa orange tan or a too strong fragrance. When things are just getting started, you have to be careful about the beauty products and looks you experiment with. Here to share some date night beauty tips are Janice MacLeod and Marni Kamins, authors of "The Dating Repair Kit" and "The Breakup Repair Kit." They share their dos and don'ts for dating, which will hopefully help you find the new love of your life, who eventually won't care if you have lipstick on your teeth or greasy roots. 


Tip 1: LipsDO "wear lipstick or lip gloss that is flattering to you," says MacLeod and Kamins. Take this quiz to find the best lip color for your skin tone. 

DON'T "wear a harsh red [lipstick] or other colors that will look like you and your date sucked back a box [of] cherry popsicles after you make out. A lip stain is helpful in this regard," they say. Try NYC New York Color Cosmetics Smooch Proof 16HR Lip Stain, $4.99 

Tip 2: MakeupDO "pay close attention to your makeup. Over-blending concealer is better than under-blending. We want to enhance our look, not look like someone we are not," says MacLeod and Kamins. 

DON'T "wear mascara that makes your lashes look like spider webs. You may be thinking he's gazing into your eyes when he's really thinking you look like Tammy Faye Baker," they warn. Try a clump-proof formula like L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara Black, $8.99. 




Tip 3: ParfumeDO "wear a light scent to turn him on." Try an eau de toilette like Burberry The Beat, $48. 

DON'T "wear so much of it that he gags," says MacLeod and Kamins. You'd rather be safe then sorry, so mist some into the air and walk into it rather than spraying it all over your neck and clothes. 

Tip 4: HairDO "aim to give your hair a relaxed look. Loose curls win over a tight bun. You're out to have fun. Make it look that way," explains MacLeod and Kamins. See this video tutorial on how to get the perfect beachy waves. 

DON'T "make your hair look so relaxed that you look like you just woke up. Save that look for when you actually do wake up next to him," they say. 




Tip 5: BreathDO "consider your breath earlier in the day. Bad breath is a good reason for him not to give you a smooch at the end of the night. So lay off [on] the garlic bread and potato leek soup at lunch," say the ladies. 

DON'T "chew gum all night in an effort to keep your breath fresh. It's not as attractive as you may think," they explain. Instead opt for breath freshening strips like Listerine Pocketpaks Breath Strips, $3.96. 

Tip 6: ComplexionDO brighten your complexion with a faux-glow. Dust a subtle bronzer likeSmashbox Soft Lights, $29.70 on your cheeks, nose, chin and temples. 

DON'T spray tan the night before. You don't know how the tan will turn out (orange streaks, blotchy patches) and chemical smell tends to linger on your skin for a day. If you're determined to get an all-over glow, opt for a good buildable self-tanner like St. Tropez Every Day Gradual Tan Mousse, $30 and apply two to three days in advance. That way you'll have time to fix any mistakes and won't smell like a cocktail of chemicals and pina colada. 









Tip 7: Hair removalDO shave the areas you usually shave, and pluck the hairs you usually pluck. 

DON'T get a lip or brow wax if you've never had one the day before. You might have a reaction that won't look pretty -- especially when covered up with too much concealer. The same goes for any kind of bikini wax. If you've never had a Brazilian, trying one before the first date is not a good idea. 

Tip 8: PrepDO come prepared with lip makeup, concealer and oil blotting papers so you can touch up as needed to look fresh and polished all night. 

DON'T ever use any of the above mentioned products at the dinner table in front him. No one wants to order their filet mignon while you're blotting oil from your forehead or primping and prodding yourself. 





Tip 9: NailsDO wear a pretty neutral shade like Essie Nail Polish in Ballet Slippers, $8 on your nails or go bare with just a clear top coat. 

DON'T try glue on nails, stick on nail art or anything that could pop or peel off by desert. It's seriously the last thing you'll want to think about.