Preparing for your Speeddate

Statistics show (according to a 2005 University of Pennsylvania study) that the average person makes a decision within 3 SECONDS if they want to see a potential romantic interest again.  Remember that the first impression is often permanent and may be your only chance before someone gets to know the real you.  Speed Dating is a lover’s  interview!  You and each “mini”-date are quickly sizing each other up in 3-10 minutes.

Good or bad, we live in a society where how you look does matter. This doesn’t mean you have to be a Fashion Model or Mr. GQ. All you have to do is polish your assets and remove the liabilities. It is always important to look your best so you feel confident about the impression you are making and about you.  How you treat yourself is how someone feels you will treat them.

Keep in mind:  Cleanliness, up to date, polished, and looking good are the words we want in your vocabulary when you fix yourself up for that first meeting. When was the last time you updated your look?  Here is a checklist of some things to do before your first Speeddate (and note that some of these tips are just good old fashion “common sense”).

WOMEN

♥ Make sure your nails are filed, at least with painted with a coat of clear polish. Ragged nails or nails with dirt under them are a turn off.

♥ Use makeup close to your skin color, colors that are natural and compliment your skin. For a great update go to the nearest Clinique or Lancome counter at any of the major department stores. Bring a girlfriend for an hour of fun. It’s FREE advice.  For professional makeup tips, watch:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO3Yo0J2i4Y

♥ Update your hairstyle. You don’t have to change your hair to something wild. If your hair is down to your waist or hasn’t changed in 3 years, go find a new hairdresser.

♥ Glasses that are not up to date are another “turn off” for men. If your glasses are more than 3 years old, have very large thick lenses, again, it is time to see about a new pair.

♥ Take note of your clothes. When was the last time you bought something new? Wear something classy and tasteful for the first meeting. Classy jeans, a nice skirt and blouse. Don’t wear anything uncomfortable or too revealing.

♥ Wear some sexy underwear under your new clothes. It will make you feel cool and confident.

♥ If your teeth are yellow from smoking or coffee, try an over the counter whitening toothpaste. There is nothing is sexier than pearly white teeth.

♥ Fragrance-Smell is an important attraction. Make sure you have a shower before your meeting especially if it has been a hot day, you just worked out or have been traveling. You may be used to your own body odor, but there is no greater turn on for a man than a woman who just showered with freshly shampooed hair and a light scent of a captivating perfume. Wear a good clean fragrance. Take a friend to the department store and start sniffing.

MEN

♥ Clip your nails short. Men with unclipped and dirty fingernails just look gross.

♥ Get a haircut and make it short. Hair past your ears let alone your shoulders looks ridiculous unless you are in a rock band or are a teen model.

♥ If you have a beard or mustache, make sure it is trimmed well.  Keep in mind that many women have sensitive skin and find kissing a man with too much facial hair a turnoff. (Think about it guys, would you want to kiss a Brillo Pad for 2 hours.

♥ Did you know that ninety percent of all women prefer a clean-shaven man at any age? Now you do. The dye job looks bad. Get it done professionally. Nothing spells nerd like a home bottle dye job (except maybe a rug.) You’ve been out in the sun or you’ve lost a lot of weight and your facial skin is sagging. Consider plastic surgery or collagen injections; if I told you would attract younger women if you did would it be worth your while? If you want to catch a big fish, bait the hook!

♥ Take a good look in the mirror. Do your eye brows run together? If so have them professionally tweezed or electrolysis to remove the unwanted hair. Countless men go dateless because they have a stern/severe look from eyebrows that knit together making them look unhappy. Fortunately you can fix it!

♥ Glasses that are not up to date are another turn off for women. If your glasses are more than 3 years old, are aviator style, or large thick lenses, it is time to see about a new pair.

♥ Take inventory of your wardrobe. When was the last time you bought something new? Wear something classy and tasteful for the first meeting. Some events are more formal, but dress pants and a polo shirt / nice dress shirt will suffice. Don’t wear jeans or non collared t-shirts on a first meeting or a date. And wear a pair of loafers or dress shoes (make sure they are not scuffed). Leave the hiking boots and tennis shoes for a casual date when you know her better. Unless it is over 90 degrees, don’t show up in shorts, and if you do, make sure you wear cool dress shorts and leather loafers. You can tell a lot about a man by what he wears on his feet and how he cares for his shoes. A good pair of shoes always looks good. Don’t ever wear shoes that are scuffed, dirty or are in desperate need of polish. Don’t ever wear jeans with holes, see though clothing, polyester clothing or jewelry that makes noise when you move.

♥ If your teeth are yellow from smoking or coffee, try an over the counter whitening toothpaste.

♥ Fragrance / Smell is an important attraction. Make sure you have a shower before your meeting especially if it has been a hot day, you just worked out or you have been traveling. You may be used to your own body odor, but there is no greater turn on for a woman than a man who just showered and shaved with freshly shampooed hair and a light scent of a good designer cologne/aftershave. Wear a good clean fragrance (nothing cheap!). No Old Spice PLEASE!