Why Getting Ready For a First Date Can Be An Act of Self Care

The day is finally here: you have a date with someone new! Maybe you met them on an app, at the bar, or at work. Maybe you’ve known them for a long time, or you’ve never met them before. But today you’re going to meet them for dinner and drinks, and you’re nervous–and excited. 

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There are going to be those people out there who say that you shouldn’t put any more effort into getting ready for a first date than you should to meet a friend or just go out generally. We get that in theory, but it’s also kind of boring. Why not take the opportunity to get glam, if that’s what you want? We think it’s much more fun to get dressed up and looking our best–not for our date, but for ourselves. 

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Plus, a first date is really unpredictable. What if you meet them for the first time and they turn out to be nothing like you thought? What if they blatantly lied about their height on their profile? (Statistically it is impossible that all of the dues on Hinge that say they’re 5’11” actually are that tall.) What if they think you don’t live up to their expectations? What if they’re rude, or arrogant, or you have nothing to talk about? What if you have a spontaneous allergy to the sushi you’re eating and your tongue swells up?! There are so many unknowns! A first date is one of the most nerve-wracking things you can do.  

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That’s why we’ve reframed our entire attitude around first dates and dating in general. Instead of fixating on what the other person might expect us to look like, we use it as an opportunity to pamper ourselves. What will make us feel the most confident and the most attractive? What will make us feel cared for? 

Here’s how we get ready for a first date: 

Get a facial the day before the date

Nothing makes you feel more prepared to take on the world–dating included–than the restorative experience of a gentle facial. We’re MedSpa-obsessed at Upkeep, so we really like the Hydrafacial in particular. The Hydrafacial is a favorite of ours because it also includes high tech extractions and actives that create a megawatt glow. A facial is also the perfect way to truly relax and zone out. (You could also meditate…but that won’t make your skin look radiant.)  The Hydrafacial is our go-to treatment when we want to feel our best. Plus, you won’t feel the need to rely on makeup to be confident, because your skin will look great on its own!

Freshen up your nails

Whether you’re a gel, dip, acrylic, or au naturel gal, getting your nails touched up or manicured makes you feel put together in a different way. Even if you have to go to the date straight from work, and you don’t have time to freshen your makeup or change, having nice nails can really boost your confidence. So take the time to get your nails done–even if that just means you trim and file them yourself, and add a few coats of shiny clear polish.  

Put on your fave playlist while getting ready

Get a bunch of songs on a playlist that help you feel pumped up and excited. That way, even if the evening turns out to be a bust, the getting ready part was fun. Heading to the date straight from work? You can still listen to the playlist in the Uber or while you’re driving there. 

Have some go-to first date outfits

Decision paralysis is real (just ask our Netflix homepage). And somehow on the night of the date, whatever look you put together tends to feel suddenly terrible, and before you know it you have about eight failed outfits crumpled on your closet floor. That’s why we have three or four go-to first date outfits depending on the situation (time of year, what you’re doing, and where you’re going). If it’s autumn and we’re going to a trendy, just-opened restaurant? We have an Outfit for that. A casual summertime date? We have an Outfit for that, too. Take photos on your phone of you in these outfits for reference, so you can throw them on without having to think about it. Plus, it’s fun to be able to play dress up and narrow down your options–beforehand, when you have time. Not when your reservation is in fifteen minutes and you’re still in your underwear. 

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If you do any one of those things (or all of them), it will help you feel more confident and self-assured. Even if the date turns out to be a disaster, it’s still a chance to do something nice for yourself. That’s what we call a win-win ;)

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