This guide is not meant to imply that women are not properly grooming and practicing thorough hygiene; however, there is always room for tips, tricks, and advice. Everyone is guilty of falling short sometimes — we are not on our ‘A’ game all the time. Let this guide serve you as a helpful reminder to get you back on track to taking the best care of yourself. Revisit these tips often, so you’ll be ready to show up like a total boss on date night. Get ready to impress!  

Basic

Hollywood smile: If you think 2 minutes of brushing day and night is good hygiene, we need to step it up and get back to proper oral care. . In 2023 we are doing more than the bare minimum. Floss first — remove food, plaque, bacteria – and then brush. Scrape your tongue! Not only does it remove even more trapped bacteria, but it combats bad breath. Save mouthwash for last and gargle for at least 30 seconds. 

Level up your shower game: We want to make sure we are lathering the soap and washing all the nooks and crannies. Avoid using a loofah as they harbor bacteria. Use a new wash cloth for every wash. Sometimes us ladies need to double wash our hair if we’ve gone a few days between washes and if there is quite a bit of product in our hair. Exfoliate before you shave/wash to avoid/prevent ingrown hairs. Use body oil if you so desire. 

Smell good: Moisturize your skin! Not only does your skin look better, but you will feel better and smell good. Your deodorant should be anti-perspirant to really combat sweat/odor. Body sprays and perfumes should be added last. 

Radiant Skin: Skin care is tricky. No one is the same and not everyone responds to the same products. Whatever works for you, you want to make sure you are cleaning first and moisturizing last. Always wear SPF!!! Apply all products down your chin and neckline as well for added measure and preventative aging. 

Flawless Nails: If you are not someone who goes to salons for manicures, you can still do basic care at home. Keep your nails trimmed, or at least filed and clean any dirt out from underneath your nails. Bonus points if you don’t chew your nails, skin, and/or cuticles. Our hands are filthy, keeping them clean should be a high priority. 

Fuzz-free beauty: Facials are not the most affordable form of self-care, but there are so many ways to keep your face glowing and healthy. You might consider getting a facial dermaplaning set to take care of the peach fuzz on your own. Not only will your skin look and feel great, but your skincare products will absorb better and your makeup will apply more seamlessly. If you don’t want to commit to removing all the hair from your face, you can always just wax or thread your eyebrows to keep your facial hair looking well maintained. The eyebrows are a focal point of everyone’s face after all. 

Lady bits: There are so many options for grooming and genital hygiene. Brazilian waxes are one of the most common and will keep you hairless for weeks at a time, but shaving gets the job done just fine. You can also try sugaring. If you are going to shave, be sure to exfoliate to remove any dead skin first. Take your time so you don’t cut yourself — our girlhood is delicate after all. 

Silky smooth legs: Clean shaven legs (and maybe even arms) are a staple in basic body care. We should be grooming our own body to the same expectations we would have have for our partner — which is not hairy, prickly legs and arms. 

Beach ready: I think we can all agree that no matter how natural body hair is, none of us like it. If you have excessive back, stomach, or neck hair, consider waxing that as well. Nair isn’t a bad option either, especially for those hard to reach places. 

Clear complexion: Depending on the severity of your acne, there are everyday changes you can make to help manage it without the use of harsh products. Silk pillowcases not only help keep our hair healthy, but there are also benefits for our skin. Silk is a cleaner sleeping surface and is less drying. You may also consider washing your face with filtered water. Apple cider vinegar is another great way to tackle acne. You can ingest it, or use it like a spot treatment for pimples. 

Luscious Locks: Regular trims are essential for keeping hair healthy. None of us want dry, damaged, thinning, dull hair that hardly styles and falls out while washing or brushing. Set the appointment for 6 week trims and watch your hair transform. 

Rinse & Repeat: Not every shower needs to be a monumental task of double hair washes, shaving, exfoliating, etc. but a quick rinse or wash, even if you’ve already showered is always appreciated when your partner may go in for a kiss anywhere on your body. Being too clean is never a bad thing, and if we’ve suggest the ‘Extended Self-Care Routine’ for a particular date, then it’s probably for a good reason. 

Hair plucking: Perhaps you don’t have time to get your brows waxed or threaded — go in and pluck what you can (without overdoing it of course). You can definitely take care of those obvious hours on your own to hold you over. 

Earwax: Wax is manageable using Q-tips or even a nasal aspirator. Q-tips have seen some controversy in recent years, so if you have concerns then a nasal aspirator will more than get the job done. Using lukewarm water, rinse your ears with light pressure to remove what’s hard to get. Us girls know the struggle too well, of not getting all the conditioner out of our ears — make sure you’re rinsing and drying well so your ears don’t appear dirty with visible buildup. 

Breath of fresh air: Make it a point to keep gum or mints on you at all times. A big kiss right after dinner, especially after eating something with onions, is instantly less pleasant. Again, an easy and inexpensive solution to a big problem.