All done studying and ready to hit the clubs? Not so fast—before you go, you'll need to look your best. Girls notice the details—everything from ragged nails to too much gel. If you're well groomed and put together, it won't matter if you don't look like Brad Pitt; you'll still appeal. Here's a guide to everything the Uni guy needs to do before hitting the pubs.
Step 1: Trim and clean your nails.
I'm not saying they need to be perfectly shaped and have pretty pink polish on them, but girls do notice your nails—and if they're jagged and have dirt caked underneath, you won't make a good impression. Get a nail trimmer and clip your nails to a neat, even length. Use a nail brush to scrub along the edges and tops of your nails—it will help you wash out the dirt and grime that can collect underneath
Step 2: Shower!
When you wash in the shower, don't just rub the soap or shower gel on your body and rinse—you won't remove much of the dirt, dried sweat, or dead skin that can accumulate over the course of a day. Apply it to a facecloth or a loofah and scrub. Pay special attention to the areas of your body that sweat the most, such as your underarms. Bar soap can sometimes dry out the skin; if you have dry skin, use shower gel instead.
Step 3: Shampoo and condition.
Your hair is one of the first things people notice about you, and if you have oily hair, dandruff, or other hair problems, it could be the only thing a girl sees. On the other hand, if your hair looks healthy and touchable, girls will want to run their fingers through it—so the effort is worth it. If you have dandruff, women will definitely notice—so use a dandruff-treating shampoo like Head and Shoulders. If you have curly hair, use a thick, creamy shampoo that coats the hair shaft—and condition every time you shower. Coarsely curly hair is often dry, as your natural oils may not be able to travel down the entire length of your hair—so look for an extra-moisturizing conditioner. If your hair is fine or straight, use clear, gentle shampoos that are designed for daily washing—stay away from the creamy stuff. You don't need to condition every day, but you do need to make sure your hair is thoroughly rinsed after each shampoo—otherwise the conditioner itself could make your hair look oily.
Step 4: Shave right after your shower.
The worst thing, you can do for your skin is shave "dry," without getting your face wet first. A lot of guys simply lather on shaving foam or gel and shave without washing first, and this is the main cause of redness and irritation after shaving. Instead, shave directly after your shower, while your face is still wet. Hot water opens your pores, relaxes your facial muscles, and softens your stubble. With a layer of hot water on your skin, the razor will skim across the surface instead of scraping. Use an aftershave that soothes and moisturizes, and you'll have baby-soft, touchable skin.
Step 5: Good facial care is key.
It's important to moisturize in order to prevent dry, flaky skin, but if you use a moisturizing aftershave, this will be taken care of. After you shave but before you apply aftershave lotion, try using a toner. Toners close up your facial pores, making your skin look smoother. They also increase your skin's resistance to ingrown hairs and pimples.
Speaking of pimples, we all get them. If you spot a pimple, don't over-treat it with zit creams—these can really dry out your skin. Instead, look for an alcohol-based antibiotic or a benzoyl peroxide solution—you can usually find these over-the-counter. These are more effective on zits, and they're not as harsh on your skin. If you have a pimple on the big night out and you don't have time to treat it and wait for it to go down, don't squeeze it—this will only create a big, bloody hole in your face. Anti-redness eye-drops can actually reduce the redness on zits—and a tiny dab of tinted acne cream can make them invisible.
Step 6: Do a spot-check.
Nose hairs, earwax, and overgrown eyebrows can all be major turn-offs. Do a quick check to be sure random facial hairs are under control; use a nose hair trimmer to catch any problem spots. You don't need perfectly groomed eyebrows, but if you have a uni-brow, you should tweeze the area between your brows—stray hairs there can be a big distraction for girls. Check your ears for earwax—swab gently with a Q-tip if you find anything in your ears that shouldn't be. While you're at it, check behind your ears to make sure everything's squeaky clean back there—it's one of the easiest spots on your head to miss.
Step 7: Get rid of the rough spots.
Most women aren't crazy about rough skin anywhere on your body. Rough skin can be caused by dryness and chapping, an accumulation of dead skin, or blisters. Body parts prone to rough skin include hands, feet, and even elbows. You can soften the skin by filing the roughness down with a pumice stone. Afterward, soak the rough skin in warm water and scrub with an exfoliating soap, then apply moisturizer.
Step 8: Wear deodorant and anti-perspirant.
Clubs are hot and sweaty places. To control any odor issues that might come up, it's a good idea to use both deodorant and anti-perspirant. Deodorant controls body odor, while anti-perspirant can help keep you from sweating in the first place. Use both of these and you'll be able to control odor as well as unsightly sweat spots.
Step 9: Apply After Shave—lightly.
Use too much cologne, and you'll definitely be noticed—but not in a good way. Scent is a very personal preference and many women have strong opinions; half the girls in the room may love what you're wearing and half may not like it at all. That doesn't mean you shouldn't wear your favorite cologne, but it does mean you should go easy on it so that it's a subtle scent, not an overpowering smell. Apply cologne lightly to skin near your neck—don't spray it directly on your clothes, as it can stain.
Step 10: Easy on the gel.
One of the biggest hair mistakes men make is using too much gel. No girl wants to run her fingers through hair that's marinating in gel. Use only a small dab and choose gel that advertises a "soft, natural" hold—it won't make your head shiny and spiky. If you have coarse, curly hair and want to tame your curls, try using a small amount of leave-in conditioner. If you want to be squeaky-clean and ready for a night out on the town, you'll need to put some effort into it. Girls like guys who notice the details. Show them that you pay attention to the way you look, and they'll pay attention to you.