Hello to everyone taking part in Sarah of At The Beauty Desk’s “Let’s Talk Blog Challenge”! It’s Week 4 now, which is the Survival Guide week and I have opted for the first option Sarah gave us, which is the First Date Survival Guide, (the choices were A First Date Survival Guide, A Wedding Day Survival Guide, A Night Out Survival Guide or A Festival Survival Guide). Now, I’ve chosen this because I am a currently single lady and am doing my best at first dates and experiencing this newfound single life. It’s a toughie; I still get nervous, it can still be awkward and sometimes daunting. But one thing I can rely on is a good outfit and some great beauty products to help boost my confidence on a first date. So if any of my lovely ladies are in the same boat as I am, then follow this little guide for a booster and own the night no matter what it brings!

Survival Guide for First Dates

• The Heels: I’m a firm believer in wearing heels for any occasion that doesn’t involve sitting in front of the telly or doing sports, ad a first date is the perfect time to wear heels. Not only do heels make you taller, but they also make your legs appear longer, toned and even make your bum look great! Take your pick of wedges or high heels and walk tall with ease.
• The Outfit: Depending on what the date will involve, dress comfortably and appropriately for the day/evening. I recommend the jeans & top ensemble, a midi skirt & top look or a figure-hugging dress. Of course it all depends on your style, but I love to wear clothes that show off my shape, so a peplum top and tight jeans are a perfect go-to look, but a bodycon dress or skirt can work wonders too.

Pink Two-Tone Platform Wedge €75 – http://eu.riverisland.com/women/shoes–boots/wedges/Pink-two-tone-platform-wedges-646298

Korkys Black Wedges €60 – http://www.korkys.ie/black-leather-wedge-ankle-boot-l276-bkl

Ted Baker €140 – Thaya Leather court shoe http://www.tedbaker.com/ie/Womens/Footwear/THAYA-Leather-court-shoe-Nude-Pink/p/110349-57-NUDE-PINK

ONLY €39.95 – Olivia Regular Zip Noos http://bit.ly/1yydaXQ

Lipsy Wax Lace Swing Top £45/€55 – http://www.lipsy.co.uk/store/tops/lipsy-wax-lace-swing-top/product-is-JT01612_041

River Isalnd Cream Puff Peplum Top €40 – http://eu.riverisland.com/women/tops/peplum-tops/Cream-puff-print-sleeveless-peplum-top-654853

Boohoo Callie Necklace Trim Textured Peplum Top €15 – http://www.boohoo.com/tops/callie-necklace-trim-textured-peplum-top/invt/azz33254

River Island Graphic Print Midi Skirt €29 – http://eu.riverisland.com/women/skirts/tube–pencil-skirts/Blue-floral-geometric-print-tube-skirt-656597

Lipsy €55 – http://www.lipsy.co.uk/store/dresses/lipsy-long-sleeve-printed-bodycon-dress/product-is-JD02888_031

Kardashian Kollection for Lipsy Cut Out Bodycon Dress €67 – http://www.lipsy.co.uk/store/kardashian/kardashian-cut-out-bodycon-dress/product-is-JD02851_104

• The Bold Lipstick: As you may have noticed I’m a big fan of bold lipstick, my favourites being red or pink. And I feel that on a first date it’s important to feel sexy and confident, and that’s exactly what a bold lipstick does for me. I’ve also mentioned this in my Staple Pieces post.
• The Make Up: In terms of wearing makeup, I prefer to wear a dewy look with mascara, subtle eyeliner and neutral eyeshadow to focus on the eyes and lips. A lot of the time I’ve heard that guys don’t care for the full face of makeup, but then again, it’s not all about them. Killer Fashion’s make up regime always does tend to be “less is more” though, but choose what makes you comfortable & feel confident.
• The Music: Listening to calming music on the way to your first date helps a lot. I feel it can help clear any bad thoughts you may have, and slow down your racing heartbeat & nervousness. Ballad-wise I love True by Solange, Bangerz by Miley Cyrus and Ciara by Ciara albums for the journey to the bar, but if you’re up for upbeat tracks then play Unapologetic by Rihanna, Living For the Weekend by The Saturdays, A Million Lights by Cheryl and Beyoncé by Beyoncé.

Yves Saint Laurent €33 – Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick #1 Le Rouge http://bit.ly/1sAKmLf

Revlon €6.90 – Colorburst Lipstick #030 Fuchsia http://bit.ly/1skentO

MAC €18 – 2012 Viva Glam Lipstick in Nicki Minaj http://www.brownthomas.com/lipstick/nikki-viva-glam-lipstick/invt/77x1832xmnwk

Yves Saint Laurent Le Teint Touche Éclat Foundation (BD50) €40 – http://www.brownthomas.com/face/le-teint-touche-eclat-foundation/invt/70x2174xl303090

Yves Saint Laurent Touché Éclat €35 – http://www.brownthomas.com/eyes/touche-eclat/invt/70x2174x1331580

YSL €32.50 – Faux Cils Mascara Shocking http://bit.ly/1n378Yr

Solange “True” EP – https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/true/id577412285

Miley Cyrus “Bangerz” – https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/bangerz-deluxe-version/id691238659

Ciara “Ciara” – https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/ciara/id632895294

Rihanna “Unapologetic” – https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/unapologetic-deluxe-version/id577347018

The Saturdays “Living For the Weekend” – https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/living-for-weekend-deluxe/id705100882

Cheryl “A Million Lights” – https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/million-lights-deluxe-version/id531138077

Beyoncé “Beyoncé”

What’s also handy to have in your bag for any first date too are mints, lip balm, emergency money and condoms (you might just get lucky – but only if YOU want to!). Remember to drink sensibly and be in control of the situation, and of course, have a good time!

Nirina xx