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How to Get Ready for a Date After Work in 30 Minutes.
As a working woman, time is money and at least for me both are in limited supply. But a girl still needs to go out and have fun every once in awhile, especially when a cute boy asks her out.
So what are you to do if the only night you can meet is a work night? This recently happened to me and I was able to pull it off in 30 minutes and so can you. The key is plan ahead. Here's how.
First off do any major things days ahead. If you've got a couple of days to prep, take advantage of it by doing a nice peel/scrub and getting rid of any unwanted hairs (you know what I'm talking about). The last thing you want to do is have obvious traces of waxing or other hair removal techniques anywhere.
On days that I know I want my skin to look great at night, I don't wear makeup during the day. My co-workers are use to it anyway by now (I can get lazy in the mornings).
The same goes for your hair. I kind of have some wave in my hair, though the way it looks on a daily basis is completely unreliable. So on days when I know I want to curly my hair, I wear it in a bun the day/and or night before. I just do a simple twisted low bun.
Next make sure your skin glows. I like to use a gentle exfoliating face wash to get rid of any dry/dull skin. This takes me less than 5 minutes.
After I cleanse my face and neck. I do my regular facial skin care routine. Eye cream, serum, and a tinted moisturizer to give myself an extra glow.
Now it's time for the hair. Since my hair has a little bit of Umph from being in the bun all day I have some volume to work with. Using a tip I found on Totalbeauty.com I just save time by only curling the top layers of my hair. Like I said before I've kind of have a little wave going on, but not enough to pull it off naturally. I don't spend more than 10 minutes on my hair. 
Now it's time for makeup. I think it's always best to go natural on dates. I don't mean not use any makeup, rather don't go super extreme from what you normally do. Chances are this person likes you the way they got to know you (which in my case was makeup free) so you don't want to appear like a completely different person.
My rule is to go no more than two shades darker than your normal color preferences. I normally do a light gold eye shadow, so for now I'm going to go with a darker bronze/gold. Still in my makeup color family, but just a little more noticeable. I don't change anything else to my routine except I put on my eyeliner and lip gloss a bit heavier. I don't spend more than about 7 minutes doing my makeup.
So now 22 minutes have gone by. It usually takes me about 5 minutes to dress, add some perfume, earrings, shoes and grab a matching bag (again I picked out my outfit the night before, again planning ahead).
And Volia...the outcome is a date ready me in 30 minutes. I don't think I look drastically different, but it's a fun/flirty version of me which is exactly what I want to be on this date.
What do you guys think? Do you think you can do it in 30 minutes? I know you can. Oh and in case you're wondering...the date was great! 
9 Replies
Re: How to Get Ready for a Date After Work in 30 Minutes.
Wow! The 30 minute fun/flirty date makeover is super cute. I usually need a hour: a half hour to look fun and then another half hour to look flirty. ;)
Your hair turned out great! Did you put any porduct in your hair before putting it in a bun for the day?
Re: How to Get Ready for a Date After Work in 30 Minutes.
This looks great and I love that top! When I have to get ready quickly after work, I usually re-curl my eyelashes, swipe on some blush and either eyeliner or lipstick to freshen up my makeup. Since I usually wear my hair down during the day I'll either put it up or twist it back into a half updo for a new look.
Re: How to Get Ready for a Date After Work in 30 Minutes.
No product in my hair before, but I did spray my hair with Matrix Hairspray after I finished curling it. I'm glad you ladies like the demo :)
It was fun/stressful getting ready that quickly and he ended up being late so I could have had more time LOL.
Re: How to Get Ready for a Date After Work in 30 Minutes
Cute! Thanks for sharing pics :)
How to Get Ready for a Date After Work in 30 Seconds
Love the hair, Tracy! You clean up well ;) Wanna know how I get ready for a date in 30 seconds? Two words: red lipstick.
Re: How to Get Ready for a Date After Work in 30 Minutes.
I really like that you mentioned to go nuetral on date (especially if it is the first date). I worked as a hostess at a pretty snazzy restaurant for awhile. I live in a small town so the place I worked was the only place to go on a nice meal (the only other places were bars and pizza and chinese take out places). It would always seem so wierd to me that people who went on dates, people who we all saw on a day to day basis (remember, really really small town), would come in covered in head to toe makeup. Half the time I could barely recognize the people, I couldn't imagine what the person who went on a date with them thought.
Love the tips!
When I know in advance I'll be short on time I curl my hair for work that day and use lots of hairspray so it won't take much touching up later. I will use a body cleansing cloth, moisturize, change, touch up my makeup, and spray on perfume.
Re: How to Get Ready for a Date After Work in 30 Minutes.
Ok I'll start off my post by saying if styling hair is NOT involved (wash/blowdry) I can def be ready for a date in 30 minutes! ...I say this because I have a TON of VERY thick hair ... I would have to add an extra 20ish for styling. So let's get to the makeup/outfit situation and pretend I've already blown-out my hair.
Of course, I'll start off by washing my face and then makeup application begins! To begin, I will put a neutral eyeshadow base on my lids (helps seal in the eyeshadow for a nice long night). Then, depending on where this date may be - let's say dinner and drinks, I will do some type of a smoky eye. (Will either go with a black, gray palette or a dark brown, gold palette). Next, I'll line my eyes and add some mascara and then apply my miraculous foundation for blemish coverage. After that, I will set in the foundation with a loose powder and then to my favorite: BRONZER! (I mean - it is for a date right? You should look somewhat glowing).
So, since my hair is magically done already - well for the most part, I will probably grab my curling iron and do a couple of loose curls or quickly go over my strands with my flat iron (that depends on my hair mood of the night oh and the weather of course) :) Last but not least, I would probably go with a nude lip color and a light pink gloss. Do NOT want to overwhelm my date with overly colored lips! (Ok, maybe if it's like the 3rd date).
Last but not least - clothes. Just like Tracy, I would have probably pulled out an outfit the night before. Yes - that is because I am the ultimate planner! Oh and don't forget a spritz of yummy smelling perfume. I say spritz because you don't want your date to inhale massive fumes and pass out...that wouldn't be any fun! That's about it - my 30 min date night routine!
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