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If you can get home, have a ritual to calm yourself from the rigors of the day and put your best face forward. Try the following:

1)      Light a scented candle to infuse your bathroom with scent. Jo Malone has some delicious candles to get you in the right mood. Try the Wild Fig & Cassis or Nectarine Blossom & Honey Home Candle ($65.00).

2)      Wash away the stresses of your day with a gentle facial wash and toner. Estee Lauder Soft Clean Moisture Rich Foaming Cleanser and Silky Hydrating Lotion will leave your skin refreshed ($19.00).

3)      Take a warm shower or better yet, a calming bath to relax with gorgeous smelling bath gel. Drop Lush’s pink Sexy Bath Bomb in your bath and soak away in its fabulous jasmine scent ($5.99).

4)      After bathing, slather your body with a rich body cream. You want your skin to be glowing and touchable. Several friends of mine swear by Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, which is hypoallergenic, fragrance free and great for sensitive skin ($13.49).

5)      Shampoo and condition your hair with a lightly scented product that leaves your hair soft and sweet smelling. I love Pantene’s Pro-V Beautiful Lengths 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner ($6.15).

6)      Brush your teeth and swish with mouthwash! You do not want garlic breath from the salad you had at lunch lingering around. Use a whitening toothpaste like Crest Vivid White Fluoride Toothpaste to give you a dazzling smile ($4.29).

7)      Moisturize your face with a cream like Crème de la Mer. I know it is a splurge, but you only need a small pea-sized amount to get amazing results ($130.00).

8)      Every woman needs a little foundation. As we age, use it sparingly, to even out skintone, and create the perfect base for makeup. Try Giorgio Armani’s Luminous Silk Foundation for flawless skin ($58.00).

9)      Groomed brows and a shiny lip will frame your face. I love the 5-Element Brow Kit by Anastasia. The kit comes in its own zippered case filled with precision tweezers, Brow Powder Duo, Brow Stencils, Mini-Duo Brow Brush, and the best-selling Clear Brow Gel. For luscious lips, try Bobbi Brown’s Rich Color Gloss in Pink Raspberry or Rich Red. It’s luxurious, not too sticky, and has the feel of a balm ($20.00).

10) Perfume? Proceed with caution. It is not always good to wear a strong scent on a date. Many men are turned off by heavy perfumes. If you want, just place a tiny dab behind your ears.

If you can’t get home from the office and shower, look like you did you with a few easy steps. Pack your Emergency Dating Kit with the following:

1)      Start with a fresh, clean palette and use portable facial cleansing cloths to wipe away your day makeup. Splash your face with cold water to revive yourself and tighten your pores. Olay Daily Facials Express Wet Cleansing Cloths take off makeup and even waterproof mascara in one swoop ($5.99).

2)      Freshen your breath by brushing your teeth with a whitening toothpaste and rinsing with mouthwash. Try Colgate Max White with Mini-Bright Strips for that winning smile.

3)      Keep a packet of feminine wipes in your tote. You never know what is going to happen after dinner! Natracare Organic Cotton Wipes are the perfect solution ($3.99).

4)      Lightly apply a moisturizer and eye cream to your face. Prescriptives Intensive Rebuilding Moisturizer ($95.00) and All You Need + For Eyes ($29.50) will give you instant results.

5)      Concealer and foundation are key to covering imperfections. Use a light hand and apply only where needed. The days of heavy foundation are over. I use Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat Radiant Touch Highlighter under my eyes and Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage where I need extra coverage. Warm a small bit of Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup in the palm of your hand and dab sparingly ($22.00).

6)      Apply lip gloss in a shade stronger than your day color. This fall, a sheer plum or red, is all you need to make your look more dramatic. Estee Lauder Pure Color Glass is creamy smooth and provides hydration to dry lips ($18.00).

7)      Brush your hair or refresh it with a dry shampoo like Frederic Fekkai Au Naturel Powder Clean if you are in a pinch.

8)      Remember what your mother always said: wear clean underwear, darling! You will feel sexier and fresher if you have something fun on underneath.

9)      Bring a change of clothing, if possible. If not, a fun necklace or earrings, will update a simple black dress instantly. Switch to dressier heels for the night and pull out your trusty envelope clutch. 

10) Add a touch of perfume, if you’d like, but heed my warning from before: no heavy scents!

Voila, you are ready for your date, thanks to the Modern Woman’s Trick Kit. Like a good girl scout, you are always prepared! The absolute key is looking feminine and soft. Your date has gone to the effort to plan a great night out, so show him you care, and dazzle him with your charisma. Every date is a new opportunity and the energy you put into it is reflected back to you. Set the tone for the evening with your positive attitude. Focus on the person in front of you and give him your sole attention. Relax, be confident and comfortable with yourself. You are looking zGoddess fabulous, so go ahead, find your inner girl, and flirt!