Jewelry. The most important function of your jewelry is to compliment your good features. For example, if you have lovely green eyes, consider earrings that accentuate their color. If you want to attract attention to your beautiful breasts, a long drop necklace will draw the eye down. Just remember that either the necklace or the earrings—and not both—should be the attention-getter. Another idea is to wear jewelry that is meaningful to you, like a family heirloom or an item you picked up while traveling. It will be unique and serve as a conversation starter.

Make-up. Just as your mom always said, good make-up looks like no make-up at all. So opt for a subtle and natural look—it sustains the image of not having overly prepared for the date. First, even your skin tone with spot concealer and tinted moisturizer; then add dimension with a bronzer or blush, highlighting your cheek bones, forehead, nose, and chin; apply mascara and eyeliner; and finally, add a dash of color with some eye shadow and colored lip gloss.

If all this advice is starting to stress you out, also consider these words from one of the men I polled: "Does how a girl dresses matter? Of course it does—but not nearly much as women would expect. As long as her outfit doesn't portray her as someone she's not—like a librarian or a skank—then it's cool." In other words, ladies: no matter what you slip on, make sure it's you. The hottest thing you can make yourself look like is…yourself.