Whether you’re bingeing on Bumble, hooked on Hinge or tracking Tinder, nowadays it’s possible for most of us to get more dates than Brexit. The trouble with this instant dating culture is that it often ends up being rather last minute, which presents a host of problems for anyone who doesn’t look immaculate 24/7. And even if you are in a relationship, a 20-minute calendar notification or spontaneous text can remind you that you should really do something about those chapped lips and be quick about it. We’ve put together the tips and tricks that will transform you into the perfect Valentine. So, get your coat – and your hair cream, fragrance, eye cream, beard oil and face mask – and you might just pull.

Forget the smile. The first thing your date is going to notice is your hair. Whether it’s cool and cropped or bouncing with curls, hair – and how well it is maintained – is a fairly good indicator of a man. You want your mane to be the best version of itself, so a utilitarian finishing cream that can deal with everything from flyaways to curls to lacklustre locks, is a sensible choice. Trust Larry King, whose signature bedhead-but-better style just might land you in, well… You know the rest.

Playing host to a shocker of a spot? Don’t panic and, most importantly, do not touch. Difficult, we know, but any tampering will lead to irritation no product can placate. Enter 111Skin’s 3 Phase Anti-Blemish Booster, which contains a few keys ingredients to dry out any debris and soothe redness. Gently apply a drop to the affected area a few hours before your date and your blemish should calm down. If your date is last-minute and it hasn’t had time to work, fear not. A titanic spot might just be the perfect icebreaker. Get it? Or dab on some concealer (see below).

Not looking your best? A good cleanse and a touch of concealer should do the trick. Women know that concealer can hide all manner of sins without anyone even realising you’re wearing it. Try La Mer’s lightweight creamy formula, which is infused with the brand’s patented Miracle Broth to soothe any underlying redness. Even though it comes in a travel-friendly stick format, use your index finger and dab it on the back of your hand before applying, so you get it just where you want it. For spots, choose a shade the same as your skin tone, but for under-eye radiance, go one shade lighter.

Smell is as primal as it gets when it comes to the senses, often picking up on pheromones and dictating our lust before we can even say hello. Not a bad helping hand on a first date, particularly when the tagline of your scent (Monsieur by Frederic Malle, in this case) is “virile, with a twist”. A cocktail of patchouli, rum and mandarin, this eau de parfum is as sensual as it is warm, a distinctly confident option for anyone who might need some bravado on a first date. For those lucky enough to have met their match already, a spritz of an unexpected fragrance can be a subtle way of keeping things interesting.

For a scent that’s personal but not overpowering, opt for a beard oil. As well as being a subtle way to wear a scent, oils also fortify, nourish and gloss up (a technical term, thank you very much) your beard. It is no surprise, then, that TOM FORD has merged both categories beautifully, formulating beard oils that are as easy to use as they are efficacious. Give Neroli Portofino a go. It perfectly captures the Italian Riviera in all its sea-and-citrus glory.

If dry or dull skin is your date-night plight, a quick-fix face mask is called for. A face mask is a major skin saviour that infuses the complexion with active ingredients that rehydrate, plump and perfect. A quick 10 minutes and this powerful moisturising treatment from Sisley will live up to its Hydra-Flash name and give a dull complexion a date-worthy glow.