Maybe that cute guy you’ve had your eye on for a while has finally asked you out. Or maybe you and your husband are finally getting an evening to yourselves while the kids spend time with grandma and grandpa. Be it an exciting first date or a married couple’s long-awaited date night, you’ve got to make sure you enjoy it to the fullest! As always, the devil’s in the details, so keep the things listed below in mind to make sure the evening is unforgettable.

Get your sexy on with some daring lingerie

Nothing can heat the atmosphere up quite as well as some sexy lingerie from Obsessive Shop ! Be it thigh-highs peeking out from under your skirt or a lacy black bra subtly visible from underneath a close-fitting white top, the key is to get his imagination going long before you get home. 

Prep your props for later

Are you expecting the night to end at your apartment? Make sure you prep all of the props you might need beforehand so you don’t have to fumble around in the dark for them as soon as you get in the door. Candles, wine, massage oils, or maybe even a crop or feather duster, if a mix of naughty and nice is your thing — you do you, girl!

Send a flirty message beforehand…or two

As with the lingerie, it’s all about heating up the atmosphere, little by little, until he’s going crazy with desire. Keep in mind that moderation is key, though, so send one, maybe a maximum of two messages — not ten — otherwise you might just stress the poor guy out. Something along the lines of “So excited for later, can’t wait to see you!” is all he needs to keep him thinking about you until you finally meet. If you’re feeling especially daring, you might follow that up with a seductive lingerie selfie. Talk about driving a guy wild with anticipation!

Keep conversation light and fun

No matter whether you’re spending the evening with that new guy from work or your husband of ten years, steer away from serious, potentially buzz-killing topics. Nothing is less sexy than going on a rant about impending global doom after having way too many drinks. If this is your first date, don’t worry! There will be plenty of time to discuss your views on politics and religion in the future. And if this is a night away from the kids, make the most of it, damn it! Flirt, joke, and generally just focus on having a great time…in the restaurant and later on.

Be yourself!

He invited you out, so he definitely already likes you for who you are. So yes, make an effort to look pretty and sexy, but don’t feel obligated to get so dolled up he won’t recognize you. Unless dolled up is your go-to everyday look, in which case feel free to go full Barbie! 

This is the night you’ve likely both been waiting for for quite some time, so take a moment to figure out how to make the absolute most of it. Best part is, if all goes well, there’s lots more where this date came from!

Prompted by falling brick-and-mortar store traffic, the woes of retail, and Amazon’s looming threat, a growing number of brands are joining forces. It’s mostly a matter of synergy, the whole being more significant than the sum of its parts, but in the rapidly expanding world of American commerce, it’s a trend that seems to be taking hold.

Branding and fashion are joining forces in a big way. And not only are businesses in these areas booming but, as fashionbombdaily.com reports, other trends are joining forces with them, 149’s guide being one of them.

Buy It or Build It?

When companies are looking for ways to expand, most ask themselves, “Should we buy it or build it?” The answer to that question is usually pretty easy to answer.

If your company is a big brand and wants to attract a new customer segment, you could stretch and create a derivative. That can be dangerous since you could overextend your resources. This is especially true if you plan to move away from your current customer base. Sometimes, however, the strategy works, as in the case of one American apparel retailer that recently announced its plans to introduce a line of fashion products that infused with CBD that included as part of its pitch the claim to reduce soreness in wearers.

What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

There can be little doubt that 2020 was the year that brands and fashion merged and will probably continue to merge. As good as that new might seem, there is usually one question remaining. That is what will be left? Certain people will be sacrificed, especially when it comes to individual departments like HR and accounting, which are duplicates anyway.

Still, the bigger question is what the remaining company will look like. This is where brand value comes in since. Obviously, each company in a merger wants to be the surviving entity. Fortunately, the choice of who wins and who loses is usually apparent when it comes to brands apparent, even from the beginning. And in the case of management, what matters most isn’t the company, it’s the brand and the identity it takes with it.

Not a Cure-All

So, when you blend a brand with fashion, which comes out the winner? The customer, of course, when that merger is done right. The customer doesn’t care as long as they get what they want. Better yet, if the blending is done well, the transition will be transparent to the customer.

Of course, the result is that when things are done right, the customer experience will improve. Even with changes, things like brand story and product curation will continue to evolve. But there is also a marketing advantage when brands and fashion merge. The market is freed up and, more often than not, more and better products are introduced.

So, What Does Amazon Have to Do With This?

With companies changing forms due to merging, they usually still feel like a lion—Amazon—is licking its chops ready to devour them at any moment. And rest assured that the pressure won’t end anytime soon, but it should be realized that the most important difference is the planning that goes into a merger of brand and fashion that will determine who survives and for how long.

When it comes to hair washing, many different theories are going around. So, you must know how to differentiate between hair washing facts and myths. 

Here are six common hair washing myths that need to be debunked. 

1. Shampooing Makes You Lose Hair 

According to this myth, people who shampoo are likely to lose more hair than those who only wash their hair sparingly. Shampooing is associated with hair loss because when you wash your hair, you lose hair.

However, it has been proven that this theory is nothing but a myth. An average human loses 50 to 100 hair strands daily and cutting back on shampoo has no significant effect on this hair loss. 

If you’re shedding a conspicuous amount of hair after washing, it’s most likely an indication of an underlying problem.  

Besides, leaving your hair unwashed for long periods can cause dirt and oil to build-up, leading to inflammation and stunted hair growth.  

Find the best shampoo to use for your hair type and wash when your scalp and hair are noticeably dirty. 

For instance, people with straight hair can try an all-natural shampoo for oily hair since they’re more prone to oily hair. People with kinky or very curly hair should use shampoos that aren’t intensely drying or don’t strip the hair of its natural oils. 

2. Washing Your Hair With Cold Water Makes It Shine

Rinsing your hair with cold water can be refreshing, especially during warm weather. However, it certainly doesn’t make the hair shinier. If your hair is dull, you’ll have to look for more practical solutions rather than washing it with cold water. 

On the contrary, using cold water to wash the hair can restrict blood supply and nutrients from reaching your hair strands. Use lukewarm water to wash your hair to avoid this problem.

3. You have to Switch-up Shampoos Every Now And Then Because Your Hair Gets Used To It

This theory suggests that after a while, your hair becomes immune to the effects of a shampoo. So, to ensure you keep reaping the benefits of a good cleanse, you need to change the shampoo. 

While it’s true that your hair may stop responding well to your usual shampoo, it’s more likely due to a change in weather conditions, hormonal changes, and change in hair texture, for instance, due to hair smoothing or colouring. 

4. The Shampoo and Conditioner Need To Match 

The idea that your shampoo and conditioner need to match to be effective is another myth that needs correcting. There’s no harm in using the same brand of shampoo and conditioner to wash hair if they suit your hair needs. 

For instance, you may be causing more harm to your hair strands if you have dry hair and you match shampoos and conditioners that are for hair strengthening. What you need for dry hair is a moisturizing conditioner. So, matching shampoo and conditioner may not always work. What matters is your hair type and requirements.

5. You Don’t Need A Conditioner, Just Shampooing Is Fine

Shampooing your hair alone without using a conditioner may be too drying for your hair. Dry, brittle hair is a recipe for hair wash disaster. 

Just like your skin and face, your hair also needs moisturizing after washing. Shampooing your hair cleanses the dirt build-up but it doesn’t add any moisture to the hair. In fact, most shampoo products take away moisture. This is why, after a wash, you need to follow it up with a hydrating conditioner to restore the moisture balance.

To achieve the best results with conditioners, apply the product on the hair and leave for about five minutes before rinsing it off. Click here to see tips on how to care and style your hair yourself.

6. You Have to be Rough To Get A Thorough Cleanse 

The idea behind this myth is that you need to scrub hard to get all the dirt and build-up out of your hair. However, this is far from the truth. Scrubbing your hair hard can be damaging, especially for women with fine hair. 

Your hair becomes very delicate when wet. Therefore, you need to wash with care. For a relaxing wash experience, gently massage the shampoo into the hair in soft, circular movements. This will ensure you don’t harm any of the hair strands and the shampoo cleanses the scalp well.

Conclusion 

Some of the common hair washing myths have been debunked above. Knowing what practices to discard or embrace can help you maintain healthy hair. For example, there are myths such as shampooing makes you lose hair, you need to scrub hard to achieve a good cleanse, washing your hair with cold water makes your hair shinier, among several others. 

Now that you know that these hair theories are just myths, you can take better care of your hair.