So, the cheesy greeting card companies and jewelry commercials have done their job and forced you to recognize Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re happily married or a regular on match.com, good grooming is always essential – but ESPECIALLY on February 14th is an absolute must.

Katherine Goldman, licensed esthetician and founder of Stript Wax Bar, a premier waxing salon in California, notes the increase of clients on the days leading up to Valentine’s Day. But if you’re too busy gift hunting for that special someone and haven’t had time to get some professional grooming done, here are Goldman’s at-home grooming tips that will score you big love points on the big day – and beyond.

Tame those brows.
Don’t let your date know that you’ve been up all night before stressing for the big day. Cleaning up your eyebrows makes your eyes look bigger and your face look less tired. Starting at the base of the hair, use tweezers to get rid of the unibrow and any strays.

Don’t overdo the love potion.
Love is in the air, but your cologne doesn’t have to be. The last thing you want to do is give your date a headache, so avoid heavy cologne piled on top of scented deodorant. Choose a sexy cologne with  husky undertones and limit to 1-2 sprays.

Use a moisturizing soap.
Valentine’s Day falls during a time when the weather does everything but good things to your skin. To combat dryness and sooth your skin, use a soap that contains nourishing ingredients like olive oil, jojoba oil, and Vitamin E, etc. Our 100% vegan soap, the Bro Bar, is perfect for giving your skin the moisture it needs leading up to the big day.

Avoid a shaggy situation.
If your nose hair is peeking out of your nostrils, it’s time to snip those unsightly strands off. Scissors can be dangerous as it only takes one quick jerk to cause a painful disaster and tweezing can trap bacteria and cause infection. Instead, use a nose hair trimmer in a brightly lit room.

The Stript Wax Bar has several California locations.
For more information visit www.striptwaxbar.com

Photographs exclusively for HOMBRE
Top: Paul Tirado
Bottom: Bradley Thurber