By: Laurie Davis, Founder

One of the things that Certified eFlirters do best is write your profile. There’s something to be said for a totally objective opinion, one that picks up on the qualities about you that even your friends wouldn’t mention in because they know you too well. 

But before you start typing your backstory, don’t click on other people’s profiles. The last thing you want to do is sound just like everyone else. Instead, think about your perfect match — the one who has it all. If you met in real life, what would you spend the most time chatting about? What would he or she be most interested in about you and what would you want to have in common? Start your profile there. 

Keep in mind that the first and last sentences of your profile are the most important. The first sentence needs to grab your matches’ attention and keep them wanting more. Make sure it isn’t mundane or cliché and speaks to who you are. The last sentence is the final thought your match would have. After they’ve read it, they’ll either want to message you or click the next button. Making sure you leave them with a strong statement is key. 

However, a lot happens in between your first and last lines. Below are some common pitfalls to avoid so you can make your profile sparkle on screen:

Adjective overload. One of the most common mistakes online daters make is using too many adjectives. They are "witty, intelligent, down to earth and unique"... and their mom says they’re special, too. Listing a bunch of adjectives that describe you isn’t actually descriptive.

Show, don’t tell. Revealing a personality trait through narrative will always resonate better than simply listing it. Rather than stating you are intelligent, show your knowledge through your interests and the books you read. If being funny is your thing, use a sarcastic tone or tell a joke. If you’re adventurous, mention the trips you take or places you explore. 

Get specific. Mentioning precise interests like a favorite restaurant or vacation spot will go a long way. These details will give your match a better idea of what you like and if they find something in common with you, and it’s easy to mention specifics via message.

Be confident. Confidence is key both in-person and online, so make sure your statements exude this quality. Never justify why you’re dating online or say things like “My friends think I’m…”  When viewed on digital paper, it’ll appear as though you’re not comfortable with yourself — or online dating in general.

Don’t repeat information. Repetition gets boring. If your match is bored, they’ll just move on to the next person without contact. A great profile will continue to reveal new information in each section, not only to keep your match engaged, but also to truly give others an idea of what you’re about. 

Keep them wanting more. Length is a crucial element to a good profile. Too long and your matches will leave without so much as a wink. Too short, and you won’t catch your matches’ eye — and they won’t know enough about you to send a message. Ideally, the main part of your profile (often known as the “all about you” section) should be two or three short paragraphs. 

Be careful with wit. Humor doesn’t always read well digitally, especially if you’re a rookie to the online dating world. If you’re going to be witty, you’ll need to use that tone throughout the profile, not just in a single sentence here and there. When in doubt, read your line alone on its own. Does it sound strange or creepy? If yes, remove. Immediately.

Talk about your match. To attract the perfect match, you need to tell people what you’re looking for. Don’t make this a list of ultimatums (too specific and you’ll turn away potentials), but do write a couple of sentences on the topic. It’ll show that you’re serious about meeting someone and not playing games.

No negativity. Maybe you’ve had some bad dating experiences. Maybe you’re feeling down on yourself. Whatever the case may be, those feelings need to stay far, far away from your dating profile. Being negative in your first impression with a match is like sulking in the corner at a party; it won’t attract anyone.

We've already broken down what products you should use to get pretty, but let's not forget about some essentials to bring while you're actually out on your date! Though schlepping around a huge tote isn't ideal, it's definitely a good idea to carry around a few of the items below for mid-dinner emergencies. Take a peak at our date must-haves for your purse, handbag or clutch.

By: Jess Downey, Copy Cutie

Fail: A couple of months ago, I went on a date with a very cute Brooklynite. Over drinks he told me about his crappy temp job and said he really aspired to be a painter. He showed me some pictures of his work, along with his website from his phone. Of course, I was salivating — I have a thing for artsy guys. After a few drinks he told me he had to cut the evening short because his funds were low. Then when the check came, he slammed down a five-dollar bill and said he thought we’d go dutch; our bill was $20.

Fab: You might not be a millionaire but that doesn’t mean you can completely forget about being a gentleman. Spending hundreds of dollars isn’t necessary, but at least plan a nice evening you can afford and offer to pick up the tab at the end.

Instead of ending the date abruptly because you’re “low on funds,” get the check after a couple of drinks and then head out for a nice walk. That way you can end the date and still maintain that romantic vibe without the reminding yourself (and your date) that money isn’t plentiful.

Being creative can give you the upper hand, so rock it. Woo your date and take a fun class or go to a museum. And there are always Groupons or freebie deals online you can take advantage of. This way, you’re guaranteed to have a great date without the unexpected costs of running up a bar tab.

Of course, if you’re flat broke, it might be a good idea to put dating on hold until you’ve saved a few. And if you’re a gal who likes to wine and dine, the starving artist probably isn’t for you.

Remember: Dating isn’t all about money. Plan something that’s fun, romantic and within your budget so you can avoid any unnecessary awkward moments.

By: Samantha Eng, Copy Cutie

Some people luck out — their lover is down the street or a simple car ride away. While they count the distance between them in minutes, international lovers count the moments they have together.

But before thinking of long-distance love as a painstaking test of real attraction to one another, an alternative point of view suggests there are benefits of having an international affair. If you need help putting a positive spin on your partner from afar, look no further than these four below: 

Te amo. Je t'aime. Ich liebe dich.

Translate it one hundred times over and the meaning remains the same. “Love” is the one word that evokes the same reaction, no matter what continent you’re on. Now imagine that word spoken with an accent — très chic! An international lover (given he doesn’t speak the same language as you) might teach an eager pupil a thing or two about his native … tongue. 

Something old, something new.

In the UK, the bar is better known as a “pub.” In Ireland, a “lass” is a lady. In your neighborhood, Uncle Tony’s is a hidden gem with the best tasting lasagna in the city that you happen to frequent every Friday night because of the all you can eat specials. But your partner will never know! Rediscovering your favorite spots and sharing them with someone who’s not from this side of the Atlantic (or Pacific, for our West Coast friends!) leaves a lot of ground to be uncovered.

The sun rises to the East and sets in the West.

Separated by oceans and on the other side of the world, skilled international couples have the advantage of making phone calls at those key times that you wish your last lover had remembered. The “Good morning, I miss you” call will never be missed from a faulty alarm clock. Neither will the random text during the day to the one who’s lying in bed at the night. The world clock becomes their playground, and the “I was just thinking of you,” call is really just that. 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

The age-old quote was made for this love affair. With international travel time racking up at least six hours on a plane, it’s way more than a simple hop, skip and jump across the Atlantic puddle. All the best love movies are based on these meetings: girl running into guy’s arms when she sees him at the gate, him spinning her around while the whole room smiles and rejoices in their reunion. International love affairs have made Hollywood millions! And somewhere during that travel time, bigger butterflies grew. Perhaps because of the longer incubation period? Ha!

But above all this, international lovers know clearer then we do sometimes — love has no boundaries and true love defies the odds.

Let's face it — guys don't spend as much time in front of the mirror as women do before a date. But the right scent or look can make a woman weak in the knees. Before getting ready for a night out on the town, take a peak at our list of the best grooming products for men. We can't promise you'll turn into George Clooney overnight, but we bet you'll feel sauve enough to walk any red carpet with your date on your arm. 

By: Laurie Davis, Founder

Whether it's a first date with a cutie you met online or your fifth year anniversary, you always want to look your best while out on the town. But with beauty stores like Sephora and sites like Birchbox, how do you know which products to pick? Don't fret — from your lips to your lashes, we've got you covered. Here are our top picks for date night makeup must-haves.