Your outfit is chosen, your makeup and nails are done. The only thing left to prep for date night is your hair… But which hairstyle do you go for? You should feel your best on date night, and that means choosing a hairstyle that gives you confidence. We recommend selecting a style that doesn’t require too much work and that will hold for the duration of your date.

Here are our top three date night hairstyle suggestions:

Bouncy curls

Loose curls are romantic and flattering, and definitely one of our most recommended hairstyles for date night. One of the most important things you can do for your curls is to give them as much moisture as possible. We recommend applying a weekly hair mask like Nilotiqa Shea & Coco Intensive Repair & Strengthen Mask (R130.00) to boost and retain moisture levels. Enriched with protein, it penetrates the hair follicles for an intensive hair treatment and helps restore existing damage.

Give your curls definition and bounce by applying a curl activating mousse or a scrunching jelly to damp hair. Umberto Giannini Curl Whip Curl Activating Mousse (R160.00) is a curl activating definition mousse for weightless, flexible, frizz-free curls that transforms sagging curls into super shapely spirals of bouncy loveliness. If a scrunching jelly is more your thing, opt for Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Scrunching Jelly (R160.00). It banishes frizz, adds shine and gives definition to waves and curls.

If your curls are prone to frizz, try Curls In Bloom Shine Me! Anti-Frizz Perfume Spray (R69.95). This light and nourishing formula delicately scents the hair while fighting frizz, leaving curls soft and nourished with renewed shine (plus, the fragrance is just beautiful and a lovely surprise when your date leans in for a hug!).

Straight and sleek

Beautifully flat-ironed hair tends to have a glossy shine, and looks great either loose or in a high ponytail. For a sleek style, the thicker your hair, the better. If this is a style you wear regularly, we recommend consistency using a thickening shampoo and conditioner. OGX Thick & Full + Biotin & Collagen Shampoo (R200.00) and Conditioner (R200.00) contains a volumising blend that gives your hair texture, making it look and feel thicker.

If frizz is a concern, opt for a frizz-fighting shampoo and conditioner duo like Marc Anthony Bye Bye Frizz Shampoo (R185.00) and Conditioner (R185.00). It’s infused with K-silk complex and an amino acid blend to repair damage and create soft, shiny, manageable hair that’s smooth as silk and free from frizz.

If you’re planning on flat-ironing or blow-drying your hair, a thermal protection spray is essential to prevent damage and moisture loss. We recommend Umberto Giannini Heat Protection Spray (R160.00), which protects against heat damage, gets rid of frizz and creates silky shine – all without weighing down your hair.

For added shine, apply a few drops of a shine oil once you’ve finished straightening your hair. Hask Argan Oil From Morocco Repairing Shine Hair Oil (R200.00) is a weightless and intense conditioning treatment that helps repair and smooth out hair using nourishing Argan oil and keratin, plus it gives hair a lovely shine.

Casual updo

Whether your hair is long or short, straight or curly, a casual updo always looks chic, and is really practical when you’re going out for a meal or spending time outdoors. Depending on the length of your hair and your personal style, you may want to try a loose bun or pineapple updo.

Simply gather your hair on top of your head and secure it with a scrunchie or hair band (if your hair is long enough), or a few pins if your hair is short. If your hair tends to get unruly, use some styling gel to keep it in place. Cantu Avocado Styling Gel(R149.95) is the perfect product to smooth your hair down at the base of your head and keep it in place.

Apply The Perfect Hair Mango & Marula Moisturizing Leave-In Butter (R69.95) to your pineapple updo to keep your curls hydrated and soft. This rich leave-in styling butter is enriched with mango and marula extracts for 24-hour moisture and curl retention.

Whatever hairstyle you choose for date night, remember to let your hair down (figuratively or literally!) and have fun.