The date’s made. The chocolates are bought. And the reservation is romantic as hell. At this point in the game, you’ve got pretty much everything set up to knock Valentine’s Day out of the park. But even with the hard preparations taken care of, there’s still one last thing you’ve got to worry about: you. That is, making sure you look, feel and smell your best going into the big day. Unfortunately, this is where a lot of otherwise eligible guys miss their mark, particularly when it comes to their skin and hair. Here, six of the worst date-night grooming mistakes. Avoid them, and you've got your best shot at nailing this Sunday's festivities.

1. Switching Up Hairstyles At the Last Minute

Here at GQ, we’re all about trying new things. The key, however, is choosing the right time and place to take a fresh cut out for a spin. And the night you’re trying to impress a special someone—even you've been dating a while—simply isn’t that. No, on Valentine’s Day, you’re better off going with a 'do you’re already comfortable with, so that you can spend the night focusing on your date instead of worrying about how your locks look.

2. Shaving A Beard Off Without A Buffer

Let’s be clear: whether or not you decide to sport any measure of facial hair on Valentine’s Day is entirely a matter of personal preference. But should you decide to transition from a beard to a something less hairy, be it a mustache, stubble or simply clean-shaven, make sure you do the bulk of the trimming a few days prior to the big event. That way, the inevitable disaster area that’s formed beneath your fur has time to heal before the pressure's on. Not sure what we mean? Just look at Ben Affleck’s face immediately after he shaved his beard, and you’ll understand why such a buffer period is necessary.

3. Overloading on Cologne

Here’s the thing about signature scents: no matter how amazing one might be, any more than the slightest whiff of it can be overpowering—especially over dinner. So instead of dousing yourself from head to toe with cologne, keep things minimal with a spritz to each wrist, followed by a dab on the neck. No more, no less, and you’ll be good to go.

4. Not Paying Enough Attention To Bad Breath

If there’s ever a time to get foul breath in check, it’s now. But that doesn’t just mean brushing your teeth before you head out for the night because, as we’ve noted before, rancid respiration has got more to do with your tongue and gums than anything else. So use a scraper. Floss. Gargle. Drink a ton of water. Basically, do everything in your power to ensure fresh breath in your future.

5. Letting Ear and Nose Hair Run Wild

Remember, it’s the little things that matter most. Case in point: the follicles growing in your ears and nose. Sure, they may not be at the forefront of your to-do list, but you can bet your ass that if you don’t give them their due respect, your date is going to notice.

6. Manscaping A Bit Too Short

If all goes according to plan, you’re not going to be dropping trou alone this Sunday. So, before that time comes, it’s only fair you make sure everything’s up to code below the belt. While you’re down there though, make sure not to trim the hair too short too close to showtime. Because while, yes, there’s that whole “trimming the shrubs make the tree look taller” thing, you also don’t want there to be sandpaper-like stubble on your sack when that special someone comes in contact with it.

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